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.....

Memphis Zoo; #1 of the 10 Top Zoos in America. Part 2

There is a website called America's Top 10 Zoos and guess what Memphis is #1. If you don't believe me check out this website. I knew that the Zoo was rated high, but was pleasantly surprised to find this website having it number one! One thing is certain, the Memphis Zoo is a great place to spend a day. Me, being an older photographer, I bought a membership so that I can run in often for 1 and 2 hour visits. It is a well kept zoo with a lot of animals to view and photograph.

We love to take our grandson there and he loves to go. It would be difficult to see it all in one day there are so many exhibits.

The rhinoceros is such a massive animal. You can ride a train for two dollars that has a person giving a tour monologue and she gives some pretty interesting facts and statistics about the rhino.

The elephants and the rhinoceros are neighbors at the zoo.

Imagine your plate on a pole

Disagreement in Cat Country

I won the argument!

Some long horns to carry around

Lone wolf

Other fun activities

Waving goodbye over my shoulder for today. But like the former governor of California said, "I'll be back!"

Memphis Zoo; #1 of the 10 Top Zoos in America. Part 1

There is a website called America's Top 10 Zoos and guess what Memphis is #1. If you don't believe me check out this website. I knew that it was rated high, but was pleasantly surprised to find this website having it number one! One thing is certain, the Memphis Zoo is a great place to spend a day. Me, being an older photographer, I bought a membership so that I can run in often for 1 and 2 hour visits. It is a well kept zoo with a lot of animals to view and photograph.

Look at some of the stars of Cat County. Meet two of the three lions sharing a tender moment of cuddling.

We get to take a look at a family picnic! This is an example of how great the attractions are at the Memphis Zoo.

Of course there is a panther in Cat Country

The Silverback may be thinking, "what are you looking at?"

Meet Babu the male Mandrel

How does the song go? "Never smile at a crocodile."

Z is for Zebra

Volunteers help understand the zoo stars by speaking to small groups.

You can get your face painted.

This is just a few of the many wonderful things you can see and do at the Memphis Zoo. It will take a few more blog posts to really showcase what you will experience with a trip to the Memphis Zoo.... More to come!

The Big River Crossing is complete

Saturday October 22, 2016 was a big day for Memphis and West Memphis. The Big River Crossing opened officially with pomp and circumstance. The Harahan Railroad Bridge at one time had car lanes attached to it. It was plank covered and allowed cars to travel across the Mississippi River from Arkansas to Tennessee and vice versa. Early in 2013 construction began making the north side of the bridge a pedestrian bike trail. It is the longest pedestrian bike bridge across the Mississippi. It is a excellent structure on a beautiful and stately old bridge. Most importantly it links Memphis TN with West Memphis AR, allowing bicyclists and pedestrians to safely cross the river. From this beginning a new network of trails will be added.

This sign is on the Arkansas side and announces the attraction to passing motorists on I55.

This shows the bridge when it was under construction. The walkway is on the side of the bridge facing the camera, the river tug, and Martyrs Park.

The trail from the river to the visitors entrance in Arkansas is covered with openings on the north side viewing the I40 bridge and the river.

Over the river it is not covered and open to the sky and bridge above. To the right of the people and the high fence is the railroad tracks. Trains use the bridge all the time.

It offers great views of the river and the Memphis skyline.

This is a view just on the bridge from the Memphis side and offers a unique view of the skyline that was impossible to get before the Big River Crossing unless one would illegally sneak onto the railroad bridge which was dangerous as well as against the law.

The bridge is an amazing sight when lit up in the evening.

Here is a couple out walking their dog at night on the bridge. It is open from sunrise to 10PM every day and is lit up with various colors.

It is an amazing structure when lit up.

It offers a variety of views for the photographer and those just enjoying the Memphis skyline.

Here is a map of some of the trails that are planned to be developed.

I encourage you to get out and enjoy it for yourself.

The Shelby Farms Park Makeover is complete, and a complete success!

One of the things that impresses me most about Memphis is the dedication people have to Shelby Farms park. It is funded locally by donations and patrons and it is a beautiful green space for all Memphis Residents. When they tore down the old visitors center I was amazed thinking it was great, but the new one and all the added features, along with the Fedex Event Center is superb! Here is a photo collection of the New Shelby Farms Park.

This is the new Visitors Center housing a cafe

Patriot lake is enlarged/doubled

They have added hiking rails for evening walks

For the whole family

A new upscale restaurant  called The Kitchen in the Fedex Event Center

Bicycling

Sailing

Relaxing

Oh, and some things stayed the same