Day 1:

On the road again. The first road trip of the year. And what better place to kick it off than the beating heart of country music—Nashville, Tennessee.

They group started where all good adventures should: Camp Courageous. Campers checked in, and soon enough, we were rolling. One quick stop in Davenport to scoop up the rest of the crew, then pedal to the metal.

The road stretched out before us, the kind of cold, clear day that makes the Midwest look like it’s holding its breath. Farmland lay bare and waiting—hibernating, gathering strength for the thaw. Hours ticked by, wheels hummed on asphalt, and stomachs began their inevitable protest. That’s when the crew did what any road-weary traveler does: pulled into a Cracker Barrel, a roadside institution if there ever was one.

Chicken and dumplings. Grilled chicken with mashed potatoes. Pancakes with bacon. And, of course, the universal traveler’s fallback—chicken tenders. The food that fuels the road. The crew ate, we talked, we wandered through the country-kitsch store, pretending we wouldn’t buy anything. But nobody leaves Cracker Barrel empty-handed.

Back on the road. Some dozed off, others belted out classics, and a few just stared out the window, watching the world slip by. As night settled in, we made one last stop at the golden arches. Quick burgers, nuggets, and—because some things never change—a Happy Meal for the Pokémon cards.

One final stretch of highway, then we rolled up to the Airbnb, a shrine to Johnny Cash and Taylor Swift. The crew shuffled inside, road-weary but buzzing. Tomorrow, the crew will take on Nashville.

Day 2:

Nashville. The Volunteer City. Athens of the South. The Buckle of the Bible Belt. Whatever you call it, it’s got a pulse, a rhythm, a grit that sticks to your boots like the grease from a good hot chicken. Today, we got a taste of it.

The crew rolled out of bed, still shaking off the miles from yesterday’s long drive, but ready to take on the day. First stop: breakfast sandwiches—fuel for the weary traveler. Nothing fancy, just something to keep us upright and moving.

Then, we did what any self-respecting tourist would do. The crew hopped on one of those big, double-decker buses, the kind that screams “I am not from here,” but also gives you the lay of the land. 

With the city mapped out in our heads, we hit Broadway. Shopping, people-watching, soaking it all in. Camper Mike went full Nashville—cowboy boots, the real deal. He was strutting. Jesse grabbed himself a new cap. Others picked up puzzles, books, little trinkets to remember the city by.

Lunch was a pilgrimage to the house of the holy chicken tender—Raising Cane’s. Four-piece meal, fries, slaw, Texas toast, and that sauce. People love their chicken tenders. It’s simple. It’s comforting. It’s a little bit of childhood in every bite.

Afterward, we wandered the fresh market, picked up a few more things, and then retreated to the Airbnb. Because, as it turns out, shopping and exploring will knock you flat if you let it. A little rest, then dinner—Chinese food, family-style.

And then, the big show. Lee Brice at the Ryman. The kind of night that reminds you why live music is worth every mile, every sore foot, every dollar spent. The man put on a show. Damn good stuff.

Day 3:

Snow dusted the streets of Nashville, Tennessee—a light, fleeting reminder that the city’s pulse never slows, no matter the season. A little cold wasn’t about to keep us from exploring.

First stop: the Grand Ole Opry. More than just a venue, it’s a temple of country music, where legends have stepped up to the mic, pouring their hearts into the very air we breathed. Backstage, the weight of history pressed in—dressing rooms where icons once paced, the famed artist entrance, the pew-style benches where dreams took root. But the real moment? Standing on the old stage circle, the worn wooden plank where generations of country greats—from Hank Williams to Dolly Parton—once stood. You could feel it, the ghosts of songs still humming in the grain.

After the Opry, the crew made their way to the mall. The campers wandered through the endless shops, soaking it all in, window-shopping, grabbing little treasures to take home. Simple joys, but good ones.

The crew wrapped up the day the right way—dinner together, plates full, stories flowing, then settling in for movies, the kind of night where laughter lingers long after the credits roll. A day well spent in Music City.

Day 4:

Morning in Music City. The group rolled out early, stomachs rumbling, straight to a spot called The Biscuit Lover. A name like that sets expectations high, and damn, did they deliver. Fluffy, buttery biscuits. Crispy bacon. Eggs however you liked—sunny side, scrambled, over easy. Didn’t matter. All of it, a warm, satisfying send-off.

Fueled up, we made our way to Cooter’s, a shrine to The Dukes of Hazzard. The place was packed with memorabilia—die-cast cars, autographed posters, enough orange to make your head spin. If you ever wanted to own a piece of the General Lee, this was the place. A quick hop across the street led us to The Willie Nelson Store, a mix of outlaw country charm and endless trinkets. Antique stores lined the way, tempting wallets open with relics of the past.

Lunch was a no-frills affair—tacos and burritos, messy and satisfying. Then, it was back to the Airbnb for one last hurrah: a pizza party. A final round of laughter, stories, and full bellies before tomorrow’s early morning drive back to Camp Courageous.

Nashville—loud, lively, full of character. One for the books. And definitely, one to return to.

 

Final Day:

The final day. The road stretched ahead, the sun hanging low in a cold, crisp sky. An early wake-up call, but that’s the deal—you roll out of bed, pack up, and move on. No complaints.

We hit the highway, making the usual pit stops along the way—lunch at Subway, then a pilgrimage to the most recognizable eatery on the planet: McDonald’s. It’s a road trip classic, not for the food, but for the ritual.

One by one, the campers said their goodbyes. Some got picked up in Davenport, the rest back at Camp Courageous. Another journey in the books. Another set of stories to tell.

 

Link to Travel Page: https://campcourageous.org/travel-information/