Thursday's Ten -- Nashville

Ten Things to Do in Nashville with Guests

I have great friends that are scattered all throughout the country. This week, one of my suitemates from freshman and sophomore years of college is here! Gwen and I haven't spent any real time together in YEARS, so I'm really excited that she'll show up at my house TONIGHT to spend the weekend (she has been at her brother's house down the road for the last few days). Then, later in March one of my best friends from high school, Nicole, will be spending a weekend with me. Here's the places I love to take my friends who visit.

1. Radnor Lake. I posted pictures earlier this week from there. It's absolutely one of my favorite places in the city. A short walk gets you to the lake, but you can most definitely take a longer and more strenuous hike--which is what I prefer. Something for everyone.
2. The Village. Hillsboro Village, to be exact. It's a very artsy-fartsy area around Vanderbilt and Belmont campuses. Unique dining establishments, cute little shops, and also a great running area! (no, I don't make all my guests exercise with me! Although I have been known to drag a few to yoga class with me!)
3. Franklin, TN. Just a few miles from Nashville, and voted the best small town in TN several years in a row. This place has it all. Great places for lunch, a real city square, a pub, and lots of little boutiques. It's also a VERY family friendly place. Be prepared to see lots of moms/nannies and kids.
4. Opryland Hotel. It's beautiful, especially all lit up for Christmas.
5. the Pub. Dan McGuiness in Cool Springs, to be exact. Friday or Saturday night, to be precise. That's when our friends Sean and Josh play live Irish music. Fun, fun.
6. downtown. There's so much touristy stuff--the Wildhorse, Tootsies, etc...but just walking up and down 2nd Avenue is fabulous.
7. Baja Burrito. It's a Nashville must-eat-at.
8. Centennial Park. It's even got an exact replica of the Parthenon...just in case you can't swing that trip to Greece!
9. Cheekwood Botanical Gardens. Unfortunately there's more of a limit on when I can take people, but it's GORGEOUS in the summer!
10. The Frist. Especially when they have an Impressionist exhibit featured!

and for our spiritual focus of the day...

Prayer for Lent (from http://imby.net/easter/ash.html):
Lord, your love for me is so great, you breath life into my dry and dusty soul. You satisfy my thirst with living water. You anoint my head with perfumed oil. Yes! By your astounding mercy and love, I am no longer dead, but alive! And though I repeatedly refuse your blessing of milk and honey, choosing instead to wallow in the very dust you free me from, each day you lift me up again. I am redeemed by you, again and again. Praise you Lord. May your name echo through the whole Earth!