American Splendor
The American South is good for a lot of things. People say it’s known for greasy food and rednecks, and if that’s what they want to know about it, by all means, keep just thinking that. To me, there’s warmth and a special kind of southern charm. Friendly people from all over live a slower pace. Soaking in all the small moments breathes an ease in the atmosphere. Right now, the sun is still lingers just before sunset, the rays are warm, and the beauty of Tennessee can be found everywhere. If I didn’t have to work, well hell, maybe this would feel like a paradise too.
What a good weekend was had running around the hometown in the early October Fall.
Started off with a phone call from a buddy I haven’t gotten to see yet. Bubba asked me if I wanted to travel to a skate contest in the middle of nowhere. Other plans had fallen through, I guess it was time to follow the signs.
Still had time to finish my golf round. Not a bad start.
Woah!
What a Mecca!
Guys were hucking.
Moments before I was a down on the side of the vert ramp shooting. This guy tries to stall the side of the railing and missed…
He fell over 15ft to flat right in front of me. I almost ran to catch him but wasn’t going to make it. He crashed. Seconds later, he bounce right back up and ran up the ramp. It was wild.
He was definitely limping after the adrenaline wore off, but damnit if that wasn’t gnarly!
New day, old friends!
I was quite dejected after heading to Sixth Ave, my childhood home, and feeling lost in a place that was always so special. Upon talking to a couple locals, I decided I couldn’t in good faith spend any money and support a place that no longer had any heart in it. This original logo was a heart of Nashville. Strange times.
After noticing this wall of skateboards of past graphics, I realized the only one that was missing was the first, the one with all the original locals on it, nowhere to be seen. How poetic.
This is where I grew up.
This is all that’s left. They turned our skatepark into a police station. How ironic.
Eat my feelings.
Off to see another Skateshop.
The skateboards were $20 more, but at least I felt good about it. A complete uses to run 200 top to bottom. A board, and trucks was 150. Sheesh.
Last time I was here, these trees were barely taller than me.
Last minute sight seeing.
This beautiful bridge is quite stunning. It sits between a ravine that feels almost like Rivendell setting. Somehow people decided it was a good bridge to commit suicide so they had to install the fences. Life is crazy. Stories can unravel in all the corners of the world.
53G of sugar? That’s insane right??
Never actually been here to eat!
Had to of course!
Do I look famous?
This is the Demoss Cabin. They moved here in 1800. This Frenchman lived here with his wife and 9 children and loved how beautiful it was deciding to call it Belle Vue. Translated as “a beautiful View.” I watched the sunset here like he and his family must have and it felt splendid. I could see how he saw it. What a thing to share.
Off to friends.
Simple pleasures. 4 hours later and we were full of smiles and carbs. Photos were taken, stories were shared, and the life seemed not that bad. Until next time, later.
