Biloxi, MS

Spa day!  I have an 80 minute facial booked today.  I told them I want all of my wrinkles erased.  She said she would see what she could could do.  

***I'm back from my facial.  It was very nice but I look the same.  I guess she couldn't perform magic***

I donated money to several slot machines today.  I didn't even about break even.  I watched Woody play 3 card poker for a while.  I think I have this game figured out but live dealer games make me nervous for some reason.  I  think my new strategy is to go to the gift shop and buy whatever interests me.  At least if I'm giving away money I'll gave something for it.

This has been a fun trip but it's time to go home and rescue Otis from the retreat.  I miss my fuzzy boy and I'm sure he misses his momma too.

Good night.

Imperial Palace, MS

 Today was we had a long road trip to Biloxi.  The drive thru the Smoky mountains was very scenic.  I'm sad to leave this pretty place but...onward.

In Biloxi we are staying at the Imperial Palace because their spa is open.  We both have appointments tomorrow, 80 minutes each....ahhhh, can't wait.

I tried to get a room upgrade but the desk clerk said floors 15 all the way to the top are closed due to some plumbing problem.  So, this means the place will be empty which suits me just fine.

We made a reservation at Ruth's Chris for tonight but decided to cancel till tomorrow.  Unlike Cherokee, reservations CAN be made same day in Biloxi.

We cruised the beach road, ate dinner and I settled into our room while Woody is checking things out. 

Good night.

Cherokee, NC

Today we had a long drive that was pretty boring until we arrived at Pigeon Forge.  It is a tacky attraction/souvenir place with lots of mini golf, not just one but TWO Golden Corrals and Cracker Barrels...right on the main road.  Lots of tacky stuff to see.

Gatlinburg is just a few miles away and looks like a proper tourist town.  It was very busy today with more hiker types. I could spend some time here.

Years ago we stayed in the area with our Airstream.  We saw a souvenir shop named Wacky Woody's.  When we play the game...what would you name your ??? business...Woody always names his Wacky Woody's.  Looks like WW is gone now.  Very sad.


Our drive thru the Smoky Mountains was beautiful.  The fall foliage went away at the highest elevation but it was nice on the lower elevation.  I just love these mountains.

We made it to Harrah's...it is fancy, HUGE and spread out.  I felt like we were filming a Progressive commercial, how to not be your parents.  When I called to make a dinner reservation at Ruth Chris he said mam, you have to make that WEEKS before your arrival.  Same for the Italian place.  So....after not eating since a hotel breakfast in Nashville our choice was the food court pizza and burgers.  We elected to venture out and found Granny's Place.  It was a pretty good buffet.

So...after pondering our situation, we decided to move on tomorrow.  This place is really nice but for young folks.  Too much walking and not enough food choices.  Plus...I can't go anywhere without my border collie because I will get lost.  We about broke even gambling so time to go.

One more thing.  I had a call today from a number that I assumed was my car extended warranty.  I answered with the intent to harass my caller.  But no...it was Busy B gift shop letting me know I won the door prize.  She sent me a picture.  I'm not sure if it was a win.  See photo on below.

Paula Deen's Country Kitchen

One more thing about our food.  I wanted to eat at Cock of the Walk but it is closed on Mondays...of course.

For lack of a better idea we decided to go to Chuy's.  At 5:15 there was a line that snaked outside like a Disney ride.  Someone came out and said once you got to the end of the line and got your name on the list it was a 1.5 hour wait...so about 2 hours to eat at Chuy's.  We abandoned that plan.  We can eat there anytime.

So now we are seated at Paula Deen's Country Kitchen.  Everything is served family style and it is all hick food. Woody was not thrilled but at least we are not waiting.  I'll let you know about the food after dinner.  The garlic cheese biscuit was sure good but I'm a hick so I'll probably love everything.

Dinner is over.  It was all good, especially the corn.  Oh and now there is a huge wait here.  We timed this one right. 

I'm attaching pictures of our food for visual aid.

Nashville, TN

Today was a beautiful day in Nashville.  The weather was perfect and fall foliage is pretty.  So far I love this place.

We toured the Country Music Hall of Fame in this morning.  Willie Nelson and Martina McBride are included in the class of 2020.  I love reading all about their careers but the best for me are the costumes....the gaudier the better.  Martina's outfits were so tiny a real human couldn't fit.  I wanted to get a look behind the dress form to see if they had pinned to fit or if she was just a very small person.  Guess I'll never know.

The thing I found most interesting about Willie was that among some of his earlier venues, he played in Gonzales.  That was before he was somebody I guess.  He had some interesting outfits too.  Not as fun as some of those embroidered/rhinestone suits but still fun.

Woody said that when he was 9 years old he sat in the Elvis car they have on display.  His early brush with fame.

Kacey Musgrave had her fair share of interesting costumes.  One hot pink one was even a Barbie doll.

So that about wrapped up the morning.  After lunch we checked out Opryland and the Grand Ole Opry. There is a comedian playing tonight so we are passing on that but I bought a magnet and ornament like we really went to a show.

