Day Fifteen: Nashville, TN

Update: While at the Ryman I stumbled upon this lovely picture

For those of you that don't know this is who my horse is named after" Whiskey Mae West"

 

Can you guys tell I do not want to leave this place.

Sadly we leave at 7am for Perry Georgia

Got to go to the Ryman Auditorium and walk around after making a one song CD. After making my own CD we went to the movies to see After Earth.

Since last night we didn't get into the Bluebird Café we showed up almost 3 hours early to make it in. Talked with some lovely people while waiting in line. I became the number one fan of hopefully going to be famous Evan Thompson. He writes songs and sings. The people that preformed were so talented. I wish when mom paid for my guitar lessons that I actually practiced then maybe I could have been the one people wanted to know my name.

Special Video of Evan Thompson singing 'My First Song" written by him.

That's it for today folks. Leaving my dream state tomorrow and moving on down the line.

TTFN,

Ashley

Day Fourteen: Nashville, TN

Didn`t depart from anywhere stayed here in lovely Nashville Tennessee.

I am in Heaven guys like this is my dream people are very friendly here.

Walter and I walked around Opry Mills which is about three times the size as the mall back home. I got my nails redone which was nice. Bought a few trinkets then found this amazing hot sauce place where the staff was helpful and funny.

So we had lunch right inside the Mall in front of a massive amount of fish. I had fish tacos. (only felt a little guilty)

 

After going to the mall we went to Downtown Nashville and walked around

The guy that manages this store was full of knowledge. We bought some CDs and continued walking.

 

Walter bought a pair of cowboy boots. His first pair which means he is no longer a boot virgin. I am slowly conforming him into a cowboy.

 

When we got back to the hotel we decided to go next door and play at this huge arcade place. After kid gambling and collecting our prizes we decided to waste a whole hour playing pool. Well not waste Walter has decided that I will be his pool playing prodigy. No pictures of that sadly but tomorrow when we go back over there I will take some.

 

We spend one more day here then we leave Tuesday morning at 7am for Perry, Georgia.

 

 

TTFN,

Ashley

 

 

 



 

Day Thirteen: Nashville, TN

We departed from Covington, TN at 10:00am and Arrived in Nashville, TN at 2:24pm

So I don't know if I should just photo spam all of this post or what. I just got back to the hotel after seeing this list of lovely talented artists.

John Conlee
Kalisa Ewing
Connie Smith
Jeannie Seely
Jimmy C. Newman
Opry Square Dancers
Clare Bowen
Vince Gill
Joanna Smith
Pure Prarie League
Patty Loveless
Loretta Lynn

The Grand Ole Opry has been #1 on my bucket list since I read about Dolly Parton (my birthday twin and favorite artist) singing up on that stage. Finally at the age of only 18 I am able to mark that off y list. Although it was the first concert I have been to (also on my bucket list) it will not be the last time the Opry has seen me.

Out front of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN



Left to Right: (3 members) Pure Prairie League;  Jeannie Seely; Joanna Smith; Patty Loveless; Vince Gill

Loretta Lynn (she is so gorgeous)

Vince Gill ( such a lovely voice)

Joanna Smith ( Watch out Taylor Swift, this girl is rocking)

This is Jeannie Seely singing "Ring of Fire"



                                       


Today was a day of firsts for me because I also got to ride in a taxi cab for the first time which was pretty cool. I think the best part was the cab driver getting Walter and I out of the Opry parking lot by weaving around. What would have been a ten minute wait turned into a never press the brake ride.



Tomorrow is supposed to be a shopping day so I am quiet excited about that. Let the fun begin in Nashville for the next two days.

TTFN,

 

Ashley

 



Day Seven: Ozona, TX

Left from Carlsbad, NM 8:55am
had to  lose another hour because of Time Zone
Arrived in Ozona, TX at 1:38pm

Look at these lovely sideways pictures since the blog will not let me rotate.

This is the pool at my hotel tonight. Its indoors and has banana trees beside it with other plants.

Had a stuffing dinner at the truck stop diner next door to the hotel.

Off to San Antonio, TX tomorrow for the next three days. Tuesday is the Alamo and the Tower of America.

TTFN,

Ashley

Day Six: Carlsbad, NM

Day two here in Carlsbad went well. Woke up and drove 20mins to the Caverns. I dressed warmly since the caves were a lovely 58*

We leave tomorrow. I am overly tired and will post a lot of pictures tomorrow of the caverns.

It was a long day today got to the caves at 9:30am and finished hiking out at 12:03pm. Went back to the Caves around 6:30pm to watch the bats come out. That was exciting but I wasn`t allowed to take pictures of it sadly.

