Stone Mountain, GA August 5-10, 2013

Stone Mountain is the largest exposed piece of solid granite in the world, so it says in the brochure you receive when you enter the state park.  The carvings on the face of the mountain depict some of our famous leaders during the Civil War. At the park grounds there are activities, shops and restaurants. The park also has many trails and picnics areas for use while visiting the park. Well worth the your time if you are in the area.
Our space is very comfortable nestled in the woods next to Stone Mountain Lake. While in the Atlanta area we visited Jane's niece Cathy and her family for dinner.  We also had dinner with Katrina and her parents. Katrina is Bob's son Ryan's girlfriend.  We also caught up with Brenda, a friend we made while in Ecuador. Bob's niece Mollee lives in Georgia and she stopped by to visit as well. Other than meeting and greeting family and friends, our activities were light in this area.

Next Stop: Columbus, GA (Fort Benning - Dorian's graduation from basic training) 

Sevierville, TN - July 29 - August 5, 2013

Arrived at the Riverside RV Park in Sevierville around 12:30.  Good drive, good weather around 80 degrees and low humidity. We were lucky and got a space on the Little Pigeon River.
While in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gaitlinburg, we drove through the Smokey Mountain State Park, attended the Dixie Stampede, and spent a full day at Dollywood.  We also walked through the Forbidden Caverns and visited Bush's Baked Beans museum. Pigeon Forge has one of the largest Christmas Stores we have ever seen.  Spent many hours browsing and shopping. We also spent a day antiquing and wine tasting.

The above pics were taken at Cade's Cove Loop.  A driving tour. The Cade family
dominated this area in the early days.

Forbidden Caverns Tour. An hours tour deep into the caverns of the Smokey Mountains.

Dolly's bus for 15 years, and you could have guessed it was furnished in pink. Dollywood was a fun activity
and highly recommended if you are in the area.

A visit to the Bush's family cafe and museum.
The company is still owned and operated by the Bush family

Next Stop: Stone Mountain, GA.

Nashville, TN - July 22 - July 29, 2013

Left Memphis at 8 a.m. 73 degrees, raining cats and dogs. Slow going on the road, lots of traffic.
Arrived in Nashville around 2 p.m. Set up at the Nashville Country RV Park in Goodlettsville.  Mosquito attack as soon as we got out of the truck. 89 degrees. Nice park, all the amenities you will need. Hung out at the camp ground that night, after all we drove 200+ miles.

On Tuesday, went downtown Nashville to the visitor's center to purchase an all inclusive tour package. We chose to go to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Studio B (Studio B has been used since the early '50's and has had many famous recording artist of the past and present), the Ryman Auditorium and President Andrew Jackson's home, The Hermitage.

Ryan and his girlfriend, Katrina, drove up from Atlanta on Friday to join us at the Grand Ole Opry and and spend the weekend with us in Nashville.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Original piano still being used at Studio B since the early '50's.
Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis just to name a few used this piano.

Ryman Auditorium, the original first Grand Ole Opry building used from the early 1900's to 1974.
Built by steamboat captain, Tom Ryman and first used as a church, and was renamed the Ryman after his death.

Free concert in the park at the end of Broadway in downtown Nashville, on the Cumberland River.

Grand Ole Opry, longest running country music radio program in the world.

President Andrew Jackson's home, The Hermitage.

President Andrew Jackson's grave site on the grounds of his beloved Hermitage.

Next stop: Sevierville, TN

July 19 - July 22, 2013 - Memphis, TN
Left Branson early Friday morning for our 8 hour drive to Memphis. We stopped in Harrison, Arkansas to visit  a friend of Bob's that he used to work with many years ago.  Weather was warm and beginning to get more humid as we traveled.  Countryside was lush and green. Bob noted that we had driven 2,850 since June 30th.
Arrived in Memphis about 4:30 pm at Graceland RV Park right across the street from Elvis's beloved Graceland. The park was adjacent to the museums, gift shops, and everything Elvis. Fun note: the streets at the RV park were named after songs that Elvis made popular.  We were on Don't Be Cruel Street. There was a sign in the park that said, "if you're not an Elvis fan you will be all shook up". The following day we walked next door to the Graceland museum and visitor center and purchased tickets for the day. The costs for the tour and museums was $35.00 - very reasonable for all that get to see and do.

That evening we went to Beale Street in downtown Memphis. Beale Street is like the French Quarter in Lousianna.  Two blocks on Beale Street is blocked from traffic and all the restaurants, bars and gift shops are open well into the evening. Bars sell booze on the street and there is live music in every bar until the wee hours of the morning. Ate dinner at Silky O'Sullivan's and enjoyed listening to a Janis Joplin wanna-be.
She was pretty good. The music was better than the food. Interesting sites in downtown Memphis - Gibson Guitar factory,  the Orpheum Theater, and the Peabody Hotel.

FYI - Pulled pork is on every menu. 

On Saturday we went back downtown to the Beale Street landing to take the Mississippi River Paddle boat Cruise. Our guide was Percival. He was very knowledgeable of the history of Memphis, the Mississippi and the people that lived here, he also added a few funny stories. Had a snack and a drink on the hour and half cruise. Great views of the city, the country side and barges going up and down the river. FYI - in that area, the Mississippi is a very muddy river.

Percival, our riverboat guide. Funny man.

Next stop - Nashville