Bratislava, Slovakia

We haven't mentioned Hearsay's European cousin, Habeas, before, have we? Habeas lives in Bratislava, the capital city of Slovakia.

He recently went on a tour of the city, and sent back these photos.
This is a panoramic view of Bratislava.


Here's Habeas at a World War II memorial in Bratislava.


This castle dates to the eighth century. Amazing. Absolutely amazing.

Here in the background is St. Martin's Cathedral, where 13 Austrian and Hungarian kings were coronated during the Turkish occupation of Budapest in the Middle Ages.


Finally, Habeas overlooks a bridge over the river Danube, with a round, UFO-shaped restaurant on top.


Bratislava is located on the western edge of Slovakia, near the border with Austria. (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/europe/slovakia)

Kennedy Space Center, Florida

OK ... so Hearsay has been to some pretty cool places in the last few months, but this installment pretty much takes the cake. Here, our intrepid traveler was able to make his way to the Space Shuttle Launch Pad B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

This is Hearsay at the base of what's known as the External Tank (the rust-colored tank in the middle) and the Solid Rocket Boosters that would launch Endeavor into space. There wouldn't be much of Hearsay left if he happened to be in this spot during an actual liftoff.



That leads to this view, of the very top of the External Tank and the Florida coastline ...

Finally, Hearsay winds up just outside Endeavor itself, and is shown here in front of the spacecraft's Forward Reaction Control System.


ESTIMATED TRAVEL FROM HERMITAGE, TENNESSEE TO YADKINVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA: 330 MILES

ESTIMATED ROUND-TRIP BETWEEN YADKINVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA AND KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLORIDA: 1,060 MILES

TOTAL TRAVEL: 10,600 MILES

Nashville, Tennessee

Joe Estep took Hearsay on a whirlwind tour of Nashville. Here's just a few of the hot spots they hit in and around town ...


The legendary Ryman Auditorium, the longtime home of the Grand Ole Opry.


Of course, Nashville wouldn't be Nashville without Roy Acuff and Minnie Pearl!!!

Franklin, Tennessee

Hearsay continues on his adventures with our friend, Jennifer Estep. Here, he's shown with Rick's best friend since high school and Jen's brother, Joe Estep, at The Bunganut Pig Pub & Eatery in Franklin, Tenn., just outside Nashville.

What exactly is a bunganut pig? Good question. There IS an explanation, and it has something to do with a pig going to school at Oxford.

At any rate, Hearsay got to hang out with Joe and Jen, and even members of the band they went to see. There are a few rumors concerning where Hearsay will be next, so stay tuned.

ESTIMATED TRAVEL BETWEEN CLEVELAND, OHIO AND FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE: 480 MILES

TOTAL TRAVEL: 9,540 MILES

Cleveland, Ohio

Who would've thought that Hearsay would ever wind up in Cleveland, Ohio? Well, he did, thanks to Jennifer Estep, a good friend of Rick's who lives in Hermitage, Tenn., just outside Nashville. Jen is the sister of Rick's best friend from high school, Joe Estep, and she's the daughter of Rick's adopted godmother, Sandi Estep.

I guess that makes her Rick's godsister, right?

Jennifer was in Cleveland on business, and she took Hearsay along for the ride. Hearsay, along with Jen's friend Mike Kerestesy, was able to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

ESTIMATED TRAVEL FROM RED BOILING SPRINGS, TENNESSEE TO CLEVELAND, OHIO: 850 MILES

TOTAL TRAVEL: 9,060 MILES

Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee

Hearsay couldn't wait to get back out and about, and wound up in Red Boiling Springs, Tenn., about 75 miles northeast of Nashville.

Red Boiling Springs is known for ... well ... it's hard to say just what Red Boiling Springs is known for. In the 1920s, the community featured some 1,500 motel rooms for those visiting the mineral bath.

ESTIMATED ROUND-TRIP FROM YADKINVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA TO RED BOILING SPRINGS, TENNESSEE: 290 MILES

TOTAL TRAVEL: 8,160 MILES

Ormond Beach, Florida

After a traditional first-stop dinner at the Olive Garden in Ormond Beach, Hearsay couldn't help but head down to the ocean. There's something majestic about the ocean, something soothing and peaceful.

ESTIMATED ROUND-TRIP BETWEEN YADKINVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA AND ORMOND BEACH, FLORIDA: 960 MILES

TOTAL TRAVEL: 7,870