Friday morning we all bailed our not-too-oversized luggage into Nessy's deceptively large trunk and set sail for Nashville Tennessee - Native home of the Byson and/or buffalo. Our arrival was celebrated in an unlicensed Italian restaurant then continued with some Four Loko's in our hotel room. If you are not familiar with this frightening substance, google it - you will not regret it, if you are quiver in fear.
Mere lacks knowledge of drivers side windows and how their descent causes gale force winds, enough to anchor a ship in the back seat, therefore Freya and I suffered from hyperthermia the whole 7 hour journey. This was only forgiven the following day when temperatures reached highs of 70 degrees. Mother Nature dictated this was an opportune day to visit Belle Meade. Belle Meade comes from the name beautiful meadow and the location lived up to its name. After an afternoon of exploring the ground we all resolved we wished to relocate to Tennessee. The landscapes were such brilliant colours and all the leaves and just wow. I sound so gay for scenery right now but the photos below do not do Nashville justice. Obviously as a pair of kids with DSLR's Mitch and I had a whale of a time.
A tour of the house photographed was included in our outing. The house belonged to the Jackson and Hardy family for a number of years during the 1800's until, as every tragic tale of a wealthy family ends, they became bankrupt on a colossal scale, had to sell the property in 1906 and eventually the government bought out their house, restored it and made a gross profit from it. The Harding's were a family of horse breeders who earned their keep by racing horses and gain profit from eventually selling stud horses. An interesting snippet our tour guide graced us with was the fact they were self efficient in the use of methane gas for lightening. I'll let you work that one one. Their most prized horse Iriquois had his hooves removed and made into inkwells that are on display in the family room. William Giles Hardy extended the family's sources of revenue by collecting payments at the toll road the house was built on.
Our tour took us through the house and certain rooms were displayed how they would have been in certain years - which I thought was a nice touch. This also allowed for us to learn progressive about the family past and the order in which the family deteriorated. Though this was not at an excessive rate (until the early 1900's) it was enlightening to see holly plants adorning the portrait frames of the deceased in remembrance of them at Christmas time. In one room we witnessed said native inhabitant (the byson) but rather than frollicing merrily in a field chasing its dinner, it has been subject to a session of taxidermy and mounting to a deep azure wall. The kitchen was entirely detached from the house which at first seemed plain retarded to me until we learnt it was to prevent fire. Then credit was given where credit was due.
Sunday's weather attempted to compete with Saturday but didn't quite make it. Nevertheless, it made wondering around The Hermitage pleasant. The Hermitage is the home of the United States 7th President and admirable general - Andrew Jackson. One of the characteristics of the tour I found especially commendable was the fact they introduced you to the good bad and ugly of Mr.President. Consequently, I consider him a remorseless biggot who indulged in slavery. Yet he really loved his wife and his people and form a good connection with his public - of all classes, except the black slaves. Though there are many pros and cons associated with this man - only thing he did that is indisputably admirable is pay off all national debt. Furthermore he is the only president in US history to do so. Well done Jackson, you go Jackson.
The latter part of our day was less successful as we travelled approximately two miles south to Ruby Falls - the largest in cave waterfall in America - with a brief stop at Cracker Barrel for some traditional southern cooking. We reached our destination at 7.40pm Eastern time, technically 40 minutes earlier than necessary to gain entry to the site, only to be greeted by a stern bald fellow persisting they were closed. The daunting moment when you realise that the attraction is 20 minutes from a time zone and its actually 8.40pm Central time. With a sulk on our faces and a compensatory Starbucks in hand we ventured back to the hotel room to feel sorry for ourselves on our own watch.
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| The 145 foot in-cave waterfall I did not get the pleasure of viewing, owh. |
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