Nash-Vegas Fun!

This weekend I went to Nashville with a sweet friend, Jan. For those of you who know me well.. you know that I am a HUGE Carrie Underwood fan. I fell in love with her on American Idol and I have loved her since. So, when I heard she was coming to the Grand Ole Opry, I just had to go. I got online to get tickets and when I typed in best available, 4th row seats popped up. So, I guess it was meant to be.. a road trip was coming! My friend Jan is a country music lover too so I knew she would be up for the fun. We had a blast too!

Us at the Ryman

Our first stop was the Cool Springs mall. Of course, you can't have a road trip without shopping. I was on the lookout for a pair of cowgirl boots and I figured Nashville was the place to get them... and what would you know, I found me some! I'm trying to venture out and wear new things, so we'll see how much I wear them. I am not a boot person, but I am learning how to be.. =) While we were shopping, we noticed an Orange Julius place.. and I was so surprised. I loved those things when I was a kid and we always got them everytime we went to the mall, so when I saw them I just had to have one and yes.. they were just as good as I remembered. Yummy!

After we shopped, we checked in to the hotel..which was so nice by the way and a great location! It was a a rainy nasty night and we didn't take our umbrellas so needless to say we ate at the first place we could find, Rippy's. I've eaten there before and knew it was good food and it was. The fried pickles were delish.

Us at Rippy's

After dinner, we went to the Ryman Auditorium to see Carrie, Vince Gill and Dierks Bentley. That place was awesome.. it was like an old church building. The seats were old pews and it was the neatest place! The auditorium is kinda small too, so when we found our seats and realized how close we really were.. it was like a dream come true. We were soo close to the stage I could have touched it. It was an experience I will never forget!

The outside of the Ryman

The inside of the ryman

Us with Minnie Pearl

Can you see how close we were..

Then, we realized Gywneth Paltrow was sitting in front of us it was so surreal. For a while, we were trying to figure out if it really was her and at the end we had decided we would ask her if she would mind taking a picture with us but we never got our chance. About 5 minutes before the show was over, security came down and got her and her friend and escorted them out. We went to the back and asked if there was any way we could get our picture with her, but they said she had already gone backstage. Sad..

It really was her..

The concert was so fun.. Carrie rocked the house and Dierks did too. I'm not a big Vince Gill fan but he was good too. I wish they would have gotten to sing more songs but there was a lot of other people there too.. Emmie Lou Harris, and a bunch of people I didn't know.. but they were all entertaining and the experience of the Opry house was amazing.. too fun!

Dierks Bentley

Vince Gill

Carrie Underwood

She is soo pretty and tiny!

When we were leaving, it was pouring down rain.. and yes, we didn't have an umbrella.. so needless to say we were drenched but by then we didn't care. We walked around to the back alley and met these 2 girls who were telling us that Carrie was about to come out and leave. So, we waited and sure enough she came out the back and got in her getaway car. So fun and we didn't even care that we looked like drowned rats! Thanks, Carrie for making my dreams come true! You are awesome and I'm so glad I got to see you in person!

The back of the Ryman

Carrie coming out the side door.


Carrie leaving the ryman


We look like drowned rats..


Fun times..

We ended the trip with breakfast at the Pancake Pantry. The wait wasn't so bad and the food was soo worth it. The chocolate chip pancakes were amazing.. oh my!! Then, a trip to the Opry Mills Mall and we were headed home. We had a blast and I am so thankful for fun friends. Jan.. thanks for the memories, the laughs, Samantha, and for being such a good friend. I love you girl and I can't wait to do it again in March. Look out Rascal Flatts.. here we come!

Pancake Pantry.. there is always a line!

Yep.. it rained the whole weekend!

Our yummy food..