Christmastime in Opryville drei

Having finished our third night of being pumped full of the Christmas spirit by entertainment here is Nashville, we realize that there is so much we missed, but are also aware that we can't handle much more at this time. We did make it to the Louise Mandrell dinner show tonite. It was in the Delta Ballroom at that Gaylord complex. The more I see of that place, the more amazed I become. To avoid the $18 parking fee and still having to walk a bunch, we took the Hyatt Place shuttle which dropped us off virtually outside the door of the theatre. Before I get into the evening's entertainment I want to take a little aside. Since we've been here we keep hearing about the "Ice" exhibit. I touched on this in another post. Well this morning was the earliest it opened and since Georgia's back makes it difficult for her to get around very quickly in the morning, I decided to slip over (since now I can navigate this place like a (semi) pro. Another deterrent for Georgia was that with some of the medication she is on, her hands would have frozen at that temperature without super gloves which we did not have. If you haven't seen the Ice exhibit, you would be thoroughly amazed. This is the last year for the Grinch theme. Aparently 40 ice sculptors from China worked several weeks to prepare it. Everything in the place is carved out of colored and clear ice. They keep the place at 16 degrees and issue parkas as you view it. Simply amazing. Here are a few pictures with more on my facebook page. It only took me about 20 minutes to see it all (and slide down the ice slide... yes I did.) I got back in time to get ready for our afternoon and evening adventure.

That Gaylord Resort and Convention Center is simply amazing. Words can't describe it, and I'm not sure the pictures do either. One interesting thing was what I will call "ivygirl". This vinecovered girl on stilts moved around nuzzling trees, essentially like that leave thing in that movie, I think with either Arnold S. or Sylverster S where he battles this thing in the jungle. However this one was just full of love rather than hate and descruction. See if you can find her face.

Now to Louise Mandrell. What talent!

http://www.louisemandrell.com/Biography/

She was born in 1954. That should make her 54 years old. You wouldn't believe the stuff that old lady did. I doubt most 25 year olds could keep up with the gymnastics she did in a number near the end. She of course played nearly every instrument on stage and a few they brought in for her. Singing, dancing, playing all sorts of instuments as well as playing a spoof mail"man" who delivers kids letters to Santa. Georgia says Louise was always her favorite Mandrell sister. Although we didn't get to see her up close (as you can see by the blurry pictures), Georgia and I commented that she didn't look any different than she did 25 years ago when she was on the Barbara Mandrell show. Again, a great meal in which we met some super people at our table. Six glitterclad ladies from Alabama including a mother of 3 of the ladies (2 were twins about our age). They travel as the "Yaya's". One other couple there were from Michigan, salt of the earth types with no refinement whatsoever.