Tennessee in July

We took a spontaneous overnight trip to Nashville over 4th of July weekend with Scary Baby.

I love the city even when they aren’t hosting the CMA Festival.

I thought it would be fun to show Scary Baby and PhilBillPaul where we sit in the 100 degree weather for four days of fun and music!!

First, we headed to Riverfront Park where they had concerts all day leading up to the fireworks at night.

Hot weather brings out people’s best summer wardrobes, don’t you think?

Frankly, I think all men should be required to wear shirts at all times. Or maybe that’s just me being fussy.

After a great lunch at a tavern downtown called McFadden’s, we headed to our hotel so Scary Baby could go swimming. I’ve learned that it really doesn’t matter where you take kids on vacation. The high point for them is the hotel and the pool. You really don’t need to plan any activities. Or is that just my kids?

After a quick swim in a *freezing* cold pool, we just relaxed in our room and picked out a place for dinner before the fireworks. Soon, a huge rainstorm rolled in.

Scary Baby was a trooper though while we sat in downtown traffic watching people head to their cars soaking wet. I was sure the storm would pass but darn it, the rain didn’t let up and that meant…

NO FIREWORKS.

Yes, kind of sad since we were really looking forward to watching one of the nation’s best fireworks displays – at least according to what a few websites said.

We stayed dry and decided that we could eat downtown again since everyone was leaving!

We chose an Italian restaurant called Demo’s in downtown that we had passed earlier in the day.

Best discovery 15 years too late for me…

I would have bought these by the case when I had 3 toddlers and always carried little packs of crayons in my purse for restaurants and when we traveled anywhere.

How many crayons has PhilBillPaul had to hunt down and pick up under a table on the dirty floor of a restaurant? Um, I lost count after the first 100. Ick.

Finally, on our way home on Sunday we decided to stop in Chattanooga for an early dinner. Seeing any trend here? Yes, I plan my life around my next meal.

We really like to try local places that at least are not chains where we live. We were thinking BBQ since it’s a great southern food. Believe it or not, I have this same picture in a family photo album before Scary Baby was born.

Still there and we still haven’t been brave enough to venture inside. PhilBillPaul just cannot get in the mood for chopped weiners. Go figure. Maybe it’s because we have two weiner dogs?

Side note: I did a little internet research and found this explanation since it definitely seems to be a regional cuisine.

by MellowRoast on Roadfood.com forum…

Re: Weiner plates

That may be a uniquely ‘Nooga food item and it’s quite good, depending on the establishment. Sometimes referred to as a “chopped weiner plate”, its simply sliced franks smothered in chili and topped with mustard, relish, and cole slaw (perhaps oyster crackers). I make them at home all the time.

Instead we chose Sticky Fingers, which we learned is a chain and there are even 3 in Georgia – just not in the Atlanta area.

They had a super busy 4th of July weekend and were out of ribs which they told us before seating us. No problem – we were planning on having pork sandwiches anyway. But I was craving some cornbread. And the onion rings sounded delicious.

Until the waitress came back and told us they were out of cornbread AND onions. 🙁

I was not saying WOW.

But then, just like in the old days, when customer service mattered and businesses cared that people showed up to spend money in their establishment…

The manager came to our table to apologize. And offer two $10 off coupons for our next visits. When I confirmed that there were no locations in Atlanta – he bought us dessert.

That made me say WOW!

I really should have taken a picture of the BOWL of warm pecan pie with ice cream. YUM! I recommend that over the peach cobbler.

Scary Baby got her brownie sundae to go.

Disclaimer: I no longer dress PhilBillPaul. He thinks these shorts are funny that he got from his nephew in Texas.

Back home safe and sound a few hours later and a few pounds heavier… if we were inclined to weigh ourselves…but we’re not.