"African black-footed penguins" Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa 2009Photo by Jenn Ballard
Happy Fathers' Day
to all the dads out there who help make their kids' dreams come true
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
On the road again....Part II
Continuing my trip from the previous posting, I woke up on the morning of June 13, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. I headed south out of music city, and, egged-on by the famous "See Rock City" signs every half mile or so, I decided that it would be a good day to make a couple of detours.
First, I stopped at the University of the South, affectionately known as Sewanee. Technically, I believe Sewanee is the name of the town, but having driven around, I can testify that it's hard to tell where the town stops and the college starts. Not that it matters...they're both very beautiful and more closely resemble an old fashion summer camp in the mountains than an institution of higher learning. (If you ever wondered where they got ideas for Hogwarts...I may have found the answer.)
You might be curious why a person would want to visit a university where they don't know anyone. The reason I wanted to make this stop is because the University of the South was famous among my friends and I in high school. We were curious about the rumor that the honors students still wear academic robes to class. Since it was summer break, I did not get to witness the robed masses for myself, and their website keeps its secrets. The truth behind this rumor is still a mystery, but I got some great pictures, please enjoy. http://www.sewanee.edu/
Next, I hit the road again very briefly before taking another detour to Lookout Mountain. This historic landmark is the home of world famous Americana tourist stop: Rock City. This lovely little mountain side amusement park was opened to public in 1932. It advertised by painting the simple slogan "see rock city" on barns across the state. That image, and the place itself, have become legend. If you've never been there, I suggestion you "See Rock City" at least once in your life. http://www.seerockcity.com/
Finally, I got back on the road, promising to keep moving this time. I rolled into Atlanta not too long after that and was quickly reminded why I hate driving in any city that requires six to seven lanes of interstate traffic at a time. I did get cut off by a real life, bonafide Lotus. I had a momentary flashback to the movie "Pretty Woman," but once I confirmed that neither Richard Gere nor Julia Roberts (Circa 1990) were driving, I was forced to honk and move on with my life in bitter disappointment.
I arrived in Athens, Georgia just as my nerves where wearing thin. I found the house where I will be staying and settled in for the next three weeks of training....ah the life of a student. Wish me luck!
First, I stopped at the University of the South, affectionately known as Sewanee. Technically, I believe Sewanee is the name of the town, but having driven around, I can testify that it's hard to tell where the town stops and the college starts. Not that it matters...they're both very beautiful and more closely resemble an old fashion summer camp in the mountains than an institution of higher learning. (If you ever wondered where they got ideas for Hogwarts...I may have found the answer.)
You might be curious why a person would want to visit a university where they don't know anyone. The reason I wanted to make this stop is because the University of the South was famous among my friends and I in high school. We were curious about the rumor that the honors students still wear academic robes to class. Since it was summer break, I did not get to witness the robed masses for myself, and their website keeps its secrets. The truth behind this rumor is still a mystery, but I got some great pictures, please enjoy. http://www.sewanee.edu/
"University of the South" Sewanee, Tennessee
Photo by Jenn Ballard
Photo by Jenn Ballard
Next, I hit the road again very briefly before taking another detour to Lookout Mountain. This historic landmark is the home of world famous Americana tourist stop: Rock City. This lovely little mountain side amusement park was opened to public in 1932. It advertised by painting the simple slogan "see rock city" on barns across the state. That image, and the place itself, have become legend. If you've never been there, I suggestion you "See Rock City" at least once in your life. http://www.seerockcity.com/
"See Rock City" Chattanooga, Tennessee
Photo by Jenn Ballard
Photo by Jenn Ballard
Finally, I got back on the road, promising to keep moving this time. I rolled into Atlanta not too long after that and was quickly reminded why I hate driving in any city that requires six to seven lanes of interstate traffic at a time. I did get cut off by a real life, bonafide Lotus. I had a momentary flashback to the movie "Pretty Woman," but once I confirmed that neither Richard Gere nor Julia Roberts (Circa 1990) were driving, I was forced to honk and move on with my life in bitter disappointment.
