Planes, Trains OR Automobiles?

Rule #13 – Push the limits of your comfort zone.

To fly or not to fly, that is the question.

Whether ‘tis better to suffer the gropes and wandings from the TSA for convenience sake,

Or to drive, perchance to train to your destination, thus seeing more of the landscape, yet taking more time from the ultimate destination…

     Many apologies Mr. Shakespeare. But those who fly regularly know exactly of what I speak. Just the thought of stuffing yourself in an aluminum tube cattle car with 300 of your closest “friends”, flinging yourself to the upper reaches of the atmosphere, praying that God doesn’t call the pilot’s number, and then making first contact with earth on the wings of a few Goodyears… flying is now a true act of faith. That’s after you get on the plane and after you get through security checkpoints.

     This past March, I decided to check another item off the Bucket List. I went to Sarasota specifically for spring training games. I also got to visit former neighbors and friends down there, but the starting reason was to see the baby O’s hatching in their spring nest. Planning the trip was interesting, since I was constantly questioned “Why are you driving? Why not fly and rent a car?” Well, I could have but… who knows if my flight would be on time; who knows if my luggage will be diverted to Havana; who knows if I’ll get sick again, like I have on every other flight. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with TSA on this trip.

So many games and teams - only so much time

      So I planned to drive down. First thing I did was call AAA travel desk. They were incredibly helpful with one glitch – the lady I talked to was in Northeast Philly’s office. When I said I was heading to spring training in Sarasota, she reminded me that the Phillies train in Clearwater. A quick conversation about where I grew up, where she was located, and where I am now located, and we were busy booking travel and hotels. She made sure I had a TripTik and maps for the entire I-95 route. Since I had my own car, I could pack, unpack, over pack, and repack as I wanted.

Welcome to Georgia

Welcome to Florida (You mean the state might be closed?)

      The drive down was pretty stress free. I bypassed Washington DC by taking Rte. 301 south. Once into Virginia, I stayed on 301 through Ft. A.P. Hill, and then picked up I-95 in Carmel Church. Once past Richmond, traffic wasn’t bad at all. I made it as far as Florence SC in one day. Found myself a MicroTel, got some dinner, then it was take it easy and get some rest. Day 2 had me hitting some serious traffic around Jacksonville FL. Someone told me that was a normal thing. But I got past it, got onto 301 south again, and got as far as Bushnell FL before it was time to stop. Another MicroTel in another town, and a place to put my tired head down… I found some nice digs for a night. All the way down, scenery was great. You know, we really do live in a beautiful country and each area is unique. You just have to slow down and look at things.

In the land where palm trees sway

Oh, yeah! I'm in Florida!

      The third day I drove directly to Ed Smith Stadium. I watched the Phillies win over the O’s (yeah, fans, the Phillies won). My AAA agent got me a room at the Hampton Inn and Suites right where University Blvd. meets I-75 in Bradenton. I enjoyed some temporary luxury while I bopped around Sarasota.

My spring time home

Facebook Feetie pic - proof I was there

Hampton Inn and Suites King Suite - a place for snacks...

...and a place to hang out with friends

     Now it took me 2-plus days to make an easy drive to Sarasota. I was not much for another 2-plus days going home. So, I had my AAA agent book me a seat on Amtrak’s Auto Train. It took me two and a half hours to get from Sarasota to Sanford in FL, where the Auto Train station is located. By the way, Orlando has DC beat on the insane traffic meter by a bunch!

Amtrak Auto Train Terminal - Sanford FL

      Here was a portion of the trip that was pure rookie experience. I pulled into the checkpoint and showed the attendant my ticket. She then handed me some small folders, one to leave with the car, and one to keep with me as I checked in inside the terminal. My beautiful blue Ford got a number put on its side. I pulled up to the terminal, got out what I needed for the night, then headed into the reservation check in while a valet took the car and put it on the car carrier. At the check in desk, I got my train car and seat number plus my meal times. Then there was some chill time until we got the call “All aboard”.

Conscious coupling of car carriers

      We got to our car and were greeted by an attendant, just as if we were flying. She helped everyone get settled in their seats and explained just how the cars were being connected and the process for dining and entertainment. While she spoke, the Amtrak crew was busy getting every car connected in its proper order. Then exactly at 4 pm, we pulled out. I saw great scenery and I didn’t have to worry about keeping my eyes on the road.

