Nashville, TN

Yeehaawww! Ok ok, so it really wasn't that climactic, but Nashville can easily live up to its reputation. Lots of cowboy boots and hats! And lots of country music! In fact, the CMAs were being held while we were there, so we saw the red carpet and a huge group of people, but sadly no celebs.

Anyways, we lucked out because our coach had to get some work done while we were there, so we got to rent a car to drive around, which makes these ventures a little easier.

The first night, we visited the "Grand Ole Opry". To be honest, this was like a "so what" thing, because I have no idea what it is! I mean truly, I'm not a huge country fan, and even though we "saw" this building, I'm like "woopdee doo". Plus we went in the evening when nothing was happening, so maybe it'd make more sense if we'd gone at a different time?

Trent, sad that we arrived too late

GOO, where something historical happened

Yay for togetherness

So luckily, the Opry Mills (outlet mall, woo!) is right next door, so we saw a movie ("Zombieland"), and ate dinner at The Aquarium, which is an "underwater" restaurant, surrounded by fish tanks. It was okay, mostly exciting for the "view" if you will, but, as it turns out, has just average food.

Sorry they're so dark- that's what happens at night, I guess!

The next day, we made a slightly earlier start, and headed down to the Country Music Hall of Fame. 

What?! The windows are made to look like a piano keyboard?! I just realized this now! This is far too much for me to comprehend!

Here, we decided that I was far to disinterested in country music to shell out $20 a head, so we browsed the gift shop and left. I mean honestly, I don't think I would've gained much from that museum, no matter how well it was put together. 

Giddy up and ride pardner!

Like my hat?

Admiring this gorgeous shirt

"But Trent, it's only $99!"

Yes, this is the photo you will see if Trent ever achieves America's Most Wanted status

Yes! on all accounts

Right outside of the museum was where the red carpet was for the CMAs. We poked our head in, but it was still a bit early so no celebs had really shown up yet. Not that I'd really know who they were anyways. :) But there were a lot of fans, and some of them cracked me up, especially the girls, because they were all decked out with their up-dos and evening gowns, as if  Garth Brooks would, by happenstance, notice them as we was walking down the carpet, and sweep them along with him, and they'd be the belle of the ball or something. Ha.

Oooh Ooh Ohh! Who is it? Miley?! Taylor?! The Janitor?!

We also checked out Broadway, which is one of the main, touristy drags there. It's actually quite quaint, and though somewhat modern, still calls back to the good old days of Nashville...

Hurray, Ernest!

Fusion of new and old...yay for being progressive, Nashville!

We ate at a BBQ joint/bar called Rippy's (typical bar food), stepped in to a couple gift shops like the Boot co., where cowboy boots (and nice brands actually!) were buy 1, get 2 free. I tried on a few but I ultimately decided that cowboy boots have no room in my life. Sorry, they just aren't my thing. Maybe a kitschy, trendy and cheap pair will end up on my feet one day, but to pay $200 for a pair was not an interest of mine.

Howdy!

Mm! Gotta get me some of them Nashville souvenirs, like that Pow-Mia skully!

Oh and we also grabbed some ice cream at a little ice cream parlor there on Broadway. I think it was called Mike's. It was tasty. I had a cold, so I know it's supposedly bad to eat dairy products, but it actually made me feel better at that moment.

See? Ice Cream makes Trent feel better too!

So...that's Nashville in very much a nutshell. Fun place, interesting to see how people in other places live, and on to the next place, I guess (which happens to be New Orleans, and I've already been there, so I'll post my report as soon as possible!). 

But wait! There are more photos to be had:

Yay a record. But wait a second...

...and you will find even more records! But step back a few more feet...

...ZOMG!!!! Wow!

Grand Ole Opry area...and yes, I am a professional

I just like these photos

Philly!!

Yay, home, sweet, home! Yesterday we had the lovely opportunity to head to downtown Philadelphia for a couple of shows. It is such a wonderful place with great people. Ya know, the Northeast is not well-known for its friendliness and/or hospitality, but from my experience, I find that the people in this area are quite pleasant.

At one point, we stopped at a small gas station to fuel up. The three guys working there- definitely Philly born-and-raised- were so fun and helpful. They chatted it up with Trent for a good half hour about the coach, Alaska and of course, Philadelphia!

I will say though, that it was a trial for Trent to drive in the city...I've now decided that after taking on some of those small streets, he can pretty much take on anything! All the other commercial vehicles had scratches and dents all over them...which is not a possibility for us! So I'm very proud of him :)

Also while we've been here, SEPTA (the local public transportation) has been on strike, and according to locals, the strike was done without any notice- people went to the bus stop in the a.m., but no bus came for them! ANYWAYS, we thought we should go around with our bus and charge people for a ride...of course we didn't, but it would've been a great way to make some extra income, right?? :)

Ok so here are some photos of beautiful Philthy! 

Down the street from first event- City Hall

Second event, South Philly

...so true!

Sorry but this made my day! 

...I love this pic because you can kinda see the coach seats in it too :) Not on purpose, but cool nonetheless!

Rocky, anyone?

...ready to get back to the hotel after a long (fun!) day! 

Delaware

I don't think anything really sums up Delaware better than a quote I remember after years from Wayne's World: "Yay, we're in Delaware. Yay, Delaware..."

It's not that the petite state isn't enjoyable, but when I think of Delaware, I think of flat license plates. And, after having spent a few nights there, that's still pretty much all that comes to mind. Sorry!

Nonetheless, here's a couple photos from one of the agencies we visited. The owner dressed up as Mickey Mouse. It added a lot of entertainment to my day, and undoubtedly garnered a lot of attention for our coach, so that's good! Personally, I am one with a phobia of mascots, in the way some fear clowns. At one point I think I even needed to ask him a question, but was too afraid to confront the mouse. Such is the life of a masklophobic (see! I'm not alone! There's even a name for my fear!!)!

Ocean City, MD

Yes, I'm still alive! Just been so busy traveling to update, so sorry. Plus, uploading photos takes forever. >:(

Anyways, last weekend (10/24-ish), Trent and I got to go to Ocean City, MD. It was one of my favorite stops to date. Not only was Ocean City great, but we also got to visit Assateague and Chincoteague Islands. My sister and my mom came to visit us- helped us get around a little! :)

We brought our bikes to Assateague, so here's Balls wearing her helmet on the beach:

And my cute mom collecting shells on the beach:


Trent in his cute biking outfit:




The Sunset:


Oh, hi, it's me!


Finding the wild ponies- Trent even went so far as to pet one! Luckily, he was a nice horse :)




So speaking of the horses, when we were entering the park, Trent asked the lady in the booth why the horses didn't just walk across the bridge to Chincoteague Island- she replied that it wasn't in their nature to walk across. Well...the next day, as we were going in again, my mom asked the lady the same question. I don't think she recognized us, but she gave us the same canned answer- i'm sure she gets this question a lot. lol. ANYWAYS, on our way out of the park, we saw the horses chillin by the bridge! And we were sooo hoping they'd walk across so we could prove her wrong! :)

Anyways, back to the photos:

Assateague Lighthouse


Trent chillin on the bench with the ghost bear:


Balls, what are you doing?



AND NOW, Ocean City!!


Boardwalk


OC is so quiet in the winter! Nice and refreshing :)


Welcome to OC!


Silly Trent




Well, there you have it folks! I have more photos to share, so I will be working on getting the blog updated! :)