Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Monday, January 11, 2010

General Jackson Showboat, Nashville, TN


In August of 2001 (in order to celebrate my birthday), George took me on a romantic evening cruise on the General Jackson Showboat, along the Cumberland River in Music City USA---gorgeous Nashville, TN. The 300-foot paddlewheel riverboat is one of the largest showboats in the country. It boasts four massive decks with a beautiful two-story Victorian Theater located in the center of the boat, where live music shows are performed.

We enjoyed a delicious dinner buffet and some wonderful musical entertainment. We saw a beautiful sunset as we sailed along that evening --and after dark, we enjoyed seeing downtown Nashville ---all lit up!!!!! It was a wonderful evening --and if you are ever in Nashville, we recommend a ride on the General Jackson Showboat. Above is a picture of the General Jackson and below are more pictures of our romantic evening.





We loved hearing the calliope and the loud-sounding boat whistle.




Cumberland River




Looking Aft




The Birthday Girl on deck (8 years younger than now!!!)




George on deck




Beautiful sunset




Nashville at Night




Nashville Riverfront




Riverfront Park--Nashville, TN


I was looking in my photo archives for something 'different' to post today---and came up with something from 2001!!!! Hope you enjoyed our little paddlewheeler cruise!!!! Wonder if my Sweetheart will take me back again??????? Hmmmmmmmm..... (Why don't you mention it to him?????)

Hugs,

49 comments:

Jayne said...

What a nice birthday treat Betsy!

T said...

I love that boat and the ride down the river!

What a lovely gift and I know you all had a great time!

Kirigalpoththa said...

That must have been a real romantic voyage!

Becky said...

That looks like you had fun.

We rode jetskis in the Cumberland River before. I believe it is the coldest river I have ever been in.

Diane AZ said...

Thanks, I enjoyed the paddlewheeler cruise. And you sure look great in sunny yellow, Betsy!

Janice K said...

That reminds me of the movie "Show Boat" that I saw when I was growing up. I loved the movie and the music...still do. We have ridden the paddle boats in the Ohio by Louisville, but the General Jackson appears bigger and very impresive Looks like fun!

Arkansas Patti said...

Oh, I would love that. You certainly landed a romantic devil.
Great to see the slightly younger versions of the newly weds.

Beth said...

What a wonderful birthday surprise, Betsy! I'd love to take that cruise sometime---especially at night, gazing at the lights from the city. Thanks for sharing another delightful Betsy and George adventure.

Busy Bee Suz said...

This looks like so much FUN!!!!
I hope he reads this...then you won't have to 'mention' it!!!

Connie said...

Looks like a wonderful cruise trip, Betsy! Hope you get to go again sometime. :D

Snap said...

That looks like so much fun (and romantic)!

MadSnapper said...

you have so many wonderful photos and memories. the two of you have led quite a life since you got married. keep bloggin, i love your memories

Roses and Lilacs said...

I love those old river boats. We have a small one on the Rock River just south of here that does dinner cruises.
Marnie

Loran said...

That looks like so much fun! No wonder you want to go back again. The Cumberland River is beautiful.

I Am Woody said...

Love it!!

Small City Scenes said...

Excellent pictures, Betsy. What a wonderful trip with such a handsome couple. So you want to go again. I guess many will be mentioning it to George. LOL
I bet he is planning something romantic anyway.
Those night pics are great---I have a hard time doing night-time shots. Lovely. MB

Connie said...

How beautiful. Your life with George has certainly been blessed with many wonderful adventures.

Sunny said...

What a fun birthday!
Obviously the lady in red, behind you in your picture wasn't having as much fun! LOL
Sunny :)

Harriet said...

Looks like you had a great time. Thank for sharing.

Cedar ... said...

Aren't these old boats wonderful? I did a similar trip out of New Orleans a few years ago. Psssssst... George,.. time to do it again! :)

Cheryl said...

Lovely photos! This is something I would definitely love to do.

amelia said...

This, of course, reminds me of the show named 'Showboat'. My beloved Dad just loved Paul Robeson singing Old Man River.
I would love to take this boat but don't suppose I ever shall seeing where I live!!
I was going to comment on the lady behind you in the pic but Sunny says it very well!!! lol

Janie said...

George is a very thoughtful husband. A showboat cruise was a great idea. I love the photos from that beautiful day and evening.

joybuzz said...

