Highlights of Our Time in Nashville

 The weather was overcast and cool during our stay in Nashville, however we only had a few days there so we just had to make the best of it and keep moving on. In my last posting I mentioned some old mansions and gardens which we toured, but I will save them for the next two postings and here give a quick snapshot of different notable places within the environs of  Nashville which we briefly explored.

Nashville is the capital city of Tennessee. In our past travels we usually made it a point to check out the capital building of the different states. It was a mistake trying to tour this one. The capital building is located on one of the highest hills in Nashville. No parking is available near the capital, it is only for the legislators when the house and senate is in session. So we climbed the steps pictured above. The building was erected in 1859. We had missed the last tour of the day, but I happened to listen in on the last few minutes of that tour and learned that in 1866 a particularly bitter fight in the legislature happened over the ratification of the 14th Amendment,which granted citizenship to African Americans. A shot was fired from the stairs above the first flight of stairs which put a chip in the handrail. The Amendment was opposed by many in general assembly. The chip was an interesting feature of the building, as well as some wall murals and ceiling frescoes. Protests happened at this capital a day after we were there, which were in regard to the firing of two African American legislators who had objected to the availability of guns in Tennessee.

Nashville is located on the Cumberland River, pictured above. River cruises are available, however the boats were not running while we were there. Also pictured above is Nissan Stadium, home of the Tennessee Titans as well the Tennessee State University Tigers. We heard the TSU Band play at the Ole Opry Show which we attended while in Nashville; that was a bit of departure from the the usual music which we heard that evening! But it is a good sounding marching band.

Home of the Grand Ole Opry

About a 10 minute walk from the building above is the Gaylord Opryland Resort. No, we did not stay there while in  Nashville, but did visit it just to look at some of its sights.

When John mentioned a riverboat cruise, this is what I thought he was talking about- but there is a waterway within the resort. The hotel is very large with 9 restaurants and bars. If you want a destination Opryland wedding this would be the place- it has 6 ballrooms.  It is a beautiful place with many available rooms, a bit more expensive than the hotel we chose for our visit to Nashville.