Somewhere in Florida from the train

      We had a real dinner with real food in the dining car. Not many airlines feed you fresh food anymore. I sat with three other people I never met before. During dinner and drinks we discussed our Florida trips, where we were from, and what we did, among other things.

My beef tips, garlic mashed potatoes, and seasoned green beans

     I wandered to the lounge car later in the evening. When I walked in, I felt like I stepped back into the 1940’s. The layout and décor was art deco. The only nod to the present was the 8 video screens and DVD player. We watched “Gravity” from any seat in the lounge car. Some people preferred playing cards. Others actually had a business meeting. Beverages of any proof were served. Coffee and tea were available for free. It was a great place to hang out. Some of the funnier moments were listening to those “seasoned travelers” who did a lot of kvetching about small stuff. Some people are never satisfied.

Lounge car bar, from my perch right near the bar

Lounge car lower level

     I booked a coach seat on the train, which meant I had 2 side-by-side seats plus the leg lifts all to myself. When it was time to sack out, I tried to get comfortable and get some sleep. I can’t say that I slept well that night. But, I got enough sleep in two and three hour increments to be able to drive safely in the morning.

Enough physical space

      The train started coming alive around 5:45 the next day. My breakfast time was at 6 am and I got to the dining car to find a really enjoyable continental breakfast set up for us all. Again, I sat with three strangers, who were not as talkative as the dinner friends (the hour of the day maybe?). But the selection of foods and the amount served was delicious. Fresh fruits, cereals, yogurts, bagels, coffee and juices were all served with a smile.

      At exactly 9 am we pulled into Lorton VA station. The cars were all consciously uncoupled (sorry, couldn’t resist) and we all moved into the terminal to wait for our cars to be unloaded. From the time we arrived until I got my car and got on the road, it was about one hour and fifteen minutes. Not bad, considering the train was really full. From the station, it was an easy jump to I-95 and the trip home.

Amtrak Auto Train Station in Lorton VA - just off I-95

      The train trip really pushed me out of my comfort zone. Really, I think it just stretched my comfort zone. I will definitely use the Auto Train again. Next time I may pay extra for a berth or compartment, so I can stretch out through the night. But, considering everything, it was a fun way to end a great trip.

      I never mind driving, and now I look forward to train travel. I have to fly to Milwaukee soon…. Let’s see how that goes.

All photos are the property of Marge McGugan. All rights reserved.
Portions of this post are also used in the Arden-on-the-Severn Newsbuoy "A View from the Passenger Seat" by Marge McGugan

Writer's Spirits - Revised and Renewed

Rule #20 – Draw inspiration from anywhere and everywhere.

     Ahhhhh – Spring! 

     According to the calendar, it arrived on March 21. The weather goddess didn’t quite get the memo, since the Mid-Atlantic region got snow on March 30. Some areas still have cruddy snow piles just melting away slowly, like the Wicked Witch of the West.

     This year especially, spring has everyone ready to break out of the winter doldrums – break out the shorts for warmer weather, break out of the house and get more outdoor exercise, break out the cleaning tools and sweep winter away. This writer needs to break out the axe and start decluttering the office area again and chopping away at the mental blocks to her writing. It is time for me to dust off the shelved manuscripts and see how they will fly to publishers.

     On March 29, our regional SCBWI chapter helped me do just that. The MD/DE/WV regional group hosted a conference titled “Spring: Nature’s Revised Draft”. The goal was to help writers and illustrators clean out our personal slush piles, revise the manuscripts and kick them out of the nest and into the hands of publishers. 

Conference check-in and picking up materials

     The day started with check-in at registration and networking with a writer’s best friend – coffee. Many got to catch up with friends they see only online or at conferences. Old friendships were renewed; new ones were made. Then it was off to the keynote session.

     After welcoming all participants, Sue Peters, regional co-director, introduced Leslea Newman, who took us through her journey writing October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Sheppard. She took us back into her life and the controversy sparked with her book, Heather has Two Mommies. Leslea is not just writing now; she is writing with an advocate’s passion. She challenged all of us to imagine a world that is perfect, with peace, with no hatred, and then make a commitment to make it happen. 

