WHAT'S DOWN with the BREHM'S, 11, SEPT. 2011

NEVER FORGET! 9/11/01

RIPPY'S RIBS

In order to properly kick off a night of Honky Tonkin in Nashville, we stopped in at "Rippy's Ribs", a rather primitive building with barbeque ribs and beer as the specialty. It was great. We have had a ball carousing the town, seeing the sights, sampling the cuisine and beverages. Yeee Hawww. My sister and brother (outlaw) are here from Baden-Baden, Germany. We have similar devisive interests, so the fun never ends. We have seen all the sights here and are off to corrupt Memphis next. Look forward to our next meet with you, love and God Bless, Hank & Reba.

HONKY TONK DISTRICT, NASHVILLE

Around the area of 2nd & 3rd on Broadway in Nashville, is the Honky Tonk district. The bars are all "neoned "up, and almost everyone has live music. Lots of real talent just waiting to be discovered. They all just work for tips. That might be good or bad depending on how good they are.

COYOTE UGLY

What would a night visiting honky tonks in Nashville be with out sampling a couple beers at the"Coyote Ugly" bar?

CONCEPT CORVETTE

We took a day and drove to Bowling Green Kentucky to visit the National Corvette Museum and factory. The factory visit was not possible the day we went, but Jurgen went back a few days later. He is a proud Corvette Owner in Germany. I have always been intrigued by concept cars, and this is one of the many concept Corvettes in the museum.

DIAMOND CAVE, BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY

While in Bowling Green, we went to visit the Diamond Cave, part of the Mammoth Cave Park.

CAMP MEMPHIS

Our camp at this lovely RV Park, right on the Mississippi River. Pictured here, Juergen Schulz, bro-in-law, Mary Ann Brehm, sister, and Diane.

JUST DUCKY

Every day at 11:00 am, the ducks at the famous Peabody Hotel,

ride the elevator down from the roof to the lobby, where they run

across the red carpet to the fountain. At 5:00 pm, they return to

the roof via the elevator.

Ducks departing elevator

Duck Master Anthony

RIVER BOATIN' DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI

SEVEN FLAGS & PYRAMID of MEMPHIS

This view taken from the Memphis Queen riverboat. These are the seven flags of the seven

governments that have ruled Tennissee over the

years. The pyramid in the backround used to be a sports venue for the basketball team. They later moved to another location. The pyramid will

reopen as a Bass Pro store, with many related attractions.

WHAT'S DOWN with the BREHMS AS OF SEPT. 4, 2011

As you can see, we made it. Music City USA

"MOTHER CHURCH OF COUNTRY MUSIC"

Howdeeeee! Sorry, just couldn't resist the Minnie yelp. We are having a wonderful time here in Nashville. Joined up with sister Mary Ann and Brother (in law), Jurgen. We have taken a couple of tours and seen a lot. Tonight, we do the Honky Tonk by night thing. It's raining, and the smell of the grass is delightful. We will be here until the 7th. Hopefully we can wear out our welcome by then. From here, we move to Memphis for more of the same. Then we begin our slow, take it all in, return to San Diego. Should be there in Nov. or Dec. Hope you are all well and having fun. Love and God Bless..............Ray, Diane, & the fur fellas

STAGE AT THE RYMAN

We took a tour of the old Ryman Auditorium, previous home of the Grand Ole Opry. It was built as a church, and has the second best acoustics of any building in the country. The first is the Morman Tabernacle. The Ryman is pretty much a museum now, and is loaded with pictures, costumes, musical instruments and various memorabilia from the very early days of Country Music. The set from "Hee Haw" is still here.

NASHVILLE SKYLINE, RYMAN AUDITORIUM ON RIGHT

Nashville is a very modern, and large city. Home of Vanderbuilt, Opra Winfrey, country music, and others. In some areas, it is as metropolitan as New York, and in others communities, it looks like the turn of the century. The country side looks like a huge golf course. Everything is green and mowed. Homes range from huge mansions to decrepit abandoned and collapsing old homes, All are very scenic.

PARTHENON REPLICA, NASHVILLE

This is a replica of the Parthenon in Greece. Three such Greek Temples were replicated here at the turn of the century, for the worlds fair. After the fair, the buildings were all leveled. Later, they rebuild this replica. Glad they did! It sets regally on the hill.

HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM

We toured this also. Magnificient. Memorabilia, music, films that cover everything and everyone in country music. The Chet Atkins exhibit is wonderful.

GOLD AND PLATINUM RECORDS

This wall is maybe 1/4 of all the gold and platinum records displayed here.

THE NEW (since1974) GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE

This facility has been the home of the "Opry" since 1974. It is enormous. We took a back stage tour. Visited the plush and elegant dressing rooms, the "Green Room", which is a lounge area for the stars to hang out in when they are not on stage. They have post office boxes for all the inducted members of the Opry. Most of their fan mail comes there. We also went up on the stage.

ON STAGE at the GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE

Here we are on stage. The round piece of floor we are standing on has been used in every venue for the Grand Ole Opry since 1924. Every performer that has ever performed at the Opry has stood on this piece of history.

ATRIUM AT THE OPRYLAND HOTEL

Not far from the "Opry House", is the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. Magnificent! We spent most of our time in the indoor gardens of the Atrium. Nine acres under glass. Rivers, boat tours, rare tropical plants, ferns, and fruit trees abound. Waterfalls, huge crystal chandeliers, exotic fish, restauants, shops, and on and on. What a place....