Family Fun in Tennessee

We've been planning and looking forward to this trip for a year and it's finally here. 

What better destination than Nashville, TN!

It's the first week of November. 

Hoping the weather is nice

and we'll experience some outstanding Fall colors.

--------MONDAY-----------

Early flight so we can spend most of the day in TN. 

Danielle picked us from the airport.

the folks are a little tuckered out...but still ready to go!!!

Drinks and lunch at Mother's Ruin located near our B&B in the

quaint neighborhood of Germantown.

This bar turns out be a favorite.

We drop our bags at our B&B, then happy hour at JC & Danielle's home.

 Met JC's mother, Kristi, and ventured downtown for some fun, drinks and dinner.

We jumped on electric bikes and scooters to make that trek from Pinewood Social to Broadway. 

Pinewood Social had great drinks, good wine list and tasty food. 

It's a casual setting with a bowling alley in the back area, and a large patio. 

I truly love the excitement and spontaneity of it all.

 

Christ Church Cathedral

Nashville does have some amazing structures. 

- - - - - - - - 

We stayed at the Germantown Inn for the first 4 days. Germantown is a quiet, historical neighborhood and a great place to easily walk around. Brick pathways through homes and gardens to take us from our room to breakfast, to bars, to dinner and to the park. 

This is the Germantown Inn Lobby where we had our breakfast, 

happy hour and just good ole relaxing and gathering. 

We enjoyed meeting and chatting with other guests and getting ideas of places to visit, such as 

the Bicentennial State Park just across the street. 

---------TUESDAY------------

Time for a walk to the Bicentennial park and Farmer's Market. 

The trees were so gorgeous with all their vibrant Fall colors at the Bicentennial Park. 

Bicentennial Bells 

It was so cool to hear them....fun surprise. 

Now for our next adventure:

TOPGOLF anyone? 

We had a day to ourselves and had some fun at TopGolf. 

This kind of golf I can get into...cocktails, no walking,

 and this handy club guide. haha

--------WEDNESDAY ------

Jane's Hideaway

The gangs all here :)

Let the family fun begin!!!

Kyle & Allie flew in Wednesday afternoon.

 They're staying at Danielle's house for a couple nights.

 

We ate our way around downtown, and dropped into a few fun places.

 So much to do in Nashville. 

-------THURSDAY-------

L&L Market

We took the morning a little slower since tonight is Family pics downtown

and lots of walking, for sure. 

We spent some time looking for a place for Kyle to have a custom cowboy hat made. 

 We learned a few places NOT to go haha... He took care of it on his own Friday morning at 

Rustler Hat Co. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Now for photos with the family in the evening. 

But first, cocktails.  🍸

Pedestrian Bridge

Momma's happy to get family pics.

💙

Here's just a few of my favorites.

😀

💕

💏

  

 After pictures we splurged for happy hour at The Dream Hotel

followed by downtown pop-ins to so many bars that I can't even mention. 

JC & Danielle know their way around, and are great tour guides.

Printer's Alley is a must-go. 

Bourbon Street Blues

Saw this great blues band that plays every Tuesday and Thursday 

and draws a huge crowd.

- - - - - - - - FRIDAY- - - - - - - - - 

Goodbye Nashville...Hello Pigeon Forge.

We picked up our rental and the 4 of us headed out. 

JC and Danielle came in their van since we plan to fly out of Knoxville, TN. 

Smokey Mt Cabin with Pool table and Hot tub

     

 Beautiful Cabin has 2 king bedrooms separated by floors, 

with a pool table and hot tub. 

Both got a lot of use :)  Large kitchen where 

Allie cooked for all of us; which was a great treat. 

- - - - -  - - SATURDAY- - - - - - - - 

Beauty all around us. Road to the cabin. 

We were so happy that Melanie joined us for a day and night. 

We drove to downtown Gatlinburg to the Goodwater Winery that Derek manages. 

The evening was spent together at the cabin for dinner and conversation. 

 Is there ever enough time for these moments ? 

       

View in Downtown Gatlinburg from the bridge.

It was so nice to have us all together. 

Modeling their "Drink Up Bitches" apron.  

- - - - - - SUNDAY- - - - - 

By popular request :) we spent some time in Pigeon Forge at the Christmas Store. 

Christmas Place


The kids found cute ornaments to take home. 

🎄

Who wants to go on a Roller Coaster? I do!!!! 

😀😃

Some of us liked it more than others.....:) 

Rocky Top Roller Coaster

🧡

🍑

🙌

Followed this up with a BBQ spot for lunch near Flavortown.

FUN DAY! 

After this we part ways with JC and Danielle as they head back to Nashville. 🌜

- - - - - - - MONDAY- - - - - - - 

Now it's time for a slow and easy morning, checkout at noon, then fly out around 4:30. 

Plenty of time for packing, breakfast and some views of the Smokey Mts. 

Thank you Tennessee and family.....One of the best vacations ever!!! 

Lookout Point over the Smokey's in Townsend, TN

Utah, beautiful Utah

    Utah has been on our "Ride List" for 3-4 years and it was worth the wait. What a beautiful state with all it's red rocks, pink sands, and darn nice people.

