Grayton Beach State Park

Since Grayton is not a long drive from our present location we decided to get a later start. We've done it a few times before so basically  we know where we're going. The day is sunny but cool. Driving there was pretty much unremarkable, it's approximately 150 miles. We arrived only to find our campsite still occupied. That's okay they were just about ready to pull out.


We've arrived

Front Entrance - Registration Office

Our Site # 47

After setting up we decided to go for a walk to the beach. It's one of my favorite places because of the beach. The sand is so white and the blue-green water is crystal clear.

White Sand Everywhere

Crystal clear blue-green water

Grayton consists of 2,200 acres of white sand dunes and salt marches. The lake within the park is known as Western Lake and it's the second largest coastal dune lake in the Florida Panhandle. Canoeing and kayaking are popular activities on this lake.

Western Lake

The campground has a new area and an older area. We camped in the new area which has full hook-ups including 50 amp service and sewers. Even though there's no shade trees in this area it's nice this time of year to get some sun on the rig. All sites are back-in. We however got one of two pull-thrus. The older area has lots of shade trees, sites are smaller, and no sewer connections. The washroom was being renovated when we were there. I didn't see alot of shorebirds as we walked along the beach however did see a few Great Blue Herons in the lake.

Great Blue Heron

Gulf State Park

This was our second stop at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores Alabama. We made a quick stop here because we wanted to see the new additions they made to the campground but also because we love this area.

 

 

Gulf State Park is a 6,150 acre park that had it's fair share of hurricane damage over the years. Hurricane Ivan, the last to hit the area devasted the campground in 2004. If  anything good came from the hurricane it was the constuction of an almost new park. The new facilities consists of nearly 500 sites either pull-thru or back-in all with level concrete pads and water, sewer, and electric (30/50 amp). These amenities were in place when we were here last but what I didn't expect was what I saw on my morning walk. 

 

Our pull-thru site #197

Oh yeah, as soon as we arrived we noticed a new registration office. And yes you can now book reservations online...sometimes. The new office is much nicer than the old trailer.

 

Tennis Courts

New 5000 square foot swimming pool (not heated)

Kiddies splash pool

New Interactive Nature Center with live snakes (non-venomous)




New Store and Boat Rental Area

Gulf State Park also has 3 spring fed fresh water lakes, Lake Shelby, Middle Lake, and Little Lake all great for fishing and canoeing. However, beware alligators do lurch in these waters. You can spot them on a regular basis.

 

Middle Lake

 

Gulf State Park also has WiFi now throughout the park and it's pretty fast. After the hurricane destroyed the original fishing pier a mass construction was undertaken of the longest fishing pier into the gulf of Mexico (1,540 ft). For a couple of bucks you can walk on the pier where you can have lunch at the concession and watch the fisherman. Or you can buy a one day licence and fish all day.

 

 Besides the 18 hole golf course in the park, there are miles of trails either paved, hard packed dirt, or sand.

 

One of many trails



Several carvings throughout the park



 

Now you know why we will be back. Oh and did I mention the price is right also.



"Athens of the South"

Today being the last day in Nashville we decided to see the outer periphery. The day is cool but sunny. Our first stop was Centennial Park where the "Athens of the South" is located. As we got closer you could hardly miss the huge structure sitting all alone in the middle of an open park.

The Parthenon

I bet your asking yourself how Nashville got to be home to a complete replica of the original Greek temple. Well, the city of Nashville in 1897 undertook a full scale replica of the Parthenon for the Tennessee Centennial and International Exposition. The structure at that time consisted of brick, wood lath, and plaster. Over the years the structure deteriorated. Instead of rebuilding like the exposition, the city built what you see today a complete replica of the Parthenon. On May 21 1931, the Parthenon reopened to the public.

Detailed Sculpture on top

Susan in front

Belle Meade Mansion, meaning beautiful meadow was founded in 1807. What started as a log cabin and 250 acres, owned by John Harding one of the largest thoroughbred horse farms in the south.


Original cabin of the Hardings

Belle Meade Mansion



Slaves Quarters

Outbuilding

In the 1800's horse-racing was the top American sport with Belle Meade being established as a premier horse farm. Thoroughbred race horses such as Seabiscuit, Secretariat, Funny Cide, and Barbarro can be traced back to Belle Meade Plantation.

