Every December the downtown merchants have a Christmas event on Venice Avenue. Basically it is billed as a stroll and that is what you do along the street while you listen to music and pop into the stores. There is usually a large crowd and tonight was no exception. The 8 of us headed down and since it was really very warm and humid we especially liked the blasts of cold air whenever we went into a well air conditioned store. There were lots of treats – fudge, caramel corn, Belgian chocolates, wine and pretzels to name a few. This year there were new Christmas lights on the huge palms at the Harbour Drive end of Venice Avenue – impressive.

The windows are always well decorated too! This cute tree made out of shells and the tree made to looks like coral, as well as the plaque are some samples of sights we saw during the stroll.

There were numerous musical groups – this one on the flat bed truck was really good.

After we finished our tour, we met the guys at the Daquari Deck for a few wings and a cold drink.

Last week Florence and Garth arrived and are staying in the park for a month!  We are looking forward to the Christmas season with them.

We have done lots of eating out so far – N’tinos and Altheas (now called Abbey’s on Miami), Red Hat at the Pavillion and The Clock for brunch.

Sunday brunches are fun!

We have planned to bike everyday for at least an hour. So far so good. Florence is keeping us on target!

Then there has been shopping – IMAGINE THAT – Bealls and of course, Goodwill. As usual, we seem to manage to find some super bargains.

We haven’t missed the annual boat parade (7 of them not counting 2015)  but this year we had decided not to go – then a golfing friend of Dave’s – Jim – invited us to his house in the waterfront community called The Bellagio . This was the first time we didn’t have to take a trunk load of lawn chairs to Nokomis 24 hours before the parade. So this was a new vantage point and some new people to meet. Had a great supper – choice of 3 soups (chicken noodle, Italian sausage, and a Mexican soup), and 3 desserts (apple pie, berry pie and lime pie) – along with salad and rolls. Delicious.

Elaine, Sue, Danny and Marilyn

Kathy, Jim, Eddie and his wife

Bob, Dick, Jim, Carol (the golfer table LOL)

Then we walked down a path near their house to the Intercoastal where we set up our chairs. It was a new location for us – actually the end of the parade – about 1/4 mile from the Circus Bridge where the boats turn around and head back. We got to see the boats twice as they circled back.

Carol and Marilyn

Bob and Dave

Jim, Jim, Kathy (Back)                    Elaine and Dick (Front)

As usual the boats were well decorated – I took shots although it is hard to capture clear shots of moving targets – I tried. Here is a sampling of the entries. I am including them so that you can get a sense of the fun and of the effort the owners make to cover their boats with lights. We all really liked the medium sized boat that is made to look like a train. It had loud and very realistic train sounds!

We have been here a full week now and although I have been struggling with a sore throat and bronchitis (and Dave with a sore throat and cough), some things have gotten done. The weather has been glorious – record breaking temperatures – so everyday is bright and sunny. On Saturday Marilyn and I attended a surprise birthday party for a 90 year old Red Hat friend. It makes it quite hard to complain when you spend the afternoon with ladies who are more than 20 years older and still have so much spunk. I forgot to take my camera but Dave took this pic when we returned.

Today Dave and I decided we needed a beach fix – no matter what – so we headed to Sharky’s Beach (we call it the DUNES as it is actually to the left of the true Sharky’s Beach). The temperature today was 82 and it was so nice to finally see “our beach” and to feel that sand between our toes.

We arrived here in Venice at noon on Monday. After a cool trip on day one, it was fantastic to arrive to 70+ degrees and that beautiful clear blue Florida sky. Luck was with us as the car started on the first turn of the key, and everything in the trailer is working too. I had to call the city to fix a water leak at the pipe in our yard. They arrived first thing this morning and all is well on that front. Thankfully it was an issue on their side not ours so there was no charge. Now our main task is to unpack and do laundry – of course there was also the manatory golf game which Dave enjoyed yesterday. I woke with a sore throat and laryngitis so today was not a great start but we did get some things done. Hope to take some pics soon and get busy with life in paradise.