I enjoyed the birthday cruise from a few years back. So nice to see Nashville at night. I am happy to see photos of warmer weather:)
Joyce

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Thanks for allowing me to join you on this cruise,at least via pictures.This looks like a wonderful thing to do and the sights are beautiful.
Blessings,Ruth

SmilingSally said...

Johnny and I rode on the General some years ago to celebrate our anniversary. We loved it too.

Betty said...

That would be such a fun thing to do. I love your yellow outfit. Wonderful pictures of the boat and the night. I hope you get to do it again.
~~Hugs~~

Kay said...

I'll bet that was a fun day.

Chubby Chieque said...

You rocks, Lady on your day (that year, wink). Fabulous having a romantic moment with a wonderful sweetheart of life.

Hope he reads your blog so, he realized that might have a 2 man hand again.

Enjoy life to the fullest.

xoxo

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Betsy,
This looks like so much fun. What a wonderful birthday treat! Have a great week.

imac said...

Looks wonderful - did you have to dress for dinner?

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Betsy: I have always wanted to take this cruise on the Cumberland River, and despite living just twenty miles East, we have never taken one. During Christmas, we decided to drive to Opryland, and take the cruise, but sadly it was booked for the evening ;(
I WILL take one in the Spring or Summer, your pictures have more than convinced me, it is worth the trip ;)
It looks mighty fine .....

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Now that's a fantastic birthday trip! You look so good in the yellow suit Betsy.

Glad your survived the winter blast. I wonder if there is more to come?

Anonymous said...

Fondest memories. A riverboat cruise has got to be high on my list of things I would like to do.

LV said...

Betsy, you just took me on another wonderful trip to TN. I have been to all those places, but never took the boat trip. I love going on a cruise, so I am sure I would enjoy this too. That is a stick of firewood that I thought looked like a dog's head.

Karin said...

Wonderful birthday event! Great to see you're always having fun and planning more of it! Bless you!

Dorothy said...

That was a nice birthday! Enjoyed seeing your pictures! Like the way you wore your hair 'back then'!
Looks like y'all had lots of fun!

A Brit in Tennessee said...

TNGardenGal said...
Hi Betsy, I just found your blog and added myself as a follower. What a treat to find your blog. Winter Friendships was just what I needed to brighten up a cold dreary day. I live about an hour from you in a golf community, Avalon, in Lenoir City...just on the border of Knoxville. When I have more time I need to come back and read your older posts. I am an avid gardener who enjoys photographing flowers, landscapes, birds and family. I just recently starting blogging on the Gardener's Index and the Garden Stew but I don't have an individual blog. Cheers...Gail

January 11, 2010 3:54 PM
(Betsy left on my comments section,but obviously meant for you ).
Jo

EG CameraGirl said...

What a nice hubby you have!

Betsy, you look so pretty in yellow!

Joy said...

What a great date for a birthday. That looks like a fun experience. Yes, George, I think we need some updated pictures. You two need to go back.

♥ Joy

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

What a wonderful trip and birthday gift Betsy! I hope you do get a chance to go again.

We've only been on a cruise once but we did it in grand style on the Queen Mary 2. It was a wonderful anniversary celebration for us. Hopefully we'll be able to do the same in a few more years.

Diane said...

That looks like a beautiful riverboat and it looks like you two were having fun. Riverfront pictures are beautiful. When I was about 5 we rode on the SS President out of St. Louis, Missouri (my mother's hometown). I wish I would have been old enough to really take in the beautiful things like the caliope and flags and just what it looked like on it. The only thing that impressed me was that you could get Roy Rogers pictures out of some machine and there was muddy water in the bathroom stools!!!!

Diane said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

george spoils you doesnt he? aww so sweet. what a lovely treat for your birthday.

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

How beautiful you are!!!!!...m.

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Don't you just love Nashville's "Batman" building!!!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: Neat photos from the boat, love the Batman building at night.

The Retired One said...

Very romantic!
I love taking river cruises or boat cruises like that!
Thanks for the trip down your memory lane...

SquirrelQueen said...

Now that is what I call a proper birthday celebration. The river boat looks fabulous and you and George look like you were having a great time. But you are pulling our legs aren't you, these photos can't be that old. You and George look the same now as you did then.

Hugs,
Judy