Dad and I left on Tuesday after work. The plan was to drive to Gardendale, Al that night, spend the night and head into Nashville, TN and then Bowling Green KY for the corvette assembly Plant tour.
We arrived in Gardendale around 9pm or so. All the hotels (2) in town were full, they advised us to go back into Birmingham (2 miles south) and advised there were a few places there. We did this only to discover no hotels available there. I asked one of the desk Clerks what was going on and was advised they still had many adjusters and displaced people living in hotels. I had completely forgotten about the Tornadoes that bit Birmingham the week before ShelbyFest 2011. We drove an hour north to Cullman and spent the night there.
We woke up bright and early and hit the road to Nashville. Dad has never been (due to DA being too chicken to drive downtown at night) and I decided we would spend some time there before heading to bowling green.
Before heading into Nashville, we did a little side trip into Brentwood, about 10 miles south of the city. This is the area most Country Music stars live in. Driving through the town, the local YMCA has Merc's, BMW's, Porsche's in the parking lot.
I remembered a trip my ex and I took one year. This took us into Brentwood and into the farm land. We discovered this home. I was surprised to note that it still did not have high walls around it.
We arrived in Gardendale around 9pm or so. All the hotels (2) in town were full, they advised us to go back into Birmingham (2 miles south) and advised there were a few places there. We did this only to discover no hotels available there. I asked one of the desk Clerks what was going on and was advised they still had many adjusters and displaced people living in hotels. I had completely forgotten about the Tornadoes that bit Birmingham the week before ShelbyFest 2011. We drove an hour north to Cullman and spent the night there.
We woke up bright and early and hit the road to Nashville. Dad has never been (due to DA being too chicken to drive downtown at night) and I decided we would spend some time there before heading to bowling green.
Before heading into Nashville, we did a little side trip into Brentwood, about 10 miles south of the city. This is the area most Country Music stars live in. Driving through the town, the local YMCA has Merc's, BMW's, Porsche's in the parking lot.
I remembered a trip my ex and I took one year. This took us into Brentwood and into the farm land. We discovered this home. I was surprised to note that it still did not have high walls around it.
We drove through a subdivision with huge homes and property
From there, we hit Down Town Nashville. Just for a quick Look See.
Famed Wild Horse Saloon
Market Street Mercantile
Tootsies Orchid Lounge
Bridgestone Arena.
Looking down Broadway
Elvis waiting
"Titan Stadium"
Next stop, Bowling Green, Ky.
Dad had a few issues with Rory's Video Camera. He left mom's Digital Camera at home, had issues with Rory's and didn't only want to use mine. We ended up stopping to buy him one.
One of the very first pics he took
The tour was pretty cool.. unfortunately, no camera equipment allowed inside.
You see everything, except the spraybooth process. If anybody is in the area, I recommend you do the tour.
Next stop, the Corvette Museum
Dad gets to sit in this one. It was so funny, We're looking at the Vette and this woman comes up to him and says, "Here, get inside, take pics do what you want". She then shows him how to get out and walks off. Dad had one of those WTF moments.
He was all over this like white on rice
I have a number of pics from inside the Museum if you all are interested, ask and i'll post them.
We spent the night in Louisville, Ky. The same night a tornado touched down around Churchill Downs.. I have a funny story about that which I'll mention later.
checking out of our hotel in LeGrange, Ky I spotted this and took a few pics. Pretty lil thing.
We got to stop at KY motorspeedway which was impressive.. They were preparing for this weekends race.
Woke up Thursday Am and headed to PA. I was very glad to be on the final leg of the trip. Dad was totally amazed at how Cincinnati, OH presents Itself. You're driving alone, Notices saying you're in OH and the next minute you start dropping down and the city is right there in front of you.. It was very impressive.. I have video footage which I still need to upload.
Dad was totally amazed at the food gas stations sell, I sent him in to pay for gas, he comes out after 10 mins with pics of the food.
