Today we drove to Charlotte, North Carolina to visit our friends Phil & Sylvia who live on a lake. We arrived at their house and dropped off our stuff because we wanted to get to Charlotte Motor Speedway to see the qualifying race. We purchased great tickets that were inside a suite, so we weren’t going to be sitting in the hot sun. We decided to go out of the suite to check out that view, and we couldn’t believe how loud the racecars were. It’s incredible how some people were sitting in the stands without their ears covered.
After the race, we drove back to our friend’s house, and we had a fun time talking and catching up with them.
The next morning Phil and Sylvia took us out on their boat to check out some other fabulous homes on the lake. Their home was located in a great spot. I have posted some pictures down below.
Today we visited the beautiful Biltmore Estate. Construction began in 1889 and was finished in 1895. Out of 250 rooms, we only had a chance to see about 50 of them. The rest of the house is closed to the public it costs a lot of money to air condition and heat the stone home, so they shut off certain parts of the massive home. The part of the house we did see was breathtaking every ceiling was coiffured, and every room had a massive fireplace. It’s a must-see while visiting Asheville. If you would like more facts and info on the estate click here —> Biltmore.
Today we arrived in Nashville, Tennessee and we checked into this beautiful hotel with the best service we have ever received, it was The Hermitage Hotel. We have stayed in some of the best hotels, but this hotel exceeds all expectations. Upon check-in, we settled in and decided to walk into town and check things out. We had a drink downtown at a rooftop bar which was pretty cool and the weather was perfect.
May 25, 2017
We woke up today and decided to visit the Grand Ole Opry we scheduled a tour of the venue which was terrific. The history and all the stars who have sung in that building was great. My dad loved country music, and he introduced me to it, so I was familiar with most of the singers who have performed there. After our tour, we decided to check out the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, and upon arrival, we had a rare chance to see a hawk tear apart an eat what looked like a squirrel. It was amazing the hawk didn’t care how close we were or that ten people were watching it eat. Moving into the hotel, they have stores, restaurants and coffee shops there but what we were more fascinated with were the water shows and the floral displays. It’s almost as if we were in Texas because they do say everything is bigger and better in Texas I would have to say this is a good contender. For lunch, we decided to walk to a local place the Peg Leg Porker which was highly recommended by Zagat’s and they were on point the food was mouthwatering.
On the way to Asheville, we drove by and visited the Jack Daniels Distillery which was once again a cool experience. I recommend visiting this distillery if you are a fan of their whiskey.
Today we drove to Louisville, Kentucky and we had a tour set up of the grounds at Churchill Downs. When we arrived, we had some time to check out the museum with all the original handmade Kentucky Derby hats which were cool and unique. The tour was great we got to see where the trainers and the jockeys live and saw some hot walkers walk the horses around and also saw them taking care of the prized horses.
The next morning we were lucky enough to be able to come back for free to see the trainers work with the horses and run them on the track. Watching the trainers train the horses were terrific John and I both loved it. We love horses, so this was something exciting for us. When John was younger, he had a job as a hot walker at Belmont Racetrack.
We hope to one day be a part of the Kentucky Derby.
On the way to Bowling Green we stopped and took a tour of the Jim Beam Distillery which was exciting since it’s my favorite Bourbon. We had a chance to bottle our own bottle of Knob Creek and put our thumbprint in the wax seal which was very cool.
Today we drove to Kansas City, Missouri and had nothing planned so when we arrived we checked in and decided to walk around the city since we were only going to be here for one night. We had a great steak dinner at The Majestic which is in an old building that was built in 1909. The dinner was fabulous which is expected since Kansas City is known for their meat.
Today we drove to Eureka Springs along the way we saw some cool things. The first thing we saw was Nimrod Dam, and it was active which is great. I ‘ve seen a few of them but never being used.
The next thing we saw was Goat Bluff Cemetery. I saw the sign while driving and we were intrigued to see it with such a unique name you have to. I have pictures posted below. It was a small but private cemetery.
The following thing we saw while driving were signs to see Quigley’s Castle. All the signs said it’s Ozarks Strangest Dwelling and that it was indeed. Upon arrival, there is a sign that says wait before entering someone will escort you in which was weird. Then the granddaughter of the owner of the home charged $8 for each visitor. She gave us a brief history of the home and let us walk around on our own. I would say that this stop was a complete waste of money. You’re better off looking at the pictures online and moving on.
After that strange visit, we drove to our hotel and checked in. Once we settled in, we visited our friend Timm’s gallery called Zark’s Gallery which is in town not far from our hotel. After saying hello to our friend and quickly catching up, we made plans to meet for dinner after he closes up shop. John and I went to a cool wine bar that was a bit underground, and it had a hot spring inside of it. Apparently, a lot of places around that area have springs which are cool.
