Discovering Ridgetop, Tennessee - echoes of the past

What IS it about Ridgetop that is so magical?

I drove through Ridgetop, Tennessee by mistake yesterday, and was SO glad I did. This place has the aura of a vacation community. There are great huge Victorian houses, little roads, picturesque vistas, and places to visit here. I got a feeling of being in the past, in a good way. It was magical - because the houses and atmosphere harkens back to an earlier, more graceful, slower paced, more elegant time.

I want to come back and vacation here someday. But I did get to drive through part of Ridgetop yesterday. If you live in the area, it's definitely worth a look or even better, a visit.

I want to go back and find out more.

Ridgetop Tennessee's website at http://ridgetoptn.org/ has this description of Ridgetop, Tennessee:  

"Ridgetop is located in southern Robertson County and derives its uniqueness from the topography and climate of the area. It’s located at the edge of the Highland Rim over 800 feet above sea level.  Ridgetop was settled in the early 1800's and played a role in the social life of turn-of-the-century Nashville. This was the era of the inner city elite who could afford to take vacations during the hot summer months, and escape to Ridgetop then known as "The Enclosure" resort and spa. The resort consisted of six lots hosting summer cottages surrounded by sprawling lawns and a common park area with a white wooden fence.  Today Ridgetop is a beautiful small thriving community still welcoming with open arms and southern hospitality. "

Well... The Enclosure may be gone, but there are reminders of how fun a place Ridgetop used to be all over the place. For lovers of the past, Ridgetop is a must-see, even if you just drive through, as I did.


Here is a map from Mapquest to let you know where it is located:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Ridgetop&state=TN

Ridgetop, Tennessee from Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ridgetop,_Tennessee

Ridgetop Online Community (this site has photos, too)
http://www.ridgetop.net/

From this site: "Ridgetop, originally known as Nunley and then as Chancy, took its name from the train stop which was known as Ridgetop Station." Interesting!

All for now,

 -Betsyanne

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Native - a 5-person Native American art show in Nashville, Tennessee

I saw an interesting art exhibition lately in Nashville at the Front Porch Gallery  in the Scarritt-Bennett area. It is called Native. Five different native American artists "present their different perspectives..."

I was impressed by the originality and difference of the exhibits. I liked the Burial Ground with skulls in front. I also liked the chairs which I remembered from last visit. The chairs are not part of the exhibit.

I didn't take pictures inside, but one work there stays with me - it is a bed with photographs that revolve on top in a mobile. They tell some of the story of the person whose bed it used to be.

My daughter sat in one of the chairs, and it was wet from the rain. It took awhile for the water to dry out. I'm glad they had exhibits outside so I could snap them with the camera.

Find out more:
Scarritt-Bennett's The Front Porch Native Exhibition

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Kentucky tree photos, telephone lights from Nashville and snow photos

I took these photos about a month ago while coming back from Tennessee. On I-65, there are lots of beautiful trees on the side of the road, plus some neat farms and fields.

I had a lot of fun playing with these photos in Photoshop too.

 

These next photos are taken in Nashville, downtown, after it got dark. I started trying to get a real view of the area... but wound up getting some neat slow exposures from street lights and car lights. To me, they look like telephones.

I hope you like them!

- Betsyanne

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