Saturday, October 15. 2005

We had breakfast in our timeshare this morning. Following breakfast, we drove over by the Opryland Hotel, which charges $10.00 + tax to park. We deferred that to later and instead went shopping in the stores by Opry Plaza. We then headed up to NE Suburban Hendersonville (in Sumner County) to see that area and to shop at Sam’s Club. They also have the areas only Hometown Buffet. We took the slow route going up Highway 31 to see what all there was on the way up. The area we were going to was Hendersonville, a growing town with five stations (going to build a sixth) and an aerial ladder. We drove to HFD Station 2 and I got photos of their Engine (down), the Spare Engine they were using, and the Squad (mini-pumper).

Then we drove to HFD Station 1, but didn’t find anyone home. The area has a number of nice homes, many located on the water. On the way back, we found Engine 1 at an area schools carnival. They were there handing out fire prevention material. They were still assigned a 1986 Pirsch engine. The firefighters told me it was the best engine in the department. I got a photo and we talked about their former ladder truck that was purchased used by Minneapolis in 1990. They said the chief at that time downplayed the ladder truck, purchasing a 75-footer and going to a two-man. It sounds like they are getting a tower ladder soon.

We went to the local Hometown Buffet and had a very enjoyable lunch. We picked up some needed supplies at Sam’s Club and dropped them off at the unit. We then headed to downtown Nashville. We stopped at the State Capitol building and took photos and then went down to Broadway, to enjoy the live entertainment in the area. We tried parking in an unattended lot with a machine that you pay. It’s supposed to give you a ticket to put up by your windshield. My luck, the machine was busted- it took our $5.00, but failed to issue a ticket. At first, I walked down to the Hard Rock Café where groups were playing an outdoor concert. It sounded great, but I could just envision my car getting towed away for not having a sticker.

I told Karyle to go on without me, as I’d go to some nearby stations. She went off down Broadway, and I headed to Station 12, home of Engine 12, Squad 12, HazMat 12 and a large Tanker 12. A nice Captain helped pull the rigs out so I could take photos. Then I headed to temporary Station 9 and I got a photo of Ladder 9. Just as I was finishing up there, Karyle called to say I could pick her up.

We stopped back at the timeshare to eat dinner and then went down to Opry Plaza where they were celebrating 80 years of the Grand Ole Opry with guest musicians playing a free outdoor concert. We were there from 1800 to 2100 hours, listening to music and visiting stores. It was just a gorgeous night to be in Nashville. We both really enjoyed the evening full of music. They also had another group singing inside the stores across the street from Opry Plaza.

That’d about it for today.