 

We stayed in Vegas the first night to ease the drive. And then visited with Mike and Tracey Carlow in St George, Utah. The guys golfed and then Mike made us a wonderful dinner, where we drank, ate and laughed til late. The area is so pretty, with rolling rocky hills, and the gorgeous red rock in the horizon. Their home is a block from this golf course ;) 

                                                              Green Spring Golf Course

 

The best golf cart ride ever!!! :)  

Danny with his buddy, Mike Carlow, who treated us to this fabulous day.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  

Tuesday afternoon we arrived in Kanab, Utah, our home for the week. 

 

Kanab is known as Little Hollywood.
Many western's filmed here.

Cute picket fence house with wind chimes
 while we walked to lunch.

Utah Ride #1

      After checking into our room, we decided to hop on the Harley and just look around a bit...... Which lead us all the way to Lake Powell in Page, AZ. It's about a 4 hour drive, but we just couldn't stop ooohing and aaahing over the scenery. Besides, the sun doesn't set here until about 8:30pm.

This the Wahweap Bay The water is quite low so not many campers or boaters out today. 

Danny found a lookout in Page of the Colorado River and the Glen Canyon Damn.

I was blown away! 

Here is Marble Canyon lookout just behind the motels in Page off the 89. 

 It's an easy walk down the sand steps. You don't wanna miss this view.  

Steps to the Marble Canyon Lookout

That's a boat coming up the river. 

Marble Canyon Lookout

Utah Ride #2

Wednesday: Heading to North Rim Grand Canyon on the 89S where you leave the Red Rocky mts for a bit of wide-open views. 

Lots of wide open views through the Kaibab Indian Reservation & Fredonia area,

until you reach the Kaebab Forest of small Pines and Cottonwoods. Then it opens up to the most amazing view of the Vermillion Cliffs aka the Grand Staircase.

Small western places along the way take you back to an old western movie set.

Vermillion Cliffs 

Lookout of the Grand Staircase

                   

Ended this day in Page were we found a great bar, ate some burgers with some bloodies. Then ended up riding home while the sun set. 

It was a very full day with a peaceful end, even though we didn't see the North Rim. 

Utah Ride #3

Today's plan is to go back to St George and visit the Harley dealership to get some t-shirts etc. Exploring the Zion National Park on the way up and back..... oh my goodness. It was hard to comprehend the heights of these rocky mts, and the fabulous colors of the rocks, and the small pines just growing out of the rocky soil. It was a truly incredible site.

 

Ride along with us ;)

 

 Hwy 9, took us out to the cute town of Springdale where you can camp just outside the park. Then we headed into St George to find the Harley Dealership and get some lunch.

 

 

   

Our return trip included a side road that I read about on the Motorcycle Roads Forum. It was a nice change of pace and terrific views of the west side of Zion. Also, allowed us some room to get off the bike more and take some photos. 

This is Kolob Terrace Rd. just north from Virgin, Utah. The paved section of the road ends by the Kolob reservoir and campground, which looked closed. Perhaps too early in the season. 

Views of Zion from a distance are just as spectacular. 

We came back through Zion on our return trip to Kanab. Getting the reverse view of the park this time. 

Taken near Springdale, Utah. We had the most clear blue skies, and the temps were 70-80*.

Perfect week to come here. 

Utah Ride #4

Bryce Canyon here we come! The road to Bryce Canyon is large sweeping turns along the Virgin river with hot springs and pools of water throughout the canyon. Couldn't photograph them very well from the bike.

Lunch at Bryce Canyon Pines with a large group of organized bikers.

Bryce Canyon Tunnel 

Bryce Canyon, the Hoodoos

Bryce Canyon

We honestly thought we hadn't seen enough on this day and were tempted to keep on riding east, but came to our senses and headed back to Kanab. What a glorious trip this has been. 

Our last red Utah sunset.

Our Stay In Kanab:

 We chose the La Quinta Inn for our staging place. It was a great room, morning breakfast buffet with a large lobby and dinging area. The parking lot was roomy and great for our truck and trailer. It was a little off the main street, but the town didn't have alot of shopping that I was hoping for, but all in all it was a great location for us to get to all our rides easily. 

We had some really good meals during our stay in Kanab: the area does cater to healthier choices, such as vegan, and even though they have full bars, they are only allowed to pour 1 oz of hard liquor per cocktail. But, we did find some good wine choices ;) 

Wild Thyme Cafe was close to our motel so we ate here the first night. They had some great food. Most all guests are hikers, not bikers! haha

The PeekABoo Pizza place was a tasty vegan Pizza place. Didn't realize it was meatless.... but server mentioned it right away.

Rocking V Cafe was fun, delicious and located in an old historical building. 

Sego's was on the classy side and specialize is small sharable portions. Very good. 

Grilled Caesar 

Pork belly & watermelon

     steak bites with cauliflower 

  

*** since there's no helmet law in Utah, we got cleaned up and took the bike down the road to dinner and let the hair go wild.... relax it's like a block away.

Leaving Utah....can't stop taking pics. 

Til next time....cheers.