The Grand Ole Opry Daytime Backstage Tour

 This tour is a must-see when in Nashville, TN if you love country music, the performers, and everything about what happens during performer's shows, etc..you don't have to be an avid fan of country music to even enjoy this tour.

You will experience to "walk the walk" of the great performers & musicians of all time.

Seeing all behind the scenes of the Opry is informative. You'll get to actually see the artist's grand entrance once performers enter the building; - the various dressing rooms, the stage, variety of memorabilias, and even where performers or celebrities would pick up their fan mails!

One highlight of the tour is when you go up onstage and have your photo taken while standing on the famous historic circle!...now, that is what you call a once-in-a-lifetime experience! This is the part of the stage where performers would perform.

This iconic circle that sits at the center stage of the Grand Ole Opry looks like an ordinary piece of wood, but has a sentimental value to those who love country music. It was an 8-ft.square wood that was cut from the stage of Ryman auditorium stage, then carved into a 6-feet circle where it was ultimately moved in place at the Grand ole Opry.

Below was our ticket for the tour that we printed at home. Just to give you an idea about some basic things you need to do before the tour.

The first part of the tour is going inside the room and watch a video about the tour's history which is narrated by Trisha Yearwood & Garth Brooks. Then, as you proceed on to the rest of the tour, you'll gonna see, hear and know all the sights, sounds and the stories that happens backstage before, during and after a country music magic happens onstage. You'll also see star-studded tour exhibits, like exclusive photos from Opry's biggest moments.

This daytime tour starts with a state-of-the-art Circle Room theater experience. 

You can choose either daytime backstage tour, post-show tour or VIP tour.

The Grand Ole Opry started as a radio show in 1925 making it called the "Country Music Capital of the World". Its home used to be at Ryman auditorium until it moved to its new custom-built home in the Grand Ole Opry House at Opryland in March 1974.

The Oak Ridge Boys Christmas Dinner Show at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center - Nashville, TENNESSEE

 When you're in Nashville during the Christmas season, one top spot to watch some shows will be at Gaylord Opryland Resort. It hosts shows of famous performers; - singers & musicians alike.

Gaylord Opryland has 2,888 rooms and 9 acres of indoor gardens & upscale indoor/outdoor water attractions. It is considered a luxury family resort.

Exploring the place, we discovered it is really huge, and got lost many times...LOL!

The show was held in the Presidential Ballroom, and it was easy locating it. 

Inside the hotel was impressive, space-wise and with a touch of class! The holiday decors made it more festive and nicer.

We started exploring the indoor gardens full of decorative symbols and lights for the holidays. We love the guitars and the musical iconic symbols associated with it.

The conservatory skywalk was amazingly beautiful!

There are lots of restaurants and bars in the area, and food was great! Proven and tested!...(by me, 😉).

Dining, shopping or just enjoying their waterpark attractions would be a haven of a vacation! 

The Oak Ridge Boys dinner show was great! It was a show with a delicious holiday meal, followed by their performance of Christmas classics, new favorites and timeless hits that helped them rise up and shaped their career when they were still starting. The show was held December 2020.

The Oak Ridge Boys is a famous country music Hall of Fame & Grammy Award-winning band.

Explore Creation Museum

 One of the most interesting and informative tourist attraction to visit while you're in Kentucky is the Creation Museum, - more or less like the sister museum of Ark Encounter in Williamstown.

Creation Museum & Ark Encounter offers combo package tickets to visit both places, but they are 40-45 minutes drive away from each other. Creation Museum is located in Greater Cincinnati, off  I-275 in Petersburg, Kentucky.

Creation Museum contains world-class exhibits and brand new cutting-edge exhibits with state-of-the art special effects theater. It's a state-of-the-art museum that allows you to venture and learn about the science and the Bible.

Experience their stunning exhibits and botanical gardens, zoos with live animals, zip lines and planetarium shows.

This is also a place to help you enhance your learning that will help you discover God's creation in a more fun, exciting and memorable way. Just like its sister museum, - Ark Encounter, it purposely teaches about the facts and proofs of the Bible's creation story. Remember to visit this museum with an open mind (including Ark Encounter) because it is purely based on Bible beliefs and faith.

On the other hand, it also shows high-tech exhibits of creation science such as dinosaurs, fossils, planetarium, gardens and more.

So, it is more like an opportunity to learn both faith, history and science and how they intersect.

Tickets can be bought online or onsite. Prices are on their website, together with the times of visits.

Dining is also available at the site.

Experiencing Ark Encounter - The Spectacular Life-Sized Noah's Ark!

This life-sized replica of Noah's ark is considered to be the largest timber-frame structure in the world, towering at 51 ft. high, and 510 ft. long, 85 ft. wide. The measurements they used in this ark replica were the specifications mentioned in the Bible by God through Noah. (Genesis 6:14 -22; 7: 1-10).

It's breath-taking just seeing the size of the ark on the outside with its impressive craftmanship.

The Ark Encounter is not just a museum itself but a unique theme park attraction which opened in Williamstown, Kentucky in 2016. The ark served as the centerpiece of the park. There is a small coffee shop and pastries in deck 2, but there are lots of restaurants and food area outside the ark, a zoo which includes live animals, a zip line, family playground and other exhibits; - basically it's designed as a theme park!

