28. June 2025
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Six US States And Nashville (Day 5 – 3rd June 2025) – A Daytrip To Charlotte

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Having a day trip from Muscle Shoals in Alabama to the 600km flight distance Charlotte in North Carolina and back – that sounds like typical me. And it is the story of the fifth day of my Six US States and Nashville trip report. Enjoy 🙂

 

Too Early in Muscle Shoals

The Days Inn Muscle Shoals/Florence I stayed in offered breakfast from 5:00. What a lovely coincidence, as my flight to Charlotte (CLT) was about to depart at 7:25. I had a rather relaxed breakfast and even relaxed a bit in the hotel room, before having the five to ten minute drive to the airport. Arriving there 70 minutes before the flight was definitely too early. I had plenty of time to explore Muscle Shoals Airport (MSL) – which would have been a three minute thing. Only that the FBO counter, which is selling t-shirts, was not manned, was a downside.

Did I ever say that I love Essential Air Service? I would not absolutely state that it is a sensible thing, but I love to make use of it. And I love Contour Airlines. Even in their small E-135, the comfort is so much better than in most other airlines, not only compared to the price you pay. Boarding was smooth and I enjoyed my single seat at the window. Sometimes sleeping, sometimes enjoying the can of Coke provided. With the landing at Charlotte, I entered the fifth US state on my vacation.

 

The Hudson River Airplane – and other Exhibits

The first stop of the day was the Sullenberger Aviation Museum. The place formerly called Carolinas Aviation Museum. However, one exhibit changed the focus on the aviation museum drastically. They go the Airbus A320, which serviced US Airways flight 1549 on 15th January 2009. That’s the flight which had to land in Hudson River as both engines were destroyed by bird strike briefly after take-off in La Guardia Airport (LGA). That exhibit is outstanding, obviously. The remaining museum was nice as well – and a good opportunity for some plane-spotting as well.

The only downside is its location. In fact, it is right at the Charlotte AIrport (CLT) grounds. You can see the terminal – and if there was some sort of walkway, I might have walked there easily. However, getting there from the airport requires quite a detour. Especially on my way to Downtown Charlotte after visiting the aviation museum, I had to suffer from that. My driver misread the Uber information and initially tried to pick me up at the airport terminal. The ride itself was nice. I am amazing how many US people nowadays ask you about politics. This had been a no-go in former times. The times, they are a-changing, I believe.

 

US Style Race Cars

Before that trip, my bucket list contained two spots in Charlotte: apart from the aviation museum, I always hoped to make it to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Downtown. So I did on that day. The much the museum is promoting that NASCAR has the world’s best drivers (I hate these US euphemisms), stock car races, especially on speedways is not that much of a thing to me. In the simulators of the museum, I proofed so. Nonetheless, it was a really interesting stay and I am glad that I did it.  With a bit more than three hours left until departure, I headed back to Charlotte Airport (CLT).

 

A Packed Lounge and A Lovely Flight

This day trip was in fact the first time I left Charlotte Airport (CLT). Before that, I only had flight connections there. The more, I really liked the efficient services there. After a brief exploration of the terminal facilities, I headed to the Centurion Lounge. Wow, it was packed. But I loved to hang out there. And I loved the person who serviced my table. She did outstanding work.

A nice fact about the American Express-driven Lounge is that it is located right at the entrance to the E-Gates – and Contour is using the first desks there. Thus, it was only a short walk from the lounge to my flight. This time it was an Embraer E-140, a slightly larger plane than the one on the outbound. Again, the flight was very enjoyable. I especially liked the curvy approach to Muscle Shoals Airport (MSL). After landing, I at least wanted to have a brief view at the music industry in town. I passed by the Muscle Shoals Sound Studios and the area around it. Thereafter, it was time to go back to the hotel. I needed some soul food after the long day.

 

Short-Notice Travel Change

The weather forecast for the following days was not too good. As I wanted to have some quality time at the Smokey Mountains, I decided to change my hotel for the following night. Instead of Chattanooga in Tennessee, I booked a hotel in Murphy, North Carolina.

 

 

My Song of the Day: Dasha – Not At This Part

This trip is about music. Thus I felt present one song each day which somehow accompanied me every day. And I added a playlist of these songs – and some more – on my Spotify account as well:

Despite a lot of great things and places I am allowed to explore on that trip, I don’t feel that well. It hurts to say that I’m Not At This Party of the CMA Fest. Thus, I felt that Dasha’s song is a nice one for this post. In addition, I chose for rather classic country and country pop songs. Lost in the Middle by Catherine McGrath is a Song of My Life. Need You Now (Lady A) and Redneck Yacht Club (Craig Morgean) are very popular songs of the genre.

Here is the full playlist, which will grow day by day:

 

Six US States And Nashville – Daily Episodes

Here is an overview of the daily postings. I will link them once they

There will be no Day 12 report, as this would only cover the flight back to Germany.

 

Trip Reports

Here are all (other) Trip Report postings:

 

Sports 2025

Here are all my Sports postings published in 2025:

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