My friend of 40 years and I were trying to plan to vacation somewhere together again after our last visit two years ago in Bermuda. I wanted to go back there but she was already set in most of her plans for the year. Then she thought about inviting me to join her while she was housesitting for her niece's dogs in Nashville. She drove from Ohio with two other lady friends of hers.
Well, I have another friend in Nashville who has been through difficult times, her husband passing at 56 years of age - far too young, and I haven't seen them since this trip, 10 years ago now! I contacted her and we split the trip up, 3 days with Ohio and then 4 days with Nashville. I was so looking forward to it as I missed them both! I'm going to write this a little differently than most and just break the week into two (MAGA & NOT MAGA, haha!) and detail what stood out...after my horrid travel days 🙄.
This trip entry is more personal than any of my other trip reports I've done. Death is always something that has scared me since I can remember as a child. As the years fly by at lightspeed, it is on my brain constantly now and has become very present in my life with so many I know leaving the world as I age.
Thursday, May 14, 2026:
Early flight of 6 am meant I had to be at the airport for 3 am. We used to have direct flights from here but now I had to stop in Minnesota both ways on Delta. I only took carry-on this time and cost was $410 CAD return which was okay but direct used to cost that too once upon a time... I was to arrive in Nashville at 3 pm.
Just a warning, this will likely sound like a rant, as it is one, haha. I have experienced my share of bad travel days but this one took the prize. It truly was the WORST one I've had to date 🥹. I got to the airport at 3 am for my 6 am departure as requested. I didn't sleep before I left as I thought I'd do it on the plane. What they don't tell you is that security doesn't even open till 4 am, so I had to stand around for an hour. When it finally did open I had a lady who was the biggest bitch I've ever had going through scanning. In my liquids baggie, the top wouldn't zip so she wouldn't let me through with them. My purse, money/ID in wallet, passport, phone - everything else had gone through the scanner but there she was making me take everything out of this baggie until I could zip it. She made me get rid of my medium sized Ziploc (I googled I had the right size!) and use one of theirs which was even tighter. And because I was going for a week, I had a lot of little items which I bought specifically for the screening size.
In the end, I had to chuck out my brand new toothpaste, shampoo (I had one left), mouthwash, and body lotion. I asked her if I could please keep my toothpaste and she pointed at the trash and said NO. I had mini-vodka bottles too, but they were staying after this 😜! When I finally got through the agent at the end with my stuff said, "your belongings have been here a long time" 🙄...
Flight departed on time at 6 am. As I had the cheap seats, they made me check my carry-on before I boarded due to no space left. The reason I took carry-on was NOT to pick up baggage 🙄 but there was nothing I could do. I ended up in middle seats on all flights but one and that other one was window which I hate just as much. I'm an aisle girl cos I pee a lot! Anyway I immediately nodded off to awake to an announcement one hour later that told us were were going to stop in Spokane, Washington due to a faulty "seal" on the aircraft. When we landed the pilot announced we were all going to have to get off the plane and take all our belongings with us. Well, I knew then we weren't getting back on. And then we all had to get in line to re-book different flights. And here I was in line below. I had to get to the very end where the monitors were:
In line, waiting to re-book new flight
It took 3 hours to get to the counter. And then right when I would be next, they said there was a new counter backwards to where I had started originally to go to and everyone ran over and I was at the end of the line now! I refused to go. I told them I hadn't waited for 3 hours to just end up at the back of line. One agent said she'd help but then left me and ran off saying she'd send someone else (ya right), I told the same thing to the one ticket agent left standing finishing her customer. She did help me with much reluctance. It was a true shit show. If we had gone to Sea-Tac airport, I'm sure options/flights would have been much better but at this little terminal, not much was happening and there were so many unhappy people...
