THE SHOALS STUDIO EXPERIENCE — WHERE MUSIC HISTORY WAS MADE

After an early breakfast, Nelson, Susan, Cecile and I joined 20 fellow travelers for an unforgettable trip into music history in Florence and Muscle Shoals area of Alabama.

We sat at the piano where Lynyrd Skynyrd created “Free Bird.”

Stood where The Rolling Stones recorded “Brown Sugar.”

Visited the studio where Aretha Franklin found her legendary sound.

And walked through the room where Bob Dylan recorded “Gotta Serve Somebody.”

We visited three iconic locations — FAME Recording Studios, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio and Cypress Moon Studios. What a thrill to stand where so much music history was made!

And another great perk: after three cruises with American Cruise Lines, we qualified for the Eagle Society, so we no longer pay for excursions! Five cruises and counting!

What an unforgettable morning walking in the footsteps of music legends!

From the Civil War to Southern Hospitality at Hagy's Catfish Hotel — A Day in Tennessee

by Dennis Augustine

Saturday brought the American Symphony to Savannah, Tennessee, where we docked alongside our sister ship, the American Splendor.

Our half-day excursion, “Civil War — From Battles to Reconstruction,” began at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center, where a ranger brought to life the battles, military encampments and Reconstruction years that followed.

Then came some true Southern hospitality at Hagy’s Catfish Hotel, a nearly 90-year-old Tennessee institution overlooking the river. We enjoyed a family-style feast of their famous fried catfish, chicken, ham and all the fixings in a wonderfully rustic, down-home setting.

Our final stop was Shiloh National Military Park, where we toured the preserved battlefield and learned about the pivotal Battle of Shiloh of 1862.

History, reflection, Southern cooking and another memorable day along the Tennessee River.

Wild Encounters Cocktails, Dinner & Songs of the Rivers

by Dennis Augustine

National Scenic Byway into Land Between the Lakes, the beautiful recreation area between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.

At the Woodlands Nature Station, our guide Vanessa introduced us to Rose, a rescued screech owl who can no longer survive in the wild. Gentle and curious , she gave us an up-close look—and demonstrated how owls can turn their heads an amazing 270 degrees!

We also met Ibu, a shy little hedgehog named Ibu , and watched the snapping turtles at feeding time.

Back aboard the American Symphony, it was cocktails and hors d’oeuvres , dinner, and an evening performance of “Songs of the Rivers” by the Wheelhouse Rousters—a lively mix of folk and bluegrass celebrating America’s river traditions.

Paducah — Where History, Art & Quilts Tell a Story

After breakfast aboard the American Symphony, we traveled by coach to Paducah, Kentucky, a UNESCO Creative City.

Our morning began along the waterfront, where colorful murals bring Paducah’s history to life. Then it was on to the National Quilt Museum, where the quilts were truly works of art—remarkable in their detail, creativity and craftsmanship.

As Cecile and I walked through the exhibits, we thought of our dear friend and former patient Mary Roy, who volunteers with a team of quilters creating beautiful quilts to help raise funds for veterans.

We also enjoyed chatting with one of the museum’s Ambassador Volunteers, who told us she’ll soon be heading to San Diego for the national quilt show.

A wonderful morning filled with history, artistry, creativity—and a special connection to home.

Grand Rivers, Kentucky — Where Two Rivers Meet & Worries Drift Away

by Dennis Augustine

We stepped off the American Symphony in charming Grand Rivers, Kentucky — a little lakefront town at the gateway to the Land Between the Lakes, where the Tennessee and Cumberland river country comes together.

Our highlight was Patti’s 1880’s Settlement, wandering the seemingly endless garden paths filled with flowers, whimsical touches and reminders of another time.

Surrounded by Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, with waterfront views and its picturesque lighthouse, Grand Rivers feels like a place where memories are made…and worries really can be forgotten.

From Music City to the Cumberland River

by Dennis Augustine

Our Tennessee Rivers Cruise aboard the American Symphony officially began in Nashville as we set sail along the Cumberland River.

