PIREP: We went around the park. We stopped in Asheville night one, then took the interstate through Knoxville into Nashville for night two. Outstanding drive and scenery.
Ashville - checked in about 3pm. On a Sunday night, with rain, the bars and brewpubs were still busy. Our hotel shuttle driver said weekends are crazy busy, but on a Sunday night not so much.
The next morning we ate breakfast and I thought our waiter was going to kill himself. Our room rates included $20 towards breakfast. My wife and I ordered up > $20, not hard to do when OJ is $3.75. My wife's omelette must have been dropped or something and we had to wait a long time. Waiter apologized for the delay and said breakfast was on the house - I said it was probably on the floor and mentioned that we paid a bit extra for the breakfast already in our room rate. He disappeared to talk with the manager, came back, and said it would be taken care of and apologized some more. I kept thinking, "wow, all this for an omelette?" We were back in our room, packing up, and waiter stopped by with a bottle of wine for us. An hour or so later, the hotel manager called to apologize, said he discounted our stay by 20% and gave us a bunch of bonus points.
Unexpected hilarity: We were sitting on the balcony, waiting for that expensive omelette, and I was trying to get my bearings. I asked the waiter what direction we were facing. He said, "Well, sir, right now you are facing the highway."
Nashville - Checked in about 3pm. Monday night, took the hotel shuttle into downtown. Wow, cool place, right on the riverfront the outdoor amphitheatre had a concert going on, too. Every other storefront is a bar, live music, cold beer, and no cover. We walked around to get a feel, then popped into the place our driver recommended. Had a beer and listened to the guy on stage...good stuff. Then we went across the street for another beer and listened to two young ladies play and sing...very good stuff. Then walked back across the street to Jack's BBQ. Then next door for another beer and listen to the band... outstanding stuff, those guys were good, they played a whole lot of requests and that isn't easy.
Overall: I approve.