It was 11 hours in Spokane before our plane showed up and took off. Above, my new flight sent me messages saying it was boarding while I was still in the air! I asked my flight attendant why I would be booked on it if it was impossible to make the connection and she said it was just because the aircraft took so long to arrive in Spokane 🙄. Then most of the passengers got messages from Delta asking us to pick our hotels for our overnight stay. I messaged my Ohio friend and told her I'd see them tomorrow. When we arrived we had to go to book our new flights, again. As we were waiting in line, they told us that the line was too long so we'd have to scan a QR code and do it that way instead. We all started to argue that we were already in line so WHY queue in the app, but they were having none of it, so we had to do it. I was starting to have a panic attack on the verge of tears but a kind lady in line sensed my distress and calmed me, telling me how great I was standing up for myself in Spokane when the counter closed, etc. She told me we'd go get our luggage and take the hotel shuttle together too and it really helped ease my anxiety 😌. I texted my new flight to my awaiting friend and sadly I lost a whole day with them.
New Flight AGAIN...
Then they directed us to where to pick up our luggage and they told us there to expect a wait for a half hour to an hour for it. Of course they did 🙄. A lot of us booked the closet hotel which was the Hilton and 2 miles away. We called the shuttle, found the area to get it and were on our way. Kindly at the hotel, they let us order last call for food which was about 11 pm and said they'd deliver it to our rooms.
I had to run down to the desk to ask for toothpaste and then was finally able to go eat. I ordered a cobb salad for $25 but it was covered by two $12 meal vouchers Delta supplied (one at airport, one for hotel; like seriously, what can you buy for $12 these days???). The shuttle was set to pick us up at 4:30 am and they wanted us in the lobby by 4:15. I was too tired to shower then as it would take another hour though I wanted nothing more than that. I got into bed at midnight with my alarm set for 3 am... Delta messaged and said for all my trouble with the flight they issued a $200 voucher valid for a future e-ticket 🙄. I would have preferred cash.
Friday, May 15 - Sunday May 17, 2026 (Ohio Gals):
Welcome to Nashville where everyone is a "Rising Star" 😉
As I checked in and wearily went through security I was flagged for my duty free alcohol I bought at Vancouver airport. They confiscated it after I specifically asked Delta on check-in that morning who said it would be fine with no problems. Security said as it was not sealed in Duty free packaging (Duty Free in Vancouver gave it to me in the bottle with zero packaging!) I would have to go back to Delta check-in counter, pay for luggage if I wanted to bring it and then re-do security again. NOPE! I told them to keep my "Crown Royal" and to enjoy. I was DONE with this SHIT!!!
Anyway, I finally f'n arrived! Of course Delta made me check my carry-on again and I had to hit baggage claim. As I was waiting I tried to freshen up in the bathroom and a young woman was beside me doing the same. She looked at me a couple times and said, "Vancouver, right?" and we laughed and asked each other how we were doing. The whole plane was pretty much like family by now calling each other brothers/sisters/cousins/aunties; Misfit Delta rejects. She was there for a bachelorette stag and said she was running on empty. We both agreed these 48 hours running on fumes was a real downer, for sure. We wished each other well and I collected my roller bag and was on my way. Taxi was $65 USD with tip to my friend's location. I google mapped along with him to make sure he wasn't joy riding me...
My friend had greeted me thoughtfully with some flowers, a handwritten letter and some little gifts celebrating our 40th year in friendship. Of course she gave me some religious readings too. She never gives up on that though I've told her many times I'm not into her "Reborn Again Christian" stuff. I don't hold it against her now as I know she just wants me to be "saved". She once had me get down on the floor to my knees and declare that I loved Jesus and would let him in my heart. So, she's calmed down too 😏. The thing is I believe religion is created by humanity, not "God". I think it's the cause of all the war on earth. Anyway, we've gotten to be able to finally agree to disagree on a lot of our differences putting our friendship and love first. Is that us maturing in age? 🤔
We went shopping at Publix grocery store and damn, they were expensive. Toothpaste was 3 times of what I pay in Canada! I bought this below though and YUM!!! That jar was gone by the time I left.
