Home Is Where We Park It:  Whispering Hills RV Park, Georgetown, KY

June 29, 2019

Temperature 92 degrees

Getting Caught Up – Marathon Motor Works

One more day of heat.  This is really something else.  Again, I’ll take it rather than freezing temperatures and snow!

A couple of months ago we joined Boondockers Welcome and today we had occasion to request our first stay in Marion, Ohio.  I was concerned about the heat, could we run our generator in order to use our AC?  The answer was You’ll be staying in the spot where I keep my RV when I’m home and it has 50 amp available.  Since I’ll be away during the time you’ll be here help yourself to the juice.  Sweet.

Today was a mixed bag.  We did some rearranging inside to better distribute the weight in our living room slide.  I got underneath and lubed all the rails and rollers.  Same for the bedroom slide.  I also lubricated the tow bar.  Tires were checked and found to be at the proper pressure.  Barbara did prep work prior to our move tomorrow.  We’re ready, almost, to go again.

Time to bring you another past blog.  This time we’re going back to Marathon Motor Works in Nashville.   This car company grew out of an earlier company called Southern Engine and Boiler Works founded in 1889 which made industrial engines and boilers As such, the firm had metal-working and power plant experience which could easily be transferred into the then-new and rapidly expanding automobile industry. It turned its attention in this direction shortly after the turn of the twentieth century. From 1907 to 1914, the company manufactured the Marathon Automobile.

Then as now it was common for auto manufacturers to outsource some of their components, concentrating on assembly and marketing, and perhaps manufacture of a few major systems. Southern Engine took a different approach however, and rather audaciously decided to engineer and build every single part of its car in-house. The company was fortunate to possess an exceptionally talented young engineer, William Henry Collier, who accepted the challenge.

 

Small production runs were achieved in 1907 and 1908. Outside investors were invited in the latter year, and 1909 saw a two-model lineup, roadster and touring car, powered by 35 HP 4-cylinder engines. Both were open bodies (tops were optional) and sold for about $1500. Sales volume reached about 400 units, a respectable figure at the time, especially considering the firm was making virtually all the parts itself.

The vehicles had been marketed as Southerns at first, but another firm was using that name. A decision was made to change the name of the car manufacturing operation and spin it off as a separate company at the same time. In 1910, Marathon Motor Works was created, named out of the enthusiasm for things Greek which had grown out of the 1904 Olympics.

At the same time, the company moved its operations to a larger facility in Nashville, whose finance and transport infrastructure could better support a growing company.  And grow it did. Marathon was soon on a genuine roll, even by the exuberant standards of the exploding auto industry. The cars acquired a good reputation for quality and durability, probably helped by the fact that the factory had total control of its parts, engineering and manufacturing.

 

New models and national advertising followed, and production soared to 10,000 units in 1912. Dealers were signed up literally on every continent and demand considerably exceeded supply.  This is a flyer about the car trying to entice prospective buyers to inquire about the car or purchase one.

The 1912 Model Line.

So what happened to Marathon Automobiles?  Stay tuned and I’ll fill you in.  Let’s look now at some of the artifacts on display regarding the company in its hey day.

 

A picture of the service department.

The paint room

The General Manager’s Office.

Left over signs from the various departments.

A display of some of the early machines and tools used in the factory.

Look at the size of the four pistons

I wish that they had included labels for what was on display.

Let’s move across the street now to the Marathon Motor Works Museum.  Marathon cars are collectible today, although only nine are known to have survived. Four of these are currently here in the Museum.  Recent reports have indicated that the car which is in the best condition is in South America. This unique car is said to be in perfect running condition and it is owned by an Argentinian collector who has worked for two years in order to restore it.  Unfortunately, there are no pictures of that car.

 

These are the current cars in the Museums collection.  They are constantly working to find other cars and/or pieces of same to add to the collection.

What’s left of someone’s desire to make a truck.

The only other intact car at the Museum.  Unfortunately, there was no plaque that identified it by either year or model.  But it’s a beauty!

