Taking My Stand In Dixie

[Noel Mugavin]

For the ladies




Another bonus, Tennessee State Band moving into position to come out and do the half time show. It was early in the second quarter when they started to move out,fortunately someone has made the decision to have them wait under the stands. It was hot and they would have been melting in their band uniforms


For the gentlemen, cheerleaders in what I am sure is the official Nashville dress code for females


Half time show

 

[serfty]

This was an interesting game ... loving the TR ...

 

[kermatu]

Catchy tune for fan behaviour. Surely the MCG could dust Joe Dolce off and get something a bit more exciting than the current send a text for anti-social behaviour

Couple of NFL games I've been to could really have done with advice like this!

 

[Noel Mugavin]

They were once again top notch, however the ground announcer somewhat spoiled a bit by his over th top, lour ramblings while they were performing


4th quarter comeback by the Titans to send the game into overtime


Last play of the day, touchdown, Titans win






And an after game prayer


Slow walk back over the river

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Meandered around a bit. Country Music Hall of Fame






Called the hotel shuttle and within 5 minutes was picked up and taken back to the hotel.
Lazy dinner form a nondescript place across the road from the hotel



The hotel



Poster in the lobby

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Decision to take the room by the elevator shaft came back to bite me on the backside, not much of a sleep due to it, and a bit concerning as I had a bit of a drive in front of me. Wanted to get on the road a little before 7 to try and avoid a bit of the Nashville traffic. At about 4.00am re-set the alarm to 9.00am with the thinking that i'd get up and drive after the traffic had settled a bit. At 5.50, after still no sleep, I decided to stick to my original plan.
On the road at 6.45am, after a strong coffee form the hotel foyer and to be honest the traffic was fine. if i was traveling in the other direction though...

First stop, threw some water on the face to make sure I was good.
Another state off the list


Another rest stop about an hour on


Set the watch back an hour and whiled away some time here



Very attractive location, a bit of a self guided tour around some of the buildings

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Into the visitor centre


Then on to the tour



Got to have a taste of this














On to the tasting

 

[Noel Mugavin]

You get a glass and a credit card that has 4 tastings on it. Slip the card in above the drink you want to sample and it delivers about a half shot



The drinks available to sample




Thought this was a better tour than the Jack Daniel's one, more hands on and the process was explained a lot clearer

Beef brisket at the cafe overlooking the distillery






There were some older buildings situated close to the road and entry and I stopped the car as I though there were some good photo opportunities. Unfortunately some good ole boy was taking some target practice and i could hear the glasses smashing and the tin pinging, a bit too close for comfort for me, scrambled back in the car and off I went.

.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

On to my next destination
- Louisville



I had an Air BNB in Louisville and after my experience in Nashville I was a little more than apprehensive.
Relief when the lock opened and I was able to get into the apartment.







Parked the car, dragged the luggage in, had a shower, then off to explore.



4th Street Live, newish entertainment strip



Tourist/visitor centre

 

[Stewey]

Just voted for him. He's not doing too well in the popular vote....

I voted for him as well

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Galt House hotel, where I first booked before going the Air BNB way





Can't see in the photo, but the river was absolutely filthy








Apartment complex has a seating area on the roof.
Looking south towards the airport


The city


East


The city at night

 

[OZDUCK]

I voted for him as well

And another vote from me.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Another morning and the short drive to Churchill Downs



Purchased the basic ticket, get to see the museum and track



Secrateriat. Thought a bit over rated for a horse that only won the Derby once, then worked out it's a race only for 3 year olds.












Who would have thought


After a short film, it was off to the track

 

[Noel Mugavin]

To the track








15 minutes or so trackside, couldn't really move to far, then out to the back where the horses are paraded before the race

 

[Noel Mugavin]

And that was that. Not the greatest tour, not a lot of time nor a did you get to see a great deal of places. There are however longer tours that get you through the stables and other areas.
University of Louisville is only a short distance away from Churchill Downs, so of I went to hopefully get a loo at the ir football facilities and stadium. There was a road closed off due to construction, a ute in front of me turned off and into the closed off road, I followed, a couple of u-turns and double backing and I arrived at the stadium.

Indoor training centre next to the stadium




Training fields


Howard Schellenberger, made the football department relevant at Louisville, also took Miami's football program from nearly being cancelled by the University to National Champions. If you're into sport and sport documentaries can highly recommend 30 for 30 The 'U', tells the story of Miami's rise.
Able to get in the first set of doors nto the second inside doors. Sneaking suspicion I pushed when I should have pulled.


Another angle of the indoor training facility


There was a service gate open at the stadium, so I quickly ducked in to get a few snaps

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Bar directly over the road from the stadium


Went back over to the Trager Centre, deserted, however doors unlocked so in I went.


Back over to the Schnellenberger Centre, tried again. No luck.
Short drive back to the apartment

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Time to go to lunch



Heading to J Grahams Cafe at the Brown Hotel
r





Louisville's signature dish - the Hot Brown









King Louis XVI after whom the city is named

 

[cjd600]

What's the verdict on The Hot Brown?

 

[kermatu]

Louisville's signature dish - the Hot Brown

Have to admit to not knowing what this is - a baked open meat sandwich? What was it like?

 

[Noel Mugavin]

What's the verdict on The Hot Brown?

Heart stopping.
Very rich, very heavy, crunchy bacon, well worth it for a one off