Author: Cody

  • An Exciting Country Christmas in Nashville

    An Exciting Country Christmas in Nashville

    Cody and Debbie Frosty the snowman sculptures in ICE!

    It’s Christmas time , the weather is cool, and the bachelorettes have flown south for the winter. Its the perfect time to come to Nashville! Like many places in the world music city goes all out for Christmas, in fact there are so many festive things to see it would be easy to miss some of the spectacular sights that this city creates during the holiday season. In fact many of the visitors to our fine city will miss the best Christmas display in Nashville simply because they will not venture off of broadway. Take my advice jump in the first uber you can call, and take a trip to Opryland. Don’t worry the buy 1 get 2 free cowboy boots will still be there when you get back!

    Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention center is a short ride north of downtown and is easily one of the most spectacular sights to see in the American south. Well you may be asking what makes Opryland so impressive. Its just a hotel right? Sure, you are right it is a hotel, it is the largest non-gaming hotel in the world! it features 12 restaurants, a 4 acre waterpark, and an indoor river. All of which is spread out over 3 million square feet and covered in Christmas decorations!

    What should I do at Opryland?

    ICE!

    Start off by taking the family to see ICE! a stunning Frosty the Snowman themed exhibit which features sculptures of your favorite childhood classic carved out of 2 million pounds of colored ice. All displayed in a 9 degree temperature controlled exhibit hall. Oh did I mention they have ice slides?! All you need to do is buy a ticket, show up to the doors and enjoy the show. Opryland will even provide you with cozy blue parkas to stay warm while in the exhibit.

    Recommendations: 

    1. If you are driving to Opryland. Park at the Opry mills mall outside of the regal movie theaters and park for free rather than paying $25.00 to park in the event parking lot which is only slightly closer. 

    2. Arrive before your reservation time and enjoy the ice skating rink and sledding available at the entrance

    3. Buy tickets from Groupon https://www.groupon.com/deals/gl-gaylord-opryland-resort-ice-5

    Explore Opryland

    Christmas decorations at opryland

    Once you have seen all of the sculptures make your way to the Opryland hotel and start walking. The hotel is full of beautiful botanical gardens and is covered in Christmas decorations.  Just take in the sights and take lots of photos!

    Recommendations: Take a photo of the entrance sign when you walk in. The hotel is so big it is easy to get lost and this photo will help you find your way out.

    Still have energy?

    After you have explored all of the wonder that is Opryland. Walk across the back parking lot and check out the Opry mills mall. Wander your way through the Bass Pro Shops, buy some new Western wear that you can break in on broadway, and Grab a beer at the Bavarian Beer House!.  Or you can buy a ticket to the world famous Grand Ol’ Opry. After all Opry Mills isn’t just a name, the The Opry House sits in between Opryland and the Opry Mills mall. This location has been the home of the Grand Ol’ Opry since the 1970’s when it moved out the Ryman Auditorium. 

    Cody and Debbie psoing with Nashvilles greatest guitarist

    All of this is to say that Nashville has so much more to offer than drinking to liver failure in downtown. Take my advice, do not be afraid to venture off the beaten path and visit the rest of Nashville. You won’t be disappointed.

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  • Traveling: The Most Exciting University.

    Cody with a Tortoise in the Galapagos Islands

    Traveling, It has always been a way to reset my mind. To confront biases and to show where I stand in the grand scheme of things. Like a mirror, it never lies but allows reflection on what I had believed to be true before the adventures began and what I have learned to be false. I believe that travel is the gateway to wisdom. A teacher greater than any program or university, and in a world so big as ours it is an endless pool to quench a thirst for knowledge. Where one can major in excitement and enlightenment.

    We all know this deep down. That is why we are so attracted to stories of adventures in far off lands. The story that spoke the most to me as a child is The Hobbit. It isn’t some grandiose retelling of the bible where a “Chosen One” vanquishes evil and saves the world. instead it tells the story of a small and unremarkable person that joins up with a group of complete strangers, straps all he needs to his back and sets off by foot to traverse foreign lands with inhabitants that are much different than himself.  This kind of story shaped so much of my mind without even realizing it.

    In my own travels I see myself much like Bilbo. A small creature in a wide world. Ive always liked to travel light fast. If an Item does not fit into my trusty pack it is not welcome along for the journey. I have also never been fond of renting cars, I prefer instead to stay on my feet as often as I can and lay my head in the most modest of accommodations. After all if I was interested in being comfortable I would have stayed home. I travel to feel uncomfortable, to feel challenged, to experience something totally different from the day to day. 

    It may sound kind of crazy, most people travel to take a vacation. Vacations are great if you are looking for rest and comfort. If that is what you want by all means book a cruise, check into that all inclusive resort, escape from the world for a few blissful days.  But in my mind comfort is where personal growth goes to die.  Now don’t misunderstand me I am not saying that all travel needs to be uncomfortable every minute of the trip. Im simply saying that travel is an excellent opportunity for growth and learning. Growth is typically an uncomfortable process.

    So the next time you have a few days off buy a ticket, strap on a backpack, lace up your boots and head out your door! If you push yourself to try the uncomfortable and to take the road less travelled. To be an adventurous Hobbit in a story of your own writing. You may just come back a different person than the one who planned the trip in the first place.