We'd parked our RV in a free spot near Victory Park in Nashville overnight, and while the parking lot next to us the evening before had been filled with vehicles, it was virtually empty in the morning, as folks had all headed home after their big night out in the city.
After breakfast, we met our friend Martynas again to see a bit more of downtown. We split up so Martynas could check out the nearby Johnny Cash Museum, while we walked along Broadway to see it more during the day. It wasn't long before we spotted a sign for "free line dancing" outside of a bar at 11am--and whaddya know--it was right on the hour!
Free Line Dancing!
So the 3 of us (Sheila included) headed inside, where Lisette got to try a new dance style, and get her dance fix since it's been a while since she's taken any dance classes (the last one was in Minneapolis at the end of June for a West African class, when the weather was a lot milder than the summer heatwave we've been experiencing the last couple of months). The teacher was an English man who stood up on the stage, and taught a small group of folks who had gathered on the dance floor in the upstairs of the bar some basic line dancing choreography. It was a ton of fun! The lessons went on for at least an hour and a half, by which stage Martynas had come from his visit to the Johnny Cash Museum, and Michael had downed a generously poured Jack Daniels and coke (it tasted like it had at least 3-4 shots in it).
More Nashville Exploring
After leaving the bar, we explored more of Broadway, which was still teeming with people compared to the previous night, and with plenty of bars already open playing live music for folks (many continuing to be attired in cowboy boots and outfits) to check out. A lot of famous music performers also have their own bars in Nashville, including Bon Jovi, Kid Rock, and Jelly Roll.
Speaking of famous performers, we found the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which proudly displayed photos of many popular musicians. Within the vicinity is Hatch Show Print, a funky print shop that has been doing letter printing and design since 1879 (you can still see the printing shop inside and pay for an experience to try the hand-ink print on paper or fabric). Hatch Show Print still creates fun and vintage designs that are put onto posters, bags, t-shirts and other merchandise.
The Outskirts of Nashville
Martynas needed to head back to an event at his conference, which was happening on the outskirts of Nashville, so we all piled back into the RV, stopping at a Culver's for lunch (and so Martynas could try it for the first time). It's officially Lisette's favorite fast food chain, with the veggie burger (well-done!) being her fave burger, with room for a frozen custard for dessert.
After dropping Martynas off at his hotel, we went to George Boedecker's Sculpture Garden in the upscale neighborhood of Bellevue. It's the private home of Croc's shoe co-founder George Boedecker Jr., and he's placed a number of animal sculptures, including a tiger, bear, dinosaurs and other creatures around the property. It's a huge expanse of land, so we couldn't see the home, and it looks like it's currently closed to the public, although it apparently will become accessible for visitors to enjoy.
We checked in early for the day, parking at the lot in The Factory at Franklin, which was once a stove factory, but has now been transformed into a mall with boutique shops, restaurants, event venues, and even a yoga studio. Parking overnight was free and we were undisturbed, although we were slightly worried in the early evening when we saw a train pass right behind where we'd park, loudly honking its horn! Fortunately, as nighttime came the temperatures dropped, we had a cool breeze around us, and we didn't hear any trains come through until well into the following morning.
Route Map
