Today was our one "all day fun" day...the rest of our time here we have business to conduct, but today was all about seeing some stuff.

We started off the day actually using the kitchen in our hotel room (you know how that goes, "oh yeah - we'll use the kitchen....save lotsa money..." till you get there and find that there's 2 utensils and a pan that looks like someone cooked some tar on it). I cooked up the usual: eggs, toast (today we had "World Outreach Church" jam on our toast - a gift for being visitors on Sunday). I actually used the coffee pot and had a nice cup of joe.



After getting ready, we set out...our first stop: Discovery Center at Murfree Spring (photos from our visit). Have you ever seen a two story slide? Well, today not only did we see one, but we witnessed Abby go down one all by herself begging for more! This place was awesome! It was $5 to get in and there was all kinds of hands on exhibits all geared toward elementary school age children. There were also some outdoor activities - by the way, the weather today was great...about 78 degrees and very little humidity, slight breeze.

Something cool that happened at the Discovery Center - we were in the gift shop looking around. We got Abby some little explorer binoculars so she could see some of the wildlife outside in the wetlands area. As I was at the counter purchasing the binocs, I started to chat the gal up that was ringing my purchase (of course as I expected, she was very friendly and willing to answer my questions). Our conversation uncovered that she goes to the WOC (the church we attended on Sunday)! We had mentioned about the possibility of us moving to the area. As I was talking a little about how God has been directing us this way, she started writing down her name, address and phone number and handed it to me. She said that her and her husband have lived in the area for 2 years (moved there from Florida if I remember correctly) and asked us to feel free to contact her for anything. So cool!

After all that discovery, our stomachs were a little jealous of all the attention our brains were getting. We drove around the area a bit exploring into a few neighborhoods and stumbled onto a McAlister's Deli. Mike and I have both eaten there before when visiting my family in Monroe, La. (ah yeah - it wah good). We all had sandwiches and I broke down and got a "sweet tea" (sweet tea is just wrong...why was this ever invented....it's so dang good...it's so dang wrong). We went back to the hotel to refresh (and to download the millions of pictures I had accumulated!).

Stones River National Battlefield (see the photos)

Well, I'm going to defer the discussion of this particular activity to the war buff...so check back soon. I would just do it myself but it would not be very informative. Something like, "there was this big field, and alot of guys died awhile back, and there's this museum part and we had to walk alot". So, I'm sure that you'd really rather hear from Mike on this one....

After the civil war thingie, we had to stop at the Old Fort park again! I have to say - Abby is definitely getting brave. She TOOK OFF when we walked through the entrance and was going so far away from us that at times we would have to do a quick jog just to keep our eye on her (as I mentioned before, this place is a kidnapping waiting to happen!). We stayed at the park for almost TWO hours! In the course of that, we were spending some time chatting up a couple from the area....guess what? They were friendly...

After all that playing, we were exhausted so we went back to the hotel for...yes, you guessed it....more refreshing. We are fresh people constantly in need of refreshing...what can I say. At this point, it was 8pm and....being the awful parents that we are took our 4 year old and went to have some dinner.

Jim 'n Nick's BBQ (see photos)
Now, you know when you pull up to a BBQ place from behind and you see about 72 cords of firewood, you are in for some dang good barbecue. Good grief...this was some good bbq. Lots of to go box real estate to be had after eating this meal. More conversations with friendly people (this time with 2 older couples sitting across from us wanting to know what was in one of our baskets). And - for the first time (well, maybe the 2nd - the 1st not being too memorable) I had fried greet tomatoes! The waiter told me how they make 'em.....they use the same dredge mixture as the catfish (hey fish fry friends - I feel some of these comin' on!) but soak them in buttermilk before the dredge. They were yummy.

And - here we are, back at home ready to cozy up for some shut eye. Well, I did have tea again for dinner so I might be in for another insomniatic toss fest (let's hope not).

Tomorrow - exploring Murfreesboro with Kami Shipman...stay tuned!