The Explore All 50 States Project
Let's Go!
Walking up to the grounds of the Lorraine Motel it seemed that time had stood still here. The original 60's decor and the colorful sign were all left intact as they were on the day civil rights leader Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Walking up to the hotel we found a beautiful marble plaque with a poignant inscription from the old testament marking the day those tragic events took place. A very … [Read more...]
Stax Museum of American Soul Music is a real gem of a museum which really took me by surprise because I just wasn't sure what to expect. It is a treasure trove of lessons on musical history. As we strolled through we learned about gospel music in the local churches and how that mixed with some country music led to the birth of rock and roll. Through video and audio presentations it was easy to see and hear how … [Read more...]
A visit to Nashville is not complete without checking out the Country Music Hall of Fame. Approaching the building, you will see that it looks like the keys on the piano. I wish we could have taken pictures inside of some of the amazing stuff we saw, but sadly the Hall of Fame does not allow photography. Walking through the exhibits we learned about the history of country music and the legendary artists. Did … [Read more...]
You absolutely cannot explore Nashville without a pilgrimage to The Grand Ol' Opry. Sadly, it wasn’t open when we arrived and there weren’t any shows for us to see that evening, but it was fun just to stop by because it’s such an iconic part of the Nashville music scene. You can take a daytime tour where you can go backstage, but be sure to check the days and hours. A few years after our visit, we read about … [Read more...]
Often times traveling with kids can present a challenge when you are searching for some fun activity in the evening especially when you're in a city that has a lively music scene for which it's famous for. We were thrilled to discover that the Wild Horse Saloon was a family friendly place so we put on our cowboy boots and headed over after dinner. Driving past all the neon signs and hearing the live music on the … [Read more...]
Wow, I can’t believe we are already up to trip #10. This trip entailed exploring the deep South with all its charms and eccentricities. I did not expect how lush and beautiful Tennessee would be (and I can see why it has inspired so many country songs). Simply gorgeous! In fact, all of these states were uniquely beautiful and offered important lessons to be learned. Civil rights played a very important theme, from … [Read more...]
