Across the U.S., Day 15 - Nashville (TN)

Yee-Haw! In the City of Music today's day was dedicated to ... music. I used "NashvilleMoves", a family-owned shuttle service, from the hotel to The District, where the city was originally founded in April 1780.

On Broadway, there is everything a cowboy needs.

Most of them are Made in the USA, price range $250 - 400.

Um, not sure about this one.

I continued onto 5th street for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which is full of glittery stage costumes, instruments and (country) music history.

Interesting remake ...

I happened to have read John Steinbeck's novel "The grapes of Wrath" when I was in Germany earlier this year; German title "Früchte des Zorns". One level of the museum features this part of the American History: the dust bowl, a period of severe dust storms during the 1930s. This phenomenon was caused by severe drought and incorrect dryland farming methods in the U.S. and Canadian prairies. My Bed & Breakfast host in Pawnee City (NE) had told me that she still remembers her mom talking about this time as their farm was also effected. To prevent such wind erosions in the future, farmers had then planted bushes and trees. But she also criticized that these trees are being chopped nowadays, so farmers can plant more crops. And that they are repeating the errors of the past. ... Anyways, the dust bowl led settlers migrate to the promised land California. They brought the country music e.g., to Bakersfield. I was not aware that Bakersfield played such an important role in country music. (I was not aware that it plays an important role at all.) ;-)

During my stroll through the city I noticed some booths (near Victory Park), which looked like a Christmas market. I stopped by and had to find out that they were not for real but a set for the TV show "Nashville". The film crew was about to shoot the 9th series, to be shown in January 2015. From what I heard, the story is about the mayor of Nashville and his wife, who is - of course - a country music star. ...

Broadway at night reminded me of Bourbon Street in New Orleans, but with focus on music and food instead of primarily alcohol. Restaurants and bars all had live music!

The "Honky Tonk Highway"

I selected "Rippy's Ribs" restaurant for some pulled pork, seasoned curly fries, coleslaw and Yazoo Pale Ale, a local beer. The food was great. It certainly had enough salt.

Yep, the beer is the focal point.

In case you were wondering: no, I did not finish the full portion, but took left-overs with me for tomorrow. Well, I ended up giving the box to some young homeless at Broadway who were more than happy about the food.

Savannah Candy Kitchen: Any room left for dessert?

Some of you might be aware that Starbucks had changed the design of their city mugs a few years ago. I collected them from several locations in Canada and the U.S., but - to Guido's delight - I stopped collecting when the new design took over. But I had to have this one! Sorry Guido.

More to come. (But no more mugs!)