~Just a [quick] run of the highlights and thoughts from our trip~
Here's the slideshow if you'd like to check it out.
Originally the reason for the trip was to see Marvy’s college buddy’s wedding in Nashville. We figured while we were at it we’d add a few additional points along the way.
First Stop: Little Rock, AR
Here’s a little tidbit of information to store for one day. Little Rock is a great place to take kids
sightseeing. Everything we did we thought about how much fun it would be to come back one day with kiddos. Hopefully we’ll get that chance. First we went to the William Jefferson Presidential Library which was quite fascinating. They had a few recreations of rooms from the White House which is pretty neat. The other thing that struck me was standing at a display 
showcasing how fast technology changed just during Clinton’s presidential years. Although I’m a PC person, I appreciated the contrast of the ol’ archaic looking apple to the more modern looking iMac we saw towards the end of his term. There was a piece on “the growth of Internet”. Can you believe we went from 50 sites to 350 million over the course of the 1990’s? I also thought it was ironic that I stop and twittered about it. But, also worth the trip if you ever happen to be passing through AR was their little downtown right at the river. If you have kiddos be sure to take them to the park at the River. It was sooo cool! I was all over the playground. Seriously, it was even fun for me as an adult (yet kid at heart right?) with a giant slide that goes into a big pit with boulders you have to climb up in order to get to the top again. There were tunnels and all with the really bouncy rubber ground floor stuff. Anyway, hard to describe just take my word for it kids will love it. *Oh, and the low quality photos taken while driving over the river is for Ali’s benefit. She tweeted about adding to her USA bucket list, going down the Mississippi, after watching it on TLC. So, I took the photo for you Ali – ya funny Brit!
Next Stop: Nashville, TN
Home to the Gaylord Opryland which is beautiful. However, we never saw it. The wedding was in a different Opryland property about 10 minutes away at a golf course, very pretty too but the Grand Ole Opry was not worth $30 parking just for a peek-a-poo. But, the wedding was very nice. The weather was perfect for the ceremony and then poured during the reception while we were all safely in the ballroom. The groom was so happy that we made the trip, he really misses
his good friend Marvy. Unfortunately we didn’t really know anybody else. We had a good time chatting with the extended family of the bride. The inevitable question always follows, “So how long have you two been married? Oh, eight years?” And of course you guessed it… as if people who stifle this question end up with a rash or something they just can’t help themselves…the obvious question “So, do you have kids?”. And don’t you love the assumptions with the next comment? “Well, just so you know whenever you are ready to start having kids, they are great. You’ll love being a parent.” Really? Just because I’ve been married for 8 years automatically means that I haven’t wanted kids? Oh, and they’re just great? Rub it in why don’t you. Ugh. But, they redeemed themselves later in the day with their good humor and comments about “adopting” us into their family. Nice people.
Quickstop: Somewhere south of Nashville, TN
From the time that Mel’s book, Navigating the Land of If, was made available in stores I knew I wanted to pick up a copy and take a picture of me finding it. I didn’t want to order it online because I thought it would be so much more fun buying it in person. Well, it became more of a “journey” than I originally intended. We stopped at 4 different book stores across 3 states and stuck out. Then after the wedding, still dressed up, we got out into the pouring rain and went into a Border’s bookstore. And I found the book! Marvy took my photo.
Then I noticed one of the “featured” books on the same shelf in the Women’s health section.
Hahaha! It’s a poo log book. Poor Mel – after all that work she did for years to to write and have published such an awesome book and some goof decides to write a hard bound book on bowel movements and it shares the shelf with our friend! Sorry Mel – I hope this makes you laugh at least!
Next Stop: Somewhere at the TN/AL border
This is where Marvy’s childhood friend Barney Rubble and his wife Betty Rubble reside. They are the neatest people. Barney was Marvy’s best man at our wedding, and vice versa for their wedding. They are expecting their first child and Betty was really very pregnant. In fact they are inducing her on Memorial day. Obviously for this little infertile’s heart it was kinda hard. They have always been that couple that kids were always a “Eh, take ‘em or leave ‘em…we might not have kids…no rush we like our DINK lifestyle” kind of attitude. Then when they decided they’d go ahead and try it only took two months. *sigh* These are always hard to hear. Anyway, we had an absolutely lovely time. Staying at their house felt like staying in a lovely bed and breakfast. Their house is AWESOME. You have to see these pictures first… Now I have to give you the reveal… they built it themselves!!! For real! The only part they hired help was the foundation, the framing and the roof. It was a ton of work, but is so nice and exactly what they wanted. They have all this land and Barney gets to play “farmer” and Betty gets to have her vegetable/fruit/herb garden and fruit orchard. It will be a great place to raise their family and hopefully we’ll be able to have our own kids to visit once in a while.
Next Stop: Gulf Shores, AL
The Beach! Oh, the Beach! I know some of you guys in other parts of the country might be thinking… “Who goes to AL for the beach?” Well, it’s fabulous. The water was perfect, the waves were not too big and not too small, the sand is white and clean, the people are so nice, lots of great seafood, not overly crowded, and the hotels are reasonably priced. I know! Who knew what a gem we have on the coast of AL. (Well, might I point out – I knew!) Fine don’t take my word for it…check out the pics!
Here's the slideshow if you'd like to check it out.
Originally the reason for the trip was to see Marvy’s college buddy’s wedding in Nashville. We figured while we were at it we’d add a few additional points along the way.
