Adventure Logan

It is quite an experience to be here but add all the Texans who are in town for the big game today – wearing Texas A&M maroon – and you have a party in the making. This morning we headed downtown again and stopped in the George Jones bar/museum and the Wildhorse Saloon.

It was fun to take some pics before Dave and I headed out on the Stop and Go bus from yesterday. We wanted to see a stop we missed and to hear the commentary along Music Row (which was bypassed yesterday because of construction).

A better picture of the state capitol

A view of the wall from the tour bus

Before we met up with the Munroes, we made a stop at the Goo Goo store. When we were here in 2001, we were introduced to these little chocolate delights (like a chocolate turtle) while we waited to go into the Opry House. During the show, which is broadcast as a radio show, they actually advertised them. They used the line “Gotta Getta Goo Goo” and we thought it was hilarious. So we wanted to get a box since they held great memories of the first time we were here with the Sanfords.

This is the way to travel – by bar – the patrons pedal and the driver steers. Lots of tourists trying this out tonight.

We were off on the Downtown shuttle to attend night two of the Opry. Some of the performers were repeats but there were some others – especially Vince Gill and Charles Eston (Deacon from the Nashville show).

Jeannie Seely

Jesse McReynolds

Andrew Peterson

Marty Stuart

Connie Smith

Mel TillisBill Anderson and Jean Shepard

Tonight history was made at the Opry. This little 82 year old lady – Jean Shepard – was celebrating her birthday, her wedding anniversary (47 years) and her Opry induction anniversary (60 years). She was presented with a locket commemorating the occasion as well as a new plaque commemorating the 90 year anniversary of the Opry. She is the first woman to have reached this goal and along with Kitty Wells is credited with paving the way for all the women that followed. She sang the Tennessee Waltz and did a great job although she is clearly quite frail.

Vince Gill

Ashley Campbell (Glen Campbell’s daughter) made her debut tonight.

Charles Esten

Charles Esten ( Deacon from Nashville – love that show)

On our way home on the shuttle a couple got a ride to the Opryland Hotel giving me a chance to take a few pics of the lights that were turned on in a ceremony on Thursday. There are over 2.3 million lights on their display.

No pictures can do justice to this display but it might help you grasp the size and scope.

There are about 30 magnolia trees all covered with a total net – they line the oval leading to the Magnolia Portico at the hotel.

There is a life sized nativity set which I managed to get partially in this frame. The trees you see here have all branches individually wrapped with lights. There are four groupings of the trees like this one – and it quite a site from the highway as you pass. The bus driver said that they actually began some of the work on this display in July. This year’s theme is Nutcrakers.