The original Marathon showroom now the Museum.

The Marathon lineup of cars in 1914, its last year producing cars.

So what happened to Marathon?  As with so many of the early auto firms management and finance did not keep up with engineering. It was said by some – but never proved – that Collier was allowed to make fewer and fewer decisions, having to defer instead to a board of directors that often changed and may have been involved in financial improprieties. Critical personnel began to leave and suppliers began to complain of non-payment. The company fell as fast as it had risen and 1914 was its last year.  Today, The Marathon is remembered locally as being the only brand of car ever actually built in Nashville.

Another day on The Road of Retirement has come to an end.  Slowly and surely I’m getting caught up on my blogs.  Still have a long way to go.  Time now, though,  to go and begin putting everything in order for tomorrow’s move.  Yup, we’re on the road again – like my life is on the road making memories with my wife.

 

 

 

 

 

Home Is Where We Park It:  Whispering Hills RV Park, Georgetown, KY

June 28, 2019

Temperature 94 degrees

Getting Caught Up – Highlights from Nashville

I believe we have just about witnessed it all in terms of weather so far this year.  In New Orleans it was always in the 90’s with high humidity.  Then we began to move north and the temperatures dropped to a very comfortable 70 something with no humidity.  Then as we continued to move further north came the storms, the thunder, lightening and gusting winds.  We had days of rain off and on, day and night.  As of now we are back in the 90 plus category with clear skies.  The only thing we have not had, thankfully, is snow!  This is, indeed, a most interesting life.

Blog posts, suffice to say I am literally months behind.  Too many places visited, too many pictures to sort through.  Now, however, I’m going to put my mind to getting caught up.  I’ll try to share with you some of the more interesting places that we’ve visited over the last couple of months.  Today we are going to begin with Nashville.  As we tour Nashville I’ll try to highlight some of the more interesting stops that were on our Trolley Tour.

So let’s get started on our tour of Nashville.  The first stop on our tour will be the current Hard Rock Cafe.  Originally, it was home to the Silver Dollar Saloon.  It got its name for the hundreds of silver dollars used as decorations on the walls and in the floor.  Yes, some of them are still there.

Next up is West Riverfront Park.  This park includes trails, an ornamental garden, swings for adults as well as kids, and a downtown dog park.  It’s also home to the sculpture Light Meander, it’s curves meant to reflect the Cumberland River as it winds its way through the area around Nashville.

This is Riverfront Station which was constructed in 1902.  In 2006 it underwent a total renovation and now serves as a hub for the Music City Star Regional Train System.

This is Lower Broadway which is also known as Honky-Tonky Row.  It’s filled with bars and bands, western wear shops and restaurants.  It literally throbs to the beat of country music.  Don’t like what you hear?  Just move a few feet and you’ll be listening to a different performer and a different band.

Two of the more famous stores/bars are, first, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge which is located across the street from the above record shop.  Purchased in 1960 by Tootsie Bess it was originally called Mom’s.  The name change came about when a thrifty painter mixed the remnants of several cans of paint for the outer walls, thus giving the building its orchid hue.  It’s owner was best known for her generosity always trying to help out struggling performers by slipping five and ten dollar bills into their pockets.

Many now famous performers such as Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and others after performing at the Ryman Auditorium (the brick building to the left) would walk across the back alley and enter Tootsies for impromptu performances.  This was their way of repaying her for her generosity.

The second famous stop on Honkey Tonkey Row would be Nudie’s Honky Tonk.  It has a bar 100 feet in length and it resides in a 100 year old historic three story building housing millions of dollars of rare country music memorabilia, stage costumes, multiple bars, two stages and a stunning rooftop deck for live performances. 

