Day 6: Homeward Bound

Oppps! Sorry! I missed posting this... better late than never...

It's always a bit sad when a tour comes to an end. The drive home from Jackson, Tennessee today will be filled with stories from the past week, some laughter and even a bit of snoozing. We're still looking for some of the brilliant fall foliage colors that sadly were not as electric as we had hoped. We did see some color so I guess Mother Nature got the better of us on that one. We did have some wonderful weather every day. Crisp mornings and comfortable afternoon sun made the activities we did all the more memorable, especially those outside ones.Marsha and I have been doing this for over ten years and each and every tour has its own uniquely memorable moments. We love seeing the smiles and hearing the laughter of all of our guests as we travel this great country of ours on our luxury motor coaches. The stories we could tell..... well, maybe we'll leave that for a book someday.

We have two more tours left for the year: a Girls Day Out tour to Branson, Missouri in November and a Branson Christmas Variety tour in December. brochures for each of these tours are on our website, www.travelmasters.org. We still have space available for both tours so don't wait! Give us a call and book you reservation.

Well, we're almost home and wouldn't you know it, the best fall foliage color was right here, alongI-540 in Arkansas.

Thanks for reading and following along with us on the Travel Masters' Autumn Journey - The Tennessee Two-Step.

Day 5: A Visit to Mr. Jack's Place

A tour through Tennessee wouldn't be complete without a distillery tour. Lynchburg is the home to the Jack Daniel's distillery so that's our stop this morning. Actually the tour isn't until this afternoon, but lunch in Lynchburg is on the schedule beforehand. Miss Mary Bobo's Boarding House on Main Steet is serving up some fine southern cooking family style and I'm here to tell you it is pretty darn good. Fried chicken, pork tenderloin, potatoes, beans, apples made with a touch (generously) of Old Nr. 7 and much more. Our large group was broken up into three smaller groups to accommodate the small dining rooms in the boarding house. There was nothing small about the amount of food being served, though. We heard stories of the boarding house came to be and the number of people who lived there over the years. With a tasty dessert under our belts it was time to explore the square on Lynchburg and the shopping opportunities available. Did I mention that the Invitational BBQ Championship was being held this weekend in Lynchburg? Well, it is, Thousands of people with BBQ on their minds will descend on this small town and maybe increase the population three fold. I love BBQ but good thing we're heading out this afternoon after a visit to the Distillery.

It's a great day for touring the Jack Daniel's Distillery! A leisurely guided tour of the whiskey making process complete with an assault on our senses of smell (a good one, that is) from one of vats filtering the nearly finished product. We saw the office where Mr. Jack worked every day, the ate that ultimately led to his untimely death, to the cave spring where the water used to make Jack Daniel's whiskey comes from.  It's a great walking tour filled with history to the current process of making Tennessee's finest. Our tour guides did a remarkable job and we thank them very much.

After a quick stop at one of Travel Master's staple restaurants, Cracker Barrel in Dickson, Tennessee, it's onward now to our final night's hotel, back to the Doubletree in Jackson. (To quote the song of Johnny & June Carter Cash. I'm goin' to Jackson, Jackson, Tennessee).

Day 4: Who's Michelle Murray?

A brisk morning greets us as we step out of our hotel, Drury Plaza in Franklin, Tennessee and onto our motor coach. The drive to Chattanooga takes us down I-24 so we should make pretty good time. Has anyone heard of Michelle Murray? Celebrity sighting! Coming up behind us is her tour bus with her photo and tour information splashed along the side of her bus. Looked her up on Google and see that she is a recording artist and actress. I guess this is a pretty common sight in and around Nashville. Sadly, though we didn't see her but we'll accept her tour bus as a sighting. Sad, aren't we?


On The River Again . . .
Yesterday we took a rive cruise on a riverboat. Today it's the River Gorge Explorer on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga. Near the aquarium close to downtown Chattanooga, the River Gorge Explorer travels along at upwards of 50 miles per hour making sudden stops to view the colors of fall and the wildlife above the water and on the water. We saw a young bald eagle, turkeys, great blue herons and turtles by the score. Our naturalist aboard the Explorer gave us a full history of the Tennessee River as well as pointing out the abundant wildlife. She used a number of visual aids to give us the big picture of life on the river. This was truly a thrilling ride flying along the river and coming to a near sudden stop with water crashing up and over the boat. Of course we were all inside and dry so watching the water come over the windows was really kinda neat. The tour ended with the Captain doing donuts on the water giving us a 360 degree view of the surrounding area. (see the video on our facebook page... www.facebook.com/travelmasters.org)

After a wonderful rib and pulled pork dinner at Sticky Fingers downtown  we made our way to The Chattanoogan for the night. In the lobby tonight Marsha gave an impromptu iPad lesson to a few members of the group, one of which just purchased hers today. Oh yeah, anther game of Farkel is on the books for tonight. (Congratulations to Karen & Judy tonights grand champions). I however, will be watching the World Series, thank you very much!

