Another TN state park where the riding is good

Cabins go green at TN's David Crockett State Park

Lawrenceville-area park will save energy and water

Seven new,http://tn.gov/environment/parks/DavidCrockettSP/gallery/index.shtml"> energy-efficient cabins sporting cork flooring and native plant landscaping have been unveiled at David Crockett State Park in Lawenceburg, TN, about 80 miles southwest of Nashville.

The cabins and the park’s 1,974-square-foot restaurant will be heated and cooled with the help of a geothermal system, that takes advantage of the stable temperature underground.

The system will produce free hot water in the summer and is expected to reduce the cost of heating and cooling in the park’s buildings by 40-60 percent, while reducing energy-driven pollution.

Other new designs and technologies focus on pollution prevention, children’s health and stormwater management, officials say.

“These contemporary, LEED cabins further demonstrate Tennessee State Parks’ commitment to ensure our visitors enjoy outstanding accommodations, while leaving a lighter footprint on our natural resources,” said Jim Fyke, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner.

“The Green Cabin project included the talents and expertise of a number of individuals and we are very appreciative of their hard work and dedication.”

The cabins are expected to receive silver certification as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) project, the first of their kind in a Tennessee State Park.

Fyke was among several state and local officials at an unveiling ceremony today.

The cabins are available for rental beginning June 14. Call the park at (931) 762-9408 for reservations. www.tnstateparks.com/greenvillas">More info on the cabins is available as is www.tnstateparks.com/DavidCrockettSP">more info on the park.

The cabins, according to the state announcement, also include use of pervious concrete in parking areas to help manage automotive fluids and stormwater; ENERGY STAR and LEED-certified insulation, lighting and windows; cork flooring; recycled plastic decking; low-flow plumbing fixtures; radon restraint construction; native plants and low-maintenance trees for landscaping; low volatile organic compound paints; concrete and recycled coal ash exterior siding; and rain gardens to also help manage stormwater.

David Crockett’s greened cabins bring the total of Tennessee State Parks’ environmentally friendly-designed accommodations to 15 – joining Montgomery Bell State Park’s eight energy efficient villas, that debuted last October.

Funding for the seven new Green Cabins was made available through a $2.5 million capital project in fiscal year 2005-2006, including design, total construction costs, furnishings and fixtures.

State provided background:
David Crockett State Park, 1400 West Gaines, just off of Highway 64, one half-mile west of Lawrenceburg, was named for the pioneer, soldier, politician and industrialist born near Limestone, Tenn. in 1786.

Crockett moved to Lawrence County in 1817 and served as a justice of the peace, a colonel of the militia and as a state representative.

Along the banks of Shoal Creek, he established a diversified industry consisting of a powdermill, gristmill and distillery – losing all three operations to a flood in 1821.

Financial difficulties from these losses prompted Crockett to move to West Tennessee, where he was elected to Congress. Crockett died at the Alamo Mission in March 1836, while aiding the Texans in their fight for independence from Mexico.

- ANNE PAINE

From the Tennessean 6/7/2010

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#1

#1 in NL. #2 in Baseball

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Remember

While watching the race, grilling out and having a great three day holiday with the family, don't forget to take the time to remember those that gave it all so we can have our freedoms.

Summer flowers

Day Lilies along the ride.

Wear a bike helmet?

In the Health section of the New York Times, columnist Lesley Alderman makes the case for bicycle helmets. From the article:

Whether you ride on hectic city streets or bucolic back roads, helmets are essential armor. Bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of head injuries by up to 88 percent and facial injuries by 65 percent, according to a Cochrane Database Systemic Review published in 2000. Bike riders who play against those odds do not fare well in accidents. More than 90 percent of the 714 bicyclists killed in 2008 were not wearing helmets, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.


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Let there be light.

Major League Baseball's first night game was 75 years ago today at Crosley Field Cincinnati, Ohio


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Koi pond

A koi pond and falls next to the VA hospital in Nashville.

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First place

The Reds are now in first place of the central division. Took the series against the Cardinals to move by them by a 1/2 game!

First time since June 06!

Men and their toys

Do you think they have a little money tied up this stuff?


-makes my toys look real inexpensive.

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New Bike Racks in Downtown Nashville

In May, Nashville cyclists will have 7 new metal art bike racks to which to lock their bikes.

These will be in the downtown core. Check out the places and types.

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100428/DAVIDSON/100426030/Bike-rack-art-on-track-to-be-installed-in-early-May

Natchez Trace Parkway In Tennessee

A beautiful parkway that has a 50 mile an hour speed limit. Saw many bicycles on it and also motorcycles. We got on at the Tennessee Rt 64 entrance and drove the 97 miles to Nashville. Everyone was polite and very observant of the speedlimit with two exceptions. At around 3:06 PM at around the 400 mile marker two Tennessee State troopers separated by about 5 minutes came blasting southwest on the parkway. Speed would be estimated at 75 miles an hour or more without lights or siren. If they had rounded one of the corners and came up on one of the bikers the biker would not have had a chance.This is very unsafe and foolish on the Trooper's part.

So be careful if you ride the parkway with a bike.

Fall Creek Falls State Park

Some great riding through the park. A wonderful 5 mile hiking trail from the Inn to the Falls.
Beautiful day today.

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Cold weather

Has been very cool here. Upper 40's at night and just getting into the 60's during the day with rain.
So riding is catch as catch can.


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Paris Landing State Park

A quite state park near Dover, TN. Some pretty good bike/trike riding. A little hilly. But most of TN is.


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A BAD Start?

Headline: Bucs upend Reds for first sweep of 2010!
Swept by Pittsburg!
Have Lost 5 straight games!
Have lost 8 of 13 games!
All 5 starting pitchers have not won a game yet!
Third baseman is not playing because he is old and tired already!
Going to be a long season!!?

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Tax day!

Tax day is also:
NATIONAL HIGH FIVE DAY
National High Five Day falls on the third Thursday of April each year, which falls this year on April 15, 2010.
Learn or perfect yours here:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/how-to-perfect-the-high-five/article1530724/

Another sping day in Nashville!

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Baseball time

First day of Reds Baseball!

Beautiful cool day for a ride. 68F degrees
Bradford pears in bloom at the end of the street.

Let the riding begin!

Spring has arrived! Trike comes out tomorrow.


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