Post #180090 by thejab on Tue, Aug 16, 2005 2:31 PM

Hey Mai Tai, Thanks for the tips! I have been to Memphis already, and I loved it.

Just from reading guide books I feel that Nashville may be disappointing for me as well, mainly because the big chains have taken over so much there. I could care less about the huge new Opryland casino, hotel, and mall. I can't believe they closed Dollywood amusement park and built a huge indoor shopping mall in its place! I hear that the Country Music Hall of Fame has more space devoted to Elvis than anyone else (don't get me wrong - I love Elvis but he ain't country). And it's been nearly impossible to find non-chain lodging in Nashville (with the exception of one very expensive historic hotel). I've given up so I'm just going to look for a cheap motel near the Omni Hut.

I really don't understand the typical American tourist, who wants to eat at the same chains they have at home, stay in some boring chain "Inn", and shop at the same stores they have at home.

I'm mostly looking forward to the drives through the country and smaller towns like Macon. Their Georgia Music Hall of Fame sounds great. I'm also looking forward to seeing Chattanooga, Augusta, and Savannah. Athens sounds neat too but I won't have time to make the big detour from Macon to Athens and then Augusta in one day.

Another stop that I'm going to make is the Okefenokee Swamp, which sounds like a real beautiful spot.