Leslea Newman describing her research into Matthew Sheppard's murder

     The morning break out sessions gave everyone a chance to learn from the pros. Guiseppe Castlellano gave artists and illustrators an inside look into the world of the art director. Alex Arnold shared tips to get plots perking on paper and not just in your head. Tara Lazar showed participants how to take a picture book from a flat manuscript to a dummy book, and why that process is so critical to a story. Debra Hess gave us important tips on non-fiction – what it is, what it isn’t, and all those fine lines in between.

      Lunch time gave us a chance to shop in the book store. It was a great time for a book collector like me to buy books and have them signed by the author.

Book store is a busy place between sessions

Tara Lazar (foreground) and Leslea Newman sign their books for fellow writers

     Afternoon break out sessions focused more on specific how-to skills for writers. Sara D’Emic and Rori Shay showed their audience how to use Facebook and Twitter to build audience and promote books. Alyson Heller discussed the importance of those first chapters with her group. Christa Hescheke mapped out the route in fantasy writing that helps writers build their world and, then, sell it. Shelley Koon shared her easy methods for authors to build websites. Sara D’Emic and Rori Shay were back later in the afternoon showing their audience how to query and find an agent. Leslea Newman was back also, discussing her methods of developing characters and finding the real person in them.

     All session leaders took questions during their instructional time. But there are always some last minute questions for everyone. The all faculty panel gave the entire speakers group a chance to address questions to everyone, all at once.

     We all left the day inspired, energized, and, thanks to Shelley Koon, connected to a critique group. The chance to improve our writing will continue as we meet with other writers and revise our stories.

     On a personal note, this day was critical for me. I needed to participate, not just for the energy, but for more personal reasons. Two years ago, I was working with my critique group and got two manuscripts together. One was ready for query and the other was very close. I even had some publishers lined up for the query. Then, my husband became suddenly ill and passed away. It was a dark time for me in my mind, and my soul. Every time I thought of those stories- or if someone asked about them- I went back in my mind to those dark days of grief. I couldn’t talk about the stories at all, until recently. As part of my grief therapy, I forced myself to pull both stories out of the hard drive. I read them both. At first I felt myself going back to those dark days. I had my weepy moments and then I put them back in the drawer, not quite ready to let them go. This happened several times through the past two years. But, on that Saturday, March 29, I pulled both manuscripts out and carried them with me all day. The load was lighter. I didn’t head back the dark rabbit hole of grief. I made it through the day without crying – then or later.

     Thanks to all the help I got at the conference, I can now kick these manuscripts out of my nest. I can let them fly off to publishers.

     It’s time – time to clean out my nest and fly.

All photos are property of Marge McGugan and may not be reused or copied without written permission.

A Day on the Set

Rule #15 – Write your observations

In my lifetime, I’ve been to my fair share of concerts and plays. I’ve seen how teamwork is needed to put a great performance in front of an audience. But never the precise choreography that goes into taping a television show. Check this item off my bucket list, Self.

I got my chance to be part of a “live” studio audience at the end of January. My sisters and I all took the train to New York City, then a cab from Penn Station to ABC Studios on 67^th Street to be part of the audience for “The Chew”. For those of you who still consider the world of daytime television a vast wasteland, “The Chew” brings together five chefs in one program. They do some cooking on the show, and share the recipes. They get you up and moving. They talk about balance in everything you do. And, to boot, there are these five crazy personalities…

Welcome to ABC Studios – home of “The Chew”

When we first arrived, we queued up and were given a call ticket. Then we moved into the waiting area. Here we had a quick snack while other audience members gathered and checked in. Everyone made sure they looked their best before being called into the studio. All rest room visits were done too, since once seated, you couldn’t leave.

Audience area – check in and wait here until called for seating

When it was time to take our seats, we were called by numbers and led into the studio. There we were grouped onto bleacher seats. Our seats were at the very top, close to cameras. Some members were seated at the eating tables, which meant they tasted all the recipes. Those who sat behind them were always on camera. We ended up seated just next to them in the clip shot area… when they clip to the audience, there were our faces. The seating gave the impression of being totally random. However, they filled the seating area for the side that would get the most “face time” over to the far side behind the cameras themselves. All empty seats were taken by interns, “go-fers”, and other staff persons, so the audience would look full.