Today we drove to Hot Springs, Arkansas and decided to check into our hotel and get straight to checking out this city because we are only here for one night. The first thing we did was visited The Arlington Hotel which was very old and lovely. The staircase in it was cool.
The next thing we did was walked down bathhouse row and visited The Fordyce Bathhouse which is the only one open to public tours since it is the visitor center. I have to say that I found it creepy. We had a self-guided tour which is good sometimes tours have a lot of people, and they ask stupid questions.
We drove passed Bill Clinton’s childhood home after visiting the bath house and our driving tour we then decided to have a beer at a local brewery before going to have dinner.
The Arlington HotelInside The Arlington HotelInside The Arlington HotelInside The Arlington HotelInside The Arlington HotelThe Fordyce Bathhouse which is now the Visitor CenterInside The Fordyce BathhouseInside The Fordyce BathhouseInside The Fordyce BathhouseInside The Fordyce BathhouseInside The Fordyce BathhouseInside The Fordyce BathhouseInside The Fordyce BathhouseBlow Dryer Inside The Fordyce BathhouseInside The Fordyce BathhouseChanging Room Inside The Fordyce BathhouseInside The Fordyce BathhouseInside The Fordyce BathhouseInside The Fordyce BathhouseInside The Fordyce BathhouseInside The Fordyce BathhouseInside The Fordyce BathhouseInside The Fordyce BathhouseGym Inside The Fordyce BathhouseActive Hot Spring
Today we visited Graceland the home of world-famous Elvis Presley. I grew up loving Elvis and his music so today was an exciting day to see inside the life of Elvis.
We first visited the ticket office which is a vast building with a gift shop and a museum that houses his huge collection of cars and a bunch of items donated by other singers who he worked with during his career.
While walking through his home, you could feel his spirit. I felt as though any minute he’s going to come downstairs singing one of his many hit songs. The house was unique as you will see in the following pictures. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I did taking them.
September 26th – October 1st, 2012, December 4th – December 7th, 2012  May 19th – May 21st, 2013, October 21 – October 25th, 2013,                 December 15th – December 19th, 2015, May 15th, – May 18th, 2017
We have visited New Orleans 6 different times which shows you how much fun this city is. Each time we’ve stayed for at least three-four days. I believe that’s enough time after that you need to check yourself into the Betty Ford Clinic LOL.
If you love people watching, Jazz music, Food you will love New Orleans as well. We have a friend of ours Yvonne Blount-Alciatore who owns the oldest restaurant in NOLA called Antoine’s. It’s a must to eat there. When you’re there make sure you order Oyster Rockefeller this is the place where they were invented. After dinner leave room for Devil’s Brew Coffee and Baked Alaska, it’s another definite.
If you are a fan of fried chicken, we have found the best one which is served in Fiorella’s in the French Quarter it used to be Willie Mae’s Scotch House but the last time we were there it wasn’t as good.
You also have to make sure to go to Desire Oyster Raw Bar and sit at the raw bar and see how fast they open the oysters it’s pretty amazing.
We have stayed at the Ritz Carlton, and The Roosevelt Hotel both are excellent, but the Ritz Carlton is definitely in a better location.
Maria & John with Yvonne Blount-AlciatoreMaria & John
Roosevelt Hotel With Christmas DecorationsRoosevelt Hotel With Christmas DecorationsRoosevelt HotelYvonne’s Pretty Christmas TreeMaria & JohnMaria & John
Maria & Yvonne Blount-AlciatoreMaria, John & Yvonne Blount-Alciatore
StormTroopers
Mint Julep
Balcony Above Antoine’s Restaurant
Yvonne Blount-Alciatore and Maria on her balconyMariaBeignets at Cafe Du Monde
Today we flew from the Big Island to Maui which was a short flight. We rented a car and drove to the Westin Hotel where we were meeting up with our friend Nano Lopez. There is nothing negative that I can say about Hawaii it’s one of my favorite places to visit. We try and go to Oahu at least once a year. I believe if it weren’t so far away from Florida we would go more often. We love driving around there and eating at the many food trucks.
The rest of the time we were in Maui we just drove around and found these hidden pockets where we would walk into bamboo trees and hike to many hidden waterfalls. That is one thing that Hawaii isn’t short of magnificent sunsets/sunrises and waterfalls.
One of the evening’s our friend Nano who is an artist was having a show at one of the galleries downtown which was great we got to meet a lot of people who love his work as much as we do.
One thing to bring with you are watershoes they are more comfortable to hike and walk on wet rocks. Unfortunately, this was our last stop on this trip.