The VR experience is also worth trying, with a fee and it's highly popular. This is one way to enhance your experience by going back in time and witness Noah's days. This is in a separate building called Truth Traveler.

The Answers Center is also another place to learn with a 2,500 seat capacity auditorium where you can enjoy presentations from speakers, music and videos, - all in an air-conditioned comfort seating.

There are lots to do and see here. If you don't want to miss anything one day is not enough!

A Visit to Fort San Cristobal - San Juan, PUERTO RICO

 Fort San Cristóbal, referred to as the “Gibraltar of the Caribbean,” is situated on the eastern side of Old San Juan. Work on the fort commenced in 1634 and took more than a hundred years to finish. It stands as one of the largest Spanish forts ever constructed and the mightiest in the Americas. Built to strengthen Spain's defense of Old San Juan's harbor, the fort safeguarded the island from land assaults. It features walls that rise 150 feet above the ocean, spans a vast 27 acres of terrain, and contains five distinct independent units that connect through tunnels. Each unit is taller and sturdier than the preceding one, employing a “defense-in-depth” strategy.

Down one of the tunnels, there exists the dungeon which houses a death cell. In the 17th century, this small room lacked electricity and air conditioning, only possessing a narrow window slit for light and ventilation. This cell was designated for inmates who were anticipating their execution. Soldiers employed iron handcuffs and anklets to bind prisoners to the walls. On the walls, one can observe drawings of five ships created by an artillery captain. The ships exhibit incredible detail, right down to the flags signifying which ones belong to the adversary.

There are 28 sentry boxes that remain on the city walls of the fort of Old San Juan. They are commonly called "garitas" by the locals which are built from high vantage points. [Ps].

One sentry box only accommodate one man with low doorways and ceilings. This is purposely built as watch towers on landward and seaward approaches, as well as the base of the walls below.

The fort has stayed almost the same as it was in the late 18th century when building was completed. The fort was in operation until 1961 when the United States armed forces ceased utilizing it as a military installation. It subsequently came under the authority of the National Park Service and is now a park and museum. In 1983, it was designated as a World Heritage Site. You have the option to explore the site on your own or register for a ranger-led tour. 

The Currituck Beach Light Station - North Carolina

 Did you know that Currituck Beach Lighthouse still function as an aid to navigation since it started in 18th century?

The lighthouse started to be built in 1873, and it was completed and was first illuminated later in 1875. 

Photo Credit to the rightful owner

Its beacon turns on automatically every evening at dusk and ceases at dawn. The light can be seen as far as 18 nautical miles (about 21 land miles) with a 20-second flash cycle (on for 3 seconds, off for 17). This distinctive sequence enables the lighthouse not only to warn mariners but also to help them identify their locations.

The Currituck Beach Lighthouse was considered to be the last majore brick lighthouse built on the Outer Banks.

It was finally opened to the public for the first time in 1990, after an extensive restoration by Outer Banks Conservationists, Inc.

Visitors can pay a visit inside the tower, but they must sign a liability waiver before climbing. It has 220 steps going up to the tower. There is also a fee for the climb.

Visit to Macaulay Salmon Hatchery!

 Nestled in Juneau, Alaska, the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery serves as an intriguing destination for those fascinated by the aquatic life native to Alaska. This facility functions not only as a site for the cultivation of salmon but also as a marine biology museum and a demonstration of sustainable fishing practices. From the instant you enter this establishment, you are welcomed by the vibrant marine life of Alaska and informed about the various initiatives aimed at preserving the state’s natural resources. The unique aspect of the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery lies in its harmonious combination of education, conservation efforts, and its picturesque setting beside the stunning Gastineau Channel.

The Macaulay Salmon Hatchery can be found in Juneau, conveniently located just a short drive from the downtown area. Whether you are arriving by cruise ship or exploring the region by vehicle, the hatchery is easily accessible. For those making the journey from downtown Juneau, it takes approximately 10 minutes to reach the hatchery via Egan Drive.

The narrative of the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery is closely connected to Alaska's dedication to maintaining sustainable fisheries. Founded in the 1970s, it was established as a response to the worrying decline in wild salmon populations. Over the decades, it has transformed into a facility that nurtures millions of salmon each year while simultaneously educating the public on the importance of marine conservation. As I wandered through the hatchery, I was struck by a profound sense of history and mission, with each tank and exhibit conveying a piece of this significant story.

The best time to visit the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery is during the summer season, specifically between May and September. This period coincides with the peak salmon runs, allowing visitors to observe the breathtaking sight of thousands of salmon returning to their spawning habitats. Although the hatchery operates throughout the year, a visit in the summer provides the richest experience.

Upon your arrival, you will encounter enthusiastic staff members who are eager to share the hatchery's purpose and mission. The visitor center is filled with informative displays and aquariums that highlight the local marine life. A standout moment during my visit was witnessing the salmon ladder in action, where the fish leap and skillfully make their way upstream—a remarkable display of their resilience and strength.