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Grampy & his Tennessee Chicks!Grampy & his Tennessee Chicks!
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I will be joining Melissa and all the girls as they compete at the North American Championships in Nashville, Tn
We will depart YVR June 30...always need a couple of days to acclimatize , time change etc. Read more
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  • Grampy & his Tennessee Chicks!
    Day 4

    Travel day! YVR-BNA

    June 30, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Departed with 3 of the 4 chicks! Leila went on a different flight but met us at the airport as we arrived within 30 minutes of each other!
    Once we loaded our rental car we were off to our hotel (Inn at Opryland).
    Our first dinner in Nashville was at Pucketts! We had to wait about 70 minutes for our table, so naturally we went to Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville for drinks and appies.
    The live band at Pucketts was awesome! And they specialize in BBQ! We sat out a huge thunderstorm in the restaurant while listening to the band “Runaway Home”. We’re having a great time!    Read more

  • Grampy & his Tennessee Chicks!
    Day 5

    Day 2 with Johnny

    July 1, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Today started off slow. The girls caught up on sleep while Melissa went to the gym and then joined me for coffee and our daily tech lesson. I will master this app by the time this trip is over. Once everyone got up and moving, we headed out to find the girls some authentic cowboy boots! We hit a bargain when we found a store “Buy 1 get 2 free”. Considering there were 3 of them, Melissa thought it was a pretty sweet deal (they all wear the same size)! We then made our way downtown to the Johnny Cash museum! It was great! We all learned a lot about the legend and turns out he was a very good student in school! The girls have since added “Walk the Line” to their list of movies to watch! After the museum we got some necessities at the local Walmart (wine!) and some healthier options for our athletes competing this week! After dropping off the groceries, we were invited by the Cook Family (Curtis, Andrea and kids Taylor and CJ) to join them at The Row for dinner and drinks. The Row is well known for one of the starting venues for Brooks & Dunn, also known for a little transaction for a bar bill in exchange for a song called “Ive got friends in low places”. Hmmm, to bad for that guy! There was an Alberta country singer who was playing and Andrea knew her friend! It was nice to hear some variety of country singers. We then made our way back to our hotel, met up with the Cooks to have some drinks. As usual, we closed the place down.Read more

  • Grampy & his Tennessee Chicks!
    Day 7

    The day before the 4th...

    July 3, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Sunday Morning in Tennessee and most people are going to church...we decided to make a detour to here…Country Music Hall of Fame. Having been before I kind of knew what to expect...The girls were just in awe of many of the displays and exhibits...it really does a historical tour walking you through the evolution of country music .... and believe me there have been many twists and turns...but what part of life has not been that way???
    This is a self guided tour where you get a headset and opt to listen to which exhibit you would like info or music on...extremely well done and even if it is busy there is no ambient noise....The costumes, wardrobes (many actual performance worn clothes etc) the cars, concert clips, reader boards...it really is a lot to take in... The girls were especially taken by the opportunity to record their own song in the Taylor Swift 'Mobile".

    Interesting for me was that they have added and changed so much that at times it was a different venue....I am sure that this is the Museum business aspect but quite amazing.
    After, we decided that we had absorbed what is more than a Sunday brain can take in, so we decided to fink a Honky Tonk BBQ place...Rippy's second floor directly across from the Bridgestone centre had space...we are IN!!! Sometimes not easy with under 21's..(in fact I was once id’d!!!)
    Unfortunately Makenna was somewhat under the weather so that was not good...had a great singer..hope he shows on the video... Just a small local band and believe me there are 'hundreds' in town ...most hope for bigger things and also unfortunately there are many who gave up for whatever reason, but still stay in town.
    Came back to Opryland area and our group (girls had invited friends from previous events) and goes to show how hard it is to get a table for 11...of course, we waited 2 hours!!! but in effort to keep all happy this was required...
    On a personal note the best Cat Fish in years!

    Leila was in bed early because this is when you really find out what time you start.

    Makenna is now feeling much better!!! Leila has an early morning so must call it a night.

    All in all I think we have enjoyed our stay herein Nashville 'MUCHO"!!!    Read more

  • Grampy & his Tennessee Chicks!
    Day 8

    The calm before the dancing storm…!

    July 4, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Call into the Opryland resort and convention center. They were gracious enough to provide me an upgraded room. It was a great king-size room with a large sectional sofa had to take. I was a happy guy!
    Melissa and I are spending quality time setting ourselves on the pool deck while Leila and the girls did a dance practice as Leila was going to be dancing the next morning. A chill day at the pool was an enjoyable time! We had a great dinner at the cheesecake factory at Opry Mills mall… Before making our way back to our hotel for an early night and one of several early mornings.    Read more

  • Grampy & his Tennessee Chicks!
    Day 8

    Leila’s Dance Day!

    July 4, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Leila! One of the clear reasons why we are here….
    She had two great rounds. We then anticipated all afternoon and waited for the recall!! It came, and she did a beautiful third round that means we are off to awards in the evening!
    In between, we had a quick bite to eat at one of the hotel restaurants… Always hard to find a good time to have a decent meal on these kind of days.
    We were at awards, and Leila was presented with a placement of 39th in North America! I am a proud Grampy, but she was a little hard on herself! She was hoping to place better… It’s competitions like this that drives them to be better than ever! It was an early night after Leila’s award, because the Twinkies dancing tomorrow and it’s imperative to collect your number around 7am, to find out when you’re starting! Tomorrow will be de javu x2!    Read more

  • Grampy & his Tennessee Chicks!
    Day 9

    Makenna and Tessa dance today!

