Nashville:
What? The Parthenon
is in Nashville, TN? That’s what our
Airbnb host said, and she was right!
There is a full-size replica of the Athens Parthenon, originally built
in Nashville in 1897 for the Tennessee Centennial Exhibition.
And inside the
great hall is a full-scale replica of the Athena statue!
Our recent trip to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in
Bristol, VA really set the stage for our visit to the Country Music Hall of
Fame in Nashville.
There was so much to
see and hear, but what I was most impressed with was how much was devoted to
Austin’s role in the history of country music.
While attending the University of Texas in Austin, I certainly learned
an appreciation for country music; however, I didn’t realize at the time that I
was in a place of history making while I was out honky tonkin' to the music
of Asleep at the Wheel and Alvin Crow. I
spent many nights dancing at the Broken Spoke and shopping for records at Inner
Sanctum.
Although I’m more familiar with the later country music
artists, it was a real treat to go to the Grand Ole Opry. We attended the show at the historical Ryman
theater which is where the Opry originated.
Most shows are now aired from the Gaylord Opryland Resort
auditorium.
Lynchburg:
We couldn’t leave the Nashville area without making a trip
to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery. I did
not know that ALL Jack Daniel liquor is made only in Lynchburg. The tour was very interesting and we were
able to have a tasting of the more premium whiskies.
Chattanooga:
All Aboard! When I
hear the name Chattanooga, I always think of the song, Chattanooga Choo Choo. The
historic site is the Terminal Station which opened in 1909 as the train depot
welcoming travelers to Chattanooga.
Today it is part of the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel. It does feature a historic train behind the
station.
Besides that train song, I will now have a different idea
when I think of Chattanooga. There is a
place called Lookout Mountain where one can drive to see beautiful views, learn
some history and see some unusual sites.
Rock City: We thought this might be a cheesy theme park,
but it turned out to be a pleasant surprise!
We went early in the morning, just as the place opened, and had the
opportunity to experience the walking paths in peace. Every turn of the path provided a different
view or challenge. Many spaces were VERY
tight to get through, there was a long swinging bridge and a surprise waterfall
coming down the side of the cliff. There
were also lots of little gnomes and a cavern full of fairy tale sculptures
using black light. But the displays were
amazing and fun!
Ruby Falls: On Thanksgiving Day morning we headed up to
Lookout Mountain again to be the first group into the Ruby Falls cavern. It was an easy walk and we had a small group
so it was easy to experience the different formations. At the end of the cavern trail is a huge
water fall! They have a light show so we
were able to spend some time enjoying the falls in different colors. Leaving the cavern was a bit of a challenge
as there is only one way in and out.
Although our group had the right-of-way, there was a tight squeeze when
passing groups of 30 people. After
leaving the cavern, we found a beautiful view of the city of Chattanooga. What a wonderful way to spend the
Thanksgiving holiday!
It’s starting to get cold, so we’re heading more south … to
South Carolina & Georgia.