Day 13 – 10/16/23

Starting location: Marysville, TN

Weather: Rainy, overcast, low 60s in am. Partly sunny, low 70s on return to Nashville

Ending location: Nashville Public docks, TN

Statute miles: 0 by boat

General summary: Cleared out of Air bnb and drove back to Nashville. Quick stop at Whole Foods for groceries. Unloaded car and re-loaded boat. Tom dropped me off at The Grand Ole Opry on the outskirts of town and went to return the car, then back to the boat. I did the backstage tour. First, they bring you to a small theater where you watch a video featuring Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood going over the history of the Opry and showed scenes from many of the member inductions. I actually got a little teary eyed. Next, a tour of dressing rooms, the green room, backstage, and stage front. Some interesting takeaways… Any artist who is a member can jump up on stage and join any show at any time. Also, there are mailboxes for every member where fans can send letters. You can just label an envelope with the artist’s name and The Grand Ole Opry and it will get to the mailbox. No other address needed. (Only The North Pole and The White House are treated in the same manner). Dolly Parton’s mailbox apparently overflows into several buckets. A letter to Minnie Pearl was delivered with just a sticker of a straw hat with a price tag affixed.

Boater information: Boat was unscathed on return.