Tag: TN

Stupid Hotel Art

On our recent trip to Tennessee, we had to stay in a hotel on two separate occasions, choosing to stay in the same chain both times: Country Inn & Suites. The first time, in Cookeville, we really enjoyed the stay because the hotel was really nice. The second time, in Memphis, not so much. Memphis has a way of taking things that are nice, and spitting on them.

But what I noticed in both hotels was the stupid hotel art. It was the same in both hotels. What is worse is that it isn’t even good art. It’s two-dimensional, lacking contrast, or any creativity.

I will leave comments on each piece. But the long and the short of it is that these chains should take some time to think about what they are putting on the walls. There is so much good art out there, what is put forth below is inexcusable.

Comments on each piece below. One last thing: the word stupid in the title is appropriate. It can mean to act in a careless or unintelligent manner, and this is my usage of the word.

Reminds me of a virus. Flat. No real contrast or depth of field.

A close up of colorful rocks, but without contrast. Flat, with some depth of field. That is a good thing. Overall, a boring shot. Let me give you an example of something more fitting.

Who is designing this? Four, boring spheres in squares in a square. Did I say boring? This was nothing more than an attempt to put something, anything at all, on the wall at cheap price, in order to make the residents think they were in a nice hotel. Fail.

I think my shot of this bad art is far better than the bad art itself.

More of the same.

May the chains actually employ real artists and photographers for their hotels. Just for the record, Hampton Inns do use photographs for the area of each hotel, so their art is unique for each hotel.

Trenton County Courthouse, Tennessee

Spotted this one afternoon driving about the countryside of western Tennessee. I love the courthouses that predate the Great Depression. They have real character and history.

There is also a bit of Texas history on the courthouse lawn as well. See below.

 

 

Inside the Covered Bridge: Elizabethton

My previous post had the outer images of the Covered Bridge over the Doe River and in Elizabethton, TN. The following pictures shows the inside of the bridge, along with my boys, Andy and Joey.

The entire structure is made of wood, which is a good reason it is only a walking bridge.

Who were ML and WP? Did they ever get married? Was is a short-lived romance? Was it a romance at all? I guess we’ll never know.

I only add the last one because I think it’s rather odd to get your name on a memorial because you were one of the guys who picked the location of the bridge. I wonder how that conversation went:

Wiley: “JJ, where do you think we ought to put the bridge?”

JJ: “Why, right here, next the town. Seems to me, the logical choice.”

HM: “I concur with my colleague.”

Alas, the bridge ended up where it is and the three men are now immortalized for their astuteness in locating the Covered Bridge.

Not my idea of being immortalized.

 

Covered Bridge: Elizabethton

The boys and I drove over to Elizabethton, TN, while we were visiting family and walked around the Covered Bridge. Yup. That is the name of the bridge over the Doe River that is covered. It’s not hard to find once you get there. It’s the only covered bridge in town. The bridge is now a “walking bridge” since no vehicles are allowed, including skateboards or bicycles.

Of course, no town is complete without a pointy yet pointless object conveniently placed for all to see.

This is the dam right below the covered bridge. They didn’t officially name it, but I’m guessing if they did, it would be called The Dam. You can see from the sign on the dam that it’s a non-walking dam.

This is the “uncovered bridge” just down stream from the Covered Bridge. It is both a walking bride and a driving bridge. So you can use your skateboards and bicycles on it.