So, it's not every day that your bestest friend saves her pennies to fly from PA to visit you. And when she does, you have to make the best of it, right? So we packed it in...It begins with a trip to the Nashville airport, big smiles, and a signature Kerri-hug. Then we're off to the Hillsboro area to frequent a favorite haunt of mine, Fidos, for coffee, sweets and chit-chat. Followed by an hour drive back home to Fort Campbell.
Monday brought a lazy morning, and then another trip to Nashville (gas prices be damned) to meet with producer/mixer so Kerri could begin the networking chain. She dropped of a cd (check her out here) and I felt like I was somehow peeking into a culture of Nashville I'd never seen before. Though we had intended to introduce Nashville to the talented folk-singer that is Kerri Lee Smith at the Blue Bird Cafe's open-mic night, it wasn't to be. Instead we met up with old 
GCC friend Katy and the night took off. We found ourselves on 21st avenue again for a long dinner outdoors at Jackson's where, again, I learned what life looks like as a up-and-coming singer/songwriter. Fascinating. We picked up a quick cup of cocoa at J&J's before catching a live music at The Station Inn in the Gulch. There was so much talent in each of the 11 artists on-stage, as well as in the crowd - many award-winning industry legends, including Lee Ann Womack who sat just a few seats from us. It was an incredible day, followed by another trek home.
GCC friend Katy and the night took off. We found ourselves on 21st avenue again for a long dinner outdoors at Jackson's where, again, I learned what life looks like as a up-and-coming singer/songwriter. Fascinating. We picked up a quick cup of cocoa at J&J's before catching a live music at The Station Inn in the Gulch. There was so much talent in each of the 11 artists on-stage, as well as in the crowd - many award-winning industry legends, including Lee Ann Womack who sat just a few seats from us. It was an incredible day, followed by another trek home.Tuesday was a comparably low-key with a long, wrong-way trip into the bowels of TN to kayak off the Cumberland river. Then a quick shower and an evening with my OCF Bible study.
Wednesday was a packed as Monday. It started with a hair cut and pedicure at Eden's, then off to Nashville again. A quick shopping trip at the outlets, then we checked in at our hotel to spruce
up for the evening ahead. We returned to the Hillsboro area for dinner at Bosco's microbrewery for delicious shrimp, margherita pizza, and beer. Then (insert drum roll) we went up the street to enjoy the amazing sound of Ingrid Michaelson as she opened at the Belcourt Theatre. (You may remember her from the Old Navy sweater commercial.) It was the perfect small old-time venue as every seat in the house was a good one. We were front and center in row 4. A-maz-ing. She was so engaging and funny! No need to stay for the second guy, so we walked over to Belcourt Avenue for wine and cannelloni.
up for the evening ahead. We returned to the Hillsboro area for dinner at Bosco's microbrewery for delicious shrimp, margherita pizza, and beer. Then (insert drum roll) we went up the street to enjoy the amazing sound of Ingrid Michaelson as she opened at the Belcourt Theatre. (You may remember her from the Old Navy sweater commercial.) It was the perfect small old-time venue as every seat in the house was a good one. We were front and center in row 4. A-maz-ing. She was so engaging and funny! No need to stay for the second guy, so we walked over to Belcourt Avenue for wine and cannelloni.Back to the hotel. We finished off the our trip watching the last of two award-worthy home videos from our 2001 trip across the country, and our 2002 trip to hawaii. It was said on the videos numerous times, and it's still true today: "We are our biggest fans."
After a rushed morning getting out the door, we had a disappointing breakfast at McDonald's and then she was gone. (sniff, sniff)
Things I learned this week:
- Good friends are worth keeping, no matter how much you change over the years
- Couches, restaurants, and kayaks are, more than anything, opportunities for extended conversation
- I can't resist itching kayak-induced bug bites.... or is it poison ivy?
- Nashville hides a music culture/scene that i ever knew existed but have always wanted to see
- Old friends are the best encouragers
6 comments:
Hooray for good times with good friends! What a great post!! What a great blog! I love it! Please keep posting and I will keep reading. I now remember your mentioning this back when you posted on your baby gift, but I guess I was in a self absorbed life with a new baby stage and I forgot about it. Please forgive me. Thanks for reminding me, I'll be checking another stella day often!!
I agree - it was a wonderful trip. Dinner at the unknown restaurant was at Jackson's.
It was worth EVERY PENNY!
Hey, Hey! You added pictures! Looking good!!!
Sounds like a great weekend - so nice to see pictures of you two good looking chicks! I'm adding you to my blogroll so you better keep it up! ;)
You two look beautiful and the smiles show that time spent with good friends brings out the best in us. I miss seeing you all everyday, I miss the closets, the hallway chats, the Bible studies. Although I know none of us would change the lives we have now, I do miss all those times! I am so happy that you two were able to spend so much time together and am looking forward to our time together this summer.
I'm listening to Kerri's Psalm 23 right now as I write and her voice makes my heart ache. She has a gift and I'm thankful she's sharing it. So glad she's not behind the computer anymore (do I remember her correctly?)
The Blue Bird Cafe!!! The exciting pinnacle of Nashville. So glad you got to see the music underworld before you left. Michael and I were also awed and dismayed when we found it weeks before we moved. A little is better than none.
OK now Dog Shake That Squirrel??? I'm laughing too hard. Did you tell her about sweet Roxy and THE SQUIRREL? - Dena
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