Me outside the Visitor Center

Heading down into the Caverns



Painted Grotto

Walter outside the Visitor Center

TTFN,

Ashley

I am a Ghost

 

Day Five: Carlsbad, NM

Departed from Deming, NM at 8:25am (7:25am CA Time)
Was at the 1,500 mark when leaving
Arrived in Carlsbad, NM at 1:18pm (12:18pm CA Time)
262.7mi added to trip.


El Paso is huge but we didn't stay very long. Everything else along the road was pretty desolate and flat.


I got to drive through Customs and Border Patrol. That was a fun three minutes of questioning.

1. Am I a US Citizen (no I am from Cuba)
2. Where did I get the car ( Stole it from the guy in the passenger seat)
3. Where am I coming from and going to ( Paradise to Nuna)

He was way to serious but I kept my answers honest and short then made my "funnies" when driving away.


We are spending two days here in Carlsbad. Today was sort a relax day, tomorrow we hit it hard with Caverns at 9am take the 3.5 hour tour then get lunch. After lunch we are going to go to the planetarium maybe and go back to the caverns at night to watch the bats fly out. (Don`t bats like blonde hair???)

So for pictures today I only have...(There will be tons for tomorrow that I can Promise)


The Whiner Diner in Carlsbad, NM

Entering Texas (Two Parts)
 

 

 

Entering Mexico (say it in a Mexican Accent por favor)

 

TTFN,

Ashley



Day Four: Deming,NM

Depart from Marana, AZ at 8:08am
Crossed the Continental Divide
Survived the time change
Arrived in Deming, NM at 1:03pm (12:03pm CA time)

Lots of pictures today even though it was just supposed to be a drive day.

Stopped at a gas station to have Arby`s then I drove the next hour into Deming. We checked into the hotel and then took off to the Deming Luna Museum.
We were going to go to the movies but when we saw a poster for the museum we just had to go. Got my postcard from there plus another souvenir.
I took a lot of photos inside of all the exhibits. The people that worked there were super friendly.

Now to sit in the hotel room and relax a little before dinner at 7:30. Might go swimming when we get back.

Got a phone call from some family friends in Florida who we are going to meet up with while there. Super excited about that as well as Texas to see more family.


Here comes the photo explosion...

My room Back in the day



Dental Chair...Scary

Studebaker

Hats tell a Story

 

 

 

TTFN,

Ashley

 

 

 

Day Two: Williams, AZ

Update 7:45pm
Just went to Dairy Queen for shakes in honor of Uncle Jack. Uncle Walter was telling me how they use to stop all the time so Jack could have his vanilla shakes from DQ. So here`s to you up in Heaven Uncle Jack, love you lots and think about you often.

Well today we didn't have to travel as far.

Left at 7:28am and arrived in Williams, AZ at 4:03pm that includes the stop at Hoover Dam and for Lunch in Kingman,AZ
I didn`t get much sleep last night so I took a nap in the car from Beatty to right before Las Vegas.

I talked to complete strangers and exchanged taking
their family photo for them taking ours.

We made it to Hoover Dam before it got too crowded and hot.

Okay not for the faint of heart. Thank goodness for glass that's a side view of straight down Hoover Dam at 10am


After watching a brief video about when the dam was made we took a 500 foot elevator ride down to the power plant.
Here are some facts about Hoover Dam

1. It took 3.25million cubic yard of concrete to build
2. The Dam is 726.4ft Tall
3. The top length is 1244ft
4. The bottom width is 660ft
5. Hoover Dam is named after Herbert Hoover the 31st President
6. It took 5 years to build the Dam

 

Inside Hoover Dam

Stopped in Kingman, AZ for lunch at a cute little Steakhouse. Got my picture taken with a cute Indian and cowboy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After arriving at the hotel we decided to go a Deer Farm and I got mauled by the ones that could reach my cup.
They were so friendly. Not just the deer but also the people running it.
Walter found a pet that I said we couldn`t bring home...A Llama. He was a nice llama and didn`t spit at us.
I did not call all the deer Bambi although there was a baby that was born 3hrs prior to our arrival so we got to see her and the mom.

Deer Farm: I got attacked



Walter and his Llama friend

Overall today was really fun and I`m glad that my hotel has a hairdryer for in the morning plus a pool. I miss everyone back home even though it is only Day Two.

Now to hang out in my hotel room until dinner time.

TTFN,

 

Ashley

 



Tomorrow Departure

Tomorrow at 6am Walter and I depart on the adventure of a lifetime.

Things to look forward to in the car tomorrow.

1. Numb Butt
2. Country Music
3. Lots of Trees & Road

I do plan on taking pictures when we stop as well as what my hotel surroundings look like.

Look out Beatty Nevada HERE WE COME

TTFN,Ashley