Here’s one more post to finish up with photos from our road trip. These are all from time we spent at and near the new Central Florida Photo Ops field office in Nashville, Tennessee.
I’d never heard of the Parthenon in Nashville’s Centennial Park before MK took us there. It was originally built for Tennessee’s Centennial Exposition in 1897 to celebrate Nashville’s nickname: “Athens of the South”.
Nashville Parthenon (iPhone)The original structure was meant to be temporary. Nashvillians liked it so much that they didn’t want to tear it down – so they kept patching and repairing it until 1920 when the city decided to rebuild it with permanent materials. In 1982, work started on the statue of Athena which was completed in 1990, making this an exact size and detail replica of the original temple in Athens, Greece – both inside and out.
The surrounding Centennial Park grounds are beautiful too with many things in bloom while we were there.
Centennial Park flowers, by the Nashville Parthenon (Thanks for this idea MK!)The next photo is a multi-frame, stitched panorama I made of Nickajack Reservoir on the Tennesee River. It was another one of the very pleasant scenic surprises we encountered at highway rest stops on our journey. This one was along I-24 near Jasper Tennessee.
A peaceful pauseNatchez Trace is a historic forest trail extending about 440 miles from Nashville to Natchez, Mississippi. It was created and used by Native Americans for centuries. European and American explorers, traders, and emigrants also used it in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Natchez Trace Parkway is a scenic highway running along the route of the original trail. It was built starting in the 1930s and the final sections were completed in 2005.
Natchez Trace Parkway bridge, as seen from a nearby overlook on the north side.There are many historic sites along the parkway and sections of the original foot trail are still visible. I’m hoping to explore some of these next time.
The header image is also of the Natchez Trace Parkway, from the base of the bridge by the National Park Service sign.
The Stones River photos in my Memorial Day post from a few weeks ago are from Tennessee too.
I’m collecting all my photos from Tennessee in this album on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/edrosack/albums/72157719274946967
We enjoyed our first visit to the area and are looking forward visiting again. Next week though, I’ll try to get back to some Central Florida Photo Ops! Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Take care of yourselves and each other. And when you can, make some photos!
©2021, Ed Rosack. All rights reserved
Thank you for the Tennessee information. I am learning more and more about this area, Thanks to folks like you!
I still love photography and am learn through it. I just love looking through that lens and capturing the sights and wildlife. Thank you again!!!
You are very welcome Dorothy.
This was the first time we’ve ever been to Tennessee. I really like the Nashville area – there’s lots to see and do and I’m eager to go back.
The Parthenon in – Nashville!? Who knew? Looks like a very pleasant spot to explore.
I love your panoramic image of the reservoir.
Looks like you had a great trip. Thank you for sharing some of the beauty you found along the way.
It was a great trip, Wally. I know – the Parthenon? I was very surprised I’d never heard of it.
The rest stops on the interstates were also a pleasant surprise. I don’t often see things I want to photograph at rest areas here in Florida. Maybe I need to look around with fresh eyes.