Nudie Cohn was a Ukrainian born tailor who became famous in America for designing elaborate outfits for some of the most famous celebrities of his era.  The story goes that Johnny Cash once ordered nine suits before he went on tour one year.  Nudie delivered all nine in black.  Cash protested but there was no time for new suits.  Well, the rest is history.  Cash became known as the man in black

This is where history was made in downtown Nashville.  Sit-ins were held here designed to end racial segregation at lunch counters in Nashville.  After four months of non-violent demonstrations on May 10,1960 six downtown stores began serving African-American customers at their lunch counters for the first time.  Sit-ins, pickets, and protests against other segregated facilities continued in Nashville until passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Across from the Country Music Hall of Fame (which I’ll cover in another blog) is the Music City Walk of Fame.  It was established in 2016 and gives recognition to all musicians regardless of the type of music they are associated with who have made significant contributions to the music industry in connection to Music City.

The Ryman Auditorium often referred to as the Mother Church of Country Music.  Once known as the Union Gospel Tabernacle it was renamed in 1904 in honor of Tom Ryman who provided the major funding for the Tabernacle.  It was home to the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974.  After the Opry left it fell into decline and was scheduled for demolition .  It was saved from the wrecking ball by Emmyloiu Harris and her band The Nash Ramblers who recorded At the Ryman which revived interest in its preservation.  An initial renovation took place in 1994.  In 2015 it underwent a $14 million expansion and was declared a National Historical Landmark.

It was here that Bluegrass music was born.

 

The Johnny Cash Museum.  Born J.R. Cash (no first name) he became Johnny when he enlisted in the military and was required to have a first name.  His career spanned decades.  He was an accomplished songwriter and performer.  He starred in movies and television series, and he even had his own show.  The museum consists of the largest collection of Johnny Cash memorabilia in the country, including every guitar he played from the first as a child to the last on stage.

This is a statue of Chet Atkins a vocalist, songwriter and record producer.  He helped develop what is now known as the Nashville Sound.  The empty stool beside him is there it is said to encourage other musicians to join him and perform.

These are The Rivers of Tennessee Fountains.  There is a fountain, a total of thirty-one, representing each of the thirty one major rivers and waterways within the state.

This is called The Pathway of History.  This is just one small part of the wall.  Etched into the granite which stretches for block upon block are facts, quotes, and stories covering more than one billion years worth of history for what is now known as the state of Tennessee.

This globe weighs nine tons and floats on one-eight inch of water.  It can be turned by hand.  It shows all the battlefields were Tennesseans fought and died.

This is Marathon Motor Works which was originally the Nashville Cotton Mill.  It is an adaptive reuse project that has been in existence since 1960.  It currently houses two distilleries, a winery, a candy company, clothing retailers, a tattoo parlor, jewelers, art galleries and it is the home of American Pickers.

Main entrance into the complex.

American Pickers.

We now move to Music Row.  Though closed now, this was the site where that famous song Red Solo Cup was written.

This is the recording studio where the soundtrack for the movie O Brother Where Art Thou was recorded. The building was originally a church so the spacious old wood interior lends a unique sound to recording.

Jays’s Place one of the few recording studio’s with an open door policy.  If you step inside it is said that Jay will show you how a recording studio works.  The sign in front was created by Shel Silverstein who also wrote the hit Johnny Cash song, A Boy Named Sue.

 

The current recording studio for Garth Brooks.

This studio was founded by Mike Curb and Sammy Davis Jr., Hank Williams, and Lee Ann Rimes have recorded hits here.

This was way, way back the Addison Avenue Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  It remained a church until the mid 1950’s, and then many years later it was bought by Zac Brown and became their Nashville Recording Studio.

This is the Parthenon which was constructed in 1897 for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition to pay homage to Athen’s pinnacle of classic architecture.  Not intended to be permanent it was first constructed almost completely of plaster.  However, it proved to be such a hit with residents and visitors alike that in 1920 it was rebuilt on the same foundation but time out of concrete.  The exterior was finished in 1925 and the interior was finished in 1931.

However, until 1990 there was one glaring omission – no Athena!  She’s there now, standing 42 feet tall.  Once she was just all white but in 2002 she was gilded and painted with more than eight pounds of 23.75 carat gold.