It takes a while to get everyone seated and camera ready

Ushers led us past the quiet hubbub of the pre-show to our seats. As we walked in, many faces on the floor looked intense. The food prep people were busy plating up all the finished dishes and getting the pieces ready for the chefs. Cables ran everywhere. The producer and director were reviewing camera angles with the stage manager. As we passed the camera, we could already see the script on the teleprompter. It looked like Clinton Kelly was going to get the first lines in today’s show. 

Now settled in our seats, the audience warm-up person comes out and starts our part of the show. He’s a local stand-up comedian, who works with the show to cue the audience and keep us into the action. While he works with us, the larger set pieces and cameras are moved into their starting positions. The producer, Gordon Elliot, comes out to the audience and makes an appearance. He graciously welcomes us to the show and thanks us for our participation.

Food prep, audience prep, and Taster’s Row prep – all part of the teamwork

We audience members practice our cues, loud clapping, laughing, and dancing. Then, out comes Michael Symon, one of the chefs. He comes up into the audience to greet us all. He’s in full make-up and camera ready, but takes a few minutes to talk to us and welcome us to the show.

We get a chance to practice “dancing” when Carla Hall comes up into the audience to dance with us, Ellen-style. The cameras begin shooting their audience cuts with Carla up in the audience. She danced around with us for about 10 minutes, cameras filming as she went to different parts of the audience.

Then it was time to begin. The pre-recorded pieces were meshed into the live shots at this time. We got to see the show on big screens mounted around the audience area. Cameras put the action up live. We saw the show as it was filmed. And the count down began… cue audience. 

We cheered loudly as all five hosts came in and took their seats. The show started with a discussion of their favorite comfort foods. A super fan was then brought out of the audience and played a matching game with the five hosts. She walked off with a signed recipe book and a front row seat in Tasters Row.

Michael Symon demonstrated his favorite trick to make corndogs at home. Mario Batali took us all on a field trip to Russ and Daughters Deli to check out the no-cooking foods available on the Lower East Side of New York City. Clinton Kelly brought out Dule` Hill from “Psych” and together they made spaghetti carbonara. Carla Hill helped out Michael with his recipe and took a few dancing lessons from Dule`. Daphne Oz took it easy and just shared stories this show. She is close to delivering her first child and standing for long periods was getting uncomfortable.

After the show, Carla Hall, Daphne Oz and Dule` Hill

We got to watch the team work that is needed to put a television show on the air. It’s a delicate ballet, and all participants know their parts and play them beautifully. After the show taping, we sat in as they cast did promos for the show, next week’s shows, and a few segments that are available only online. Once the total taping was finished, Daphne stayed out and talked to members of the audience as we left. No one was getting autographs, however. We were the morning taping and they were bringing in people for the afternoon taping. It was the day after one of the big snows we had in January. They asked us if we wanted to sit in on Katie Curic’s show and possibly come back for the afternoon taping. The weather was wreaking havoc on this studio audience thing these shows need to succeed. 

Oh yes, we’ll be back. It will be a spring day, though, with no snow and hopefully no wind. The technical parts of plays, shows and concerts fascinate me. I love to see how things work. So count me in. I will be back. 

Maybe you might like to join us, or go on your own. Check the show’s website for information about free tickets: http://abc.go.com/shows/the-chew . We may see you there.

 All photos are the property of Marge McGugan, and may not be used, or copied without written permission. Portions of this post are reprinted in the Arden-on-the-Severn Newsbuoy article, "A View from the Passenger Seat".

Magical Food Eating Tour - Cheers to Boston

Rule #51 – Make pilgrimages.

     Brace yourselves… this may come as a complete shock.

     Ted Danson had a life before his D.B. Russell character on “C.S.I.”. So did Woody Harrelson (“True Detective” and “Hunger Games”), Kelsey Grammer (Mayor Tom Kane in “Boss”) and John Ratzenberger (pick a Pixar character – Hamm, Mack, Harland – he’s a Pixar fixture).

      They – and many others – were on a series called “Cheers”, based on a Boston neighborhood bar where “everybody knows your name”. Each week these characters graced our lives and gave us plenty of laughs. Then the bar closed down in 1993… or did it?

     Anyone who has been to Boston – 84 Beacon Street, to be exact – knows that Cheers lives on. But it doesn’t live the way it lives in our memories. 

One crazy tourist at 84 Beacon St., Boston... home of "Cheers" bar

      The exterior is just like what we see in the opening credits and the many “location” shots during the show. The sign points down to the bar. But when you get to the lower bar, it looks nothing like the set. Well, that’s because the interior was modeled after the Bull and Finch Tavern on the first floor (upstairs). 

