So, I took a trip to Nashville over the weekend with my two oldest siblings, my cousins, and Samwise Gamgee. (Note: not Sean Astin) 😦
It was a weekend filled with good fellowship, fantastic food, interesting sights, and just about anything and everything my little, hobbit heart could desire. (I always wanted to be an elf, but my stature and love of a good meal speak for themselves.)
“This is the hour of the Shire-folk, when they arise from their quiet fields to shake the towers and counsels of the Great.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
Here’s a pictorial summary of our travels:
“Where there’s life there’s hope, and need of vittles.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
A quick food stop on the way and taters, Precious, taters…
“Sam was the only member of the party who had not been over the river before. He had a strange feeling as the slow gurgling stream slipped by: his old life lay behind in the mists, dark adventure lay in front.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
A visit to the Parthenon in Nashville, the “Athens of the South.”
“Fear nothing! Have peace until the morning! Heed no nightly noises!”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
Our retro hotel, right outside of Nashville.
“May your beer (Or as in our case, pop:) be laid under an enchantment of surpassing excellence for seven years!”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
No trip to Nashville is complete without visiting Olan Roger’s Soda Parlor!
“…a perfect house, whether you like food or sleep or story-telling or singing, or just sitting and thinking best, or a pleasant mixture of them all.’ Merely to be there was a cure for weariness, fear, and sadness.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
Can you spot Samwise?
“but such was the virtue of the land of Rivendell that soon all fear and anxiety was lifted from their minds. The future, good or ill, was not forgotten, but ceased to have any power over the present. Health and hope grew strong in them, and they were content with each good day as it came, taking pleasure in every meal, and in every word and song.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
This is a ramen shop we’ve been wanting to visit for forever. The food was amazing! They even had a tv live streaming a street in Tokyo.
“The drink was like water, indeed very like the taste of the draughts they had drunk from the Entwash near the borders of the forest, and yet there was some scent or savour in it which they could not describe: it was faint, but it reminded them of the smell of a distant wood borne from afar by a cool breeze at night.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
Of course, after we ate we had to go out for coffee… Barista Parlor definitely lived up to its reputation!
To finish up our little adventure we hit up a few, local markets, so much fun!
And then we began our trip back.
“But Sam turned to Bywater, and so came back up the Hill, as day was ending once more. And he went on, and there was yellow light, and fire within; and the evening meal was ready, and he was expected. And Rose drew him in, and set him in his chair, and put little Elanor upon his lap.
He drew a deep breath. ‘Well, I’m back,’ he said”
― J.R.R. Tolkien
Hope you enjoyed traveling with Samwise!
What adventures have you been on recently?
Share a pic. 🙂
