Paducah, KY and Nashville, TN (Part III)

On the river, on the way to Paducah, KY (don't you just love the sound, Pa-du-cah?) we passed many tugboats pushing barges of coal and lumber. I wondered how could these little boats push six or seven overloaded barges, but they did.

We made a quick stop in Dover, TN. It was a town that General U.S. Grant took over in the Civil War and held because it was a logical invasion route to the south. At the dock about 30 women held a "flea market." Beautiful embroideries and handmade woodcuts were featured. I still regret looking at but not buying a wood carving. These women waited for the Delta Queen and sold their merchandise. I am sure the monies added to the household budget.

Paducah, Ky. is a proud, charming town that revels in its Civil War history. As you walked up the embankment a sign catches your eye "Port of Paducah, KY - Welcome" (see photo). On the other side of the flood wall that runs parallel to the river are colorful murals and portraits of the history of Paducah. The town was founded by William Clark in 1830. He is the same man who explored the Louisiana Purchase under orders from Pres. Thomas Jefferson. On the boat we were learning the story of the Meriwether, Lewis and Clark Expedition, up the Missouri River and over the Rocky Mountains, from a lecturer, Karen "Toots" Maloy. She acted out the history.

A Quilting Museum featured over 100 new and antique quilts. Sue Greene did a little shopping in Paducah. A beautiful quilt and some beautiful trinkets were brought back on board ship. There were many antique shops and I bought a bust of "Mortimer Snerd" (one of my childhood favorites) for $18.

Paducah had such a winning and engaging spirit, we hated to leave. The boat was leaving and we had beers and lemonades at C.C.Cohen's Bar and Restaurant, which had a rich history. The horns tooted and the calliope whistled and we were off to Nashville.

Nashville, TN (Music City) was where our tour would end. We were saddened to leave our Delta Queen and all the good times. The shows on board were wonderful. From Annie LeBeaux, the signing, nostalgic piano bar musician to the Walter Kross Five Band, there was never a dull evening. There were no ethnic jokes and no blue humor. It was refreshing.

We checked into a Sheraton Hotel and we took a Gray Line tour of Nashville. We had barbecued ribs and chicken at "Jacks, Three Little Pigs" which gave us a taste of the local "gourmet foods." Next door was the honky-tonk bar called "Tootsies Orchid Lounge." On a platform a Johnny Cash impressionist sang his favorites while we drank beer and lemonade. We were told many country musicians started here.

The Ryman Auditorium, the original home of "The Grand Ole Opry" was right behind "Tootsies." They had a gilded statue of Minnie Pearl talking to Roy Acuff. We had seen "Music Row" on our tour. House after house turned into recording studios and some luxurious homes of the country music stars. Nashville even has a life-sized Parthenon like the one on Mt. Acropolis in Athens.

The Country Music Hall of Fame was outstanding. Music everywhere! Gold records were on a huge wall. As you opened the record, the music would pour out at you. This museum should take a full day. We bought some CDs and left.

Twenty miles out of Nashville is a complex called the "Grand Ole Opry." Beautiful gardens and a motel courtyard are amazing. Shops and food stores are everywhere.

All great experiences have a beginning and an end!

We took a peek into the "Heart of America."

"So long - Delta Queen!"

Mid-America was a treat to us Eastern Yankees.

Let's develop the pictures and make a great album!