Finally, Canonsburg, PA
Greg, Charlie, Rick and I met up in the lobby of the hotel and took a drive to Yenko's old building
I was fully prepared to simply take a pic while in the car, Greg insisted I do it properly. :doh2:
We then headed to Jay's SouthePointe for dinner, where we met Mark.
I was playing with the camera and got the guys wanting to send JTB a special message
Jay's was cool, They had a few people skating, then some kind of competition or such.
Dad decided he didn't like Coors Light and had regular Coors.
Friday morning we were up early (8am). Dad gets up early, but it takes him an eternity to get ready. I have no clue why. Probably because he has to have his coffee then do the SSS routine.
We stepped out of the hotel and saw Rick having a smoke, then noticed Greg (VD) had arrived.
Hard to miss this combo
We saw George and Dan's Vehicles parked along the perimeter of the parking lot
As were others
My timetable was totally messed up. No Biggie.
We headed into Pittsburgh for some siteseeing. We did things a bit arse about face. Started at the top of the incline going down.
Now let me say this, I am not a Steelers fan, but seeing their stadium made me want to be one. WHY I have no freaking clue. Will I.. NO!!!
This took my breathe away
The lower level
Walking along the bridge to get pics of the river
Looking back
Grandview Road
Over the river
Heading into the tunnell
Whenever I travel and see a couple or group taking pics of each other, I always offer to take a group pic. I did this with a group of young girls. Dad then wanted a pic with them.
A few years ago, dad and I went to Colorado, He has a photograph with a group of Asian Tourists. :doh2:
We paid the money and headed back up
Reaching the top, the VFW where having some memorial or sorts.
Leaving the Duquesne incline, we headed across the river to Heinz Field.
We found parking and walked
They have a really great river front.. This has walk ways / Path's for people to run, walk, stoll, etc.
Mr Rodgers is memorialized here.
Back across the street to the Stadium. I wanted to do a tour, but this was 11am and the next tour was at noon. Dad didn't want to wait. So we walked around and took random pics.
Art Rooney Memorialized in front of the stadium
We drove past PNC Park,
Across yet another Bridge to Down Town Pittsburgh
Dad loved how people were out and about
Took a wrong turn or two but figured my way around
Found the Heinz History Center
I parked and headed to the back of the lot to look at the river. Dad spotted Heinz Lofts across the river. I had mentioned them to him previously and there they were
We did the tour, which took over 2 hours. I loved it, the history of Pittsburgh is so colorful.
Keith's Ride
The ultimate Steelers fan
We headed back to the hotel and got ready for dinner.
Dad wanted to do something so headed back to the room. I had directions to the restaurant so said no problem, I'll see you all there. Everybody left and 2 mins later, dad comes out and we leave.
I got there faster than the group. I was totally convinced I was at the wrong place. We must have waited about 5 mins for the rest of the group to get there.
Dinner was fun, loud (thanks to the wedding band) but most enjoyable. The company was amazing.
Dad got a few shots of the cars lined up in the parking lot
Then he spoiled it
A few pics at Greg's.
Wedding Cake for Mark and Theresa
Mojito Time
Online
Breakfast the next morning
We stopped for souvenirs in WV and saw this. She was beautiful.
Crossing another bridge
We hit 3 toll plaza's in the space of about 20 miles
Some bridge had a "site seeing area"
Finally Virginia
Then Tennessee.
We decided to spend the night in Gatlinburg and cross the Smokey Mountains into Cherokee NC.
Entering Gatlinburg
Our hotel on the river
Dad enjoying dinner
Up early the next morning and into the Park
Out of the park and into NC
We went into Cherokee NC. This is an indian reservation.
We headed through Georgia, into Alabama and spent the night at some town called Green Ville.
The following morning (Tuesday) We headed to Louisiana
This was just outside Mobile, Al
And Finally Home.
Just over 2600 miles in 7 days.
This was precious time spent with dad. We had a wonderful trip and enjoyed meeting the Non-quitters at Orfstock.
To all those that attended, thank you for being so welcoming toward us.
Heidi
