Downtown Nashville

We each have lived in Nashville since the 1950s and have even lived and worked in the downtown area, but it is always fun to stroll along these familiar streets between the capitol building and lower Broadway.  We did that today and once again enjoyed our walk.  With the camera around my neck and Gene with his Texas baseball cap on his head, we looked like the hundreds of other tourists visiting Music City.  We stopped to make pictures, peeked in the honky tonks and stood in a long line for lunch.

We parked the car at the Farmer’s Market, which, on this late fall day, was stocked with bushels of Tennessee grown turnip greens and freshly dug potatoes.  The Farmer’s Market is located next to the Bicentennial Mall State Park.

Bicentennial Mall as seen from the Capitol

This urban park was built to commemorate the 200th birthday of Tennessee statehood.  At the foot of capitol hill, it is a rectangular-shaped park stretching about 3 blocks in length by 1 in width.  Along one long side are pillars marking the passage of time beginning 1 million years ago and progressing to 1996, the 200th birthday of the state.  Along this path is a black marble wall which tells the story of the area from prehistoric times up to 1996.  The park is planted with trees, shrubs, and flowers native to Tennessee.  It is really quite nicely done.

Pillars marking the past

On the hill above the Mall is the capitol building.  From a distance, say from the inner loop as one travels around the city on the interstate, this state capitol doesn’t look as impressive as many other capitol buildings we have visited around the country.  However, up close, I think our capitol is as handsome as any I’ve seen.  It’s not as massive as some, but it has a certain dignity.

As a child, I heard my grandfather speak of signing his name in the dome.  I was impressed with the story, but I had my doubts as to its accuracy.  A few years ago, I read an article in the local paper about our capitol and it mentioned that there are many names written in the dome from years ago when it was open to the public.  One of these days, I’m going to ask if they have a record of those names.

Ryman Auditorium

We walked along 5th Ave passed the Ryman Auditorium, perhaps the hallmark icon of Nashville.  Built in 1891 and used first as a church, this historic building is best known as the home of the Grand Ole Opry.  The Opry has a new building now at Opry Mills, but they come “home” to the Ryman a couple months each year.

We found our lunch at Jack’s BBQ on Broadway just down from Legends and Tootsie’s.  The line was almost out the door when we walked in at high noon.  We each had the Texas brisket sandwich with cole slaw.  I made my lunch a multicultural experience--Texas brisket with Kansas City BBQ sauce on Broadway in Music City.  Now that’s an assault to your senses.

Tomorrow will be another hiking day.  We are trying to get registered for a TTA hike.  If that doesn’t work out, we’ll go somewhere on our own.