Next off to Opry Mills.  Woody checked out Bass Pro while I walked the mall.  It was JUST a mall...nothing exciting.  After I walked the  complete mall circle I sat on a bench outside of Bass Pro next to another lady.  She said I lost my husband in there for 1.5 hours.  But she was ok now because she had coffee.  I told her I just circled the mall and my husband is still in there too.  I texted him that I was waiting outside.

Right after I told her that, her husband appeared and Woody called.  I told them that I had been summoned inside to buy something with a limit.  He had already bought as much as he could so...off I went to buy myself some more ammo.

Several years ago, I wanted to check out the Gaylord Opryland hotel.  Woody wasn't interested so he dropped me off.  I went in this massive hotel and promptly got lost.  It is like a city in the middle of this complex.  I had to get help to get out of this horrible place.  It's no place for a directionally challenged person.

Tonight I thought I could go back to look at Christmas decorations and take a boat ride. We went on a practice run today.  Woody dropped me off, I went inside and looked around and promptly left.  I could still feel my panic from years ago so I'm gonna pass on this adventure.

So, we are back at the hotel so other than dinner, touring is complete for the day.  I like Nashville a lot.

Clem's Sawmill Cafe

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Today was pretty uneventful.  Somehow Woody drove all day without napping...or if he did I was napping too and didn't notice. Our Highlander dings when you cross a line so maybe he dinged his way to Nashville.

We stopped for lunch at Clem's Sawmill Cafe.  Not sure which town it was near but it was an interesting joint.  They had a buffet that was a cross between Oakridge and Golden Corral.  Woody asked the waitress if he could order from the menu.  She gave him a confused look and just didn't answer....so he ate the buffet too.  The place was packed with the after church crowd that seemed to LOVE the food.

By the time we made it to Nashville my stomach was hurting from ole Clem's buffet lunch.  Phew...I guess even McDonald's and Burger King are better than that.

We are eating breakfast for dinner at Bob Evans...THAT'S TOO MUCH BACON said nobody.  It is pretty crowded everywhere except BE...go figure. 

Tomorrow is a day of rest, at least not a road trip.  Don't know what we are gonna do yet but I just picked up a handful of old school brochures.

So...good night.  I need to rest from a day of doing nothing:)

Horseshoe Bossier City, LA

Ok, we did the Horseshoe.  Per Chris' code...we both about broke even.

I found Woody sitting at a slot machine not losing at that time.  He said check out the lady sitting at a machine in the next row (while he kept playing).  He said I think it is Brenda.

I went and scouted it out.  Like Woody I wasn't sure so I said Brenda??? and yes it was her.  She said she was already on her second $100.  Brian was somewhere else losing his multiple hundreds.  We chatted for a while...just like neighbors at home.

Here are my thoughts on the Horseshoe casino.

1.  It is still a smoking casino.  That was a disappointment for sure.  I put on my mask and didn't stay too long.

2.  It only has a very expensive steak place, a burger bar and some Japanese fast food.  We are now sitting at Outback.

3.  It has been SEVERAL years since we visited.  At that time I think it was a celebration of some sort so Woody surprised me with my very first spa treatment.  Now, I guess because of Covid the spa is closed. Bummer.

4.  The place needs a face-lift.  Seems kind of shabby now. But still better than sitting in my recliner at 209RR.

5.  The bathtub in our room is ginormous. Could fit a family in this tub.  That is a bonus.

6.  Our room is huge,  ice cold and the bed and pillows are soft.  Just like I like it.  I asked for two extra blankets so Woody wouldn't freeze or complain.


One more thing...
Since we have not road trip traveled in such a long time I guess I forgot how we do it.  We each overpack a huge bag and then bring a small bag to take in the hotel.  The big bag stays in the car and we just repack the little one each hotel stop.

Woody remembered his little bag but I did not.  We stopped at Shreveport Walmart to get a bag for me and a few other things.

I was looking at the roller bags when an older guy stopped to ask me if I was buying a bag.  I said yes..he asked if I was flying to Vegas.  I said no, NC.

That was odd that I looked like a person buying a Walmart bag about to fly to Vegas.  Wonder what tipped him off???

One more last thing...
We were behind this truck right before our turn to Walmart.  Looks like there had been a mass murder by and around it.  Very odd.

With that...JEW out.  About to go enjoy my cozy room while Woody about breaks even again:)

Fall Road Trip

We are leaving today for a week long road trip.  It's maybe not a blog worthy trip but since we haven't been anywhere since 2018 I thought I'd document.  It is our first post Covid/cancer getaway so I'm excited! Our end destination is Caesar's Harrah in Cherokee, NC.  We visited a casino in Cherokee many years ago that was not so special.  Chris assured us that the new Harrah IS special so there you go...road trip.  I love fall foliage so even if the casino is a bust I will enjoy looking at colorful leaves. 

 Just talked to Chris on the phone. He said these are the rules of gambling reports:

 1.  Win...exaggerate your win 

 2.  Lose...you about broke even. 

Haha...now you will able to decifer my future gambling report without any problems. 

Oh yes...one more thing.  Woody called Brian Killough yesterday to tell them we will be gone for a week.  Brian said we are also going to be gone for a few days.  Turns out they are going to the exact same place as we are tonight, Horseshoe in Bossier City, LA.  So I guess we will see our neighbors tonight.  Funny huh.. 

And yet one more thing...HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY JANE!!!!