The Memphis Trolleys have returned better than ever.

Memphis has some globally interesting attractions. There is Beale Street of course, the National Civil Rights Museum, Graceland, The Rendezvous, The Sun Studio, The Stax Museum, The Bass Pro Pyramid, and I think that the Memphis Trolley System offers a unique Memphis Experience. The trolleys offer the experience of stepping back in time in transportation. Their beautiful exterior and the classic wooden interior add to that experience. A few years ago the original trolleys were destroyed and damaged by an unfortunate fire, but out of the ashes a new and improved experience has risen.

Main Street Memphis is a classic experience as well. It allows people to leisurely explore the heart of downtown Memphis. It is vital for those who work downtown during the daytime and there are night spots and dining that makes it a great destination all around. The trolley system adds greatly to the ambience.

They run up and down Main Street day time and evening.

They offer color to the city streets and represent well.

I love their appearance.

Their interiors are historically classic transporting you back in time.

They vitally link South Main with North Main.

They pass by local landmarks like the Orpheum Theater.

It is quite true that the trolleys are an important part of a Memphis experience that is uniquely Memphis!

Recent Trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Part 1

Tennessee is truly a beautiful state with diverse landscape. I remember as a kid, the Davy Crockett TV show. The Show's theme song began... "Born on a mountain top in Tennessee, the greenest state in the land of the free." That certainly is the truth by my experience. Tennessee has a whole lot of green throughout the spring and summer, but fall is a beautiful time in the Smoky Mountains.

We recently traveled there to catch the fall colors, and we got more than we bargained for. We also got some snow.

This is Cade's Cove and you can see the snow dusting on the surrounding mountains.

On the road to Cade's Cove from Gatlinburg

The mountain Streams are beautiful

Still the green persists...

The fall colors were great, even with the over cast conditions

The Pigeon Forge Bypass over looking a fog shrouded Gatlinburg

Another stop in Cade's Cove

Waterfalls along the roadway

The John Cable Grist Mill

Serentity

Cabin in the sun

On the way back to Gatlinburg

Here are a few images to enjoy. I love being able to share my travel adventures with photos. There will be more to follow, and future trips at different times of the year.

July Photography Meetup: Capture Memphis, Memphis Digital Photography, and Memphis Photography Facebook Group

On Saturday, July 15, 2017 there was a meetup of Memphis Photographers at the Front Porch Bar and Grill at Beale St. Landing. A good time was had by all! There was fellowship, photography, gear talk, and eats and drinks. There was about 30 people in attendance, and at least 24 were Memphis Photographers.

There was a lot of gear talk

There was discussions everywhere you looked and people were shooting photos as well

Photographers Billy Morris and Michael Norman were shooting me while I was shooting them and Alan and Jeff were in deep conversation.

A model came on the scene waiting for a dinner river boat ride and she posed for a lighting session.

I shot a candid

I shot a photographer, shooting a photographer, that was shooting

We were entertained by a smooth jazz band

The skies were dramatic

The Memphis Queen was docked awaiting people to board

They sailed off into the sunset

The sky put on a show toward the end.

Everyone left in anticipation of the next gathering.

Dixon Gardens

A wonderful attraction that appeals to the photographer here in Memphis is Dixon Gardens and the Dixon Gallery. This blog post will focus on the garden and grounds. The Gallery would be another post all to itself. The beauty of the garden is that it continually changes based on the seasons and which plants thrive at which time. It is always a fun get-away.

The gardens are beautifully appointed and designed

The gallery building looks great in the garden lawn setting

Great flower photo ops

There are unique and amazing sculptures to view

There is beautiful wildlife

And yes, they have a Rodin

The greenery is splendid

Many flowers

Loads of bees

All colors

It was so hard to choose that I can see that I will have to do other blog posts on the gardens, and I have not gone into the gallery yet!

Lotuses take over South Pine Lake in Shelby Farms Park

One of the biggest pleasant surprises I found after moving to Memphis was the Lotuses that grow in South Pine Lake at Shelby Farms Park. They almost look otherworldly. They made me think of Jurassic Park and the flora of the Jurassic period. For me, they are a visual treat indeed!

Looking into South Pine Lake from the roadway

They really grow large

The warm air and water really allow them to grow

I remember as a kid growing up watching a weekly TV show called Davy Crockett. The song for the show, said that Tennessee was "the greenest state in the land of the free." That ain't no lie!

Yes, that is actually a lake.

From all angles

So serene

It is so starkly different in the winter time. I need to take a photo then and show a lake without the lotus plants.

Nashville: A great nearby weekend get-a-way

If you are a photographer, 2-1/2 hours up I40 is a destination that is really rewarding photographically. Nashville is a very photogenic city. I am not trying to diminish Memphis, it is iconic in many ways with Beale St., the bridges, the riverfront being just a few of the photo ops offered, but Nashville is indeed a favorite among many of my photography friends.

I have gone there several times and have always taken my camera with me. Here is some of the results of those several trips.

A super wide shot of the iconic skyline from across the Cumberland River.

Broadway, the 4th of July 2014

The foot bridge gives great shots of the river tugs

Who can resist the Candy Kitchen on Broadway?

The Parthenon always offers great photo opps!

I absolutely love this tree along the path at the pond in the park near the Parthenon.

It is thoughtful to have a bridge specifically for pedestrians!

Music is the focus on the river front.

The iconic skyline all the way to the State Buildings.

On the pedestrian bridge

The sun starts to set on Music City!

Goodbye for now but not forever.....