“Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times.” ― Mark Twain
Break away from the norm - Go to the races
This photo was captured in the area of Huntsville, AL.
“If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough.” ― Mario Andretti
Shelby Street Bridge in Nashville, TN
In 1909, the Shelby Street Bridge (originally the Sparkman Street Bridge) was constructed in downtown Nashville, TN over the Cumberland River. Back then, Nashville had only 110,000 residents. The bridge is 1,768 feet long and not only covers the river, but also goes over railroad tracks alongside the river.
With a population today of over 600-thousand residents, the bridge is for pedestrians only. The bridge was closed to vehicle traffic in about 1998 and later re-opened as the pedestrian only bridge in 2003.
The bridge lasted longer than most bridges of its time because it was much stronger. It was actually designed to allow for street cars to pass over it on a rail system. However, the street car system in Nashville never utilized the bridge. Despite the overall strength of the support system in the bridge, the concrete used in the structure was anything but strong. It had to be replaced in the 1940's. The limestone quarry where the rock came from for the bridge was eventually deemed unfit for use. The quarry near Newsom Station, TN later closed down.
Third World Journey: Life is relaxing
The laid back life in the Dominican Republic. Photo taken in LaRepresa with an older Canon T2i and a kit lens. Sometimes, you shoot with what is available.
“To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter... to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring — these are some of the rewards of the simple life.” ― John Burroughs, Leaf and Tendril
Empty Places: Tennessee State Prison
The infamous Tennessee State Prison is located near downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The massive structure first opened in 1898. As you walk around the now silent grounds, you will see towering rock walls that were stacked by hand. On top of the wall that surrounds the prison are three wires that were once fueled by a small electrical substation to make them deadly to the touch. In fact, only one prisoner survived a climb over the live wires after he wrapped them in sheets. That prisoner did not walk away, but instead was transported to medical with serious burns all over his body.
The prison had a death row area that included solitary cells for troubled inmates on the row. Death row also had an electric chair for the final days of some inmates in Tennessee.
The prison, which closed in 1992, is now overseen by the Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission. However, the grounds are still cared for by the Tennessee Department of Corrections. In other words, you may still see inmates walking the grounds.
Today, the deserted prison remains under the watchful eye of a 24-hour guard and staff. The interior of the structure is off limits to the public due to the large amount of asbestos inside.
Third World Journey with New Vision Baptist Church
I recently went on a mission trip with New Vision Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, TN. We journeyed to the Dominican Republic and visited the small village of La Represa. The team I was on had a goal of teaching children how to play soccer (baseball is the main sport played in the DR). Needless to say, the children picked up on the sport extremely fast. They loved it.
Quick Facts:
- The Dominican Republic was explored by Columbus on his first voyage in 1492
- Population is over 10.3 million
- Capital is Santo Domingo with 2.1 million residents
- Degree of risk of obtaining a disease: High
- Food or waterborne diseases include bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
- Medical care is limited
- Water - not recommended to drink
- Official drinking age is 18
Third World Journey: Amazing Athletes
The children in the Dominican have some amazing athletic abilities. While there, I witnessed a 19-year old make a 20-foot jump from the side of a dam into 1-foot of water. As Gaba landed he made the perfect roll as if her were a stunt man practicing a movie shot. One teen can even throw a fast ball at 87 mph, according to some.
Third World Journey: Fishing, the old way
In this photo, you can see that fishing the old way with a net and a motor-less boat is still popular. The Dominican's are master fishermen.
Third World Journey: Children are the same
During my recent visit to La Represa, Dominican Republic it became quite clear... children can instantly relate to one another in a way that adults can never mimic. Children pick up on body movements, smiles, laughter very quickly. It is awesome to watch the Dominican children play with the American children from our church.
Third World Journey: Life and the welcome
I wish I could put into words the kindness and the welcoming of total strangers in the village of La Represa, Dominican Republic. As you walk the streets local residents will actually invite you into their homes and offer you their only chair.
The residents I met would ask for unselfish prayers and hand you fresh fruits they picked. One woman simply asked that I pray for the animals in her community and for them not to be abused or hurt. Another asked that we pray for her 100-year old mother.
