When we returned from our Norway and Iceland trip on August 1st, we stayed in Tennessee until after Labor Day. During this time, we took two side trips in our Ranger to visit family. In between we had time to see some interesting places in Tennessee.
TENNESSEE STATE CAPITOL
The Tennessee State Capitol sits atop Capitol Hill, the highest point in Downtown Nashville. This Greek Revival building construction began in 1854 and opened in 1859. We visited on a Saturday. It wasn't busy, but there is no access to the interior on weekends.
We climbed the 140 steps to the top, only to find there was a road up there. But we did get our exercise on this warm, humid day.
View of Nashville from the Capitol porch.
TENNESSEE STATE MUSEUM
Adjacent to the State Capitol is the Tennessee State Museum. This museum records the state's history from its first peoples to present day through interactive displays, art, artifacts and documentary films.
The view of the state capitol building from the museum.
Working Printing Press and Demonstration
Leaving our rig behind, we drove to a beautiful Air BnB high on a cliff overlooking the Ohio River. Cathy and Jim drove from Michigan to meet us in this lovely two-bedroom home for four nights..jpg)
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The large deck also had a treehouse that overlooked the river.
Maysville, Kentucy, is a historic town located downriver from Cincinnati. We enjoyed watching the barge traffic on the river from our perch high above the city.
While we were there, Cathy and Jim celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary. They picked a delicious Italian restaurant in Maysville for their celebration.
VISITING THE GRANDKIDS IN WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
Leaving our rig behind again at Paradise on the Mountain RV in Crossville, Tennessee, we drove our Ranger to Maryland for more family visiting.
Jacob and Logan
Julia took us on a tour of her college, Towson University, where she is enrolled as a math major.
Dinner out with the gang.
Sunday dinner with Julia teaching Grandma how to make homemade fettuccini.
THE HERMITAGE
We spent a day touring Andrew Jackson's historic home and museum. This is one of the nation's oldest and largest historic sites. The 7th president of the United States was often referred to as the People's President.
The carriage road into the home is lined with Eastern Red Cedars.
The Hermitage was built in 1821.
Garden resting place of Andrew Jackson and his beloved wife, Rachel.
Restored Slave Quarters
The Jacksons had up to 150 slave laborers.
The contrast between the two was striking, he was 6'1" and weighed only 140 pounds.
STONES RIVER NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD
This significant Civil War battle took place December 31, 1862, through January 2, 1863, engaging over 81,000 men. This battle marked the beginning of the fall of Nashville, the first confederate state capitol to fall. Tennessee was the last southern state to succeed and the first to rejoin the Union.
The Battle of Stones River was one of the bloodiest encounters of the Civil War with over 24,000 casualties.
Over 6,100 Union Soldiers are buried in this National Cemetery, 2,500 of them unknown.
The Hazen Artillery Brigade Monument is in recognition of the men who fought along the Hell's Half Acre line. This monument was built by comrades in 1863 and is the oldest Civil War memorial in existence.
