Although I live in a city, I'm not really a city guy. All my preferred riding is outside any city. Today, after nearly two months of unusually cold and snowy weather, my riding withdrawal peaked and I had to ride some. Since my preferred roads would be icy and dangerous in spots, I thought I'd do a little travelogue of Nashville. So, in no particular order: I don't have a snow shovel. Who needs it around here? I used my camp shovel to scrape my way out of the garage. Opry Mills and Opryland Hotel: still closed after being flooded earlier this year. Maybe open by fall. The General Jackson, like me, waiting for spring. The Nashville Greenway as it crosses the Cumberland River. Mill Creek as it is 99.9% of the time. During the earlier flood it was smashing school buildings into cars on I24 about 3 miles from my house. No way to get a really good pic here at the Tennessee Central Railroad Museum, but a visit to the museum and ride on one of the trains would be a lot of fun. http://tcry.org/ Downtown Nashville from the parking lot at LP Field. I'm told by those who know that the mangled red metal in this picture is art. The Ryman Auditorium LP Field. There was a foot of water on the field during the flood. The Cumberland River crossed by the pedestrian bridge in the foreground and the newest bridge in the background. On the left, behind the "art" the last building of the old Ingram Barge Company (where my father-in-law worked his entire working career) is being demolished. 1st Avenue along the river: the oldest of the old buildings. The weirdest statue I have ever seen. Fort Nashboro The Tennessee State Capitol: a grand old building. The Parthenon Union Station. Once a glamorous rail station, now a very nice hotel. A nice little ride.
Thanks for the photo tour. Nicely done. My current job has me passing that way every other month or so.
The Parthenon is mostly a museum and art venue. It is also the center piece of Centennial Park. Parthenon
Excellent report. Very much enjoyed. As per the statue atop Union Station/hotel, I give you Golden Boy atop the Manitoba Legislature (equivalent of state capital) building in Winnipeg.
Never been to that part of the U.S. Nice report & bike. Thanks for showing us part of your world. BTW..."art", come on you know "art" when you see it.
Cliff-77, If you have to live in a town, Nashville ain't a bad one. RedDogAlberta, I used to know the name of the figure on top of Union Station...but, then, I used to know a lot of things... samthg, I'm still trying to decide if it is art or a railway disaster. All you guys: thanks for the kind words. Cheers!
That "artwork" looks like old roller coaster track. I've seen much uglier things call "art" Riding in the city may not be as exciting as riding out in the mountains but it beats not riding at all. You got some nice pics on this ride, thanks for posting
A lot of us were hoping that so called "piece of art" should have gotten washed away during the flood.
I'm gonna take a guess and say it's Hermes/Mercury maybe? That's what I was thinking too. If it came from the old Opryland Theme Park,I probably rode the coaster that was salvaged from! aldntn, nice report! I've been to most of the places in your pics but it's been awhile,gotta get back soon. Thanks!
Shhhhh. We're crowded enough. Please don't reveal the location of Tootsies, it's hard enough getting a beer already. Great pics, you summed her up nicely.
"That "artwork" looks like old roller coaster track. I've seen much uglier things call "art"" It does indeed look like the old roller coaster track from Opryland, which would probably be gone now too if it has been operating when the flood came. Too bad it was done away with years ago to make room for a ... mall. Lots of nice pics and captures Nashville very well.
Aldntn, Nice to be reminded of what's all around us here in Middle Tennessee. I really enjoy the National parks of the west but it's really pretty good around here as well. You're pretty tough to be out in the cold, even if the snow is about gone. Thanks for posting.
I wish more folks would do this exact thing... Man.... that place just looks cold right now.... Thanks again....
That building is not being demolished, it is being renovated and updated with a bunch of eco-friendly crap that caused the price of it's renovation to be ridiculous. The money is in part American recovery and reinvestment act funding. It is part of a larger overhaul of the riverfront area, which is much needed. I "think" the old Nabrico building will be used by Metro Gov. More info here: http://www.nashville-mdha.org/downtownWaterfront.php Nice day trip! These pics make my throttle hand itchy.
iyaoyas98, well I meant to get a picture down broadway toward the river but didn't get stopped for a good view. Went by Tootsie's a couple of times. keithturc and liberia, with the heated grips and gerbing jacket liner I really like winter riding. 40's and sunshine is great. ducnek, pretty cool thing to save some of the old building over there. Thanks for the info! Thanks everybody for all the kind words.