The only time I have ever been to Nashville was flying into this airport about 16 years ago, only to be picked up at baggage claim by the On-Site Van/taxi to be driven off to a 5-day intensive, theraputic workshop somewhere outside of this great city. Don’t get me wrong here. OnSite, a world famous weekly retreat facility, was, and continues to be, a safe haven for those of us struggling with any life challenge that is holding us down. My husband and I both went there, in different times in our individual recovery, and it was life-changing for both of us. Me more so than him. To learn more about Onsite go to www.onsiteworkshops.com.
How things have changed! My husband and I were in Nashville for a different reason. We presented a workshop for a group called IACSAS – (International Association of Certified Sexual Addiction Specialists). Once again, as is with the majority of the workshops I/we present to and attend, the focus is on the challenge of identifying and treating sexual addiction in our culture. So heartened to see so much movement and new material dedicated to the treatment and healing for women who have been impacted by sexual addiction in their marriage/relationships. Also, lot’s of new material presented about child sex exploitation, child/women sex trafficking, and the impact of the porn industry on social networking. Jaw-dropping information.
Checked into the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. This place is enormous! We were confused a bit driving to this hotel because I always thought the Grand Old Opry was downtown. It has moved to a location just out the door of the Opryland Hotel. I believe it is the second largest in-door hotel in the country. When I say indoor, there is this huge dome over the entire structure, so once you check in, you can stay indoors for your entire stay. All shops, restaurants, bars, etc., are under the same roof. Including the conference facility.
Inside the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, Nashville
Shops and restaurants in the Gaylord.
I must say that the landscaping, waterfalls, lush plant life was really exceptional to look at and walk through. The path’s are very well lit so you can appreciate the foliage at all hours of the day and night. Have to add, this is a great place for families – or a week-end visit just to get away. Found it too big and awkward to walk around when you want to be at a certain place in the conference center at a certain time. Very happy for the experience.
Brian’s breakfast, our last morning at the Gaylord. Is this southern or what!?
Had a great time at the IACSAS conference. Met some wonderful people and participated in some great workshops. So much info. that my next week’s blog will be only about this conference and the new information I would like to pass on for your consideration. And now, back to our Nashville trip.
I am sure, a big tourist attraction, downtown Nashville.
I am always so relieved when any workshop or book event is over when traveling to a new city. I want to visit local art galleries ASAP – I make it a practice to try and buy a local piece of art from any new place I visit. We headed downtown on a Saturday night, at 5pm ish. Made it downtown with a wonderful list of galleries to visit, parked the rental car in a parking lot and went about our business. Thwarted at every turn. Turns out, downtown business’s closed a bit early because of a 5k race, and Vanderbilt University happened to be graduating that weekend. Nashville has a great art district and EVERY GALLERY was closed! So we followed the crowd and ended up on Broad Street. What a gas! This town has some really, crazy night-life.!
A Typical Bar on Broad Street. Nashville
With no galleries to browse, Brian and I followed the crowd to Broad Street. Wow! It was in full swing. I have never seen anything quite like this. Many open bars, shops, street musicians galore. We even went into a boot store and I talked my NJ bred husband into buying a pair of cowboy boots! We had to hurry because we were meeting an old friend of mine for dinner at The Tin Angel, located at 3201 West End Avenue – Nashville.
Catherine and Me. One of my life-altering friends. Dinner at the Tin Angel, Nashville.
What a great time we had at dinner. There are certain people in your life for maybe just a season, their are some people that come along for a life time, and their are some people that come along very quickly, like a week, or an event, that you never forget. Because they were there, for that time, for whatever reason, for you to perhaps learn from. My dinner with Catherine and her husband Loch, (who I was thrilled to meet for the first time), was one of these times. I met Catherine at a time in my life that I was seriously, licking my wounds, and, trying to overcome some major emotional roadblocks. Never did I think we would ever have the opportunity to see each other again. Ever. To get the opportunity to thank her for the role she has had in my life – for the better – was just such a wonderful moment. I don’t think any of us ever know how we may have impacted anyone, unless of course you get an official thank – you note or an email. Being able to meet up with Catherine once again, to let her know, with all my heart, what meeting her all those years ago meant to me, was priceless.
Can’t believe he rented a bright green car. Have to admit, good gas mileage!
After our dinner with Catherine and Loch, we said our good-byes and Brian and I headed downtown for one last look at Nashville. We had a ball. Visited a couple of wonderful bars with some great music. One after the other seemed to showcase such talented musicians and singers. We both were blown away with all the talented musician’s we listened too.
Nashville Rocks!