I'm goin' to Nashville!

You deserve such a day. And congratu;ations to DGD.

I'd be delighted for you to come for a stop over!! Can't wait!!

Sharon

Take a lot of pics of you and Beverly cavorting in Arkansas.HAve a good time everyone. Juno

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Both DGD and you deserve many accolades for the accomplishments.

Glenn Miller and George Gershwin were/are two of my favorite musicians, other than the old-time Country Music artists. It takes a good trombone to really get at the heart of their music. Although I still love visiting Nashville, I used to like going to the Grand Ole Opry, but not now as much as in the past. Emily

Road trip!!! I'm right there with you on the flying ban -- why pay to be treated like cattle. In fact, I am opposed to treating cattle that way, too. Just for the record. ;-)

You will have a wonderful time! I'd be willing to bet that you can go cross-country, seeing all kinds of folks you've only known by the Interwebz. In July, the northern route will be cooler. I've crossed on Route 66, not possible anymore, and it was h.h.h.hot! I've also crossed mostly on I-80 -- left New Hampshire, visited family in western Pennsylvania and Wyoming on the way back to Reno. It's a big country, seems a lot bigger west of the Mississippi.

Thanks, Kate, I'll share with her. She was so pleased that she actually made the cut.

?

Thanks, Sharon.

Thanks for the invite! I used my mapping program to lay out a route. It would take me 4-5 days (each way), driving 8-9 hours per day to make that drive. I decided I cannot do that alone. Plus for the additional cost of hotels, meals, and gas for those extras 8-10 days, I can fly first class and maybe avoid getting sick. ;-} And Amtrak has a 50 hour route which would take me via Chicago to Memphis, but no sleeper rooms available.

So maybe another time, I would dearly love to meet you in "real space".

Probably not going to happen, at least not this trip. :-(

Thanks, Emily, I'll pass that along.

Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, the Dorseys, Ellington, Les Brown, Glen Gray, Count Basie, Woody Herman ... Love 'em all. I'll leave the Grand 'Ole Opry for others.

After more investigation, I've decided I'll have to fly. Driving across the country seemed like a good idea unilt I actually mapped it out. What takes a day by air is 4-5 days driving, and that's pretty much straight through, no stops to enjoy the countryside.

I guess I'll fly this time and make the car tour another time. I just can't see driving alone for all that distance and back. I so much prefer travel by car, but....

Yup! When DH and I drove to New York in '64 to attend the New York World's Fair, it took us 5 or 6 days each way as I recall. And that was being on the road for 9-10 hours per day. We spent several days in NY, then another couple in D.C. Our entire trip took over 3 weeks IIRC. It's a beautiful country, but LARGE. ;-}

I came to a similar decision a few years back when my job required me to go to Orlando. In June. We checked Amtrak, and found that "you can't get there from here." Well, you could, via New York or Washington, D.C.

My employer even sprung for the first-class ticket, you could have knocked me over with a feather. I decided we would absorb the cost and combine the trip with a family visit, but my boss pushed it through on my expense account. She told me to put it on, I would have just put the coach fare.

First class is definitely better. You can turn and breathe without bumping into a seatmate. The cabin attendant actually "attends." The food and service is beyond better - it surpasses "edible." I found the level of service varied on different airlines, but I can't remember which were really good and which were merely OK. I can say that because the following year, they wanted me in New Orleans, also in June, and again, paid the fare. Apparently, they liked me. ;-) That time I went to Orlando first, on vacation time, then on to N.O. -- this was before Katrina, too.

I am a bit claustrophobic. I don't mind flying, I don't mind turbulence, it's just that they lock you in and you can't even open a window.....not being able to move more than an inch or two in any direction stresses me out.

DSIL was videotaping yesterday. They just uploaded her Highland Fling to You Tube:

is an the far left. Not great quality video, but you'll be able to see what these dancers do for a full 2 and a half minutes at a time. It's like running a mile. He zoomed in tighter on her for the last few seconds. You might want to turn down your speakers if you don't like bagpipes. That little bobble at the end cost her first place. That's her mother crossing in front of the camera right at the very end.

;-)

That's about what I've decided even though *I* have to pay the freight. After I did the math on the cost of: 10 nights of hotels,, 30 meals, 235 gallons of gas (for 5184 miles at 22 MPG), wear and tear, etc. first class looked

*really* cheap. ;-}

I like flying. I just don't like breathing everyone else's viruses. Now, if I could sew up a portable breathing apparatus....

Back in the old days, when I was in the Air Force, big bands were popular, and we had monthly dances. I was very fortunate enough to see Benny Goodman, Les Brown and Tommy Dorsey. They were fabulous and I love their music; but growing up in MS, the Opry was on the radio every Saturday night in my home; and I grew into it, so to speak. I like most kinds of music. Emily

;)

Really, trust me here, I completely understand. My butt lost all feeling just thinking about that many days in the car non-stop. I'm not thrilled with flying, but it is a useful thing when you have to go that far. And if you can swing a first class trip, go for it! Between all the online booking options, and any points programs you might have through credit cards, etc, you should be able to find a good deal on that. If you have an Amex card, look at their website and see what they can do for you on that. They have some pretty good travel and point things.

I mean it too, if you decide to cruise out this way, whenever, you are always welcome. :) (and your little dog too!!! No flying monkeys I promise.)

Sharon

My car fits me very well, I would not mind that long a trip if I were stopping along the way to see interesting places. However this would be a flat-out run from PDX to Nashville, no sightseeing on the way either direction.

If I calculate the cost of hotels, gas and meals for 10 days driving, it would easily cover the cost of a round-trip first class flight. I'll be taking a close look at that possibility.

Good idea! I just recently got an AMEX card (through Costco) and it does pay a pretty generous rebate for travel expenses.

I am going to go with the rest of the family on the 15th. There are events planned for the dancers and family members, but I may not be included in those, so I'm scoping out other things to do for the first couple of days. Let's see, it's what about 540 miles from Nashville to your location? Maybe I'll rent a car and whip on over there.We could have a nice little slumber party before I head back. And my long-lost boyfriend from high school lives south of Little Rock.... ;-}

Little dog will be staying with my younger DD, they are testing the suitability of their home and yard in anticipation of getting a dog. Free dog-sitting, yay!!!