Day 3: More Music City Fun

So, today we are going to the church of where Country Music lives. The Ryman Auditorium or the outside looks like preaching should be going on inside, which it was. Once we stepped through the doors and saw the nearly acoustically perfect interior where country music stars made their start and continue to perform regularly, we knew this was musically hallowed ground. a you can almost hear the banjos, guitars, steel guitars, mandolins and the voices of the greats echoing off the walls and into our ears. Now I won't profess to know anything really about country and western music but after listening to the old clips of stars from days gone by, I do remember hearing some of these tunes from my childhood. I love history and this kind of history lives on forever and am I glad of it. Walking through the halls of the Ryman and seeing the stage where the greats performed, I'm glad we made this a part of the tour. As a matter of fact Marsha and I even had a photo made on the stage holding guitars and pretending to be one of the greats, even if only for the time it took to snap the photo. Several others in the group did the means it was fun afterward to see the smiles and joy on their faces as they took the stage at the Ryman Auditorium.

The General Jackson
The Geneal Jackson Showboat at Opryland is one of those old style riverboats complete with a great buffet meal and fantastic entertainment. We booked this even over a year ago which may account for the up close and personal seating we got. Four tables from stage left to right gave us a ringside seat for the Steve Hall and Shotgun Red show.  Not only was the meal delicious but once the show started we were treated to some of the best picking', fiddlin', singin' and comedy around. Steve Hall brand on comedy along with his singing got us all ready to step up and join right in. His fiddle player who goes by the name of Tigar played as if the strings would catch on fire. We have often heard at many other shows with fiddle players, their interpretation of the Orange Blossim Special. Until we heard Tigar. He had us all looking on in amazement as he tore through the OrangeBlossom Special as we've never heard it before. His play on the fiddle and mandolin was about as good and high energy as has ever been played on a stage. The coolest part was the video shown of Tigar as an eight year old appearing with Merle Haggard and watching and listening to his play along with his childhood self on stage.
 I wish I had taken the time to write down the names of his band members but I didn't so I'll have to acknowledge them this way. His drummer has a a history of big band music behind humans his take on Sing,Sing, Sing had that Gene Krupa quality to it that. Ames you San to beg for more. His steel player bass player and guitar player ALL are top notch musicians that made the one hour show fly by. Oh and I forgot to mention the Wendy or thirty other artists that took the stage under the guise of his rhythm guitar player, Ray. Blind since birth he sounded incredibly like every singer or newscaster he chose to be. lose your eyes and listen and you'll swear you're hearing Jim Reeves or Stevie Wonder or even Paul Harvey at their finest. Michael McDonald, Willie Nelson, Charlie Prided, Fresdie Fender, Walter Cronkite and the list goes on and on. Truly an amazing entertainer. And let's not forget Shotgun Red, the alter ego of  Steve Hall. His brand of comedy had us in stitches.

Country Music Hall of Fame
As halls of fame go this one is right up there with all the others. The displays, the music and the memorabilia make for an interesting and informative walk through the history of country music, from it's beginnings to the stars of today. We only had an hour there but we could have spent all day. Definitely have to make a return visit. As an added bonus, on the streets outside the CMHOF the television show, Nashville was filming. Star sighting! Connie Britton was seen filming a scene for an coming episode across the street from me. Too bad we had to move on to Studio B, but the itinerary takes precedence.

RCA Studio B
I know Studio B recorded more than just Elvis Presley but I didn't know was just how many hits he recorded at Studio B. His recording of  "Are You Lonesome Tonight" done in complete darkness was purely magical. It is not necessarily one of my favorites but after hearing the story of the recording session and listening to the cut it has surely moved up the list. Many of the stars recorded at Studio B we some of the all time greats of country and even the fledgling rock and roll. We listened to outtakes, saw some of the old equipment and even had a seat the piano once used by The King himself.
Today was a very productive and entertaining day on every aspect of the word. Tomorrow we move southeast to Chattanooga. Stay with us!