I arrived in Athens, Georgia just as my nerves where wearing thin. I found the house where I will be staying and settled in for the next three weeks of training....ah the life of a student. Wish me luck!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
On the road again....Part I
I started this blog to discuss topics rather than myself. However, for the duration of the summer my whereabouts will be periodically mysterious and my lifestyle somewhat nomadic. In honor of this rare scholastic fermata, I'm planning to actually write about myself and my various adventures (hope I don't bore you to tears). Consider it an ode to the all-American road trip.
I started on Saturday, June 12, 2010, leaving America's heartland just after a trip to the farmer's market, a quick lunch, and some frantic searching for misplaced odds and ends. I headed east toward the big STL. I made it through a small patch of lightening laden rain to "enjoy" the remaining 5 hours of my 7 hour drive in a hot, muggy fog of ickiness. I crossed over into Illinois before continuing on a more southerly course. Let me summarize Illinois for you...corn! I did pass the turn off for Cahokia Mounds, one of only twenty world heritage sites in North America. The civilization that built the mounds between 700 and 1400 A.D. represented the largest, most sophisticated pre-settlement culture on the continent north of present day Mexico. I had the pleasure of visiting this spot last spring, and if you've never been there, I highly recommend it (http://cahokiamounds.org/).
I passed into Kentucky around the time "A Prairie Home Companion" came on the radio. It seemed somehow fitting to listen to the bluegrass music as I headed south, Nashville bound. This radio program, if you haven't heard it, is a reproduction of sorts. It was started in 1974 and continues to this day as a live radio broadcast, produced in the style of an old fashioned variety show. You can find it on your local NPR station on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Check out: http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/
I rolled across the state line and into music city as the sun went down. I quickly cleaned up and was taken out on the town by my newly acquired cousin-in-law. She showed my Music Row, Belmont University, Vanderbilt University, and a great little local restaurant called "South Street" (http://www.pansouth.net/southstreet/index.php). It's apparently known for its oysters and the tree that it's built around. The atmosphere was funky and the food was tasty...totally worthy of a repeat. I had some terrific onion rings and a seafood steam pot. We had a couple drinks after that...nothing fancy. I went to bed and got up the next day ready to continue my travels....I could tell you about them now, but where's the suspense in that???
Pictures to come...
I started on Saturday, June 12, 2010, leaving America's heartland just after a trip to the farmer's market, a quick lunch, and some frantic searching for misplaced odds and ends. I headed east toward the big STL. I made it through a small patch of lightening laden rain to "enjoy" the remaining 5 hours of my 7 hour drive in a hot, muggy fog of ickiness. I crossed over into Illinois before continuing on a more southerly course. Let me summarize Illinois for you...corn! I did pass the turn off for Cahokia Mounds, one of only twenty world heritage sites in North America. The civilization that built the mounds between 700 and 1400 A.D. represented the largest, most sophisticated pre-settlement culture on the continent north of present day Mexico. I had the pleasure of visiting this spot last spring, and if you've never been there, I highly recommend it (http://cahokiamounds.org/).
I passed into Kentucky around the time "A Prairie Home Companion" came on the radio. It seemed somehow fitting to listen to the bluegrass music as I headed south, Nashville bound. This radio program, if you haven't heard it, is a reproduction of sorts. It was started in 1974 and continues to this day as a live radio broadcast, produced in the style of an old fashioned variety show. You can find it on your local NPR station on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Check out: http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/
I rolled across the state line and into music city as the sun went down. I quickly cleaned up and was taken out on the town by my newly acquired cousin-in-law. She showed my Music Row, Belmont University, Vanderbilt University, and a great little local restaurant called "South Street" (http://www.pansouth.net/southstreet/index.php). It's apparently known for its oysters and the tree that it's built around. The atmosphere was funky and the food was tasty...totally worthy of a repeat. I had some terrific onion rings and a seafood steam pot. We had a couple drinks after that...nothing fancy. I went to bed and got up the next day ready to continue my travels....I could tell you about them now, but where's the suspense in that???
Pictures to come...
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