Wagon Wheel

North Carolina Trip

Day 1: Nashville

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Blake, Isaac, and Gunnar

            ‘Twas the morn of our departure, we had arrived early to take leave ere break of day. We took to the highways, headed towards the shallow south, North Carolina. Those of us in our fellowship set our jaws, ready to commence in a week of back-breaking, bone-shattering, man(woman)-making… festivities. On we went, beginning our great journey of service learning to the mythical land of the Hinton Center in Hayesville, our new home for a week of jubilant work and jolly wonder.  After many a mile on our long and perilous trek across our nation’s interstellar… oh wait different journey… our nation’s interstate system, and many a stop for the draining of pipes, we had arrived at our midway, the Country Music Capital of the World, Nashville, Tennessee! We bided our time at our place of lodging, Country Inn Suites, resting until the evening’s jamboree, at The Unbroken Circle, a   live history of country music… The Grand Ole Opry! We were awed by many living legends including: Little Jimmy Dickens, Connie Smith, Jeannie Seely, John Connelly, and newer artists: Keni Thomas, Jason Crabb. Also entertaining were several blue-grass bands and the Grand Ole Opry Square Dancers. We also were fortunate enough, on Memorial Day weekend, to hear several songs pay tribute to all our veterans alive and deceased. To start off early with some work, we had our very own Jamie Gleeson strut her stuff on the Grand Ole Opry stage in a battle of trivial wits over the history of country music. And so, after a long eventful day and action packed evening, we returned to our lodging to rest and relax. Tomorrow starts a new day, and who knows what will transpire…

The whole group outside of the Grand Ole Opry

Having a little fun!

Jamie testing her country music knowledge on the GOO stage