It's All in the Numbers

by Angela Sanford

One night, late June, of exploring the cost of a trip to Nashville and the price tag was “too good to be true”, but it was indeed true and well worth the numbers that followed.

2 family members, Mother and Daughter, packing and planning for a destination adventure.

3 am start, to drive to Truro to catch a bus, only to make 4 more stops in New Brunswick to the remaining passengers.

55 people, mostly strangers, who all made the same decision for destination adventure, not knowing who would be on the bus with them outside of their immediate partner, family or friends. 55 different reasons for saying “yes” to this trip.

3 days on a bus together, only stopping for a few hours of sleep before arrival, and a single bus driver, Josh, to safely get us there.

11 states from the US border to Nashville, Tennessee: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee. 5 new states for me.

Five days in Nashville, TN., and all that it has to offer: the one, and only, Grand Old Opry – backstage and a live show; RCA Studio B standing on the exact “x” where Elvis, Dolly, and many more recorded their biggest hits, where Nashville Sound was borne; crowded into Loretta Lynn’s kitchen, a familiar setting from the Crisco commercials that filled television screens when I was young, and so much more!

Along the way, we honored several people and their reasons for this trip, from birthdays and anniversaries to retirements and memorials to family members.

And two Nova Scotians who added a life-changing number to the trip: one proposal, right in the centre of the Grand Ole Opry stage.

37 bars on Broadway – and more than a dozen experienced – some for decor, some for atmosphere, and some for the music! Several live bands seen for the first time but one who brought us back for more at – Jered Ames.

Two Tour Directors, Luc and Charlene Jaillet, who not only shared their love of Nashville with us but one Tour Director (Luc) who gave us a live performance on the bus (both ways) AND performed on three different stages in Nashville while we were there, bringing the audience to life every time.

Hundreds of songs belted out, dedicated to people, occasions, and our adventure.

Thousands of photos taken and shared.

And countless memories made. And 0 shortage of laughter for all and a single liver to recuperate for some.

5,534 km round trip, 11 states, 2 provinces for us, and an additional province for some, in just under ten full days.

And ten days of eating way too much so 5 pounds gained when stepping on the scales back home.

Loads of conversations. Countless inside jokes.

New friendships—and Facebook requests.

0 people who were exactly the same when they returned home.

Dozens of firsts. Numbers that count the places, miles and moments, but fall short of measuring the memories made along the way.

And 5 stars for Dream Vacation Tours, their Travel Directors and the behind-the-scenes team who made it all happen. I would 100% recommend this adventure.

Because, in the end, some of the best numbers from a trip simply can’t be counted.