Today we began the trek south. Marilyn and Danny had a free night at the Two Rivers Campground and planned to stay one more night. So we took their tow-along car (Marilyn’s Fiesta) and began the drive. It was cold but sunny and the scenery reminded us of the Annapolis Valley for much of the way. We drove for 8 hours and landed here in Lake City, Florida – just south of the Georgia border on I75. Tomorrow we will make our way to Venice and will be there long before sunset. Looking forward to seeing our little beach house and settling in for the winter.

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.

This morning we headed out to catch the Hop On/Hop Off Bus Tour. The ticket is good for two days so we opted to get off at stops with outside sites as it will be cooler tomorrow (with a chance of rain).

The bus starts by the Cumberland River.

Nissan Football Stadium – Vanderbilt play Texas A&M tomorrow!

Tennessee State Capitol

Bicentennial Mall – Called the One Billion Year Wall – traces Tennessee history from 1 billion years until now – the wall on the right is etched with information – the tall granite markers on the left tell the year – very interesting!

Dividing line between  the  North and South in the Civil War

Carillon in Bicentennial Park

Nashville is home to this full-scale replica of The Parthenon – apparently to secure their reputation as the Athens of the South.

We picked up our tickets to the Grand Ole Opry shows while touring this morning.

This evening we took the downtown shuttle from our hotel – directly to the Ryman Theatre which is where the Grand Ole Opry shows originate for the next 2 months (their usual venue Grand Ole Opry House by the Opryland Hotel is used for Christmas shows now). We were pleased as this is the first time we got to see the “mother church” as the performers call it.

Here are pics of the evening with the names of all the talent from the show. (This is for you Cindy MacFarlane – you are the one person I am sure will appreciate the information!). Picture quality is poor since I couldn’t use flash and they move around so much.

Jeannie Seely

Jackie Lee

Mike Snider

John Conlee

Lindsay Ell

Gene Watson

Connie Smith

Bobby Osbone & The Rocky Top X-Press

Jimmy Wayne

Mel Tillis

Steve Wariner

Lee Greenwood

Today we began the fun with a quick trip to 2 Goodwills – imagine that! It was senior’s discount day and we managed a full 20% off our purchases. We met up with the guys at HOOTERS where they enjoyed a beer and some wings (and some scenery too). We took a drive to the Opryland Hotel area and checked out the General Jackson paddle boat – we might go on a cruise if time allows.

Then it was off to see the Grand Ole Opry property. We have all seen the show hall before and attended the show there so we just visited the outside quad. We have purchased tickets to the Grand Ole Opry but this time of year it is housed in the Ryman Theatre downtown. So that is where we will be on Friday and Saturday evening for the early shows (7PM)

We headed out to see the Bluebird Cafe – interesting story about it and all the people who were discovered here – Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift to name two. It is very small and we were not able to get in without at least an hour wait so we opted to take a picture and leave. The Cheesecake Factory was where we ended up so that wasn’t too shabby. At least now when it is mentioned and when we see it portrayed on the ABC hit show NASHVILLE, we will have a frame of reference.

Today was the first full day of sightseeing and we got off to a great start with a 3 hour visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame. It is a beautiful venue and covers so much musical history.  I took lots of pics and although you might not be a country fan I have included a cross-section of them to give you an idea of what it was like.

Dave got his military discount! LOL

Dixie Chicks

Taylor Swift

Mel Tillis

Mural on second floor

Elvis’ Gold Piano

Elvis’ Gold Trimmed Car

Trisha Yearwood’s wedding dress when she married Garth Brooks in 2005

Taylor Swift’s Display at her education center

Standing on original circle of wood from the first Music Hall of Fame

This evening we attended a dinner theater – with live performances. It included a buffet supper and then a 2 hour concert. The main act was a terrific fiddler, singer and comedian who used to tour with Willie Nelson, Waylan Jennings and also worked on the General Jackson cruise here in Nashville for over 20 years. The musicians were once with the late Tammy Wynette.