Day 2: A Pearl of a Day!

It's a beautiful fall morning today. The colors haven't been as brilliant as we had expected but there's still more to see this week. The Tennessee River Fresh Water Pearl Museum in Camden is our first stop today.  According to Bob at the museum there was a possibility of TDOT (Tennessee Department of Transportation) doing some road construction on an exit on I-40 that coincidentally was the exit we needed to take to get to the museum. Thankfully that road construction was not taking place when we arrived so it was clear sailing off of the interstate to the Pearl Museum. Bob, Judy and their staff greeted us warmly when we arrived and couldn't have been nicer during our visit. Fresh coffee, water and a nice gift shop were available for us to enjoy, shopping for gifts and souvenirs which is the order of the day (every day).Bob thrilled us with a most interesting presentation followed by a video on the history and development of the pearl, the fresh water pearl industry and the part the Tennessee River plays in the supply of pearls nationwide. They have been featured in National Geographic magazine among others as well as a piece on CBS Sunday Morning. Our time at the museum was limited to two hours but we could and will on another trip, stay much longer and get the full effect of their knowledge and hospitality. A short drive down to the marina gave us a real life view of the "farm", very quiet on the surface but teeming with life underneath we're sure. Our time passed quickly and after receiving our sack lunch along with a wealth of information we were on our way to Nashville. Thanks again to Bob and his staff for a very interesting visit and insight into the world of pearls. Check them out at www.tennesseeriverpearls.com. We will be back!

Music CityJust about an hour's drive up I-40 east and we are in Music City, Nashville, Tennessee. City tours with a local step-on guide are one of he best ways to get the flavor and local perspective of a city. A good guide can provide a great introduction to the history and culture of their city and our guide today was no exception. Linda, from Art Henry's Tour & Receptive led us on a three-hour, very interesting tour of Nashville, filled with history, architecture and stories from the city's history and culture interspersed with frank commentary that really held our interest. From downtown to Music Row's recording studios; from the Ryman Auditorium to the Parthenon and Centenial Park, Linda regaled us with information, stories and and facts that brought the history and people of Nashville to focus we simply couldn't get enough. Good guides will do that. They can make or break an introduction to a city and Linda's three hours with us simply flew by. Great job!

It's time for the OprySometimes a curve all gets grown at you and how you handle it defines who and what you are be it from a personal nature or business. We arrived at The Grand Ole Opry in time for our 4:00 pm backstage tour only to find out there had been a mix-up and our tour had been scheduled for 9:00 am, earlier today. We had just left our hotel in Jackson so no doubt this was a mixup. Trying to adjust an event for a group of 39 with limited available time and to keep us on schedule is not always the easiest of tasks. However, with some pleasant conversation (really) and help from a member of the Opry staff (thanks, Andrea) we got our pre-show backstage tour changes to a post-show backstage tour which we came to find out is actually the preferred tour to take.  So, booked and now off to dinner at the Backstage Grill. Fried check and brisket were on the menu as we sat down to a delicious meal. We were also treated to an impromptu music performance by a member of the Grill's staff after dinner. What a great lead-in to our 7:00 pm show at the Opry.Speaking of the Opry, tonight was "Opry Goes Pink" in support of breast cancer awareness. The entertainers we some of Country music's finest and a sold out house of over 4,400 was treated to a first class Tuesday night Opry performance. Headlining the show was LeAnn Rimes singing a few of her hits along with the "Grits and Glamour" of Lorrie Morgan and Pam Tillis. Jeannie Seely, Natalie Grant, Mandisa and Amy Grant rounded out the two-hour performance of country and gospel tunes that had the crowd singing and tapping their toes in time. What a fantastic show!

Let's go BackstageBackstage tours are a wonderful insight into what goes on prior to and during each and every show. Our guide, Mary took us on a 45-minute walking tour of the Opry filled with stories of entertainers past and present and how the show comes together. A special treat for us was the appearance of Amy Grant heading out of the building carrying her guitar on her back and making her way through the group. No one really expected to see one of the stars of tonight's show but Marsha recognized her and managed to get a quick photo without interrupting her departure. We saw all of the dressing rooms, each one named for either a country music legend or a unique use for the entertainers performing that night. For instance, one of the dressing rooms is named "Into the Circle" which is used by the performer making their Opry debut.  Photos adorn the walls along with a mural done by Archie Campbell which hangs in the Ready or "Green Room" which isn't really green, only in name. OK, there is a green chair in there so I guess that qualifies. A long day and night is over as we made our way to the Drury Plaza in Franklin to rest our heads for the night.More fun in store tomorrow.

