Nashville. The Music City. Home of hot chicken. The Birthplace of bluegrass music. And the bright and energetic background of the Gaylord Opryland – a stunning 9-acre jewel of the Gaylord hotels. Within this beautiful one-of-a-kind hotel is the equally one-of-a-kind indoor and outdoor waterpark Soundwaves. With a rapid river, a lazy river, five waterslides, and an impressive wave pool that boasts one of the best soundtracks ever, Soundwaves is an epic experience for both guests and lifeguards.
Through JEM, I have been fortunate to work at this incredible facility on two different occasions. Traveling to another facility is a fantastic way to meet new people, learn new things, and immerse yourself in a new world. Not only do you get to see how a different place is run, but you get to experience a new city through the eyes of those who live there. No one is friendlier than a group of JEM lifeguards. All they want to do is show off their city and their facility. JEM lifeguards have a level of pride in where they work that I have never seen in any other workplace (except maybe in Disney Cast Members).
Nashville provides plenty of opportunities for a variety of experiences – you want to visit museums and zoos? Nashville has them. Do you want to eat hot chicken until your lips melt? Nashville has it. Do you want to explore old plantations and learn about the history of horse racing? Nashville has you covered. This was one of my favorite things to do – a visit to the Belle Meade plantation made for one of the most interesting days off I have had in a long time – and I live in Hawaii! This location used to raise racing horses, and every great racing horse – think Seabiscuit and Secretariat level of greatness – can trace their lineage back to Bonnie Scotland of Belle Meade. The grounds are beautiful and the history is everywhere. Definitely take the guided tours – the horse jokes alone are worth the price of admission.
Whatever your interests, you are sure to find something to do within, or just outside of Nashville on your days off. If nightlife is your thing, don’t worry! Nashville has it and then some. You can stop anywhere along Broadway and find some incredible live music. You just might end up listening to the next Tim McGraw, Kelly Clarkson, Kesha, or Taylor Swift. Working in Nashville creates a unique opportunity to have fun-filled days and nights.
Soundwaves is an exceptionally beautiful facility that provides its lifeguards with so many unique stations that every day feels different and new and fun.
– Bethany Brown