Okay, I know I'm behind, but last night I was going to blog and I fell asleep on the loveseat in our room (I know just like home...)

Wednesday's Events

Just to follow-up on a couple of things that I omitted about my visit results to Vanderbilt. The possibility of high altitude affecting my symptoms was discussed. Dr. B encouraged us to truly spend some time comparing vital signs at sea level before we made any rash decisions about moving. He said and if you do want to do that it can't be any where to hot as that will exacerbate your symptoms in the same way as high altitude can.

He also suggested that I try oxygen when I am symptomatic at home.

Another significantly new finding that those tests revealed was that while off my meds with my autonomic system under stress my blood pressure demonstrates a "dramatic increase in blood pressure with a tendency towards orthostatic hypertension."

Wednesday's activities:

We slept in. We ate breakfast downstairs with all of our "friends" Chris, who is the restaurant manager, Lloyd (his first single is being released in March) and Corey (he is a songwriter). The day-time hotel shuttle driver is also a songwriter who has met the criteria to be allowed to sing his songs at the "Bluebird Cafe". As you can see we do indeed have a home away from home here.

After breakfast we went up to the room, got into our suits and shorts and headed for the workout room and then the hot tub. After we lazed around for a bit we headed back to the room where we leasurely got ready to go to Opry Mills. We had to take our time getting ready to go as President Bush was in town and the roads were closed around the airport and Opryland (he spoke at the Grand Old Opry auditorium). So, we waited around until he was done. Then we took a taxi ride to seek out new adventures.

We ate at the "Rainforest Cafe" It was like eating in a jungle. It had thunderstorms, moving gorillas, moving elephants, birds, butterfly's and large aquarium's with salt water fish of every color everywhere!

The mall had wheelchairs for no charge so that was a huge help. I'm getting soft and Dan is buffing up pushing me around!

We came back to the hotel and I crashed hard on the love seat.

Thursday - Today's notes and activities

We got up early and went and had breakfast with all of our buddies. Then our front desk buddy, Alameda, loaned us a wheel chair from the hotel and rounded up our shuttle driver, Jim to take us "downtown". Jim, having a slow day gave us the grand tour of downtown. We went down Broadway and saw all of the honkey tonks, where if you want to be somebody some day, y'all start singing and pickin' there. Then the thing is that once you become "famous" you go back and sing on Broadway for free.

We saw the riverfront area where they hold fan fare every year. And, many, many other landmarks, the capitol, ect, etc.

After quite the downtown tour he dropped us off at the Country Music Hall of Fame. We spent a great portion of our day there. It was fun, entertaining and very informative.

Did I mention that it was raining here all day long?

So, after the Hall of Fame we headed off into the drizzle. Lead butt and Hercules... (I'm lead butt, he's Hercules). We went by where their NHL arena was at. There was a line of people getting autographs from the players as they came in to play. Well guess WHAT!!! Those fans were wearing Avalanche Jersey's. Now, if you live in Wyoming and like hockey, well most of us are Colorado Avalanche fans. Yep, we could have gone to an "Ave" game, right here in Nashville without having to deal with all of that Denver traffic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But, we kept going. Dan pushed me up and down and around and down (it is very hilly here, kinda like San Fran, only smaller hills) You thought I was kidding when I called him Hercules!
All this time it was still very wet out and now the drizzle had become full blown rain. We wound up buying an umbrella and a Nashville long sleeve t-shirt for me as my coat was now soaked. Dan, on the other hand was proudly wearing Gortex & waterproof boots. He remained warm and dry.

Next we headed off to have supper at the World Famous Wildhorse Saloon. They have a huge dance floor, wonderful atmosphere and okay food. I had my picture taken next to a huge horse wearing blue jeans a belt buckle and cowboy hat. They have live music every night as do most places Downtown.

Then we called for the hotel shuttle to come get us. We were pooped out.

Now, we are heading for the hot tub to warm up and then to bed.

Tomorrow we are meeting with Tom Repas' Dad and Mom for sightseeing and lunch!

And in the words of Tennesse Ernie Ford, "Bless Your Little Pea-Pickin Hearts."