On to Branson

Sunday, April 1, 2012

I decided to deviate from the planned route to Branson today. All GPS and Google map routes took us across country to Branson. No Interstates and lots of up and down and turns.
I opted to go through Memphis to Little Rock and then North to Branson. It was a 9 hour drive instead of 8, but in the end it was the right decision.  The first time we came here years ago, Chris ended up in the hospital with a serious case of Vertigo.  We both felt the symptoms on the way down to Florida and over the last few days and have concluded that it is predominantly due to elevation changes.

We have never been to Memphis and we passed a Bass Pro along the way.  Made a quick stop to add it to my list.  Now have the T-Shirt to prove it!



Wish we had more time to check out SUN Studios while we were here.  It was where Elvis, Orbison, Cash and many others got their start.  Maybe next time.
Passed this huge pyramid structure on the way through.  Did a little research for this blog and found out that it was the home of the Memphis Grizzlies NBA team until 2004.  Its been empty since.  Now guess what its going to be?  A Bass Pro Mega Store!!!  Whodathunk!  Guess I'm really out of touch!



We spotted the St. Jude's Children's Hospital founded by Danny Thomas.



We moved on across the Mississippi to Arkansas and headed towards Little Rock.



Turned North at Little Rock and and headed into the Ozarks.  Beautiful country. but no flat spots to be found.  Finally got to our unit at Stonebridge Resort.  We're very happy with our unit.







The peaceful view outside the back.



Looking forward to an interesting week.

Grand Ole Opry

Saturday, March 31, 2012

We left Asheville and drove the 5 hours to Nashville.  We were hoping to see the dogwoods bloom in Branson, but we were seeing them everywhere on North Carolina and Tennessee.



We arrived at our hotel and left early for the 7:00 pm show.  Fortunately, we had been emailed by the Opry that we should leave early for the show.  They were re-opening the Opry Mills Mall this weekend after being shut down after the massive floods from 2 years ago.  What a Gong Show!!  Total grid lock for miles as people tried to get into the Mall Parking (the Grand Ole Opry is located in the same location).

 

While we enjoyed the show, we found the lineup to be a little weak.  Thoroughly enjoyed seeing Ricky Skaggs, who hosted one of the four 1/2 hour sections.



Much older and heavier than the last time I saw him (sounds familiar).  Pictures aren't the greatest.  Done with my iphone.  Should have taken my camera.  They allowed people to walk up to the stage to take photos.
It was great to see Sam Bush, a renowned bluegrass mandolin player (on the fiddle here).



Most performers dedicated their songs to the memory of Earl Scruggs.  For those not familiar with Earl, he was the father of the 3 finger style on the 5 string banjo and certainly a hero of mine. “Earl was to the five-string banjo what Babe Ruth was to baseball.”  You may be familiar with Foggy Mountain Breakdown or the theme from the Beverly Hillbillys.  His funeral service was at the Ryman Theatre this Sunday.  Too bad I had to leave for Branson.

Crystal Gayle was one of the featured performers.  Her hair appeared as long as it used to be.  Her voice did not :(



Overall too many retreads and none of the current stars.  Was kind of explained when I realized that all the big names were in Vegas for the CMA Awards.  Guess we picked the wrong weekend.
Was also a GONG SHOW trying to get out after the show!

 

Biltmore House

Friday, March 30, 2012

Today was a day that Chris has been waiting a few years for, and it did not disappoint. The Biltmore House is amazing! The largest house in North America. The 5 floors (3 above ground, 2 below) cover over 4 acres!



Sorry, no inside pictures.  They wouldn't allow photography and for once I behaved myself.

Too many details to discuss here, but it is hard to imagine something like this being built to the same standards today in only 6 years. The house was designed by the leading architect of the day Richard Hunt and the gardens were designed by Frederick Olmsted, the guy that designed Central Park. The gardens are amazing and cover acres and acres.

The greenhouses were built first so they could get a head start to propagate the millions of plants and trees placed on the property.





The original property comprised over 185,000 acres. The views from the house are amazing!

 We left the House and drove a few miles on the estate to Antler Hill where they had an Inn and a number of small stores.  This was where their original dairy was located.  We walked down a long tunnel in the old dairy...............



 ............and came to their wine tasting room.  Well this was a first for me!!  Picture me swirling the various wines, sniffing it for the aroma and then swishing it around in my yap to experience the bursting taste!!!  hahahahahaha quite a mental picture!!
By the way, after all was said and done, I still prefer the "pink shit".  Still have a $2.99 WalMart bottle of it in the fridge.  Geez, makes me want to rush to the fridge, get a hoyty toyty glass and pour myself a shot!!

 

 We will definitely have to return, both to the Biltmore House and the beautiful city of Asheville. A definite highlight on a trip full of highlights.