A couple of months ago, Buick offered to sponsor a “bucket list” trip for Michael and me – a gesture so generous, we realized the only way to properly express our gratitude was to pay it forward.
We went through the items on each of our bucket lists and pretty quickly decided to volunteer at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee and spend a few days in Nashville. We had never been there before, and we thought this would be a great way to give back while getting a real taste of the South. (And, trust me, we took that “tasting” part seriously – and literally.)
This trip was so meaningful to me, it’s taken two months for me to process it enough to write about it.
Planning the trip was half the fun, and all the suggestions from our Facebook friends got us excited about everything we were going to experience, from the elephants to the Encore to the Grand Ole Opry and Opryland.
Once we landed, I had to hold myself back from hugging the sweet-as-pie rep who met us at the airport and handed us the keys to the 2014 Buick Encore we’d be driving around The Volunteer State (seriously, how perfect is that!) for the next five days. It was a gorgeous Deep Espresso Brown with a Saddle interior, and it was so comfy, we probably could have slept in it.
But we had reservations at the Hermitage, the only Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond hotel in Tennessee.
So we typed “Hermitage” into the GPS and ended up at …
President Andrew Jackson’s home??
Okay, history is not our strong suit. And, obviously, neither is photography as I was apparently very distracted by the butterfly that landed on our windshield.
After a good laugh, a quick look around and a GPS recalculation, we pulled into the historic hotel and bemoaned the fact that we were only staying one night. The Hermitage is so beautiful and so luxurious, we had to force ourselves to leave the room.
Someone had told us to be sure to check out the men’s room downstairs so, after Michael made sure no one was using it, we went in together and took pictures of the cool Art Deco décor. It was like being transported back to another era.
We walked downtown and couldn’t believe all the live music playing at venue after venue, right next door to each other. No wonder Nashville is called Music City. We passed the famous Ryman Auditorium – the Mother Church of Country Music – and Ernest Tubbs Records.
We ended up at Rippy’s, known for its barbecue, and couldn’t decide which room to sit in because each one had a different band playing, and they were all great.
Once we parked ourselves at the bar, I began my week-long obsession with fried pickles and sweet tea. Don’t judge.
We did try to discipline ourselves and stop at two fried pickles each. After all, we were off to see the elephants tomorrow and didn’t want them thinking we were one of them.
That looks like such a fun trip. I could use a vacation. Maybe next summer. Great article.
I have been to Nashville, but it was a quick trip through and we didn’t get to see much. We enjoy traveling so I am sure we will go back. We did spend a whole day in Memphis, TN and can’t wait to visit again.
The GPS oopsie made me laugh! I love where you ended up though, and Nashville is a fun, fun city!
Our GPS is forever telling us to take turns right into the oceans and stuff! Hate having to rely on it!
That looks like a super fun trip! The hotel is absolutely beautiful!
Fried Pickles!!!! Sounds like quite the adventure. The men’s bathroom is something else! Would have love to be able to see it in person.
I love that you used the opportunity to help out, I would love to volunteer there as well. I have never had fried pickles, I am sure my boys would love them. I love the new Buicks that are out now, their commercials are great!
That sounds like an AWESOME trip – oh, and I got married by Elvis. He’s like an old friend 😉
Uhhhh fried pickles are the greatest thing ever! I can never stop at one or two. The basket would have been destroyed within minutes!Looks like you had a great trip. I have always wanted to take a vacation to Tennessee.
What a once in a lifetime kind of trip!!I would love to go on a road trip with just my husband to fun places like these!
Good for you and awesome for Buick to help you take your trip. My mom had a Buick and loved it so much she’s buying another one!
This looks awesome! (I have GPS issues too)
Last time I was there I didn’t have time to look around much. this inspires me to do it next time.
I’ve never been to Nashville, but if I do get there I’ll want to stay at that resort. And try that restaurant. Maybe I should start planning a visit soon!
I had fried pickles in Austin, Tx last year. Quite an experience. What a lovely trip. Loved hearing about it.
WOW! Your trip sounds exciting and adventurous. I would love to visit Nashville someday. Tennessee is def on my list of states I want to visit!
Sounds like a fun trip! Volunteering at an elephant sanctuary would be such an amazing experience!
Nashville is definitely a bucket list trip for me too. I admire you for giving back while you were there.
Ah the Southern charm….The Encore looks really comfortable. I have friends looking for an SUV and I will forward this to them.
Love the “distraction” on the windshield!
I love Nashville. Such a great place. I missed Rippy’s so I will have to add that on my next trip.
I love how you’re given this trip and you decide to give back along with it.
How neat is that! And how nice of Buick, for real! LOL
Looks like fun and what a great men’s room. Seriously, someone told you about that?
I think fried pickles must be an acquired taste. Is there some other fried item I can try? Yummers.