Upstairs bar - originally the Bull and Finch Tavern - photo by Joe Knipp, used with permission

      The heck with downstairs – we wanted to eat at Cheers. It was a one hour wait for a table in the lower bar. So we wove our way upstairs and took seats at the bar itself, complete with a seating chart (teacher speak for plaques identifying the places where specific characters sat). My brother took his seat where Tommy the Lawyer sat. My nephew took Norm’s corner of the bar seat. In the show, there was booth and table seating around the bar itself. In the real bar, there’s no room for large tables. There are a few pub tables around, but nothing where you can sit down and relax. If you want table seating, you need to go to Cheers Faneuil Hall/ Quincy Market location. 

Name plate on the bar top where Tommy the Lawyer sat and made Cliff and Norm crazy

      The menu was standard pub fare, with sandwiches named after the various characters on the show. You have Sam’s Starters, Ma Clavin’s soups, Norm’s Sandwiches, and so forth. Both locations serve the same menu.

      We ordered lunch from the bar. It was 100 degrees outside so we just had a burger and fries. The burgers came with lettuce, tomato, and onion, but all on the side, so you could choose to add or not to add. Portion size was generous, but not ridiculous. After drinking about a quart of water, I was able to eat and actually felt hungry. We kept the water coming and the burger and fries disappeared.

      Cheers also had a great assortment of drinks and beers. Sam Adams – any variety out – was the showcase beer. Prices were competitive with other establishments.

      As with any landmark, there’s the requisite gift shop. It’s stocked with bar items, memorabilia, and plenty of “I was there!” tee shirts and sweat shirts. 

Quincy Market - location of the other "Cheers" bar

Faneuil Hall - follow the cobblestone walk between here and Quincy Market and there is "Cheers"

...and I wasn't kidding about cobblestone walk ways....

     We got our chance to compare the Beacon Street location with the Faneuil Hall location on this trip. The atmosphere was just a bit different. Beacon Street has a smaller location. Faneuil Hall has a look that really resembles the set from the show. The bar is larger and is laid out in a similar way to Beacon Street’s. But there is no “seating chart” for fans to enjoy. There is downstairs seating, which is a bit quieter and off the street. The downstairs area looks just like Sam’s “back room”, complete with TV, dart board and smaller bar.

      This is – without a doubt – a must-do pilgrimage for any fan of the TV show, “Cheers”. We got to go to more landmarks in town, and did it on the MTA, which is another story for another time (and soon, too). In the meantime, check your local listings for reruns of “Cheers”, so you can get to know the characters again. And check out the website, http://www.cheersboston.com/main_locations.html for more information and some of the history of the show.

      When you visit either location, don’t worry if nobody knows your name when you walk in. They will know you by the time you leave – it’s that much fun.

All photographs are the property of Marge McGugan, unless noted otherwise. No use or reproduction without written permission.

Magical Food Eating Tour - Stockbridge Story

Rule #3 – Experience everything.

You might have heard this before.

I know I have.

This is about Alice’s Restaurant. It’s not really the name of the restaurant. Not now anyway. It’s now Theresa’s Stockbridge Café… formerly Alice’s Restaurant.

It’s about my visit to Stockbridge, Massachusetts and how we found Alice’s Restaurant.

One fine, hot summer day in July, we left our vacation home in the Berkshire Mountains. It was time for a day trip. So we all piled into the brand new, adorably blue Ford Es-ca-pe and drove due south to Stockbridge. We drove through some great looking towns on our way. Some towns had architecture that looks like it could be an old movie set. Some towns had a village green, and you could just imagine Jimmy Stewart running down the snowy center of town wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. Then, we see the dawn of technology in I-90, also known as the Massachusetts Turnpike. Well, we weren’t fixin’ to head east toward Boston or west toward Albany so we just road past the MassPike. We got a bit farther down the road and there it was, like a scene right out of a picture post card… or a drawing… or a Norman Rockwell portrait. It was the Red Lion Inn and Stockbridge General Store – hell; it WAS right out of a Norman Rockwell portrait. It makes sense since he lived here and all.

