OK, just in case you missed this one, this has got to be one of the um more interesting things you can do in Nashville. How about taking your kid on a ride down a colorectal slide?

Yes, true. It’s part of the BodyQuest exhibit at the Adventure Science Museum and teaches kids about the body. They can use a giant robot hand to see what bones are for, and learn about the brain and heart. All by doing it.

And that’s just one part of the museum. There’s also the Blue Max flight simulator, a trip up the adventure tower, which is full of surprises, and the PlayMotion exhibit which you just have to see. Oh, and the new Planetarium!

The best thing is that they’ll be ready to totally crash when you get back to the hotel.

TTFN!

Jennifer

Just saw Dark Knight. Is it just me or are movies taken from comic books the most interesting movies these days? “Iron Man” and “Dark Knight” are the two best things I’ve seen this summer.

If you’d rather read comics than see movies made from them, Nashville has your dream spot at Great Escape. If it has panels and says “Pow!” or “Smack!” anywhere they probably have it.

They probably have a couple hundred thousand new and used comics, including those rare collectors’ items. You can tell your wife that you’re doing movie research. Honey, I’m just seeing what’s playing at the movies — a couple years from now.

If you don’t give a “Bam!” about comics they also have thousands of CDs, DVDs, magazines, photos. Rows and rows worth of stuff. You’ll walk out of there with your eyes all blurry.

Dane

A state reptile? The people that put that list together had a lot of time on their hands. But I guess if you’re going to have one the Eastern Box Turtle will work as fine as any.

I’m going to add a new category to that list: State burger – Fat Mo’s. Coming to Nashville and not going over to Fat Mo’s is like, I don’t know, skipping the Grand Ole Opry or something. It’s Nashville between two buns.

I can’t go all the time the way I used to, but when we do go, I’m a deluxe burger guy. They say they have the biggest burgers in town, and that seems a good bet. If you’re really hungry, you can try the super deluxe, which is a full 27 oz!

But save room for the spicy fries. And a milk shake. Maybe you need to take two trips.

Dane

Dane, thanks for the little class on the Tennessee flag! That was so interesting! I think I’ve told maybe 10 people about it since I read it. I probably learned about that in school but I don’t remember.

It got me thinking about other stuff people coming to Tennessee for the first time (or native Tennesseans too J) might find interesting. I didn’t even know that we had an official state butterfly!

Here are all of our official things for Tennessee:

• Flower: Iris

• Bird: Mockingbird

• Gem: Tennessee Pearl

• Insects: Firefly and Honeybee

• Tree: Tulip Poplar

• Butterfly: Zebra Swallowtail

• Folk Dance: Square Dance

• Rock: Limestone• Reptile: Eastern Box Turtle

• Fruit: Tomato

I think I’m going to name my first kid Zebra Swallowtail

TTFN!

Jennifer

Have I mentioned that I’m kind of a car nut? If I had a million dollars that’s probably where a lot of it would go. Dora, you didn’t hear that.

Coming up is a pretty cool event if you’re car inclined. It’s over at the Lane Motor Museum which has a great collection of mostly European cars from the 1920s on. Once a year they do this thing called the “Magic of the Machine” where you can ride in some of the cars in their collection.

This year you can try out their Fiat Multipla, Tatra T-87, a 1963 BMW 3200 and a 1964 Amphicar. There are others and demos too like a car I’ve never even heard of called the Faunwerke Kraka Folding Car.

It goes from 11 to 4 on Saturday, July 26.

A folding car? I’ve got to see that.

Dane

Was just asked a good question by a guest of the hotel about our state flag and it got me thinking I should put it up here for everyone just in case you didn’t know.

So our Tennessee State flag has a red background with a thick blue bar and narrow white bar running vertical along the edge. These three colors are meant to represent or echo the colors in the U.S. flag.

On that red background is a blue circle with a border of white and three white stars inside. The stars are for East Tennessee, West Tennessee and Middle Tennessee. As for the colors, it’s said that the white symbolizes purity, the blue the love that we Tennesseans feel for our state, and red how during war and peace we are always true-blooded Americans.

Just something to think about next time you see our flag a-waving.

Dane

The post I was going to do before was about Rumours, where we went after getting our dos done. And then I forgot! Another gift certificate! Aren’t I a lucky friend?

I’d been to the Rumours East before but this was I think the original one on 12 South. They have a really good wine tasting every other Wednesday so we had a chance to try a bunch of different kinds of wine.

I usually drink white but there were some delicious reds that we tried too. I ended up buying a cabernet sauvignon (from Oregon I think…) – Dad, if you’re reading this, stop reading here — for my Dad for his birthday.

And go on a nice night. The patio is a great place to hang on a nice summer night. Especially with a new do!

Talk to you later!

Jennifer

OK, what do Faith Hill, Ashley Judd and I have in common? Other than beauty and southern charm.  We’ve all had our hair done at Trim! My new favorite place!

Me and my friend went on a gift certificate she got and it was perfect. I guess I knew about Trim. Maybe. A lot of stars go there. And once you go it’s easy to see why.

Part of is definitely it’s supercool 1940s barber side with all the original barber chairs from back then, the dark paneling and the porcelain sinks. And then on the other side is this bright vintage-y beauty shop (like something from Grease!).

The service was great too. They even have free coffee — and free shoe shines! Oh, and guys, you can get a hot shave there!

TTFN!

Jennifer

It really is great to have you back, Sabrina. Jenn said the front desk was like an empty wasteland, a prairie of sadness and woe when you left. (She’s nodding right now.)  And it would be great to have you posting again. I’m so glad you got me started on it.

One of the best parts of the blog is learning about stuff in your own town you didn’t know about. Now, I knew about the Hatch Show printers but I’d never been in there until the other day. There is some really cool stuff in there!

The place is still a working print shop (they opened their doors in – get this – 1879!). The artists use the same block-print technique that people have been using since the 15^th century.

There is a 15% discount on purchases up to $100 with a Country Music Hall of Fame ticket.

Dane

Hi everyone! It’s been awhile. I hope you haven’t forgotten about me. It’s been months, I know, but I’m very happy to finally be back at Hotel Preston. I’ve even been promoted! I’m now the Assistant Front Office Manager. Who knew going to take my actuarial test would help my career here!

Actually I was always expecting to come back. After talking about it, we finally agreed that I would just take a leave of absence. But then a strange thing happened when I was studying for my test. I realized that although I love working with numbers my love for working with people was stronger.

So I decided against the test and joined the group back here at the hotel. Since then I’ve been really busy getting readjusted and learning my new job, which is really exciting. And I’m glad to be posting again!

Talk to you later!

Sabrina