Third World Journey: Unlike anyplace you have been
This photo was captured in a small village just outside La Represa, Dominican Republic. The majority of those living in this area get from point A to point B on small scooters or motorcycles.
Alcohol was extremely prevalent and the rules of the road were totally open to interpretation. You may see four people on a 100cc motorcycle or three people on a small scooter. The legal drinking age is 18, but that is seldom enforced.
Despite the poverty in this third world country, everyone we came in contact with was filled with joy and hospitality.
Couch surfing and okay with it
Clean, sober and polite. I would be happy if someone described me like that. This gentleman told me that he is homeless, but on the right track. During the summer months he lives on the street or with friends. When he earns enough money selling a local homeless newspaper, he treats himself to a hotel room. When November rolls around, he stays at the Room in the Inn of Nashville.
He was a very nice man to speak with as I cruised an old school 1985 Skyway freestyle bike through the downtown streets of Nashville shooting street photography. In fact, you can see the bike through his glass lenses. For this shot I used my small Fuji X100s. It is an excellent camera for bike rides.
I sell trees
I asked, "What do you do for a living?" He smiled as he sat back in his lawn chair... "I sell trees." I ran into this man at the Nashville Farmers Market. I thought to myself... When I get to be your age, I want your hair. "You look like a retired country singer," I told him. "Thanks," he stated.
I'm so tired friends...
“I’ve dreamed a lot. I’m tired now from dreaming but not tired of dreaming. No one tires of dreaming, because to dream is to forget, and forgetting does not weigh on us, it is a dreamless sleep throughout which we remain awake. In dreams I have achieved everything.” ― Fernando Pessoa, The Book of Disquiet
What's so funny?
Perfection... I heard the sound of the shutter as everyone looked towards two men ages 38 and 40 on BMX bikes from the 1985 era, reliving their childhood. The men on the bikes were in their own dreamland. One bike was a Haro Freestyle "Bob Haro" edition and the second was a Skyway Street Beat.
The onlookers laughed, but the men knew they had conquered the day! How do I know this? I was one of the men on the BMX bikes in downtown Nashville, TN.
Empty Places: A visit to a Chattanooga factory built in 1925
This was part of an old textile company in Chattanooga, TN. In 2004, a three man demolition crew illegally removed asbestos from the property and created asbestos-containing dust that contaminated the area of 17th Street between Watkins and Dodds avenues. The men were later sentenced to four years behind bars in a federal courtroom.
The company that owned the building was called Standard Coosa-Thatcher. It was founded in Piedmont, Alabama in 1891. The Chattanooga location was built in 1925.
Today, the old factory has been vacant for over 20-years. Reports indicate it may soon be developed into luxury apartments.
Empty Places: The not so pretty place to stay
Do you ever get the feeling you have been here before? That is what I love about exploring old roadside motels. You can remember as a kid stopping at a place like this. Perhaps in Florida, South Carolina or Virginia?
The basic layout of the room and the old wallpaper remind of what was once a nice place to lay your head after a long drive. Maybe you remember returning to the room after a long day at the beach or after a night out on the town. Those memories are now mixed in with the debris left behind by those who moved in to steal what furniture was left.
The once clean motel rooms are now littered with trash from vagrants, passing animals, fire from homeless men and women trying to stay warm in the winter, etc.
Empty Places: Another ghost town building of America
I love to go urban exploring. Here is a deserted roadside motel I found on a hillside in Tennessee. Overgrown, no sign of life.
7 Feet from danger
This man sleeps under a bridge in Tennessee just one small dividing wall away from railroad tracks that usually see up to one train every hour 24/7. Most of the trains pass by at 40-miles per hour or faster, just 8 feet from the location of where he places his head at night.
When the cars roar through the breeze picks up as your eyes are filled with passing dirt and dust. The constant sound of train engines passing under have turned the belly of the 5-lane bridge above black. Charles doesn't mind one bit citing, "It's dry and I have a mattress." He has been homeless for the past 6-years living in California, Texas, Georgia and now Tennessee.
Sadness Vs. Life
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ― Albert Einstein