After a fun city tour, we returned aboard for lunch, dinner, and an evening of entertainment with Paul Aldrich, one of our featured musical comedians and impressionists.

With clever impressions, music, comedy, and stories from a life on stage, Paul provided plenty of laughs — a perfect ending to our first day on the river.

Nashville behind us, the Cumberland ahead…and our river adventure underway!

Touring Music City, Tennessee Whisky Tasting & Visiting the Greek Parthenon Replica Before We Set Sail

Before boarding our American Cruise Lines riverboat, we enjoyed a Nashville city tour led by Adam Pope, a local singer-songwriter who kept us entertained and laughing along the way.

Much of the tour celebrated Nashville’s legendary music scene, with stops and sights including the impressive full-scale replica of the Greek Parthenon, a tasting at Tennessee Legend Distillery, and even the Taylor Swift bench.

A fun, music-filled introduction to Nashville—and a great way to begin our cruise!

From Dinner to the Grand Ole Opry — A Nashville Night to Remember

by Dennis Augustine

Dinner at Cascades American Café was just the beginning of a special Nashville evening.

After dinner, Cecile and I joined our good friends Susie and Nelson and hopped aboard the trolley for the short ride to the legendary Grand Ole Opry — celebrating its 100th anniversary this year!

Our tickets were complimentary as part of our upcoming American Cruise Lines cruise, making this a wonderful prelude to the journey ahead.

Tonight’s Tuesday Night Opry featured seven performers — a great mix of bluegrass, country, Americana, roots and Western music.

There’s something pretty special about sitting inside the home of the Grand Ole Opry, where generations of performers have stepped onto country music’s most famous stage since 1925.

La Dolce Vita at Ravello — An Evening With Friends

by Dennis Augustine

Our longtime friends Susan and Nelson flew in from San Jose and joined Cecile and me for a wonderful dinner at Ravello at Gaylord Opryland.

Seated on the garden terrace, we were surrounded by lush greenery, soft lights and the soothing sound of cascading waterfalls. It felt like a little taste of Italy in Nashville.

We shared meatballs in marinara, house-made focaccia and wine, followed by dinner and plenty of conversation and laughter.

A sweet finish: complimentary tiramisu and vanilla ice cream, courtesy of our Marriott Bonvoy membership.

Great food, longtime friends & La Dolce Vita — Nashville style.

Waterfalls, Walkways & Bridges — Inside Gaylord Opryland 🌴 A Cool Tropical Oasis While Nashville Sizzles Outside

by Dennis Augustine

This morning, Cecile and I took an early walk through Gaylord Opryland’s lush indoor gardens, surrounded by tropical greenery, exotic plants, pedestrian bridges and cascading waterfalls.

The cool, climate-controlled atmosphere felt wonderfully refreshing as Nashville’s temperatures climbed into the 80s and 90s.

Beneath the glass atriums, winding paths, leafy gardens and rushing water created a peaceful, almost magical world of their own.

The photos capture the beauty, but the video clips bring the experience to life—the movement, sparkle and sound of the waterfalls are something special!

After our morning exploring, it was time for pool time and lunch.

Not a bad way to spend a Nashville morning!

Note: If you can’t see the video clip, double click on the title!

Checking Into Our Nashville Wonderland — Gaylord Opryland & Dinner at Solario Cantina

by Dennis Augustine

We checked into Nashville’s spectacular Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center and, thanks to our Marriott Bonvoy membership, were upgraded to a beautiful room with a balcony overlooking the atrium. What a view!

Calling it a “hotel” hardly does it justice. Beneath its soaring glass atriums lie acres of lush tropical gardens, winding waterways, fountains, and cascading waterfalls—all glowing beautifully as evening falls.

For dinner, Cecile and I enjoyed a fabulous Mexican meal at Solario Cantina, where the colorful, lively atmosphere made the experience even more fun.

Afterward, we decided to “walk off dinner” and explore the resort. With its gardens, waterfalls, lights, restaurants, and seemingly endless pathways, Gaylord Opryland feels like an adult Disneyland—without ever leaving the hotel.

