OT - speaking of Tennessee (the state)

[KnightBridgeAZ]

My wife and I had the misfortune to need to travel cross country to attend her father's funeral in South Carolina and help (with her sisters) try to get her Mom organized a bit. The 3 day trip to South Carolina was a blur, because we didn't quite have the miles divided as well as we should have.

We chose to make a more leisurely drive home. Driving across Route 40 through the western part of North Carolina and the eastern part of Tennessee in the general area of the Smokies was beautiful. One of the prettiest rides on an interstate I think I've ever taken. Most of the rest of the state as we drove west to Nashville and turned north to go to Hannibal Mo were nice too. I hadn't been through the area in a number of years, although our favorite restaurant, Calhoun's, was still there and as good as ever.

 

[triaddukefan]

My wife and I had the misfortune to need to travel cross country to attend her father's funeral in South Carolina and help (with her sisters) try to get her Mom organized a bit. The 3 day trip to South Carolina was a blur, because we didn't quite have the miles divided as well as we should have.

We chose to make a more leisurely drive home. Driving across Route 40 through the western part of North Carolina and the eastern part of Tennessee in the general area of the Smokies was beautiful. One of the prettiest rides on an interstate I think I've ever taken. Most of the rest of the state as we drove west to Nashville and turned north to go to Hannibal Mo were nice too. I hadn't been through the area in a number of years, although our favorite restaurant, Calhoun's, was still there and as good as ever.

Ive driven Interstate 40 through that area plenty of times..... and as nice as it is in the Summer..... its even a better drive in late October. The stretch from Knoxville to Nashville is pretty as well... as you are on the Cumberland Plateau. It doesnt really get boring until you cross the Tennessee River about 50 miles west of Nashville... and the land flattens out as you head towards the Mississippi River.

 

[GregP]

AH but the best is when you get out of the car and start hiking the trails . May June for the spring flowers the the Fall for the New England colors.

My condolences on your lose.

 

[SWHuskyFan]

My wife and I had the misfortune to need to travel cross country to attend her father's funeral in South Carolina and help (with her sisters) try to get her Mom organized a bit. The 3 day trip to South Carolina was a blur, because we didn't quite have the miles divided as well as we should have.

We chose to make a more leisurely drive home. Driving across Route 40 through the western part of North Carolina and the eastern part of Tennessee in the general area of the Smokies was beautiful. One of the prettiest rides on an interstate I think I've ever taken. Most of the rest of the state as we drove west to Nashville and turned north to go to Hannibal Mo were nice too. I hadn't been through the area in a number of years, although our favorite restaurant, Calhoun's, was still there and as good as ever.

Sorry for your loss.

The Calhoun's on the Tennessee River next to the UT campus is a wonderful place to eat. Haven't been there in years but I sure would love a return trip, some of the best ribs I've ever had.

 

[Sonny44]

My wife and I had the misfortune to need to travel cross country to attend her father's funeral in South Carolina and help (with her sisters) try to get her Mom organized a bit. The 3 day trip to South Carolina was a blur, because we didn't quite have the miles divided as well as we should have.

We chose to make a more leisurely drive home. Driving across Route 40 through the western part of North Carolina and the eastern part of Tennessee in the general area of the Smokies was beautiful. One of the prettiest rides on an interstate I think I've ever taken. Most of the rest of the state as we drove west to Nashville and turned north to go to Hannibal Mo were nice too. I hadn't been through the area in a number of years, although our favorite restaurant, Calhoun's, was still there and as good as ever.

TN has it all over CT as a place to live. The only negative is the team IMO.

 

[alexrgct]

Tennessee is a beautiful state, but no thanks on the Bible Belt politics.

 

[meyers7]

Tennessee is a beautiful state, but no thanks on the Bible Belt politics.

As opposed to the God forsaken politics of NE?

I've ridden through TN, but North to South and South to North, when I was a kid. Guess I did it a couple times in my 20's too, come to think of it. Would like to get to Memphis sometime for some blues and BBQ though. Someday.

 

[Adesmar123]

Calhoun's, was still there and as good as ever.

I thought for sure you would be a Geno's fan.

 

[Beemer]

I visited Tennessee 10-12 years ago. People were amazingly friendly even when I opened my mouth and revealed my New Englanderness I had a wonderful time.

Their basketball team still sucks though.

 

[stwainfan]

As opposed to the God forsaken politics of NE?

I've ridden through TN, but North to South and South to North, when I was a kid. Guess I did it a couple times in my 20's too, come to think of it. Would like to get to Memphis sometime for some blues and BBQ though. Someday.

How about Graceland?

 

[stwainfan]

Smokie Mountains are beautiful. Gatlinburg is very popular place.