Stockbridge General Store

Downtown Stockbridge

 

We parked my brand new, adorably blue Ford Es-ca-pe on the street and started to wander around town. We tried not to get lost and that wasn’t too hard to do. The town center is only three blocks long. But there was so much back behind the stores. We wandered back down one of the small alleys off Main Street and found lots of boutique shops. My favorite was called Peace, Love and Chocolate – my three favorite things. It was tucked in around the back of the general store. We did get lost in the old Town Office building, which is now a Yankee Candle Store. It’s a good thing those candles don’t have contraband fragrances, because we were sniffing and snorting for at least a good half hour.

Peace, Love and Chocolate

Our wandering was starting to involve a search for food. Then we see this sign. It said “Cafe”. Where there’s a cafe, there’s food, usually. So we went around the back to the restaurant. And were we surprised to see Alice’s name still on the restaurant. And it was open. And it had people in it. So we walked right in and sat down.

The sign taking us around the back

We're open for business

The café had the look of the 1970’s with yellow walls and some hippie-type paintings hanging around. There were some great memories hanging up on those yellow walls, too. Arlo Guthrie’s guitar – signed and autographed – was up on the wall at the restaurant. So was a fantastic drawing of a VW microbus with trash stuffed in the back. So was Alice’s apron from the original restaurant. There were a few of the 27 8x10 color glossy pictures with circles and arrows… but we didn’t see the paragraphs on the back describing the details. We did see color glossy photographs of Arlo, and Alice, and Theresa, the new owner of Alice’s Restaurant.

Autographed album cover

Signed Guthrie Guitar

VW Microbus from the story

Alice's first apron, used at the restaurant

8x10 glossy color photograph of Arlo, Alice and Theresa

Now we sat down and placed our order. That day was a gorgeous, hot, summer day and the restaurant was a bit short handed. We waited for our food…and we waited for our food…and we waited…well, some people might have just walked out. Be we were hungry and finally our food was delivered. We had big sandwiches that had lots of fillings and plenty of chips and/or fries on the side. We had a mixed-greens salad delivered that was fresh, and looking better than Alice ever would be. I had a felafel! In beautiful, downtown Stockbridge Massachusetts on this bright, beautiful hot summer day, I had the best felafel I ever ate. It was stuffed with sprouts, tomato and lettuce. It had lots of tahini sauce over the top. And the felafel itself…it had just the right amount of garlic and spices, and not much mint at all. Wish I had an 8x10 color glossy photograph of my felafel so you could see just how delicious it was…before I scarffed it down.

Menu back tells the story of the Alice's Restaurant Massacre

We had one more stop to make before we left the restaurant. Yeah, that little room, you know about it. I went in and found some more of the 27 8x10 color glossy photographs hanging up in there. Guess the paragraphs on the back were in case you got stuck there for a bit.

Yep, we were there

Then it was time to hit the road. We double checked the sign on the front door of the restaurant. It says Theresa’s Stockbridge Café…formerly Alice’s Restaurant. Yeah, we were there. We are going back there too. How about you?

Come on and join us… with full orchestration and four-part harmony…

You can get anything that you want at Alice’s Restaurant… it’s now Theresa’s.

You can get anything you want at the Café Restaurant.

Walk right in, it’s around the back. Just a half a mile from the railroad tracks.

You can get anything that you want at Theresa’s Stockbridge Café.

 All photographs are the property of Marge McGugan. Copy or reuse not permitted without written permission.

 

Original "Alice's Restaurant", downloaded from YouTube

Magical Food Eating Tour - Nashville

Rule #37 – Everything is better with friends and family

Load uuuuuppppp!

Load up for the Food Eating Tour!

The Magical Food Eating Tour is ready to take you away… ready to take you away, take you today.

                                     (apologies to John Lennon and Paul McCartney)

     This may sound insensitive and criminal – to talk about food so close to the New Year and all those weight loss resolutions. We see commercial after commercial for diet products and gym memberships at this time of the year. Like it’s our time of atonement for the food sins of the past year… sorry, I don’t think so.

     Fact – Eating nourishes the body – and the soul and the interpersonal relationships and the mind and – well, I could go on.

     Last May, I got a chance to experience a total foodie experience aboard the General Jackson Steamboat in Nashville. It was during my pilgrimage to Music City with my daughter and my aunt. We decided to try something totally different on this trip. Now, I’ve been to big dinners before; been to dinner theaters and wine tasting parties, too. This was a trip back into time, back to a simpler era of travel.

