Neither rain nor.........

.........Anxiety will keep us from our appointed journey.    The weather forecast for this weekend has been anything but encouraging for travel thru the heartlands.    All week prior to departure, the warnings were dire and I hung on every word with dread.    I researched alternate routes despite the fact that we had actually made reservations for our stays along the way.    I was willing to give up $$$ for peace of mind.    So far, we have been able to dodge the yellow and red blobs on the weather maps and we have made it to Topeka.......and one of us is finally relaxing.    We stayed here last year,  Deer Creek RV park, and I commented on the abundance of concrete covering the acreage as the owner has a concrete plant......we recommend it, very nice.    

May is Lovebug season in Florida.    It also happens in September.   Apparently they are only on this earth as bird feed and as a paint destroyer and as a great annoyance on the golf course when they fly up Jennifer's skirt !!!     Anyhow, after a short trip down the road , this is what the front of the coach looked like.    It sounds like hard rain is hitting the roof and windshield.    Cars and trucks that have driven awhile, are literally covered .... and don't even think about using your wipers ....eeeeewww.   The rest stops have washing stations for quick cleaning.   

When we hit the Georgia border , they disappeared.   

 We spent our day in Nashville wandering the "Honky Tonk" district with its open bars and non-stop CW music played by young hopefuls.    It's not as tacky as I'd expected and the downtown area is clean with interesting architecture.   Lots of cowboy boots and hats as well.  
Having recently stayed at the Gaylord Hotel in Orlando, we went to view the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. It is at least 3 times bigger than it's Orlando sibling.    It is huge and very lovely and very peaceful with all the waterfalls and tropical settings.    This is a boat ride that goes around INSIDE the atrium.

 That evening, we were fortunate to get tickets to the Grand Ole Opry show.   It is a live radio show with outstanding music.    We had high high seats but it really didn't matter with the large screens showing close-up and personal shots.     We thoroughly enjoyed the foot stomping,  hand clapping entertainers.    Ricky Skaggs and LeeAnn Rimes were the only two names I recognized but others were more impressive.  
And thanks to Becca, we have grown to enjoy Country music and are thinking we need to come back when there is a BIG star performing and stay at the Hotel..............Who wants to join us ???

And so, we left Nashville (and the swarms of miserable mosquitos at the CG) and headed West.   We made it to a lovely CG in St Peters, MO,  St Peters Lakeside RV Park, near St Louis right off I-70.   It is very new but convenient and spacious and right on the lake.    

After too much of TWC's dire warnings and too much discussion on what to do,   we pulled up stakes and headed west in our 'not so friendly to high winds and damaging hail' vehicle .    We could keep attentive to radar by using the mini propped up on the dash and watching the little blue ball which marked our progress across the prairie.   We did see some ominous clouds and did have rain but that was about it.    Much ado about nothing I guess but at least we were well informed.    Hopefully, it will be well east by the time we hitch up the wagon for another day.    

 And, one last reason we might need to go back to Nashville.......with a few friends.    This is the Pedal Tavern and yes, you have to pedal it like a bike, each person has their own.   It comes with a cute bartender and meanders the streets with its boisterous passengers.    Wonder if it makes pit stops !!