Nashville > Indianapolis. Let's go back.

Wheat and I just spent a magical couple days in his hometown, Nashville, and I'm still forcing myself to accept that we're back in Indianapolis. The getaway was just what we needed before the Pacers' and Cyclones' schedules really pick up and, believe it or not, I had never really been to Nashville.

We left early on Saturday morning for the five-hour drive and arrived in Nashville around noon, thanks to the time change. The first thing we did was eat a big barbeque lunch at Corky's, complete with pulled pork, onion loaf, and fried okra. After lunch, Wheat showed me his old house and church before taking me on a driving tour of the gorgeous mansions in the Nashville suburbs. I really can't believe people live like that. I kept imagining Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman in every house.

Next, we stopped at Las Paletas, a gourmet popsicle shop on 12 South. They sell both fruit and cream popsicles for $3 and have some really cool, different flavors. It's a good thing I don't live near this place because I would single-handedly keep their business afloat. Wheat got adventurous and tried the Hot Chocolate and Chili popsicle (the aftertaste was really spicy) and I had the Cookies popsicle, which was basically vanilla ice cream with a chocolate chip cookie inside. So good.

With full bellies, we headed downtown to tour the Ryman Auditorium, the original site of the Grand Ole Opry. It's incredible how much history is housed in that building. Originally, it was a church, but it eventually became a concert hall because the acoustics are so perfect. Experts say it is the second best place to hear live music, behind the Mormon Tabernacle. Aside from its Grand Ole Opry fame (with Minnie Pearl and Roy Acuff), the Ryman also hosted Harry Houdini, Charlie Chaplin, and other famous acts of the time. My favorite little tidbit about the Ryman: Johnny Cash and June Carter met at the Ryman and that's where the memorial tribute was held for them after he died in 2003. We got our picture taken on the historic stage and toured the beautiful place, marveling over the incredible bands/musicians that have performed there over the years.

June Carter and Johnny Cash clothes on display.

After the Ryman, Wheat took me to Broadway to see the honky tonk bars, hear some live music, and walk near Riverfront Park. I got excited by the name of LP Field (home of the Titans), took some pictures of Fort Nashborough (the first settlement in Nashville), and fell even more in love with the combination of bricks and old, vintage paint.

His sign said, "Don't major in music."

Next, we walked through Printers Alley to see the tiny karaoke bars that are tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Broadway. The best thing I saw in Printers Alley? A trash can that had 'Dolly Carton' spray-painted on its side. Perfect.

We explored the Nashville Public Library for a bit before meeting Wheat's childhood best friend, Gabe. The three of us walked around the Music City Center and talked for a couple hours. While walking with them, I randomly ran into a friend from high school in a downtown park. He had just finished the Ragnar Relay, an overnight 200-mile race from Chattanooga to Nashville. Intense.

THE BATMAN BUILDING. I took at least 20 pictures of it.

Me and Bones!

Wheat and Gabe!

After parting ways with Gabe, Wheat and I went to the Predators vs. Blues game at Bridgestone Arena. I can't believe how perfect our seats were - center ice, six rows back, right behind the Predators' penalty box. I was in hockey heaven.

Due in part to Pekka Rinne's absence due to injury, the Preds lost, 6-1, but we had the best time. I love going to new arenas and I'll never complain about being that close to Shea Weber and Seth Jones. It was also Hockey Fights Cancer night, so I fought tears a few times as pediatric cancer patients were congratulated for their triumphs over the disease.

David Legwand and David Backes

Oh, hey.

After the game, Wheat and I explored Broadway some more before finally deciding on a bar. We listened to really good live music, reluctantly made a friend from St. Louis, and watched the World Series and the end of the Ohio State demolition job of Penn State. Woo!

My other boyfriend. Wheat understands.

After sleeping in a bit too late the next morning, we made our way to the Pancake Pantry. Wheat has been raving about this place to me for a year, but when I saw the line out the door and wrapped around the building, I was hesitant to wait. I am SO glad we did. This wasn't breakfast - this was dessert and heaven and sugary goodness and puppies and rainbows and everything nice. If you do anything in Nashville, go to the Pancake Pantry. You will not regret it. I ordered the sweet potato pancakes with cinnamon syrup and Wheat ordered the peach pancakes, served cold with whipped cream and peach compote. We shared and had sides of bacon. I still haven't recovered.

They wait because they must.

After dessert breakfast, we headed to Centennial Park to check out the Parthenon. Wheat knows everything about Ancient Greece, the Parthenon, and mythology, so I received a pretty cool history lesson from my professorial, swoon-worthy boyfriend. The building itself is incredible and the humongous Athena statue housed inside is even cooler.

By pure luck, Centennial Park was also hosting Volksfest that day, so we walked around for a bit, listened to polka music, resisted the urge to buy kielbasa, and looked at some cool cars. The best part? Wheat actually did the Chicken Dance with me. Miracle of miracles.

Next, we did a loop around the gorgeous lake in Centennial Park, stopping for pictures of the willow trees and short naps squirrel-watching on the swings.

Later, we made our way down Music Row to see the strip of famous recording studios, including RCA Studio B (Elvis central). Then, we explored Vanderbilt's beautiful campus, sneaking into Memorial Gym to see the basketball court and climbing magnolia trees.

He always climbs trees dressed nicely.

Our final stop in Nashville was Las Paletas one more time. This time, Wheat had a Cookies popsicle and I had Strawberry. Yum.

We stopped in Louisville for dinner at Ramsi's Cafe, thanks to Emma at Legally Lovely's wonderful suggestion. I had the tortellini graciella with chicken and Wheat had the salmon sonesta. It was absolutely delicious and we spent the next hour fawning over our food, recapping our awesome trip, and enjoying each other's company over candlelight. After dinner, we took a quick walk down Bardstown Road and perused a cool, independently-owned bookshop before hitting the road.

Like I said, I'm having a really hard time adjusting to my lonely Indianapolis existence again. It was so great to finally spend time with Wheat in his hometown. We've spent so much time seeing the places and meeting the people that are important to me, so it was awesome to finally do a little of the same for Wheat. I'm truly the luckiest girl in the world to have him.