General Jackson Steamboat Cruise

     The General Jackson moors on the Cumberland River, just outside of the Opryland Hotel. As we queued up, we listened to local musicians playing some hard-core country music. Some potential passengers even started dancing. That’s when I knew I was attending a spontaneous party.

Top deck party central

     As we boarded the boat for our evening cruise, we were greeted by a few costumed hosts. They encouraged us to move freely around the boat. We could head to the upper deck, where we found a bar – and another band. It was cocktail time, and, yes, we did indulge even though alcohol was not part of the event price. Soon the paddle wheel started turning, we slipped our mooring, and we were rollin’ (rollin’), rollin’ (rollin’), rollin’ on the river. Ah, a sunset cruise on the Cumberland!

Admission covers cruise, food and entertainment

      We were seated in the dining room shortly after we left the dock. There’s nothing like the feeling you just stepped onto the set of “Gone With The Wind” or “Showboat”. The master of ceremonies soon arrived on stage to greet us all, announce birthdays and anniversaries, recognize tour groups, and get us in the mood for a fun-filled, foodie experience.

Ready to go

      Our waiter and his assistant introduced themselves to our table and checked for food allergies. I made sure that my daughter’s onion allergy was noted when I booked the tickets. Our waiter discussed the particulars with her and took the information back to the kitchen. He showed us where the cash bar was located, in case anyone at our table wanted adult beverages. Then the feast began.

Salad for starters

      Course number one was your basic salad. Here we served ourselves the dressing of choice, in the amount we wanted. Breads were already available, as was water, tea and coffee, and soft drinks.

Main course of beef tenderloin and shrimp

Our main course was beef tenderloin in a red wine reduction, spiced shrimp, garlic mashed potatoes, and green beans.  The proteins were cooked to perfection. The beans were crisp, and not mushy at all. The potatoes – well- Yo Chef, how about sharing the recipe? The timing was perfect between the salad course and the main course. We had enough time as a table group to get to know each other. It also gave us time to swap tourist stories and get suggestions on what else to see in Nashville. No one felt rushed during the meal.

Sunset over Nashville in May

Home of the Tennessee Titans

Recycled roller coaster parts make interesting art

      After the main course, we had a long break in the food action. We all got a chance to get up and walk around the boat again. The sun was setting by then and we sailed into Nashville’s downtown area. We stood on the deck and got a glimpse of the Clubs at the waterfront. Yes, we found Coyote Ugly. We sailed past LG Stadium, home to the Tennessee Titans NFL team. We steamed on past a unique sculpture made from discarded amusement park rides. Along the way, we passed under a number of the bridges linking downtown with the eastern suburbs of the city. Lots of people stood on the bridges and waved as we went by.

Dessert - before

      After that half hour break, and adult beverage refills, we sat down to the ultimate comfort dessert – cheesecake, with chocolate and strawberries. The add-ons were a choice each diner had – one, the other or both. Decisions… decisions…

Dessert - after.... happy tummy

Show - The Heart of Tennessee

      Once dessert was cleared, our show began. The cast took us on a musical tour through the Heart of Tennessee. The presentation divided the state into three sections, grouped around the three major cities. We visited the eastern part of the state, around Knoxville and the Appalachians, where we learned about the origins of bluegrass music. Next we musically stopped on the western side, around Memphis. Here we caught up with early rock and roll, rockabilly, and the blues. Lastly, we focused on the central part of the state, around Nashville, the center of country music. Audience members got involved with the cast on stage, dancing. Many of us (like me) didn’t wait for the invitation. We just danced near our tables. There’s some YouTube video floating somewhere of all of us free lance dancers.

Music from Memphis

      We left the dock at 6 pm and returned around 10 pm. None of us were ready to call an end to the evening.

      Next time you head to Nashville, check out the General Jackson Showboat. Shows change depending on the season, and so does the menu. Tickets can be purchased before your trip at http://www.generaljackson.com/ and prices vary depending on the boat and the meal you choose. Vegetarian and gluten free menus are also available, but you need to note any dietary issues when you book your tickets.

      Step back in time, set a spell, and relax with an evening on the General Jackson. You’ll make lots of new friends and enjoy the company you bring.

      And – like we were told as we left the showboat - y’all come back now, hear?

All photos are the property of Marge McGugan. No reuse or copying without written permission.