This is called Musica and was crafted in 2003.  It is supposed to symbolically  represent dance and racial harmony.  Not everyone was pleased with it, however, so much so that many came out at night to cover certain parts of each statue with white sheets.  One of its nicknames thus became the diaper statue.

 

There is so much more that I could include.  But time and space will not allow it.  Hopefully, though, I’ve peeked your curiosity enough that one day you too will tour Nashville.  Take a tour, then lace up your walking shoes and get out and go.  We want to come back some day and do just that, just walk, and walk, and walk some more.  It’s the only way to really get to know and to soak up the unique character of Nashville.  It’s a fantastic city with a lot to offer.

Our day on The Road of Retirement has come to a close.  In addition to the blog several other must do’s were completed.  We got caught up on our laundry.  I was finally able to get the replacement part I needed to fix the kitchen faucet.  We picked up our mail and sent a package out via UPS.  All in all we accomplished a lot and felt good about it.  Time now to say goodnight.

Thanks again for joining us.  Have a good night.  We’ll catch you tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

See you on down the road!

 

 

 

Home Is Where We Park It:  Whispering Hills RV Park, Georgetown, KY

June 26, 2019

Temperature 91 degrees

The Ark Encounter

Today was the day.  The real reason for our coming to this area this year.  We missed it last year but not this time.  So though we got a late start we were committed to going.

The trip there was just thirty five minutes straight up I 75.  No traffic, no construction so the ride was an easy one.  In due time we saw the sign that told us we were there.

Once parked we headed off to get our tickets.  It looked like a long wait but the line moved quickly.  Why didn’t we get them earlier on line?  Because if you buy them in person I get both a senior citizen and military discount.

Tickets in hand time for the bus ride to the Ark.  This is one part of the whole equation that they need to give some fresh thought to.  Quite frankly, there simply aren’t enough buses to handle the crowds.

Here it is, the Ark itself.  Saying that it is huge is a decided understatement.

Bow on.

The stern.

Here are some pictures of the inside framing.  The Ark was constructed by Amish craftsman using traditional timber framing techniques.  In total, over 1,000 craftsmen were employed in the ark’s construction.  While the builders originally planned to hold the ark together with wooden pegs, modern building codes required the builders to use steel fasteners, thus 95 tons of metal plates and bolts were used to connect the wood together.

During our tour we discovered exhibits with information regarding Noah’s Ark and the Ark Encounter.

A woodpecker would have a field day with the Ark Encounter!

It is what it is and it served its purpose.

The Ark Encounter is just a bit longer than a typical football field with both end zones.

A place for everything, and everything in its place.

Now as you approach the entrance to the Ark Encounter you start to see animals, two by two heading toward it.

The first thing one needs to know is that there is a good deal of artistic license taken with the displays in the Ark Encounter.  A fact that they freely admit in the very beginning.  This is not meant to take away from what one sees but to put things in their proper perspective.

For instance

As for some of the actual exhibits.  There was one whole exhibit about Noah.

God’s call to Noah.

What life might have been like on the Ark.

The eight on board had their own living quarters.

Living quarters for some of those on board.

Noah and his wife.

A place to gather for meals and to perhaps just relax.

There were so many exhibits regarding the animals that were thought to be on the Ark.

I found Barbara’s favorite among the displays.  But though I searched, and searched I never did find my poor turtle.

The door.

Of course inquiring minds such as mine wanted to know

Other possible methods for ventilation.

 

There are so many more exhibits which I just can’t include but let me end with this

This was a fantastic exhibit!  The day was well spent touring it.  We are so fortunate that we had the opportunity to come back to see it this year.

By now we had worked up quite an appetite but thankfully we knew just the place

It was $9 for all you could eat.  Southern fried chicken, pot roast, ribs, meat balls, mashed potatoes and gravy, mac and cheese, fish, all kinds of vegetables, and so much more I can’t remember it all.  Yes, drink included!

