Saturday, July 28, 2018

Nashville, with Friends! --by Magdalena Scott


I am an introvert. I don't do well in crowds, and am lousy at small talk. I also do not make friends easily. Fortunately for me, I have been blessed with a few deep friendships, including the ones renewed last weekend...

If it's an even year, it's time for a girlfriend trip! This year, the six of us were in Nashville, Tennessee. Although our friendships began as early as kindergarten, in the small Indiana town where I still live, everyone else now resides in a different state. Our Tennessee friend hosted us in her lovely home. She also planned excursions to keep us busy, while leaving plenty of free time to sit around her living room and chat. It may have been two years since we gathered, but it always feels as if we pick up in the middle of a conversation.

Some touristy highlights:

 * Friday night show at the Grand Ole Opry! The evening's talented musicians ranged in age from 11-year-old Mason Ramsey to veteran "Whispering" Bill Anderson. (The music! The enthusiastic crowd! The MC doing ads for the live radio broadcast!) I love that all generations of musicians were represented, and seemed to have a real family feeling for each other.

 * A live show, Sunday brunch, and cruise aboard the General Jackson Showboat. We had good seats at the Opry, but at this show, our table was very near the stage. The quartet and three-piece band were all great. I was in tears when pianist Jason Coleman played a "duet" with his granddad, Floyd Cramer, by way of a video recording. It's a big deal that I bought a CD from Jason, considering how strict I am on purchasing "things" to bring into my minimalist life. Until that moment, my only physical souvenir was a magnet for the "trips" section of my fridge. On Monday, I unpacked my suitcase to "Legacy," and listen to it each morning.


 * A stroll through the always-jaw-dropping Opryland Hotel. Oh. My. Word. Here's a photo of me inside the hotel. (Yes there is a river. Waterfalls, too. Indoors. And of course, giant cowboy boots.) A man was playing and singing in one of the "open air" restaurants we passed. In the few minutes I listened, he did a beautiful job with both a John Denver cover and a Beatles cover. You can see my video of the hotel by visiting my Facebook page. I tried to upload it here, but no luck.

The Romance Writers of America conference is scheduled to be held in the Opryland Hotel in July, 2021. So, romance writers, start saving your pennies! It's just a short walk from the hotel to the Opry, to the mooring for the General Jackson, and to the Opryland Mills Mall.

One of my favorite things about Nashville: 

Live music. Lots and lots of it! What is your favorite thing to look for when visiting a new city?

(In case any of my readers are wondering, I didn't run into any of the McClains of Legend, Tennessee. They're several hours southeast of Nashville, and...um...fictional.)

Happy reading!
Magdalena

USA Today Bestselling Author Magdalena Scott writes sweet romance and romantic women’s fiction. A lifelong resident of Small Town America, she invites readers into her world to find out what’s hidden just below the surface of those tiny dots barely visible on the map. Romance, mystery, and the journey to be one’s best self are all part of a day in her neighborhood. Readers have commented that they’d like to move to the imaginary towns Magdalena writes about, which she takes as high praise indeed.

Magdalena is a practicing minimalist, having downsized from a 3,000 square foot house to a studio apartment, where her Giant Closet continues to resist taming. When not writing at home or spending time with family and friends, she loves to travel–carry-on baggage only–and is always pleasantly surprised at the kindness of strangers.

Visit her website: www.magdalenascott.com

And don't miss her Free Books page. You can download a series starter (The McClains of Legend, Tennessee and Serendipity, Indiana) from your favorite vendor by clicking here.


14 comments:

  1. Magdalena,
    Sounds like a wonderful weekend. I love Nashville too. :)

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  2. Nashville would be a great place to revisit. I went to college there and was born in Nashville at Vanderbilt Hospital.

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    1. Oh goodness, you really have history in Nashville, Margaret! I hope that, if you attend RWA in 2021, I'll get to see you!

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  3. I have a little travel envy - I have always wanted to see Nashville. I watched every episode of “Nashville” on TV & cried a little at the end of the series finale this week.

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    1. Pam, you would have loved it. Charles Esten was celebrating his 100th appearance at the Grand Ole Opry, the night we were there.

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  4. I love girlfriend trips! I take one every other year with a group of girlfriends. Sometimes there are just 3 of us. Sometimes there are 8 or more. We always have a great time!

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  5. Sounds like a lovely trip. And how wonderful to still have such close friendships with people you've known since childhood!

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  6. Thank you for reading, Milou! Yes, those long-time friendships are precious!

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  7. What a fun, fun trip, Magdalena! I loved that hotel. I'll have to remember about the conference in 2021! :)

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