You went to Nashville without me?!! I’d have skipped Lois Club to have gone. Several years ago (that’s my mantra) Tom ( Mr.classical. If it isn’t by Bach or his baroque buddies it can’t be all that good) gave me a round trip ( i always hasten to point that out) to Nashville as a gift. I went by bus with others from Wi..& I can now say I ,along with as many as could fit, sang on the stage at The Reiman.We sang “You Are My Sunshine” & we were never asked back! I enjoyed the small venues throughout Opryland more than the “Opry” itself. Lest I make Tom sound like a snob, he listens to my Dolly,Randy,Patsy,& other similar CDs very patiently.
This looks like an amazing trip! I haven’t been to Nashville for many years…I think it is time to go back.
WOW, that looks like such a fun road trip! i’d love to take a road trip like that!
How awesome! I love that you really took advantage of the opportunity and had a great time!
what a wonderful trip and way to go paying it forward.
lol! What did we do before GPS? Mine get confused a lot as well! Looks like you guys had a fun trip!
I love Nashville – fun city! The music and the food are amazing!
I would love to go to Tennessee. That state is definitely on my bucket list.
I’m liking the Buick Encore a lot! My first car was a Buick and was super reliable. I can’t wait to read more of your bucket list trip!
Buick is such a smart time it even turned your GPS blooper into an adventure. Looks like y’all had a very fun Tennessee trip. I will have to add this to my bucket list.
Nashville is actually one of the places that I want to visit. Sounds like you had a lot of fun even with your GPS blooper. 🙂
Beautiful Hotel Looks Like You Guys Had A Great Time, I Must Visit With The Family Sometime!!
Ooh, that Buick looks comfy AND sporty! Are you going to my hometown (Memphis)? Tell those nice Buick folks you want to stay at the Peabody Hotel. then get some ribs at Rendezvous. And pick up some Dinstuhls chocolates! All my Memphis favorites!
I am not judging, but I never heard of fried pickles 🙂 and how cool it is to see Elvis, too!
Sounds like you had quite the adventure! The hotel looks great and the Buick looks like a awesome car!
I want to reach in and grab those pickles. They are my favorite
Very cool trip. I love to travel and also reading about other people’s travels. Sounds like you had a great trip.
Looks like you had a fun trip! Nice comfy ride to get there too!
Haha this is an awesome post! Looks like you had so much fun – I’ve got to start going through my bucket list too!
My favorite part was the men’s room. In fact, I think you could do a whole series on bathrooms around the world. Could be fun!
I want Buick to sponsor a bucket list item for me! How cool for you!
Looks like you had a great outing and I really enjoyed reading about it
Your trip sounds like a lot of fun and who wouldn’t want to say that they were in the men’s room at the hermitage.. LOL..
Thanks for sharing
Fried Pickles are awesome! No judgement here!! And- love the bathroom shots. I tend to chose my hotels by their fancy bathrooms. If only Priceline had a search by bathroom choice!
What an amazing trip and experience. So nice of you to spend some of that time volunteering. And the food looks great. (I’m all about the food!)
What a terrific adventure! I bet that was an amazing trip. Can’t wait to hear more about it!
I love fried pickles! They’re addicting. Looks like you had a wonderful trip! That hotel is gorgeous.
How wonderful! Oh my gosh; I bet this trip will be life changing for the two of you, and I did not realize there was one so close to me. I’ll have to put that on my bucket list.
Looks like you had a fabulous time. I have a travel list and I did one place this summer and plan on doing more soon!
What a beautiful car! I’d love to visit Nashville. I love the show!
I haven’t been to Nashville since I was a child. I think I would have a great time there with my family now. Glad you had a wonderful time and wow I could never just eat a couple fried pickles. Bring on the whole basket for me!
So cute! I have been to Nashville once. I did not expect to like it as much as I did. I LOVED IT! You looked great driving that car and loved the Elvis photo.
How cool! That’s an awesome ride.
That looks like soo much fun! I LOVE fried pickles.
It must have been very exciting to cross these experiences off your bucket list. It must have been fun doing it in a Buick.
Wow your trip sounds like so much fun! I’ve never been to Nashville or tried fried pickles…both of which I’d now like to do!
that sounds like a fun trip. Buicks looks so much better now
Going through Nashville this oct. Will have to try some events there.
Looks like you had a fun trip! Nashville is a great city! Good for you!
Oh my gosh. You totally cracked me up here! What an adventure!! Thinking of you lately with Boyd V. giving a class with Koelle and 3 others. He was an amazing teacher. He is such a good story teller and I was reliving our adventures with him as he taught.
Back to you! What a fun blog. Elephant Sanctuary?? How was that??
You know how to live life to the fullest Lois. I admire you greatly. : )
So glad you share it and inspire the world.