Here's a long story.
We were there during Christmas back in '02. Stayed in our B class Roadtrek camper van for a few days at a campground near the Opry and then splurged and stayed at a nice downtown hotel on Christmas Eve.
Got up Christmas morning to a very "dead" city, and went to try to find some food. We saw that "Legends on the Corner" was open so we parked right at the front door of the Ryman Auditorium and went in to eat.
Came back out an hour or so later and had been the victim of a smash and grab. They busted out the drivers window, pried up the dash and took the stereo, took a suitcase of CD's, binoculars, cell phone, tried to unbolt the TV from the stand but I guess they ran out of time or nerve. They did leave us a cherub figurine and a quart of Castrol.
I called the cops and they would not even come out. Drove around the block a few times to see if we could see anything but all we saw were
some homeless people milling around. Hmmmmmm..........
Saw a nice 360o view security cam mounted at the corner of the Ryman which would likely have caught the thieves on tape. So we beat on the door of the Ryman until a scared looking attendant answered the door. He gave us the number of the security person.
We were not happy. Went back to our "nice hotel" and fumed in the room for awhile, called the insurance co, etc. Called the police again and this time they had pity on us being tourists, on Christmas morning, and in essence having our home invaded.
The nice officer took our info and said we'll keep an eye on the pawn shops, but that nothing would likely happen. Of course I told him about the cell phone and the security camera which he just blew off.
By now it was getting late and we were totally frustrated and tired, so decided to make our way back to VA in the morning. I told the front desk clerk our story and he told me to park the camper right beside the front door so they would be able to keep an eye on it. Keep in mind the driver's side window is now a trash bag, so I parked it with that side against the wall to be less obvious.
Well we got up in the morning and piled in the motor home to get the he!! outta there and GUESS WHAT.....they came back and got the stupid TV!!
I didn't say a word to anyone....drove straight to Walmart and got a piece of plexiglass from the craft dept, made a temporary window and drove the 8 hours back to VA with that thing flappin in the wind and NO MUSIC.
Merry Christmas.
Insurance paid for the glass, and the cell phone. I left the cell phone active for a week and had a whole list of numbers and names for the Nashville detective assigned to my case, but he was not interested.
Don't get me wrong, I love the city, the music, and the people but I wont be driving downtown any time soon! Yep, it can happen anywhere at anytime.
Tony
