This was our second visit to the city, so we had already seen the usual first timer sights (Grand Ole Opry, Marathon Village, Johnny Cash Museum). As returning visitors we also knew to keep our distance when seeing a bunch of women in matching bachelorette party t-shirts outside the honky tonks, because chances are pretty high that one of them is gonna puke on your shoes.
What We Did:
Ryman Auditorium – Musicians refer to the Ryman as “The Mother Church”. Not being regular attendees of any religious establishment, a “church” that’s been home to performances by The Pixies, Foo Fighters, and Elvis Costello seemed like the sort of reverence we could get behind. The self guided tour is fascinating, even if you aren’t a country fan. The manager and event booker in the early thru mid 1900s was a bad ass woman named Lula Naff, occupying a position of prominence at a time when a woman’s role was babies and housekeeping, not boardrooms and leaning in. The history of the building and its renovation was also fascinating.
Space Camp – We took the Harley down to Huntsville, AL to check out the US Space & Rocket Center. Quite a bit of the indoor exhibits were closed due to COVID restrictions and some of the outdoor exhibits were looking a bit worn, with signs that were so sun faded they were no longer readable. The best part of the museum is speaking with the docents in the Davidson Building, who are all retired NASA engineers. Expect lots of jokes that yes, it actually is rocket science.
Jack Daniels – We also did a bike trip to the Jack Daniels distillery in Lynchburg. For those who haven’t gone, you have the option of doing a tour called “The Angel’s Share”, a tasting of extra special “vintages”, or whatever the hell they’re called when you’re tasting whiskey instead of wine. In our case, it went something like this….
Our tour is ushered into a special tasting room in the barrel house where there are glasses in front of us and barrels all around. A sense of somberness and intensity fills the room that already reeks of raw, fermenting grain.
Our tour guide: For our first tasting, you will taste notes of vanilla and spice.
People sitting behind us: Ooh yes, the finish has a lovely signature note.
Us: I taste nothing but fire.
Our tour guide: This next tasting is a very special blend from a single barrel.
People sitting behind us: I detect notes of oak and maple.
Us: My throat is burning so bad.
This went on for three more shots of liquid fire.
Jack Daniels was really cool, especially seeing the the history of the distillery and how it has evolved over the years. Those special shots directly drawn from the barrel though were definitely wasted on our palette.
Where We Stayed:
Four Corners RV Resort
Where We Ate:
The Pharmacy
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
Chopstick House
China Spring
Mangia
Brothers Burger
Assembly Food Hall
Asian Square
Uncle Sonny’s
Angelo’s Picnic Pizza
Sam’s Kababs
Toyko Japanese Steakhouse
Four Corners Yacht Club