Eyre Mail: October 2013

I love the South.

It seems no one in my family was as taken with it as me. I returned for the first time in 18 years. The chicken fried steak and grits were still pleasantly satisfying, the music still connecting and the people still speaking 'Love', 'Hon', 'Don't you worry', and 'Y'all come back' like.

I don't remember exploring Nashville as a child. This trip Brandon and I went to both 'The Grand Ole Opry'at the Opry House and 'Opry Classics'at the original Ryman Auditorium. Which was a blast. Each had a different feel. The Opry House more commercial and bigger with a more grand feel. The Ryman down home. The last part of the Ryman performance was my favorite, done by Neal McCoy (who I hadn't heard of. But then I've never followed any kind of music so this shouldn't be a surprise). He was such a performer, though, as well as a musician, I didn't want to leave. So down to earth he really connected with the audience. Kind of guy you just wanted to invite over for dinner. Note of interest: he is Filipino/Irish/American. Maybe not the typical background of a country music singer.

Before the Opry Brandon and I walked around downtown; seeing the capitol building as well as the large statue of Pres. Jackson on a horse and the grave site of Pres. Polk and his wife. In doing a little quick research on Polk, who I knew nothing about, I read he has been called the 'Most influencial unknown president'.

Somehow I had no idea that Nashville had a full scale replica of the Parthenon (not in ruins). Built originally for the elaborate 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition, I think it was the only building made then that remains. Fantastic little museum on the grounds if you are ever make it down that way. All things built for the occasion were not meant to last past 6 mn but apparently on demolition day, no one had the heart to knock this one down. As many parts were made of a cheap plaster, they did deteriorate quickly and had to be rebuilt. The concrete replacement renovations were completed in the 1920's.

This statue of the goddess Athena (made to specifications as believed to exist in the Greek Parthenon) was stunning as well as huge. I think the statue was added in the past 15 years. The little statue she's holding in her hand is like 6 feet tall, to give you some perspective.

Close up of the elaborately painted shield that protects the snake (representing the people of Athens) Athena is watching over

I think these are mold of original greek statues that artist used to recreate finished models. Behind is a close up of what is in the eaves below. (can't remember what it is called)

Just beautiful. And a great preview for Brandon before he takes Milla to Greece next June!

At the Opry!

Friday, when Brandon was at his classes, I went birdwatching at Shelby Bottoms. So serene and lovely. I spent hours. At one point I felt isolated and moved enough that I sang 'Joseph Smith's First Prayer' just to my little self. It was nice to take a little time to just be. As well as add a few birds to my life list.

Southern girl on her way to Alabama

Brandon was a little slow on the draw for this pic. Just drivin' along when I hear him call out. 'Oh my gosh! Piggly Wiggly's really DO exist!"

Had to slam on the breaks in an expert maneuver to stop for this shot.

Of course our first stop had to be the Space and Rocket Center.

Super Cool. And fun to even go without kids.

And, yes, we rode the centrifuge thing and the rocket shoot up in the air ride, the mars landing simulator (that I started getting a little queasy in) and climbed into the apollo cockpit (they may not call it that..). Beautiful day in the 70's and had no big crowds to deal with.

After staying the night in the Hilton Home 2 Suites (modern hotel with an awesome, natural food breakfast buffet... highly recommend...and under $100), we headed down to the old house.

Note the garage and (below) my old basketball hoop.

We walked my old paper route and Brandon indulged me as I told of all the memories that came flooding back. The neighborhood was beautifully well kept. The shopping center outside (where my Checkers stood), not so much. Almost completely deserted and kind of scary.

We drove to the church through the neighborhoods, which I found sans Googlemaps, (quite pleased with my self) and then headed up to Whitesburg and Grissom. Thing Brandon was most amazed by were how seriously they took their churches. We were there on Sunday and passed several cathedrally large Baptist churches that each had police cars patrolling and directing traffic.

We had a little extra time before we needed to be back in Nashville for our flight and so stopped at the Botanical Gardens and Butterfly house. Kind of off season but it was still really fun. Saw my first albino kangaroo that a lady was awkwardly carrying around at a 'nature show' and then walked around their expansive childrens gardens.