SUNDAY, AUGUST 2nd - Bowling Green, Ky - Nashville, Tn.

WOW! We are definitely on the east side of the Mississippi River. The humidity was a little high last night but fortunately the temperature was bearable. After a nights rest in the parking lot of Walmart, here in Bowling Green, we decided to stock up on some groceries and do some other shopping . Since it was just across town to the National Corvette Museum, we knew we had lots of time to browse.

We drove the short distance to the Museum and once there we decided to look for a 12" X 12" brick. We belong to the Indian River Corvette Club in Vero Beach, Fl. and in 2004 the Club had decided to purchase a brick at the Museum.
This couldn't have been placed in a better location. It was almost directly in front of the main entrance to the museum.
Enjoy the pictures below as we tour the Museum.

The main entrance to the Museum on Corvette Drive.









Sharon pointing to the Indian River Corvette Club's brick just right of the checkered walkway to the entrance of the Museum.






Always my favorite - a 1953 Corvette. this was the first year of production and 300 Vettes were hand built in Flint, Michigan. All were white with a red interior and a black top.







1954 Corvette - check out the sign indicating the price per gallon for gasoline back in those days!
Starting in 1954 through 1982 models all Corvettes were produced in the St. Louis, Mo. plant.





Get your Kicks on Route 66! Remember those shows. Here are the two guys who starred in the shows and made Route 66 famous. From Chicago to Los Angeles, even today, you can still travel Historic Route 66 in broken segments across the country. Most of the highway have been replaced by Interstates.



Here's what the car looked like that help make the show a success.







The only lady inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame, our friend and fellow Club member, Betty Skelton. They were re-modeling the Hall of Fame and we waited until they put Betty's picture back up before we left. Google "Betty Skelton" and you will be amazed at what this marvelous lady has accomplished in her lifetime.



This is the only 1983 Corvette left. 43 were assembled in Bowling Green, Ky and GM ordered them to be destroyed. Thanks to the wisdom of some plant employees, this one was hidden from view and finally ended up in the Museum. 1983 became the first and only non-production year for the Corvette. The decision to destroy the cars was made because GM demanded defect free & the highest quality attainable. The 1983 Vette had so much new technology in the car and most was not fully developed for production. In 1984 the new Corvette was introduced and all Corvettes since them have been assembled in the Bowling Green, Kentucky plant.

We left the museum at 1:30 for the short drive to Nashville, Tn. We had boarding passes for the 6pm cruise and could start boarding at 5:15. We found a good parking place behind the Opera Mills Mall and was on board the Showboat at 5:15.

Sharon at the entrance for boarding the Showboat.








300' long - 4 floors and a big paddle wheel. This is a big boat!
The boat left the dock promptly at 6pm and returned at 9pm.







Sharon holding our pre-dinner drinks. This was perfect weather for a beautiful river cruise. We cruised up the river, turned around and cruised down the river to downtown Nashville. They again turned around and went back up stream for a long way.









We opted for the buffet on the Texas Deck because of the food selection. We were not disappointed.






After dinner we casually strolled about the boat from front to back on each floor.








There is always someone who volunteers to take our picture together and we certainly appreciated it.






This is the front of the boat on the 2nd floor.








The show started right on time at 8pm and like dinner, we were not disappointed. This group was not only talented but they were marvelous. They performed non-stop for 60 minutes with a variety of country music songs. Actually - they were awesome!





After walking to the MH, we found out that we could not stay in the Mall parking lot overnight. We changed clothes and let Rhoda (GPS) take us across Nashville to I-65 south and to a Rest Area. The first one we found was at the Alabama Welcome Center and the first sign I read was "No overnight parking".
It's 12:30am and half the night is gone - Staying here for the rest of the night, in my book, did not qualify for being OVERNIGHT. We parked up-wind of the semis who were not parking overnight (?) either.
GOOD NEWS! We had planned on spending a night at my brother Don & his wife Linda's home in northeast Alabama on our way back to Florida. Since some of our plans were canceled, we will be able to spend several days with them. On top of that, they informed us that my three grandchildren and son Denny will be stopping by on Thursday for a short visit on their way to Nashville. This surprise visit with the family will top off this wonderful adventure that Sharon and I have enjoyed so much.
Tomorrow we will travel on down to Union Grove, Alabama for some family time. Until the next adventure stay safe and HAPPY TRAILS....