    July 5, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Hey Makenna and Tessa dance! What made it even more difficult for all of us is that they were in opposites split. Each competition maxes out at 150 dancers and then they split it into one. In fact the girls actually had 183 dancers in each of their competitions and it was decided to not let it third time. Definitely Highest number of competitors in all of the North American championship here this week!
    After running around to the ballroom, touching the girls, what are the chances that they are on stage within minutes of each other! We were in appropriate footwear to run back-and-forth to the ballroom, and Impact did not miss one single second of their dancing with nations Both girls did great in their first and second round!
    Now it’s time to wait for recalls… Something every Irish dancer wants to receive!
    We are three for three! Both girls bracket, including Leila! In bracket receive their recalls! Now, both Makenna and Tessa have one final round to go today! Then we’re off to awards…
    They both did great in their sets! As high achievers they’re always a little hard on themselves, but I thought they look great?
    We were at awards, and Makenna‘s results were announced hurt! She plays 56 in North America… Not exactly what she was hoping for, again they put a lot of pressure on themselves. Tessa dream league over come with emotions when she plays 16th in North America! This P placement qualifies her for the World Championships that will be held in, Scotland. It’s another quick sleep tonight because they have their team 8-hand dance the next morning.    Read more

  • Grampy & his Tennessee Chicks!
    Day 10

    Team Day

    July 6, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Today was the Final of competition for our girls. I really enjoy watching teams…as implied requires ALL members of an 8 person team to dance as a unit. The girls competed in the 19 & over group. 3 of the girls were under 16!
    (I also like team day as they start at a reasonable time) 9am!!!

    They performed very well and ended up having a third place finish.

    After awards we went to the Italian restaurant at the Opryland Hotel called Revellos.
    I will include some hotel pics as this place is AMAZING!!! Just under 3,000 guest rooms. All under roof!!!

    Off to bed as we leave for Memphis in the morning.    Read more

  • Grampy & his Tennessee Chicks!
    Day 11

    Memphis bound!

    July 7, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    We are Memphis bound today! After watching a few Penk O’Donnell girls do their first rounds, we loaded (to the hilt!) our rental car and started the 3 hour drive to Memphis! Destination: Peabody Hotel. We stopped along the way for our cheapest lunch - hot dogs at Costco! (Filled up with gas also!) The drive took us on several interstates, and arrived on time! We were in awe when we arrived at the beautiful Peabody Hotel. This hotel is known for having a Duck Ceremony daily at 11am and 5pm. We headed out to dinner at Rum Boogie which Lynne and I had previously dined at. Rum Boogie allows you to tape a dollar to anywhere and Leila chose the best place! Beale Street was a site to see! We enjoyed the music at the various establishments on our walk back to the hotel. Melissa and I had a few rounds of wine at the lobby while the girls enjoyed the pool!Read more

  • Grampy & his Tennessee Chicks!
    Day 12

    Sun Studio, Stax & Dr. Martin Luther Kin

    July 8, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Today was a bit of a touring day… We need to get a good start on the morning so we had a quick breakfast at the hotel cafe. We needed to get a Headstart on our day today because the tourism at Sun studio records is very busy. We were fortunate enough to only have to wait a half an hour to 45 minutes. The tour was amazing and really provided us a wonderful experience into Elvis‘s early days, and how hard he had to work to make it in the business! After our son studio records tour, we went to Stax. This tour was insightful into the Blues being brought into Memphis and everyone that shaped and influenced. After Stax Leila found us the oldest diner in Memphis, and it turned out to be quite a little treasure! The Arcade Restaurant treated us well and filled our tummies before our next tour of the National Civil Rights Museum. This location gives you all the feels. It had been created around the motel that Dr. Martin Luther King had been murdered at. It was very impactful to all of us. We spent a few hours filling our minds with respect and knowledge for what history has provided us. After this visit, back to the hotel we went for Leila’s Honorary Duck Master Assistant Ceremony. Dinner was enjoyed by all at the Italian restaurant within the Peabody Hotel. Called it an early night…because tomorrow is ELVIS DAY!Read more

  • Grampy & his Tennessee Chicks!
    Day 13

    The King!

    July 9, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 25 °C

    Our VIP tour started at 10:00am. We met our driver (Sherry) who cranked the Elvis tunes once we boarded our private tour bus over to Graceland we were welcomed with a 15 minute welcome video in a private room (away from the hustle and bustle) to be introduced to Elvis and his music career. This VIP tour was epic and took us 5 1/2 hours to take it all in! As I’ve always had an appreciation for Elvis, I think the girls appreciated his talent, drive and passion for music! All of the girls loved the showcase of his costumes! They thought it looked liked Barbie’s closet! Everyone enjoyed the tour - win win!!! This is our last night-and despite being tired, we gathered for a nice dinner at none other than the EP (Elvis Presley) Restaurant in the Guest house at Graceland.Read more

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