Dolly, Mona Lisa and Schitt’s Creek
From the dumpy to the divine, a few home-away-from-home places I've stayed that would make it into my autobiography.
I feel pretty lucky I’ve had the opportunity to travel to some cool places. Where I stayed, on the other hand, has been a crapshoot. Some places were very nice. Some were sort of nice. And some were not nice but maybe worth it for the story.
This is giving me Schitt’s Creek vibes
My father loved our yearly family vacations. At that time, between the 1970s and 1980s, there was no pressure to plan fancy trips like we do today. Nobody was doing anything Instagram-worthy back then. Thank goodness for that.
Basically our family drove from West Tennessee to a different city in the U.S. every year and winged it. That was mainly because we didn’t have a lot of money or the internet.
Some of the places we stayed at were far from glamorous — not even close. The only motel I remember, like it was yesterday, was a Virginia Beach fleabag called the Blue Coral Motel. This motel has been a running joke in our family since 1974. We still laugh about it!
However, I don’t want to throw my dad under the bus. If the only way we could see the United States was to stay in less than stellar places then it was worth it in the end.
Therefore I shouldn’t complain.
But I can’t help it.
That motel in Virginia Beach was a dump!
I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth but I know people who did. I’d take silver over stainless.
There were many other family trips where we stayed in even crazier places. Those stories are for another day.
Nowadays, I would never say no to staying at the Ritz or some fancy Airbnb, however, sometimes I get to stay at places that are way more beautiful and completely unexpected. One such place is this farmhouse in Sevierville, Tennessee.
This isn’t a Hampton Inn kind of experience
One of my clients is a tourist destination in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Pigeon Forge is in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the most visited national park in America. My client’s home is in Sevierville in the middle of nowhere. I grew up in nowheresville West Tennessee. This is nowheresville East Tennessee with gorgeous mountains. 😍
Most people who go on work trips stay in a chain hotel. I’ve done that too. But this client isn’t your ordinary client. She has a turn-of-the-century farmhouse on her property she uses as a guest house.
See that photo above. Yeah, those cows are looking at me as I’m sipping on my morning cup of coffee. Not a bad view. Right?
My client had told me about her farmhouse and I was super excited to finally get to see it — you know how much I love old homes. This one is pretty special as well.
Dolly, Lisa and Sevierville
In full disclosure, Dolly and I aren’t best friends. I know you’re shocked (insert some silly emoji here). I’ve actually never met her either. But this is Nashville, so I do have a connection. A sweet college girlfriend of mine was married to someone who was in her band.
But here’s my honest to goodness connection. Dolly is from Sevierville.
Dolly has remained faithful to her mountain roots, opening Dollywood theme park, which helps preserve mountain music and crafts while creating jobs for area residents.
You could say, that I have this client because of Dolly. Dollywood, in addition to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, brings in a lot of tourists who visit my client’s destination in Pigeon Forge. Not only has she created jobs for area residents, she’s created a job for me too. When you think about it like that, my relationship to her feels very real. Thanks, Dolly!
Adventures with Laurie
This story wouldn’t be complete without doing a shout-out to my client, Laurie. I was introduced to her by New York Times best-selling author, Anne Byrn, The Cake Mix Doctor and Substack writer Between the Layers.
I cannot tell you what a blessing it has been to work with Laurie. Thank you, Anne!
Besides the fact that this relationship helps me pay my mortgage and car note, she has become more than a paycheck. I consider her a friend.
She’s invited me to travel with her, planned a birthday dinner for me, gone honky tonkin’ in Nashville, paid for dinner more times than I can count, welcomed me in her own home, and taken me out on boat rides at her lake house.
She encourages me, she comforts me in sad times, she critiques me (she is, after all, my client), she keeps me on my toes, and I think she trusts me. The list is long.
Sounds pretty incredible already but what I love most about her is her sense of adventure. Honestly this Substack newsletter could probably be a weekly story about the escapades we’ve experienced together. You would be completely entertained. I will have to share.
What’s coming next Friday on Mona Lisa Nashville
I’m not going to Telluride but friends of mine did.
Watercooler Chatter
Mexi-Politan and hibiscuses — It’s always a treat to visit my client/friend Kathy O. from the Nashville Musicians Association because she always surprises me with a fun cocktail. This time she made a Mexi-Politan with dried hibiscus from her garden.
Negroni and new subscribers — This Italian aperitivo has never been on my radar even though it’s considered a basic cocktail. How could this be? But even if you’re familiar with the Negroni, you’ll want to read this deep-dive newsletter from Everyday Drinking.
I’d also like to thank Everyday Drinking for recommending me. I have 22 new subscribers because of him.Otto’s — Always have a nice time at this West Nashville establishment. Last night was no exception.
I just ordered Steve Earle’s book Doghouse Roses recommended by Rebecca Wood who recently was featured in Okra magazine.
I attended a book signing last Sunday at Belmont Mansion. This Used to be Nashville is a book written by Jim Hoobler, a local historian and retired curator for the Tennessee State Museum. This book is about Nashville’s hidden architectural stories and his discoveries which is right up my alley.