Day 4: The Town and The Hermitage (Jun 13)

 The "Twinkies" for the day = two yellow fellow huddling together before we head off for our day tour of Nashville with Tom and Marilyn Reese (who drove 4 hours up from Atlanta, Georgia) - together with their 8 year old grandson - Harrison. The last time we met was at the Creation Conference at Nepal about 3 years ago.

 Eunice and Harrison next to one of the icons of Sun Records here in Nashville. 

 Our first stop: Johnny Cash museum. I know Johnny Cash but was not aware of how much he has contributed to the music scene. Glad to see that he made a turn around later on and became a firm believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. As for me, my "records" is not my singing but the significant memories spent with my family!

Here is the actual "crown of thorns" prop used by the Johnny Cash "Gospel Movie Special". The actor portraying Jesus wanted this to mean something so the prop actually is prickly and you can still see stains of real blood!

Here is the 2nd ice-cream treat of the trip - The Goo Goo Cluster ice-cream! Eunice preferred the original and I liked the peanut butter version.

 This is the premium version of the Goo Goo cluster because it is hand-made and freshly produced.

 Took a stroll along the Honky Tonk district (quick showers after the Goo Goo visit). It is amazing that every outlet has a musical flavor - disseminating with local Nashville music and hopes of singers making it big in the music industry. On top of that this weekend happened to be the annual CMA (Country Music Artists) festival - so, plenty of stuff to see and a big crowd that creates the atmosphere. Glad to have Tom and Marilyn around to guide us - Tom especially is a great researcher - even filled his van with Johnny Cash music as part of the orientation experience!

At the Boots Barn outlet where each pair of boots is about US$200-300 a pair. Nice to look at only!

Hearty lunch at Jackson's BBQ. This is the combo platter - Pork Ribs, Beef Brisket & Pork Shoulder

 Outside the Symphony Building.

Part of the CMA festival and crowd.

The Ryman Auditorium was the original Grand Old Ophry - built by Thomas Green Ryman as a gift for a preacher so that he does not need to preach out in the open tents. Eventually, it became a concert hall of sorts and now houses some of the well-known performers passing by Nashville.

Both Harrison and Eunice are very proud of their $6.99 Ryman Harmonica - making melody along the journey - certainly help to lift up our spirits!

Continued to make music...as we now proceed to The Hermitage, the resident of Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States.

Started The Hermitage tour on the horse buggy ride - a 350 acres property of Andrew Jackson - He was the first president with a nickname - Old Hickory - courtesy of the troops he marched with who admired his staunch courage and iron will. In fact, when he was in office, he preferred to be addressed as General Jackson, rather than President Jackson. He stonewalled the Birtish, and engineered one of America's most stunning military victories, at the Battle of New Orleans.

Andrew Jackson's original dwellings on the plantation before his new home was completed.

This is the mansion which became his permanent home. The whole estate was self-sufficient with 150 slaves who worked in the plantation - tending to the crops, livestock, even making their bricks and producing the lucrative cotton crop. Even the water supply is available by way of a natural spring nearby which also provided cool refrigeration for keeping their perishable products.

Here's the "Harmonica by the Springs" inspiration!

Buried next to his wife - while his wife's tomb had an elaborate inscription, his was just a simple - one:General Andrew Jackson, March 15, 1767 – June 8, 1845 

Other family members buried nearby. Andrew Jackson did not have any biological children of his own. In 1809, they had adopted at birth a son of Rachel's brother Severn Donelson, whom they named Andrew Jackson Jr. and raised as their son. Jackson also brought home an Indian child who was orphaned in 1813. They named him Lyncoya and raised him with Andrew Jackson Jr. 

With the given headsets and strategically placed prompt signages, it was easy to just let the hours slip by and before you know it, it is time to be headed home. The summer weather was extremely warm (even by Malaysian standards!). However, am really grateful for Tom's collection of ice-cold drinking water in his cooler box!

 Ended the day near the Grand Old Ophry having typical fried Southern food - chicken, catfish, shrimp, hushpuppies, and yes,.....cool, cool drink