Day 1: The Two-Step Start...

...And Away We Go

What a beautiful sunrise this morning. It's a great day to travel, isn't it? Every day is a great day to travel. We arrived at the departure point at 7:15 this morning to find our motor coach and a few of our travelers already there. There is a bit of anticipation and excitement on the first day of any trip and today is no exception. The checked bags all fit nicely in the compartment under the coach and soon we were on our way. The first order of business was to bless the bus followed by the introduction of everyone on the tour. Normally we will play a little word game associated with each person's name as a way to get to know everyone. Today, however it was "what kind of sandwich are you"?. Tomorrow after we visit the Tennessee Fresh Water Pearl Museum our lunch will be a choice of sandwich. So, having gathered the sandwich choices we notified the lunch caterer and we were all set to go. Eastward to Tennessee. 

The nice thing about travel days (of which this is one) is it gives all of us an opportunity to get acquainted, swap stories or just catch up with old friends. I know I've said this before and it's not really a shameless plug but I think traveling by motor coach is the best way to see this great country. Where else can you drive all day, take in the sights, have a great meal (or two) and spend the night relaxing in a comfortable hotel, all in the company of friends old and new? 

Construction on I-40 could have caused us to be late for our next attraction, but it didn't. Traffic moved smoothly even as we traveled one lane east and one lane west. Smoothly so that we were a few minutes early arriving in Memphis.

Lucille!

If you've ever heard a guitar being played or played one yourself, a stop and tour of the Gibson Guitar Factory in Memphis is a must. The tour lasts about 40 minutes and is informative as well as exceptionally interesting in how a block of wood is transformed into a fine musical instrument enjoyed by the likes of B.B. King and of course, the great Les Paul. Factory tours are incredibly interesting and we try and locate one whenever we put a tour together. No photography allowed during the tour so we only have shots of the displays in the lobby. It's OK, though. The tour was fascinating. The craftsmanship that goes into the making of a Gibson guitar, it's no wonder they are the preferred axe of great guitar players worldwide. We will most definitely make Gibson a return visit when Memphis is on the itinerary.

Put on the feedbag! We ave arrived in Jackson, Tennessee and at Brook Shaw's Old Country Store for a southern cooking buffet fit for any palette. Fully stuffed (fried chicken and cobbler and...) we ambled out to the coach and made the 1 mile drive to the Doubletree Hotel to rest our heads. 

Follow us again for the rest of the trip right here. Good night!

I Love the Fall (Autumn, that is)

Don't you love it when the leaves turn color? The reds, oranges and yellows of the fall leaves just paint a wonderful kaleidoscope of color throughout the countryside. I'm sure it's much the same everywhere in the US but I guess I'm especially partial to the fall palette in the Ozark mountains and valleys since I live here. This time of year is particularly good for travel opportunities for those of us who hunger to experience the scenery, tastes and smells of Autumn in this part of the country. We recently returned from The Great American Scenic Safari and would you believe it? Snow in Yellowstone, the Teton and Glacier National Parks in the last week or so. Looks like we picked the right time for the Safari! Ok, we'll pat ourselves on the back a bit for this. We did a tremendous amount of research and phone calls during the planning phase of the Safari to try and determine the best possible time to make the tour happen. Now we can't promise anything and it took a great deal of cooperation from Mother Nature (we'll give her a shout out, too) but the weather couldn't have been better. Ok, I've digressed a bit.

The Travel Masters tour for this fall is our "Autumn Journey - Tennessee Two-Step", taking us across Arkansas and into Tennessee. Music in Nashville, boating in Chattanooga and even a chance to experience a bit o' Tennessee's finest courtesy of Mr. Jack's place in Lynchburg all add up to a beautiful autumn experience. I left out some of the other events and attractions we'll be experiencing on this tour, but that's so you can read all about them right here as we post daily musings and a few photos for you to enjoy. We start Two-Stepping on October 21st and will be back before you know it.

Yeah, I love this time of year!