Gravity Hill

For years and perhaps decades, people have been thrilled and astounded by the antics at gravity hill. What is definitely a road going down the side of a hill, feels to be the total opposite.

Once, you could park your car at the stop sign, release your brakes, and coast backward. Walking down the lane produces the feeling of upward exertion.

Getting to this place used to be fairly easy. It is located in a large park; but the roads have fallen into disrepair through lack of funding. Now cyclists and hikers are the only ones who may reach gravity hill. It is best experienced while on a bicycle.

directions Gravity hill is located in Edwin Warner Park in the southwest section of Nashville Tennessee. The name is not official, so don't ask park rangers the location. It's specific location is between the intersections of Vaughn Rd, and Hi 100 on Old Hickory Blvd.

From Vaughn rd, travel westward toward the Hi 100. At the top of a rise between two steep hills, Gravity Hill will be one of the park roads on the left side. If on bicycle, the roads can be traced from within the park. Maps can be obtained from several sheltered places in the park system.

Fall's Mill

Near Winchester Tenn, visit a century plus old working water mill. This is Falls Mill, a three story brick and post/beam structure built in 1873. It has served as a cotton and woolen factory, a textile mill, and a woodworking shop.

It has changed hands several times through the years, each time having the internal machinery changed to assume a new function. Now it is maintained by John and Jane Lovett, who purchased the mill in 1984.

The visitor may also enjoy the many antique machines that are set up on the main floor. It is serving as the Museum of Power and Industry Inc. A brief video presentation gives a history of the mill. There is a low admission fee.

The surrounding grounds are interesting as well. A road leads down to a picnic ground, where one can stand on the creek bank and view the building from the rear. Here are several appropriate places for making good photographs.

Falls Mill is on the National Register of Historic Places; and is a fully operational grain mill at present. A thirty-two foot overshot water wheel powers the machinery.

The mill has an atmosphere all its own. Upon entering the front door, the ceiling mounted shaft and wheel are busily turning, powering the numerous belts that run the machinery. In places, taller people have to take care from bumping their heads on some of the larger driving wheels.

On the second floor is a country store full of unique gift items, including many delicious items for the kitchen. A log cabin bed and breakfast is nearby. Watch the miller at work grinding and sacking the grain, using many methods over a century old.

The mill, once known as Hunt's Factory, began working in the early 1840's.

You can get a very interesting view of the water wheel by exiting the back door onto a ramp. The wheel, in the process of restoration, still turns on its old shaft which has seen scores of years of use. If you can arrange a peek, the groaning belts and shafts can be seen working from the main shaft beneath the floor.

Nearby is an old inn, having been moved from another location. It too is in the process of being restored, and a supreme example of early log structures.

directions - from Winchester Tenn, travel on Highway 64 west. Pass through the small Belvidere community and turn right (north) onto Old Salem rd. Turn left onto Falls Mill road. The mill is down this gravel lane a few hundred feet.

- july - 2000

The Willow Mount cemetery

One of the older and larger cemeteries in middle Tennessee, is Willow Mount in Shelbyville. It is well kept and maintained and contains 1000 + graves.

For Civil War enthusiasts, nearly six hundred Confederate graves are there. The visiting hours are 8:00 until sundown.

The earliest recorded grave is an infant Frances Wortham in 1844.

directions - The grounds are located in the intersection of two major roads on the north side of town - Highways 41A and 231. It is on a hill, and can easily be seen from the road. Parking is available at the top, and several roads travel through the cemetery itself.

The Cannon cemetery

Long neglected and out of reach through any conventional existing road system is the Cannon cemetery. Once on a high spot of ground near the Stone's River, it is now much closer to the water, as the Percy Priest Lake was formed decades ago.

In my research, it is one of the oldest sites I have found, falling further into decay with each passing month. Here, some very historic stones can still be found and recorded.

Judging by the stones themselves, many of them quite tall and elaborate, one can surmise that this was once a well kept and preserved cemetery containing many of yesteryears well-to-do population.

Its capacity is in the hundreds; and many of the graves are now unmarked sunken spots in the soft ground. Ivy has overgrown much of the area now. I strongly suggest going in the late fall or winter, since it is very snaky. Walking is treacherous, since there are many holes and soft spots. But for history buffs, this is a very intriguing place to visit.

directions - finding the cemetery is quite difficult now; and great care should be taken on following the instructions. From Nashville, travel south on Highway 41A which here is known as Murfreesboro rd. After passing through the Lavergne community, look to your left (east) for a Fergus Rd. Drive app. three miles and turn right onto Jones Mill rd. Then drive until a gravel road forks to the right. You may park near the creek, or if you're brave, further up the road. I am not sure of the trespassing penalties; but this road seems to be within the park boundaries. To your left is a creek Finch Branch, which will be your reference point.