And this was only our first evening in Nashville!

Our friends Nelson and Susie will be joining us tomorrow for dinner.

The Gift That Keeps on Giving — Dinner at Dry Creek Grill

by Dennis Augustine

What do you give a dad who has everything?

At the end of last month, for our birthday, our son Jason, daughter Michelle, and son-in-law Kyle had the perfect answer: a gift card to one of our favorite restaurants, Dry Creek Grill. Thank you all!

Cecile and I put their thoughtful gift to delicious use with a date night in San Jose.

We settled into a cozy private booth surrounded by warm wood and stone décor. Housed in a historic former Moose Lodge, Dry Creek Grill is now an upscale yet comfortable dining space featuring a beautiful redwood bar.

We shared a beet salad to start. Cecile chose oven-roasted Shetland salmon with winter root vegetables, sautéed kale, roasted shallots, cauliflower purée, and pomegranate-balsamic glaze. I opted for blackened wild mahi mahi with Blue Lake green beans, herb-roasted potatoes, and heirloom tomato relish.

Cecile enjoyed a Cabernet, while I had a Chardonnay.

We passed on dessert—sometimes knowing when to stop is part of a great meal.

The evening reminded us that the best gifts aren’t necessarily things; they’re experiences we get to share. Thank you again, Jason, Michelle, and Kyle!

One Year Later: A Sea of Flowers, A Memory That Remains

by Dennis Augustine

One year ago today, Cecile and I arrived in Minneapolis at the beginning of our vacation. I felt compelled to buy a bouquet of flowers and visit Annunciation Catholic Church to pay my respects.

I will never forget the sea of flowers outside the church — or the feeling of standing among strangers brought together by shared grief and compassion.

I placed my flowers at the memorial for 10-year-old Harper Moyski and 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel, two young lives taken far too soon.

A year has passed, but that quiet moment remains with me.

Remembering Harper and Fletcher today, their families, and all those whose lives were forever changed. May their memories continue to be held with love.

Sunday Brunch with Jason in Johnny Cash Country

by Dennis Augustine

Before heading back to the Bay Area, Cecile and I enjoyed one last Folsom meal with our son Jason at one of our favorite breakfast and lunch spots — the Gold Miner Cafe.

This cozy diner has a special Folsom flavor, with murals, photos and memorabilia celebrating Johnny Cash and his legendary connection to nearby Folsom State Prison.

Flashback — June 25, 2022: Cecile and me in front of the restaurant’s colorful Johnny Cash mural during an earlier visit.

Four years later, we’re still coming back — this time for good food, a little Johnny Cash nostalgia, and most importantly, family time with Jason.

Our Final Family Dinner at Sienna Restaurant in El Dorado Hills

by Dennis Augustine

After a full day — an early Folsom bike ride for me, Emmy’s soccer game and Lyla cheering with her team — we gathered for one last family dinner before heading home.

Jason, Michelle and Kyle treated Cecile and me to a wonderful birthday dinner at Sienna in El Dorado Hills. We enjoyed cocktails, fresh fish and family favorites for the grandkids in our private booth overlooking the hills.

We finished with mango sorbet, and mine arrived with a birthday candle as everyone sang “Happy Birthday.”

Tomorrow we return to the Bay Area after breakfast. The week flew by, but the family memories will stay with us.

Celebrating 76 with Family in Folsom

by Dennis Augustine

For my family birthday dinner in Folsom, Cecile put together a wonderful feast, ordering an array of delicious, authentic Burmese/Myanmar dishes from Burma Light, followed by specialty birthday cupcakes from the Palladio Shopping Center.

We missed having our daughter Michelle at the table, as she was in Denver for a work conference. But she made sure to call and wish her dad a Happy Birthday, which meant a lot to me.

Good food, family, cupcakes—and yet another birthday celebration. At 76, I’ve decided there’s no rule saying you can only celebrate once!

Feeling grateful for another year and, most of all, for the family I get to share it with.

Note: Can't help not thinking of our Burmese friends in Allentown, PA.

