One of my stops in Nashville was at the Centennial
Park to see
the Parthenon,
Athena, and the surrounding park area. Here are some pictures
from
that time:
The Parthenon in Nashville is the only replica in
the world that is the actual size of the original, which was built in
Athens about 2,500 years ago. This following picture will help
you see how large it is by comparing it to the people in the foreground:
In Centennial Park, there is a large pond near the
Parthenon and a wide sidewalk around it that joggers or walkers like to
use for exercise. As you'll be able to see, it is a very beautiful area
for spending some peaceful time and enjoying the serenity:
It was during the
time of a heatwave (around July 25) that I went to Opryland. With
all the stifling heat we had been having, it was a cool
alternative. Though the center area is inclosed by a large glass
dome -- so that the environment within can be kept at a cool,
comfortable climate -- the ambience, at times, will often give you the
feeling of being outdoors (though in a pleasant temperature), due to
the numerous tropical trees; abundant foilage; captivating fountains;
rushing waterfalls; a winding "river" that some journey on boat
rides; stores built in the style of New Orleans' French-quarters; wide,
winding walk ways; picturesque statues, and eye-catching flowers.
This large area is surrounded by several stories of hotel rooms, each
with their own balcony to look down from and enjoy the sights
below. Here are some pictures of parts of it:
Near the capital is Bicentennial Park, which also displays "the History
Wall" -- a time-line extending to 1996. It is a serene area
with a lot of open grassy ground that is bordered with shady
trees and a wide, inviting walkway for joggers or walkers to exercise
on. Here are some scenes from there:
The timeline wall shown in the previous
picture stretches for the equivalent of a few blocks. Those
structures to the right are year markers. Here's a closeup of
some:
In this picture are bells (at the Bicentennial Park) that almost
form a circle. The names of country music legends are inscribed
in the slab of
concrete that circles the court. The bells play several country
tunes, but I didn't get to hear them the day I was there: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards3/pictures/nashbell.jpg
The following wall (which is at the other end of the park from
the bells) serves as a tribute to the water of Nashville:
