We’ve always considered fall and winter to be our downtime since we have fewer jobs. We always stack writing projects for the winter, but they have sporadic deadlines and can be done from anywhere. So we travel!!!! Usually it’s a hello-goodbye tour to see family, but we also sprinkle in fun trips “outside” (outside=outside Alaska).
This year, Justin & I took separate mini vacations! I went to Tennessee to celebrate my sister’s 50th birthday and he met up with his high school buddies in Oregon.
When considering where to go, my sister said she wanted live music and mild temperatures, so we settled on Nashville. I had gone to Nashville in 2008, but news flash: Nashville has changed a lot in the last decade. Apparently I missed the memo that Nashville is the new Vegas without the casinos. Seriously, it was wild–my ears are still ringing from the loud music and my body is still in detox from the drinking.
Anyway, thanks to my friend June who lives there, we came up with a delightful long weekend itinerary. We stayed in the 12South area, ate delicious food, stopped at a few of the famous murals, toured the Belle Meade Plantation & Winery, did one of those drinking bike tours through the downtown (only 70% human powered thank goodness), did a pontoon party cruise on the Cumberland River, took free line dancing lessons and hung out on the famous strip (Broadway) on the rooftop bars listening to live music. If anyone is heading to Nashville, definitely let me know if you need suggestions!
You would think Justin’s trip to Oregon with 6 of his high school buddies would be more of a bender than my trip, but they were actually more domesticated and tame! The boys stayed in a huge mansion in Bend with a hot tub and awesome outdoor seating area with a TV. They watched baseball playoffs, soaked in the hot tub, played poker and enjoyed amazing cookouts/gourmet dinners cooked at home. They also walked around Bend and took a guided evening canoe trip around Lake Hosmer near Mount Bachelor.
Justin had gone out a few days earlier with one of the friends (Luke) for 3 days of hiking (clocked about 24 miles!) along the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood Wilderness. They also caught a concert (Todd Schaeffer Solo Show in Portland) because we all know Justin will travel for concerts.
All in all, we enjoyed our separate vacations for a change!
Nashville sounds like a fun place to visit. Janice looks great! I love your western outfit! Enjoy the sunshine while you can.
That looks like a lot of fun! Yeah, I haven’t been in Nashville in over a decade but I enjoyed the area when I was there. I had seen where it has become the big place for bachelorette parties! I may have to go back there sometime! Happy 50th to your sister!