 

[meyers7]

How about Graceland?

Sure and Beale St., Sun Studios.

 

[mtsuraider06]

If you're worried about the Bible Belt politics, come to Nashville. We are a little liberal haven in the middle of the Belt.

Granted, we have more churches per capita than anywhere else in the country, but it's a great place to live, and one of the "it" cities in the country right now.

 

[triaddukefan]

As opposed to the God forsaken politics of NE?

I've ridden through TN, but North to South and South to North, when I was a kid. Guess I did it a couple times in my 20's too, come to think of it. Would like to get to Memphis sometime for some blues and BBQ though. Someday.

Ive been to Memphis 3 times........ my goal each time is to gain at least 5 pounds. I cant wait to go back

 

[mhshuskies]

If you're worried about the Bible Belt politics, come to Nashville. We are a little liberal haven in the middle of the Belt.

Granted, we have more churches per capita than anywhere else in the country, but it's a great place to live, and one of the "it" cities in the country right now.

I have been hearing of a general gentrification throughout Nashville, how do you perceive it?

 

[reno tony]

If you're worried about the Bible Belt politics, come to Nashville. We are a little liberal haven in the middle of the Belt.

Granted, we have more churches per capita than anywhere else in the country, but it's a great place to live, and one of the "it" cities in the country right now.

Was there last year and there are churches everywhere. The people were absolutely wonderful and the food was great. Can't wait to go back.

 

[mtsuraider06]

I have been hearing of a general gentrification throughout Nashville, how do you perceive it?

The gentrification of Nashville is definitely happening, which in some areas of town is much needed. We hear daily of a new high rise apartment/condo building going up all over town, and while those are needed for the influx of new residents who want the "downtown" lifestyle, the rent for these units is getting outrageous. Some are going for $2000-2500 a month for a 1br/1ba unit.

Wedgewood, East Nashville, Crieve Hall, 12 South, and Germantown are all areas where lower income families lived, but have now been taken over by developers. East Nashville especially has become one of the IT areas of town, where 10 years ago, you wouldn't set foot there after dark. Now, it's full of hipster coffee houses, recording studios, art galleries, boutiques, and some of the best restaurants in town. People make a living by flipping houses in this area. You can easily purchase a home for $120k, put $100k in renovations, and sell for about $300-400k. Houses in this area never stay listed for more than 48 hours.

 

[cohenzone]

My son and I drove X country to Los Angeles from CT about 12 years ago. We did a southern route through VA to stop and see my other son in Blacksburg. We ultimately picked up I-40 on our way to a stop in Knoxville. We drove around UT (I thought the big football stadium ugly from the outside). We headed on to Nashville and the pretty drive. Got to Andrew Jackson's Hermitage estate, wandered around the new Grand Ol' Opry and the Opryland hotel complex (not a country music fan). The next morning we played a round of golf at a very good course that we'd book in advance and then headed to wander around the hot spots in town. Unfortunately, his car broke down that afternoon and we spent almost all day in a fix it shop and didn't get to do the grand tour of the music center as we'd planned. By the time the car was ready, it was dark (it was the end of October) and we had to move on to Memphis, so couldn't see the scenery. We actually stayed in the Heartbreak Hotel across from Graceland and after seeing Elvis's grave and being assured he was actually in there, we walked around Beale Street before heading out. That trip made me understand that the Bible Belt is indeed a tangible wide strip of leather. If you've never seen what's purported to be the world's largest crucifix along I-40 outside of Amarillo, it drives the point home.

 

[alexrgct]

If you're worried about the Bible Belt politics, come to Nashville. We are a little liberal haven in the middle of the Belt. Granted, we have more churches per capita than anywhere else in the country, but it's a great place to live, and one of the "it" cities in the country right now.

Agreed- Nashville is a great town and something of an oasis...not unlike Atlanta, GA or Austin, TX.

 

[cabbie191]

If you're worried about the Bible Belt politics, come to Nashville. We are a little liberal haven in the middle of the Belt.

Granted, we have more churches per capita than anywhere else in the country, but it's a great place to live, and one of the "it" cities in the country right now.

Back in the late 80's when my wife and I prepared to move to Houlton in northern Maine, we did some research on the community and were struck by the listing of well over 40 churches for a community of about 6,000. Turns out that most of them were home-based churches. If I remember correctly, there were perhaps 7 or 8 mainline churches in the community.

I've been to Tennessee a few times, including the Final Four two years ago, and have enjoyed each visit.

Regarding politics - some states can change direction and character rather dramatically in even a short time. Maine and Wisconsin, my two previous states prior to moving to Michigan, would be good examples.

 

[cabbie191]

KBA - sorry for the loss of your father-in-law. Hope your wife is doing okay.