Hunchback of Notre Dame

Halloween at the Symphony with live organ accompaniment to the 1923 silent film was very entertaining.  The organist used arms, hands and feet to pound out fascinating music.  The movie was fascinating too.  A far cry from the stuff being produced today, but way better than some.  For example, way better than the Counselor which is just out.  That movie is not even a good rental for home viewing.

Porches all around

Cool porches on the Southern Living Idea House 2013.  Look closely at the last one and you will see a swing.  This proves to Joe for Peggy that a good house has big porches on all four sides!

New best friend

Debbie and I standing next to Jack . . . .

Jack Daniels only stood something like 5'4" tall.  He had group photos taken with him being the only man standing.  This statue is not true to size.  But who cares.  The man had it right buying a still at age 13 and taking the business to the limit.

The Distillery is a must see if you are near Lynchburg for any reason.

Google Maps

It is fascinating that Maps is free, and so powerful.  It is also fascinating that you have to learn by doing and rooting around until you figure it out.  There is no manual.  No real help desk although there is a means to submit issues, and there is the prospect of hearing back.

For those of you who are looking at our tour map, you may have thought there were some breaks in it.  It turns out after a certain number of stops or directions details spill over onto a second page.  Until you browse to the second page you won't see what is on the second page.  So as the tour gets longer it will be interesting to see how it shows.

Laundry Queen

When sailing Debbie got to be known as Laundry Queen.  Found good laundromats.  Was well organized.  Got the chore done simply and quickly.  I did help then but was mostly a pack mule.

Now, I am not inclined to take up the task in the same way.  So I will be searching for wash and fold services.  And the first one I found was wonderful!  Harding Place Coin Laundry.  Dropped off thirty pounds of dirty socks and underwear and other stuff.  Four hours later got a call laundry is ready.  Only $19.83.  Who could ask for anything more?

Lady A

Almost screwed this up!  The Grand Ole Opry was on our list of things to do when in Nashville.  Then we learned Lady Antebellum was in the line up for Friday.  Even better!  Then we met Nashvillians who said, don't worry about tickets.  They never sell out.  There will be promotions available when you get to Nashville.  Even day of event, I asked?  Yes.  Wrong.  Sold out!  The hotel staff didn't believe it.  Opry customer service said, that was last year when we weren't selling out.  Customer service did recommend, keep calling because performers get tickets that they sometimes release last minute if they are not going to be used.

Fifty-three calls later, I knew every customer service person's name.  The last call went like this.  Well, we just had a few come available but they are already gone.  Arrrrrgh.  Wait, I have a companion seat and a wheel chair seat available I can give you.  Yes, but do I need to bring a lawn chair?  No, they will have a few extra chairs.  We sat on the main floor in comfortable seats.  Easy in and out to get to the bar.  Jack and Pepsi is my new drink!

Now about the performance.  In summary, don't go unless there is a headliner or someone you wish to see, confirmed.  We now know what it is like being inside an AM radio show that is sponsored by Humana, Boot Barn and Cracker Barrel.  And we now know there are two kinds of country music.  One kind, the shouting and wailing and old stuff sung by guys male and female who have funky country suits, maybe overalls and a tie.  The other kind, the newer popular stuff.  Overall, we enjoyed the event, especially Lady A.

We had planned to do the Opry more than once and still may.  We just won't rush to make sure we are in our seat when the show starts.

We do have tickets for Charlie Daniels Band at the Ryman!  That, I am looking forward to.

Tail of the Dragon

Eleven miles.  318 curves.  Cool road!  Why did they build it?  Why isn't it a toll road?  How much did it cost, per mile?

While we think we would have lingered in Cades Cove if we went there, we did think we could do the Tail of the Dragon and still make Lady Antebellum,  We got hearty waves at the end of the Tail because we pulled over when the sports cars came up behind.  The motorcycles just went around even though the lines on the road are mostly double yellow.  There is a wall of shame where car parts hang for those who thought they were better drivers.

For some pictures of the Benz, see 129 Slayer:  http://store.129slayer.com.  Browse 10/25/2013 around 08:58 AM.