Who knew that Jon Bon Jovi had a place in Nashville?
Pedal Taverns
The girls let me pick the meals and I chose BBQ the first day and then burgers the next (recommended by my other friend in Nashville). Where I was currently, the gals made lots of lovely appetizers and snacks back at the house which we enjoyed through the late evenings and breakfast.
Kid Brother Sampler Plate (Pulled Pork & Brisket w/Hoe Cake and Potato Salad) at Martin's BBQ
I had the Farm Burger: Gruyère, blackberry jam aioli, country ham, Gifford’s smoked bacon, over easy egg with my side of black bean, corn salad
Both meals were good but nothing to rave about. The burger was too salty which is why that wasn't great. The pork/brisket I was expecting too much I guess though I loved the vinegar sauce and the hoe cake were delish. A glass of "LaMarca" 😝 prosecco from Assembly Food Hall cost me $41.50 CAD 🙄!!! My airport adventures and first night in Nashville, I counted that I spent $450 USD or $622 CAD. OUCH!
Below we ended our day at Rippy's and I liked the Tim Andrews Band so much I could have stayed all night but the girls wanted to go unfortunately. I tipped them on the way out, they were great!!!
My favorite time with the ladies was when we all took turns playing a song with "Alexa". It was a good way to show each other our music and feelings. My new favorite, now on my playlist was "Tennessee Whiskey" from Chris Stapleton. Even on my next visit my friend knew him and said she had seen him live saying he was so memorable as a performer and that she felt he sung to his wife and could feel their love. I liked that 😊.
I chatted with one of the ladies the next morning who was once a pastor and who's husband had passed at 49 years. I listened to her story and she brought me to tears. She now works as a doula helping people through their final days. Her own daughter is 36 years old in stage 4 cancer. Her belief is that because her daughter is gay that she won't see heaven and will have to work it out with god. I admit that bothered me. But other than that, I felt bonded with her, maybe in pain? I seem to relate well with those who understand emotional traumatic pain... Three of us there had heartbreaking childhoods and we talked about it a little. How we thought everyone had the same childhood as ours back then...
Their MAGA views were different than mine. I am conservative but I'm not a fan of the current US administration. They don't think their president is a pedophile, I think he is. My friend thinks the deaths in Minnesota were caused by agitators and because they didn't comply, they died. I'm opposite of that thought and believe in free speech/protesting and can't believe Americans were killed because of it. I like Thomas Massie (my favorite congressman), she of course couldn't understand why. It was like two polar opposite sides and I knew there would never be any resolve or middle ground so we just had to leave it there. I did promise my friend that I would read the bible because I was now curious to do so. The last time I did was when I was about 9 years old? I told her I'd read a couple of verses everyday when I did my Wordle. She was delighted and we left it at that. That's my choice though, not because she pressured me. We stayed up till midnight, hugged each other and went to sleep as it was departure day tomorrow. I enjoyed lots of laughs with these ladies and I was grateful for the time spent with them all 😊.
That night when I went to bed I got a message from my other MAGA friends in Louisiana. I wasn't expecting to hear from him but when I did, I said I wished we'd see each other again soon and he replied and I quote: "You will! If the Great Lord agrees! I will make it a point to make that happen". I write that just because the timing and his message and comment struck me as odd...
Sunday, May 17 - Thursday May 21, 2026:
My friend came and picked me up at 9 am, right on time! It was so good to see her as it has been far too long. As we were driving she told me how she had been a bit nervous to pick me up as seeing friends in common with her husband who passed has been difficult. She said it stirs emotions that she still can't deal with. She told me that she feels she sees him in "hawk" form. He was a huge "Iowa Hawkeyes" fan in life as that's where he's from. She told me her neighbors had mentioned two hawks watch her house after he passed and she told them she noticed that too. Then today she told me she saw a hawk perched as she was driving to pick me up and knew he was there and wanted to be with us. I'm not going to lie, I teared up. When we got to her place she said I was in the Nashville bedroom. OMG, it made me smile!!!
