Nashville Raindrops

May 28-29

Our stay at the Music City Embassy Suites was outstanding: views of the city from the 8th floor, walking distance to many attractions, and great wheelchair accessibility. However, the weather did not cooperate.

There were a few breaks in the rain, and we took full advantage. On Monday, we walked about 30 minutes to the honkeytonk bars that line the streets for about three solid blocks.

At the first bar, we stood at the door and looked in to see if there was room for our motley crew. The singer on stage called us out to come in to a nearby open table. The country music and the beer was good. Although the band didn’t know any Townes Van Zandt, they did fulfill my request with an old Johnny Cash tune from the Folsom Prison album.

Monday night, Julia and I walked over to the Parthenon replica at a park near Vanderbilt University.

On Tuesday, we all walked downtown to view the state capitol and other state government buildings.

After all of that hard work, Justin was ready for a hot dog, and we were ready for a beer. The Nashville farmers market provided the perfect respite from the rain.

I was drinking a Bearded Iris Homestyle IPA, which might be the best IPA that I have had this year.

The rain continued that afternoon and evening, although we did sneak out for some Ben and Jerry’s ice cream between showers.

Next up: Lexington, Kentucky.

Walking in Memphis

May 25-28

To celebrate Justin’s high school graduation, we are on a wheelchair van road trip with the first stop in Memphis.

Traveling with Justin can be a lot of fun but sometimes also very frustrating. We had trouble finding accessible accommodations in every city stop on this trip.
Julia booked us at the Hilton. When we arrived, we discovered that all of the handicapped rooms were in the basement/parking level.

Our room was accessible for perhaps an older person who could walk but needed a rail support for the toilet or bath. However, we had asked for a wheelchair accessible bathroom with roll in shower. The bathtub, narrow door and tight spaces didn’t work.

An hour later. We were settled into a room that worked. It was located in the very back of the basement floor next to the staff break room door. But it worked.
The pool had a lift for disabled people but could only be reached by negotiating a flight of stairs. We asked how a power wheelchair user could access the pool. Each employee we asked looked at us like we were aliens. No one knew.

This is often business as usual for wheelchair consumers in our country. Things are better with the ADA (Americans with Disability Act). But we have a long ways to go with regard to access and respect. It isn’t as though our room was cheaper.

Think for a moment how races or genders would feel about being segregated in hotel basements or restaurant side rooms. Or ushered into the back room or freight elevator representing the handicapped entrance.

We were pretty tired when we finally got settled into our room and got unpacked. Still, we had time for some Memphis barbecue.

On Saturday, Julia and Justin toured the Civil Rights Museum while I took a long stroll to downtown, Beale Street, and the riverfront. I ended up drinking a 201 Poplar IPA at Earnestine’s and Hazel’s.

We met up for an afternoon stroll around downtown, stopping for gyros, and listening to music at a riverfront festival. On Saturday night, we dined on delicious fried catfish at the Soulfish Kitchen, along with sides of fried okra and collard greens.

On Sunday, we returned downtown and toured Old Dominick Distillery. Our guide did a great job, and the location provided excellent accessibility for Justin who enjoyed it all including fresh squeezed lemonade at the end of the tour. Julia and I sampled some of the distilled stuff.

Sunday evening, we ate burgers at Huey’s and listened to live music. Although it was crowded, staff did a great job of finding us a table and creating a path to get there. Food, service, and music were awesome!
Next–Nashville.

Changes

“Well, I’ve been afraid of changin’
‘Cause I’ve built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I’m getting older, too.”  (Fleetwood Mac-“Landslide”)

 

 

Yesterday, my son graduated from high school.  For many reasons, education for Justin has been a battle.  He overcame many physical and social obstacles.

 

 

Today, we spent a couple of hours at his new school and home:  University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.  He plans to major in social work and will start a summer transitions program in July.  There are still unknowns and obstacles ahead, but we will take those day-by-day.

 

For now, we can sit back and celebrate his victories.

Art on the Trail (Redux)

When we hiked last weekend, a few important art pieces had not yet been installed.  So I went out yesterday morning to view my friends’ installations and then again last evening to help in my wife’s installation of her piece.  I don’t think I could ever hike Gibraltar Rock too many times.  It’s just too much fun. 

From Dana  Slowiak of D Squared Studios:  La Lunita.

 

From my wife Julia, “TreeSoul”:

From Dean Allen of D Squared Studios:

Art on the Trail

Yesterday, I served as a pallbearer for my wife’s grandmother’s funeral.  Eldora was born in Little Wolf, Wisconsin in 1918 and was buried in Little Wolf, Wisconsin.  She was 99 years old and lived in her own house until she was 90.  She polka danced until she was 97.   And she loved to drink a half-glass of my home-brewed beer at special family gatherings.  As a recent commenter pointed out, none of us knows what the future holds, but Eldora was a standard setter for living life fully.

Art on the Trail

This is an event in Lodi, Wisconsin during May, celebrating art, poetry, music, and musings.  The opening was held last night at D Squared Studios and Spring Creek Art Works.  After our long drive yesterday to the funeral and back home, we stretched our legs on the Gibraltar Rock segment.

This morning, we woke up at sunrise and hiked the Slack’s Hill segment from the Merrimac Ferry.  All along the trail, artists have strategically placed works of art, reminding us of the connection between nature and art.  Some of the art requires sharp eyes, as it is designed to blend into the surroundings or disappear over time.

Decorated wood rounds are dispersed along the trail with famous quotes and not-so-famous quotes.

This one was my favorite by a guy I want to learn more about:

Finally, I leave you with a piece of art that my wife Julia has been working on.  She has learned to weave over the last few years.  We still have to find a place on the trail for it.