Another historic place we wanted to checkout was Belmont Mansion also known as Acklen Hall. Home of one of the south's wealthiest women, this Italian style villa was completed in 1853. It was used as a summer home by the owner to escape the heat of Louisiana.

Belmont Mansion

In 1952 Belmont Mansion was bought by Belmont University and later placed on the National Register of Historic Places.


Fort Negley was the largest inland stone fort built during the Civil War covering 4 acres. Because of it's location, size, and guns, Confederate attacks were discouraged throughout the war.

Fort Negley Entrance

In the 1960s the deteriorating stockade was removed and the Fort closed to the public only to be reopened again on the 140th anniversary of the Battle of Nashville December 2004.
Today as we walked along the paths that many soldiers did years prior you can still see the old stones that was part of the Fort.

Remains of Stone Walls 

Sally Port - Only Entrance to Fort

Strategic location - looking at downtown Nashville

Our last stop of the day was The Grand Ole Opry and Gaylord Opryland Hotel.

Grand Ole Opry

The Gaylord Opryland Hotel was an experience within itself. There was a plenitude of people working in order to meet the opening ceremonies of the festive season.

Front Entrance

Rear Entrance

Beautiful nativity scene on the grounds

Grand Staircase

Poinsettia Tree

One of many waterfalls

 

The decorations were breathtaking

The pond was full of Koi

The gardens were amazing

Balconies overlooking the mezzanine

Lots of natural light throughout the building

While walking through the hotel I was in total awe. I couldn't shoot enough pictures. Each time I turned around there was another picture opportunity full of beauty. It was one of the highlights of Nashville by far. 

Downtown Nashville

Even though it's cold the day holds a beautiful clear blue sunny sky. Today we decided to travel into downtown Nashville and see all the sights we can possibly see. The first job was to find parking. Awe haw meter parking... lots of them... on Gay Street even better. So we parked took out my tourist map and started walking. Nashville is the second largest city in Tennessee next to Memphis, and has a population over 1.5 million people.

Nashville lies on the Cumberland River

Downtown Nashville

Several pieces of artwork appear throughout the city. This one called "Ghost Ballet for the East Bank Machinework" appears on the East Bank Greenway of the Cumberland River opposite the downtown. The artist is Alice Aycock  and the artwork depicts the transformation of an industrial area to a recreational and entertainment area. This piece is 100 ft tall, 100 ft wide, and 60 ft deep.



Ghost Ballet for the East Bank Machinework

Since the 1970's Nashville saw an economic boom focusing on urban development.

Bridgestone Arena home of the Nashville Predators

LP Stadium home of the Tennessee Titans

A contrast of old & new

The AT&T building which was completed in 1994 is currently the tallest building in the state of Tennessee. Because of it's distinctive design and dark colour combination it has the nickname "Batman Building" due to it's resemblance to Batman. Let your imagination wonder when looking at the picture below.

AT&T Building

Nashville is best known for it's country music clubs and honky-tonk bars. Most are located in the areas of Lower Broadway, Printer's Alley, and Second Avenue. Here are just a few.

Coyote Ugly Saloon & Grill

World Famous Tootsies Orchid Lounge

Legends

Hard Rock Cafe

Printer's Alley

We passed several stores with great deals on western boots

On the Cumberland River near the original site stands a reconstructed replica of Fort Nashborough.

Downtown Nashville has a huge populous of old buildings. The State Capital Building cornerstone was laid in 1845 and completed 14 years later in 1859. The 11th President of the United States James K Polk and his wife are intombed on the grounds.

Tennessee State Capital Building

The Union Station was built by L & N Railroad in 1898. In 1986 it reopened as a hotel.

Union Station

St Mary's Catholic Church in downtown Nashville was built in 1845 and is the oldest surviving church in Nashville.

St Mary's Catholic Church

The US Customs House cornerstone was laid in 1877 and housed  the federal court, customs, and the post office

US Custom House

The Ryman Auditorium which was built in 1892 has been referred to as the "Mother Church of Country Music". It was home to the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974. Several artists including Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, and Bruce Springsteen have been known to play at the Ryman because of it's outstanding acoustics. 

Ryman Auditorium

The Land of Honky-Tonk Heroes