The plan now is to tour the Creation Museum on Sunday.  When we leave here we’ll drive up in Graybeard, park somewhere in the visitor’s lot, and tour the museum.   When we’re done we’ll then move to our new home in Ohio.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  Once again it was jam packed from morning to afternoon.  It was a day, too, that we will long remember.  We’re so, so thankful to the good Lord for the days He gives us, especially days like this where we go together to learn and discover exciting new things.

Thanks again for joining us today.  We always enjoy your company.  Till tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

See you on down the road!

Home Is Where We Park It:  Whispering Hills RV Park, Georgetown, KY

June 26, 2019

Temperature 91 degrees

Kentucky Horse Park

The nights lately have been fantastic.  The temperatures have been in the mid 60’s with no humidity.  A perfect night for a perfect night’s sleep.

Today was another sightseeing day.  But first there was the matter of breakfast.  On the way to our destination imagine what we found?  A Waffle House!  This was just too good to pass up so it became our first stop of the morning.

Breakfast finished we were on our way.  Within minutes we where at the

One parked we began to make our way to the Visitor Center but before we even got there we discovered some very interesting plaques and statues.

Well, I looked and looked, I went round and round but never did find all the items on the list. I thought the clothes Iron would be easy but no luck.  I did find the spade.

The Visitor Center.

We moved from here to the Trolley Tour, but not just any Trolley.  A ten minute ride and we were familiar with the layout of the Park.

After our ride we went to the first exhibition of the morning at the

The first champion that was displayed was

Next was a pacing triple crown winner.

And finally we had

The next exhibition was perhaps my favorite and it was at the Breeds Barn.  The barn is a treasure trove of equines in all sizes, shapes and colors. This horseshoe-shaped facility houses 24 horses, each representing one of the world’s different breeds. Twice daily, once in the morning and then in the afternoon, there is the Parade of Breeds, an entertaining and educational presentation complete with music, costumes, and performances appropriate to each breed.

This was today’s schedule.  We were here for the morning show.

The first horse on display was the

Next on display was the

Next to come into the ring was

 

Now for one of the more colorful displays

Next in the ring was one of the work horses

Now for the last horse to come into the ring and probably my all time favorite.  What a horse, what a rider and what a fascinating display of horsemanship.

And who said I’m afraid of a horse?  Look, I’m even touching one!

And another one!

Time to move to the third and final exhibition of the morning.  We go to the Big Barn which is utilized to house the Park’s draft horses , as well as various horses from the other equine departments on the park. Also on view are a number of different carriages.

For all our Elvis fans everywhere.

In person!

The exhibition we came to visit was

On display today was

Here he is

 

Today’s demonstration was on how to properly harness him.  The complete harness we were told weights in the neighborhood of 75 pounds.

Yes, I even got up close and personal with him too!

Carriages on display in the Big Barn

Exhibitions finished we walked around the grounds for a bit and discovered

Then this statue

Finally, we headed to the

There is absolutely no way I can share with you all that is here.  We were absolutely amazed when we discovered that we spent close to three hours here and had not seen all the displays and exhibitions.  Let me, however, give you an overview of what is here.

Trophies of classes that have been retired.  They have been loaned to the Park to be put on display.

This is one that just amazes me – in particular in regards to who put it all together.

Moving on into another section of the museum

OK, I hope I have given you some idea of what is here.  There is so much more I haven’t included.  Suffice to say, the museum is enormous and there is display, after display, after display.  I was on information and picture overload by the time I got to the end.  And I know I missed some exhibits!  If you love horses, even if you don’t this is a fantastic place to visit.  Put it on your bucket list if you haven’t been here yet.

It was lunch time by now and there was a restaurant on site

Time for a quick bite before heading home

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  It was jammed packed from morning to afternoon and we enjoyed every minute of it.  We can now cross another one off our bucket list.  One more to go in this area, the real reason we came here.  Perhaps tomorrow, if not definitely the day after.  Time now to get some shut eye.

Thanks for joining us again, we always enjoy your company.  Catch you tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

See you on down the road!