Davy Crockett, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee

We stopped in Lawrenceburg to view the Davy
Crockett statue and the house he lived in while
in Lawrenceburg. They also advertise a
Davy Crockett museum and Cherokee Cultural
Center. Their is nothing of value to see in the
museum/cultural center. However, we were
able to view a 30 minute video about the
Trail of Tears. That was very interesting.


Statue of Davy Crockett in Lawrenceburg square.



Davy Crockett lived in this cabin from 1817-1822. You can
go inside, but there is nothing inside that belonged to Davy
Crockett.

Natchez Trace Parkway, mile markers 375.8-269.4

So many things to see along the trace. We enjoy stopping at
the various mile markers and taking the walks. We are able to
hear the birds sing and enjoy the beauty that nature
provides.


This is mile marker 269.4. At the end of this original Trace walk,
is 13 Confederate graves.


This is mile marker 327.3. It is the site of Colbert Ferry
It is 500 yards across the Tennessee river to the other
side. It is reported that George Colbert who operated a
stand and the ferry charged Andrew Jackson $75,000
to ferry his army across the river.


Mile marker 363.0 Sweetwater branch. Lovely walk.
We were able to see beaver dams, fish, flowers, and of
course the Sweetwater spring.

Along these mile markers are Indian mounds. Those
pictures are in the travel photo albums.

Plants along the Trace

Berries like these are abundant. Gary said they tasted
really good.




Mushrooms or toadstools?

Birdsong Hollow

This is the double-arched bridge that spans Birdsong Hollow.
It was built in 1994. It received the Presidental Award for
Design Excellence in 1995 for its innovative design that
rises 155 feet above the valley and eliminates the need
fro spandrel columns. We drove over and under the
bridge. It can be seen on mile marker 438 along the
Natchez Trace Parkway.

Natchez Trace, Mile markers381.8-444

Gary and I drove the Natchez Trace from Mile marker
381.8-444. We stopped at all the points of interest along
the way. As always, more photos on travel photo link.


Grave of Meriweather Lewis. He was staying in this area
when he died. Info on marker says he died a mysterious
death. Did he commit suicide, or was his death meant to
look as if he commited suicide?


Fall Hollow. Lots of falls to see.


Mile Marker 397.4. You can walk 2000' of the trace.


Gordon House and Ferry Site. Marker 407.7 Mr. Gordon
was a scout for General Jackson. This house was built in
1818. The Gordons ran a ferry from 1801 until traffic on the
Trace declined.

Tribute to the King

We took advantage of the grey line tour to see
A tribute to the King, staring John Beardsley.
What a great show, 2 hours without an intermission.
He sings over 30 of Elvis's songs. If you are
in Nashville, be sure to see this show. You
might even get kissed by Elvis.

Carnton Plantation, Franklin, Tennesse

Carnton Plantation was built in 1826 by former Nashville Mayor
McGavock. It was visited by Presidents James K. Polk and
Andrew Jackson. During the Battle of Franklin, it was used as
a Confederate hospital. Living at Carnton Plantation was Randal's son
John and his wife Carrie. On the morning of Dec. 1, 4 Confederate
generals killed during the battle lay on the back porch. The
floors of the home are still stained with the blood of the men
who were treated there. In 1866, the McGavocks designated
2 acres as final burial place for nearly 1500 Confederate
soldiers who died in the battle of Franklin. Carrie began
to wear black and became known as "The Widow of the South"
Her story was told in The Widow of the South, a 2005 New York
Times bestseller by Robert Hicks (whom we got to see while
on tour).


Carnton Plantation.



One of the rooms used for surgery. The floor by the
window on the left, is stained with the blood of the wounded
Confederate soldiers.


The amputated limbs from the soldiers were piled up
to the top of this building.


Over 1500 Confederate soldiers killed during the Battle
of Franklin were reinterned to this cemetery which is now
the nation's largest private military cemetery. The owner
of the land where they were previously buried, was going to
plow the land covering the graves. John and Carrie got permission
to move them to this grave site. Imagine having to dig up and move
over 1500.

Carter House, Civil War Battle of Franklin, 1864

We took advantage of the Gray line tour "The Civil War:
Battle of Franklin" Cost was $55 per person. Great tour.
The Battle of Franklin was the five bloodiest hours of the
Civil War. It took place Franklin, Tennessee, a town of 750
people. The battle began around 4 pm on Nov. 1, and lasted
until around 9. In the morning, the townspeople left the
safety and comfort of their home to find over 9500
casualties. The battle was fought around the Carter House.
Soldiers were fighting hand-to-hand between the buildings.
The Carter family and some of their friends hid in the
basement during the battle. We toured the home, but no
photos were allowed inside. More photos on the travel
photo link.


Building on left served as office, building on right was
smokehouse.



Over 230 minnie ball holes are still in the office building.
The mini balls went through the building.


The smoke house took a lot of hits.


Hand-to- hand combat took place between the house and
the office.

Grand Ole Opry

What a great show. So many performers. Cost was $35
per person. We attended the late show on Saturday.
Starting in May and ending in September, they have
free music outside the opera. We saw Jan Howard,
Jeanie Shepherd, Ricky Scaggs, The Whites, Hal Ketchum,
Charlie Louvin, Cadillac Sky, Jimmy Dickens, Jim Ed Brown,
Tommy Emmanuel, Catherine Britt, and John England &
the Western Swingers. Everyone who performs on the
Opry receives $200 per song they sing or play.


Little Jimmy Dickens.


Brad Paisley, boy did the crowd go wild.


Hal Ketchem. Really enjoyed his part.


Porter Wagoner.

Grand Ole' Opry Museum

Before our visit to the Grand Ole Opry, we
toured the museum. Cost was free. Many
things to see-lots of instruments, outfits, (did
they ever dress great), photos, Marty Robbins
race car and a car that was built for him in England,
a Panther DeVille. They also had videos of
various artists performing.


Minnie Pearl's dress and hat.


Patsy Cline wore this 3-piece suit when
receiving some of her awards.


Marty Robbins really had some fancy outfits.
The pink one was my favorite. Notice the
boots, hat, and belt that matched coat and pants.


Emmy Lou Harris wore this suede outfit
on her first Grand Ole Opry performance.

Opryland Hotel

We took a walk around the Opryland Hotel. I had been there
before without Gary. We enjoyed the gardens. We took the
boat trip, cost $9 per adult. They are doing some remodeling
on the Delta area. Many different falls to see.

\
One of the many flowers in the garden. More flower shots
in the travel photo link


This lady was all dressed in greenery and
up on stilts. She moved very slowly. What
a sight.


This falls is located in the garden. You can walk behind
them. You can also see Koi fish in the pond.


One section of rooms that overlook one of the many
restuarants.

Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, Nashville, Tennesse

This museum has only been opened for one year. If you are
interested in the instruments that were used to record some
of the top records, then you will enjoy this museum. I learned
that the studio players who recorded a record that went gold
also received the same type of plaque that the recording artist
received. Some of the studio players played on numerous
gold records. Cost of this museum is $14.95 per adult. In the
future, they plan on having a live recording session during the
tours. Some of the instruments displayed were played on
original recordings of Mamas and Papas, Hank Williams, Elvis,
Tammy Wynett, Beach Boys, Supremes, Chicago, and many
more.


Ringo Star's shirt. He gave this to one of the studio players
after the recording of one of his records.


Guitar belonging to Jimi Hendricks


This guitar belonged to Johnny Cash.