By now I have shared my darker side in the pursuit of what our country is really all about - odd juxtapositions in housing/zoning, beautiful but now "discovered" places that quickly become too expensive for the original families to remain as the trust fund babies and newly enriched folks move in, kitsch that defies explanation (I guess that might be a defining characteristic).
A real treasure trove which seems to encompass all of the above is Opryland. This is the short version of the name of the Gaylord Hotel complex which has the new "Grand Ole Opry" and the Opryland Museum on the grounds.
The gift store is full of pictures (Emmylou Harris, the Everly Brothers and Minnie Pearl to name a few), mugs, jackets and pictures for sale. Folks seem to come from all over to visit this mini- shrine in Nashville, TN.
Even the KOA honors Dolly Parton with a drive named after her.
I guess this is another of the "defining" monuments in America. It is darned impressive in it's own way.
