An exercise in awareness

Well, here we go: take 2.

After yesterday’s failed attempt, today I succeeded in my mondo Tour de Nashville on foot. I kept my eyes open for anything that might catch my attention; here are some of the many.

Immediately, I was reminded that spring is almost here.

Did you know that there is a full-scale, exact replica of the Parthenon in Nashville? I KNOW. Can you say ran-dom? It’s kind of cool, though. I wish I had a toga or some olives or something.

I found a little pond to walk around. It’s not exactly Green Lake (which I miss like the bullseye on a dartboard – i.e. “often”), but it has a slightly similar feel.

Every time I see a little duck pair, I think of them as Opal and Willard. Don’t they look like an Opal and Willard – an old married couple that’s just living their every-day life? As comfortable with each other as they are with themselves?

Another sign of life.

I walked past a Methodist church with it’s doors wide open and it’s sanctuary empty. It had been a long time since I had seen stained glass and grandeur in a sanctuary, and I liked to think that the silence was pregnant with the prayers of those who had worshiped there this morning.

I-40 East / I-65 South. Glamorous.

Empty railroad tracks close to downtown.

I cannot tell you how happy I was to see these flowers blooming in Nashville; it reminded me of Seattle. Can you tell I’m missing Seattle these days?

Here are some of the honky tonks on Broadway downtown. To witness them in their full glory, you kind of have to see them on a weekend night: neon lights flashing, and twangy bands in the windows, and cheap beer flowing like milk and honey. They are magnificently tacky.

Speaking of tacky…

This is the AT&T Building downtown. It’s the most prominent building on the Nashville skyline, as it bears a striking resemblance to Batman.

What century am I in?

I wanted to get another Americano at Crema, but it was closed.

This cracked me up.

Downtown Nashville is full of murals, and while a lot of them are cheesy and gaudy, this one struck me as harsh and solemn.

I logged 8.11 miles (check out MapMyRun.com – it’s a great resource), and then came home to eat a ham sandwich. You can bet that I’ll do this again – but maybe next time, I’ll go somewhere dangerous or dilapidated. I’m thinking Nolensville Pike. It will be The Walk: Rated R.