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Tennessee Visit 2009

Mary, James, and I visited Tennessee to see how everyone was doing. The photos were taken at the West Meade nursing home where James Grandfather Howard, resides. The folks who run this nursing home are great and the deserve all the praise we can give them. I also got to visit my cousin who is in the same nursing home, she is doing very well. What an incredible coincidence that a member from each side of our little family would end up in the same nursing home. It is indeed a small world after all.
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Edited: July 26th, 2009

Nashville Country Music Hall of Fame 2006

We took James to the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. Many classic items there but flash photography was not allowed so some of the pics may look dim. They say the flashes can actually damage some of the stored items, who would have thought that.

My family has long been Hank Williams fans, both Sr. and Jr., and Johnny Cash well I think everyone likes Johnny Cash. Lots of interesting things to see but what impressed me most was all the gold albums that lined the walls. A pretty awesome display although you would have a hard time ever finding your favorite song because there are so many.

The car display was cool as well and there was alot of computer/video interactive devices. You could easily spend a whole day at the Country Music Hall of Fame.


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Edited: September 26th, 2006

Landis Family Reunion 2006

This was the first time James met alot of his Nashville relatives and he really responded well to the wonderful hospitality we were shown while in Tennessee. Mary got to meet up with a new niece as well. We spent alot of time with Mary’s mom who lives in a huge apartment complex that can be seen from downtown Nashville. We also spent alot of time with Mary’s dad who is in a Nursing home but is sharp as a tack. We thought it was wonderful that James got to meet his Grandma and Grandpa along with a Uncles and a bunch of cousins. Thanks to everyone for making this such an enjoyable visit for our family.
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Edited: September 25th, 2006

Nashville Belle Meade Plantation 2006

So many of the great race horses were bred at the Belle Meade Plantation. We had stopped here only for lunch and found ourselves buying tickets and going on the tour. Well, I should say Mary went on the tour, James and I had plenty to explore on the outside of the mansion including the stables and a creepy old mausoleum out in the back.

I remember Mary telling us that one of the people in the Bell Meade history got in trouble with the Tennessee government so they sent him to what they thought was the worse place on earth, that place was Mackinaw Island where we vacation each year.
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Edited: September 25th, 2006

Nashville Aquarium Restaurant 2006

One of the largest aquariums in the world, you should see it at feeding time.

We took Mary’s mom here for lunch and James enjoyed seeing all the fish in one of the largest aquariums in the world. The water is constantly filtered and is sparkling clean, kind of makes me feel guilty because the water in our little home aquarium is not that clean. The aquarium is in the center of the restaurant and is circular so you can walk all around it and end up back where you started. The food was good as well, but you have to remember you are paying for the aquarium and that atmosphere of the place.

This restaurant is located directly across from the Grand Ole Opry, just on the other side of the parking lot.
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Edited: September 24th, 2006

Nashville Zoo 2006

Mary lived just across the street from here as a child, although it wasnt a zoo then. The property was owned by a family who donated it to the city of Nashville to be used as a zoo. This is a very new zoo so alot of the exhibits are fresh and fun, it is set up like a safari adventure and you can easily miss things if you don’t have a map. A carousel is right in the center for the kids, and you can visit the family’s original farm as well. James had a blast here, and despite all the cool animals that he enjoyed, I think he liked the carousel ride the best. I guess its one thing to look at an animal but another to ride one on a merry go round.
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Edited: September 23rd, 2006

Nashville Flea Market 2006

‘This is Marys favorite flea market in the whole world, we scheduled our trip to Nashville so that we would arrive in time for the Nashville Flea Market. My understanding is one of the driving forces behind the flea market was an ancestor of Mary’s. The Flea Market is huge and you have to walk up a big hill to get to it so if you decide you want to go, be sure to bring your hiking shoes.

Even though it was September it was still very hot. Some of the buildings are air conditioned while others are not but at least you could take a break from the heat if you wanted to. The only charge for the flea market was for parking so it was well worth the trip.
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Edited: September 23rd, 2006

Grand Ole Opry & Opryland Hotel 2006

We visited the Grand Ole Opry and shopped at the mall across the street (the same one that has the aquarium restaurant).

The hotel is a huge complex which reminded me of the Walt Disney World hotels but grander. We took an indoor boat ride similar to the one we took in Vegas at the Venetian, except there was no singing on this one. Lots of shops but what really was amazing was the plant life. The ceiling is made of glass which makes for a greenhouse effect. Each level was different and meticulously maintained. We saw Dolly Parton’s room when she stays there which looks out over a huge garden.

It kind of made me feel bad we were staying at a Holiday Inn when there was something like this available.
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Edited: September 19th, 2006