Dollywood, Tennessee - Day 3

Dollywood was basically a rural Tennessee Disneyland. The patrons seemed to come out of the surrounding hills to participate, which was both interesting and eye opening. The area is a bit economically depressed and town of Pigeon Forge is a commercial nightmare. Again like the Grande Ole Prey, I always wanted to visit Dollywood. I did. Check.

Nashville, Tennessee - Day 2

Atrium Room View 

Hermitage Plantation - Andrew Jackson

Frist Center for the Visual Art

Downtown Nashville Stroll

404 Kitchen - Excellent Food

The Hermitage is presented as the home of President Andrew Jackson, but it’s really a plantation.  Don’t be fooled. There are hints of racism and misogyny throughout the exhibits and grounds.  A week after visiting the Hermitage, the Obama administration announced Harriet Tubman would replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. No bill surprise after visiting the Hermitage. It seemed appropriate.

Nashville Tennessee - Day 1

Classic Nashville Eatery - Excellent Food

Fried Chicken, Mac'n Cheese, Slow Cooked Beans w/ Pork

Parthenon 

Gaylord Opryland Hotel

Manhattan and Attitude 

Grand Ole Opry

The ambiance of the hotel under the atrium was spectacular – lots of greenery, floral scenery, waterfalls, and ponds.  However, the amenities under the atrium were very inefficient.  It felt like a cruise ship.  

The Grand Ole Opry was not what I expected it to be like, but I can say I went and experienced it.  Now that I reflexed I’m not sure what I originally expected.  It exudes the country music old guard white supremacy and racism attitude. No thank you.

We visited the Parthenon, because it was there and… well the structure is grand, but that’s about it.  It’s a very odd structure to find in the middle of Nashville. It was built for the city’s centennial and still remains, but not sure why.

National Civil Rights Museum

The motel balcony in the first top photo is where MLK Jr. was assassinated. Appropriately so, the motel was converted into the National Civil Rights Museum. The second photo was taken from where James Earl Ray stood and fired the fatal shot. After viewing the civil rights exhibit within the museum and reflection on it, it was hard to believe hight of the movement was only 40 years ago. I was only a kid and don't remember much of the movement.

Sun Studios

Sun Studio bills themselves as the "birth place" of Rock'n'Roll. But basically it's the place where white people stole Rock'n'Roll from black people. It's where Elvis arrived after graduating from High School in Mississippi to cut his first record.

Graceland

I really thought there'd be a lot more to "Graceland". Back in the day when Elvis owned it, it might have been sumthin', but today... it's a modest size house on 13 acres. Not much to it.

Going to "Graceland"

Naren, a friend from Cornell, is visiting the States. We're meeting in Memphis for a weekend of southern cooking, blues music, and of course, Graceland. I visited in Nepal back in 2005 and in Malawi in 1995. Most recently, he's been living in Korsovo and will be heading to Bangladesh for his next USAID assignment, with his new wife and baby.

Country Roads

The Underground Railroad Route I've been following has me cycling on some serious country roads. Once a guy stopped me and asked me if I was lost. The roads also have a serious dog population. While cycling through Tennessee and Kentucky, I'd say I was chased by at least 75 dogs!!!

Shiloh, Tennesse

Off to Mobile AL

DISCOVER AMERICA'S LEGENDARY ROUTE TO FREEDOM

I should be in Mobile around 4 PM this evening. I'll be staying in a motel for the first two nights, taking care of last minute preparations and/or unanticipated mishaps like my bike not arriving on the same plane. If everything goes as planned, I’ll check-out the National African-American Archives and Museum tomorrow and then on Friday pedal north - starting with a 45 mile ride to my first campsite.