She was having a pool built and I bought her some flamingoes that hold cans/drinks and they looked great in it. They seemed to all swim with each other and then would all flip the opposite way as well all at the same time like a flock.
Below, she had a beautiful stained glass window that she lit up at night. It was absolutely gorgeous hung on the wall.
My friend had a new roommate living with her who works at the same place she does. His daughter was also visiting from Seattle, so pretty close to home! She was absolutely lovely and a joy to be around. And then my friend's two bulldogs. Oh wow, only faces a mother could love but by the time I left I loved them both and their precious faces. They played rough and hard but were the sweetest babies you can imagine. Look at this one below under the dinner table, with her head in my dress on top of my napkin while I was eating dinner. 🤗
I have always dreamed of cooking with a gas stove. When my friends had redone their kitchen I was sooo jealous! I learned that her mom had designed their remodel and I was finally cooking in it! My friend was my sous chef and was present unlike my son who I call my "absent sous chef" 😄. She was a great help except for the fat cucumbers in the salad 😜.
I made a 3 course dinner for everyone that night; Greek Salad, Moussaka (below) and Apple Dumplings for dessert. Cooking on that stove was everything I expected and more. So much control! I LOVED it!!!
Below is the other bulldog with 'Dorito' ears. Thinking of them makes me smile right now as I write this:
Another day we went to Hattie B's. The original Prince's Hot Chicken burned down she told me. They have an outlet at Assembly Food Hall I saw. I ordered medium hot wings. They were pretty mild, I probably could have done hot unlike Prince's.
We went to great dive bar and played darts & pool. It was a lot of fun. I'm sure not the pool shark I used to be in my younger days! In fact, I suck now 🎱! I lost playing the game "Sorry" with them too and they wanted me to say it while playing as they wanted to hear it in my Canadian accent 😄.
We went to Costco and I picked up a rack of beef ribs for a quarter of what I'd pay in Vancouver for them! Outside of Publix the other grocery stores made me realize how bad we have it in my province in Canada right now... Below we stopped by Trader Joe's and my favorite seasoning was still $2! I grabbed a couple to take home.
We went to Loveless Cafe again (below) and had a great brunch! I had enough leftovers to take for my meal on the plane home.
My friend mentioned she was slowly purging her husband's things and had found a leather bound bible and wasn't sure what to do with it as she didn't feel good throwing it in the garbage. I took that as my sign to take it and now I have a bible to read! It was like it was meant to be.
My friend and I played songs and "I'd Rather Go Blind" originally sung by Etta James done by Davina and the Vagabonds was so personal to her. It touched me and also made its way to my playlist. The lady killed it and made it hers. She said the movie "Steel Magnolias" covered how her husband's death made her feel. She said the world just keeps going on day to day as though nothing has happened and the line from the movie that captured her in essence was: "And I just wanna hit somebody till they feel as bad as I do!" And she felt so angry for him leaving her. One last piece she appreciated from her doctor was that he told her not to let anyone tell her how to grieve and she felt like some were doing that. All I could do was hold her and hug her and be there for her. Wow, it was emotional. I froze my grief over him. This trip was freeing to me and I was finally able to accept what happened though it still pains me for both her and I and everyone that loved him...I miss him 💜.
Scott 1968 - 2024
Where Scott's ashes rest in peace...
I had to be at the airport for 3 am again. I couldn't get an Uber to pick me up. I tried for 45 minutes before I had to wake my friend to drive me to BNA. She graciously did. I was beyond happy for the time we spent together, I felt nothing but love in our visit.
At the airport on the way home I met someone standing in line and then ended up sitting beside him on the plane. It turned out his life's work was helping people find god! There was just so many odd coincidences this trip! After chatting, he said he felt that I was near to reaching "him" myself now. I have started to read a bit since I got home so I guess we shall see...🪽 OR, maybe ⬇️... 😉
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