A small dirt road more or less follows this creek which turns shortly into a jut of the Percy Priest Lake. The road veers onto some property with a house and some buildings. If you park here, walk toward the creek and follow it until you come to what was Old Jones Mill rd. You will see remnants of the old road, part of it now submereged in the lake.

There is a barely discernible one lane road that more or less parallels the shoreline now. It is about the only path that can be detected at this point. Follow it app 1/2 mile and the cemetery will be at its end. The cemetery is on the left and front of this road.

from the parking point, allow 75 - 120 minutes to view the cemetery - more if you like and dare. For more details, email me.

Hall Spring

A delightful and remote little place for hikers is Hall Spring in Montgomery Bell State Park near Burns Tennessee.

One reaches it on the Montgomery Bell trail, a path over eleven miles long that more or less circles the entire park. Hall Spring is located in the southwest area where little more exists but hilly forest and forgotten roads.

From the parking area at the entrance, Hall Spring is about a four mile walk from this point. One passes through the ore pits which were scraped out over a century ago by workers in a thriving iron industry. Later the Hall cemetery area is reached.

The spring is beyond this point about a half mile. It is rather large for a typical spring, about fourty feet across. It begins a branch that runs into Lake Woodhaven very close by. Hills surround the spring giving the place a very remote feel.

One may camp in the primitive shelter nearby, a three walled enclosure with an eight bed capacity. There are three such shelters on the entire trail.

For a quicker, shorter route, one may park in the Hall Cemetery and walk the remaining half mile. Hall Cemetery can be reached through the backroads through Burns Tennessee. A specific map will be needed for details. General details are - take highway 47 west to Burns Tennessee. Turn north onto Buddy Lane, drive app 1 mile, then east on Hall Cem. Rd. The road dead ends into the cemetery.      warning - the gate is closed later on in the day, so take notice of the closing time.

Also detailed trail maps are available for $1 in the park office The park also has a golf course, two campgrounds, an inn and restaurant, and three lakes.

Montgomery Bell is located between highways 70 and 47 in Dickson county Tennessee. This is about 40 miles west of Nashville. There are many things to see and do in the park other than hiking. Additional info may be obtained @ Montgomery Bell State Resort Park/ p.o.box 39/ Burns Tennessee/ 37029/ phone 615-797-9052

Chapel Hill directions

There are several viewing zones for the lights. Some are illegal while others are so far tolerated by the locals. In general, if viewing in the town of Chapel itself, remain in the car while near the tracks. You are under close watch at these places, trust me. You are on your own in finding these locations.

For a 'safer' area, go south from Nashville on Hi 31A. After approximately five miles south of the College Grove community, slow down and look for Flat Creek Rd - a right turn off of the highway.

At this point, the tracks are running closely parallel with the highway. A small cemetery is in the right corner. You (may) park in this cemetery; but your vehicle will be quite visible at this point.

Across the tracks and down the road a quarter mile is a church parking lot. Also, there is a road to the immediate left which runs parallel with the tracks. Discreet parking can be achieved here.

From there, you can walk to the tracks and observe. If you follow the tracks, the terrain is less than trustworthy, so exercise caution. It is wise not to let any of the railroad personnel see you if possible.

The light usually appears soon after arrival (it may run all night long ). I advise that you not stay around too long. The rest is up to you. Good viewing.

Should you be rewarded with an appearance I would love to hear about it. Email me about your experience. musician51@aol.com

Winn Crossing This is an area within the Chapel Hill limits which seems to be acceptable by the townspeople. It is a rather remote location.

Turn right onto Feedmill Rd off Hi 31A. It is just north of the Dollar General store. Continue on Feedmill to the right which leads to a small gravel parking space. This viewing area is a little remote, and should be safe enough for a brief visit outside the car.

Contact me by email for arrangements - musician51@aol.com. Fee is $70 and includes up to four hours for the trip. This rate is good for up to three people. Have your own driving arrangements; and you must assume full self responsibility. This is an entertaining venture of sorts; but it is serious nonetheless. No partying, drinking, or misconduct is tolerated. Only serious inquiries are considered.

Anyone under 18 must have an accompanying adult. Those with weak hearts or other sensitive conditions, please exercise good judgement and caution. Come with dark clothing and flashlights.

For more details, call 931-364-7817