First Stop: Little Rock, AR
Here’s a little tidbit of information to store for one day. Little Rock is a great place to take kids
sightseeing. Everything we did we thought about how much fun it would be to come back one day with kiddos. Hopefully we’ll get that chance. First we went to the William Jefferson Presidential Library which was quite fascinating. They had a few recreations of rooms from the White House which is pretty neat. The other thing that struck me was standing at a display 
showcasing how fast technology changed just during Clinton’s presidential years. Although I’m a PC person, I appreciated the contrast of the ol’ archaic looking apple to the more modern looking iMac we saw towards the end of his term. There was a piece on “the growth of Internet”. Can you believe we went from 50 sites to 350 million over the course of the 1990’s? I also thought it was ironic that I stop and twittered about it. But, also worth the trip if you ever happen to be passing through AR was their little downtown right at the river. If you have kiddos be sure to take them to the park at the River. It was sooo cool! I was all over the playground. Seriously, it was even fun for me as an adult (yet kid at heart right?) with a giant slide that goes into a big pit with boulders you have to climb up in order to get to the top again. There were tunnels and all with the really bouncy rubber ground floor stuff. Anyway, hard to describe just take my word for it kids will love it. *Oh, and the low quality photos taken while driving over the river is for Ali’s benefit. She tweeted about adding to her USA bucket list, going down the Mississippi, after watching it on TLC. So, I took the photo for you Ali – ya funny Brit!Next Stop: Nashville, TN
Home to the Gaylord Opryland which is beautiful. However, we never saw it. The wedding was in a different Opryland property about 10 minutes away at a golf course, very pretty too but the Grand Ole Opry was not worth $30 parking just for a peek-a-poo. But, the wedding was very nice. The weather was perfect for the ceremony and then poured during the reception while we were all safely in the ballroom. The groom was so happy that we made the trip, he really misses
his good friend Marvy. Unfortunately we didn’t really know anybody else. We had a good time chatting with the extended family of the bride. The inevitable question always follows, “So how long have you two been married? Oh, eight years?” And of course you guessed it… as if people who stifle this question end up with a rash or something they just can’t help themselves…the obvious question “So, do you have kids?”. And don’t you love the assumptions with the next comment? “Well, just so you know whenever you are ready to start having kids, they are great. You’ll love being a parent.” Really? Just because I’ve been married for 8 years automatically means that I haven’t wanted kids? Oh, and they’re just great? Rub it in why don’t you. Ugh. But, they redeemed themselves later in the day with their good humor and comments about “adopting” us into their family. Nice people.Quickstop: Somewhere south of Nashville, TN
From the time that Mel’s book, Navigating the Land of If, was made available in stores I knew I wanted to pick up a copy and take a picture of me finding it. I didn’t want to order it online because I thought it would be so much more fun buying it in person. Well, it became more of a “journey” than I originally intended. We stopped at 4 different book stores across 3 states and stuck out. Then after the wedding, still dressed up, we got out into the pouring rain and went into a Border’s bookstore. And I found the book! Marvy took my photo.
Then I noticed one of the “featured” books on the same shelf in the Women’s health section.
Hahaha! It’s a poo log book. Poor Mel – after all that work she did for years to to write and have published such an awesome book and some goof decides to write a hard bound book on bowel movements and it shares the shelf with our friend! Sorry Mel – I hope this makes you laugh at least!Next Stop: Somewhere at the TN/AL border
This is where Marvy’s childhood friend Barney Rubble and his wife Betty Rubble reside. They are the neatest people. Barney was Marvy’s best man at our wedding, and vice versa for their wedding. They are expecting their first child and Betty was really very pregnant. In fact they are inducing her on Memorial day. Obviously for this little infertile’s heart it was kinda hard. They have always been that couple that kids were always a “Eh, take ‘em or leave ‘em…we might not have kids…no rush we like our DINK lifestyle” kind of attitude. Then when they decided they’d go ahead and try it only took two months. *sigh* These are always hard to hear. Anyway, we had an absolutely lovely time. Staying at their house felt like staying in a lovely bed and breakfast. Their house is AWESOME. You have to see these pictures first… Now I have to give you the reveal… they built it themselves!!! For real! The only part they hired help was the foundation, the framing and the roof. It was a ton of work, but is so nice and exactly what they wanted. They have all this land and Barney gets to play “farmer” and Betty gets to have her vegetable/fruit/herb garden and fruit orchard. It will be a great place to raise their family and hopefully we’ll be able to have our own kids to visit once in a while.
Next Stop: Gulf Shores, AL
The Beach! Oh, the Beach! I know some of you guys in other parts of the country might be thinking… “Who goes to AL for the beach?” Well, it’s fabulous. The water was perfect, the waves were not too big and not too small, the sand is white and clean, the people are so nice, lots of great seafood, not overly crowded, and the hotels are reasonably priced. I know! Who knew what a gem we have on the coast of AL. (Well, might I point out – I knew!) Fine don’t take my word for it…check out the pics!
Sorry, for such a long post. But thanks for checking it out!
Here is the view of their land and hay field from their back porch. The property goes all they way into the treeline. Doesn't it look so peaceful? Staying at their house was like staying at a bed and breakfast. So relaxing!
And last but not least, here is the photo I took in their front property. This is between the front part of the house and the country road right by their gravel driveway. I walked out the front door, took a few steps past the driveway and walked into the hay to take this photo of the sunset. Our friend is very proud of their new "farmer" lifestyle and he loves that he has a hayfield now. So, as a thank you to our friends for hosting us, I plan on printing this out enlarged, matted and framed and send it to them. I think they'll really like it!
