The Hermitage, long the home of our seventh president Andrew Jackson and his wife Rachel who hailed from a prominent Nashville family. Regrettably she died days before he was inaugurated and he remained single the rest of his life. The home is over 8,000 square feet on 1,120 acres. Jackson was an entrepreneur before becoming president and quite successful from a number of businesses. Several generations of Jacksons lived on the premises and are in the family plot on the grounds.
Hey, wait for me!! |
A few miles away is the vast complex known as Gaylord’s Opryland, including a huge hotel, convention center, performing venue and the ubiquitous outlet mall. Lunch was a taste of southern bbq at Whitt’s, a small local chain. Vinegar-based and dry (as opposed to “wet” with sauce), the food was quite good but the slaw was a bit tart for my taste …
For Thanksgiving Day, football is an obvious choice as is a movie. Again a vote and Lincoln was the winner .. and what an incredible movie it is. Pretty much a casting director’s dream as there are a huge number of speaking roles and cast surprises. No spoiler alerts here, save to say Daniel Day Lewis will likely be an odds-on favorite for Best Actor.
Roasted quince |
Traditional meal |
Banana Beignets with Hazelnut dipping sauce .. |
Showing the way whiskey progressively ages .. |
From Lynchburg it was on to Franklin, a wonderful bustling town founded in 1799 and no more than 30 minutes from Nashville. The shops were full and the town was a shopper’s paradise … only if you are of the female species. My son remarked it is where husbands die from boredom. Fortunately the hubby managed to survive.
It’s beginning to look a lot like … |
Est. 1799 |
Broadway … the main drag downtown |
We finally found ourselves cruising downtown that evening. The Ryman Auditorium was already sold out so a visit to the real home of country music will have to wait. But dinner was another story ..
Jack’s BBQ on Broadway is rated #1 in this town. And it brought back many a memory from the last time I ate here. It was September 13, 2001, to be exact and I know this because we were on the drive across country after 9/11. Of course there were no smart phones at the time so we relied on friends at home doing research for us. We were told about Jack’s and it is as good today as it was then …
Most of our last day was scheduled around watching the classic rivalry of Ohio State vs. Michigan. Son Sam graduates OSU in May and flew back from Nashville to attend the game. After another airport run for Hannah’s flight to NY, we settled in close to the airport for the game. Victory is so sweet!