Day 32 - Nashville

A short 289 mile hop down the road ended at Nashville; interrupted only by a traffic jam caused because 'there were two helicopters on the road waiting for an ambulance for an injured motorbiker' we were told. The reality was less dramatic but probably as distressing. A car had run off the road and rolled. Somewhere either side of the wait was the obligatory Starbucks.
Originally, it was to be at the start of our journey as held its place on our itinerary as the centre of the Country and Western scene. We had heard of the Grand Ole Oprey although not clear on what it was. We had now turned full circle. Having missed it at the start as we traveled from Atlanta due West, we returned via Nashville due South.
Grand Ole Oprey is a theatre with live Country & Western performers, which fitted our bill. Unfortunately, we were required to book in advance and so that avenue was closed.
So when plan A fails, plan B seems to be 'go to the pool'. It was a typical KOA campsite, in that it offers the usual menu of attractions at a premium price. The pool was heavenly and the paddle was followed by a stretch in a lounger checking on the internet. It seems that the advertising of wifi doesn't break the Trades Descriptions Act provided you park your RV in the Reception Office.
Plan B2 included camp entertainment. I was not in the best of moods - some disagreement with how to deal with family, as I remember. Upon entering the concert hall - a barn with 150 seats facing a stage lit raised area - we were struck by the moment. On the stage were two singers, dressed in boots, jeans and Stetsons. Judging by their ages, they were probably brothers of Billy the Kid. One sat; there is no western equivalent of the Zimmer frame and the other stood, held upright by the microphone stand. The standing desperado sung songs that had a range of half an octave and recited poetry. The sitting one prompted the first and was responsible for the operation of the various pieces of audio equipment, primarily the hearing aids.
The audience comprised of us three, a child and two women who were searching for the camp laundry and a few folk at the front who could not afford the fee for cable TV at the site. If there is a hell, it must contain performers consigned to entertain audiences such as these and audiences who believe that the artists are merely warming up and the next song will be one that has melody, rhythm and words that can be understood.
Entertainer