My 21-Mile Birthday Ride on My New Aventon Bike — with Kyle

My 21-Mile Birthday Ride on My New Aventon Bike — with Kyle

What better way to celebrate my birthday than with a 21-mile ride on my new Aventon Pace 5!

My son-in-law Kyle led the way from Folsom on a beautiful ride around the iconic American River, giving me the perfect opportunity to put my new e-bike through its paces.

On our return, we crossed the historic truss bridge into Folsom, stopped at the Johnny Cash Trail’s artistic guitar memorial for a photo, and continued across the impressive Johnny Cash Bridge — a fitting finale to a memorable birthday ride.

The story of this bike actually began with my longtime biking partner and friend Bill Rothenberg. Bill first spotted the colorful Koi Aventon at Sports Basement in the Pruneyard in San Jose and encouraged me to give it a test ride. I liked it so much that it eventually became my birthday gift to myself — and a bike I can keep in Folsom and enjoy whenever we visit the kids and grandkids.

And Bill had one more birthday surprise. He secretly gave my wife Cecile a framed gift to present to me on my birthday, featuring a few familiar and notable faces offering their own humorous words of encouragement — including, appropriately enough, “Keep riding, Dennis!”

The Heart of Folsom Is Found on Its Trails

by Dennis Augustine

Whenever I visit our family in Folsom, I always look forward to spending time on its exceptional network of bicycle and pedestrian trails. Each ride offers something new—peaceful lakes and wetlands, shady tree-lined paths, colorful wildflowers, abundant wildlife, and friendly people enjoying the outdoors.

One of the things I appreciate most is seeing the signs recognizing Folsom’s Adopt-a-Trail Partners. Their volunteers help conserve, maintain, and beautify these treasured pathways, keeping them clean, safe, and inviting for everyone who walks, runs, or rides.

Every ride reminds me that the heart of Folsom isn’t found in a single destination—it’s found along these trails. From families out for a stroll , people walking their dogs, children learning to ride , and runners training , to cyclists exchanging a wave or a smile , there’s a genuine sense of community that makes every mile memorable.

Four Years Ago Today: A Special Ride with Michelle

by Dennis Augustine

“Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us.”

— Boris Pasternak

Four years ago today, I experienced one of those unexpected gifts.

After Michelle and Kyle visited, our conversation turned to bicycling. Kyle had recently bought Michelle a Trek bike, and when I mentioned how much I’d love to ride with her someday, he happily offered to watch the kids.

The next day, Michelle and I set off on a 15-mile ride along the Los Gatos Creek Trail. It was our first bike ride together as adults—and our first uninterrupted father-daughter outing in years.

As I glanced back and saw Michelle riding behind me, I felt both grateful and emotional. The last time we had ridden together, she was a toddler in a child seat on the back of my bicycle.

That ride became a treasured memory, and we both promised we’d do it again. Thank you, Kyle, for making that special day possible.

Sometimes life’s greatest gifts aren’t planned—they simply find us. As a middle aged mother of three, she's still my little angel

21 Miles to San Jose — Then Things Got Wild!

by Dennis Augustine

Bill and I met his cousin Dell at his home near downtown Willow Glen, hopped on the Three Creeks Trail and pedaled our way toward downtown San Jose.

Along the way, we discovered some colorful new murals and stopped to chat with one of the muralists working on the latest additions. As you’ll see in the photos, we couldn’t resist becoming part of the artwork ourselves!

Our destination was San Pedro Square Market, where we cooled off in the shade on the patio over a Vietnamese salad and bánh mì sandwich.

On the ride back, we stopped by the Children’s Discovery Museum to visit the mammoth.

And that’s when things got a little…wild.

Before we knew it, Bill’s AI imagination had transported us from downtown San Jose to The Lion King gone mad—complete with giraffes, zebras, a gigantic elephant and one lion that apparently thought I was the bánh mì!

21 miles, three friends, colorful murals, good food and donne completely unexprected safari. Why waste 18 hours on a plane when you can bike there from Willow Glen?