The Midwest

The Midwest and Tennessee
Tennessee is adjacent to the Midwest so it is fairly similar, especially in terms of geography.  Tennessee like the Midwest is an area of cultural intensity.  Populated by farmers, white Protestants, and a clustered urban black population. 

Franklin is a small, rural town similar to many Midwestern cities. There are gently rolling hills but mostly flat terrain—ideal for farming.

Tennessee’s popular crops mirror the Midwest.  Soybeans and corn being the most popular.

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The Ozarks

Hillbillies

“Hey ya’ll. I’m fixin’ suppa and we gon eat at half past.  Gon and wash up now.”

This is an example of typical sentence heard in Tennessee.  When I first traveled to Franklin, I was only really familiar with Valley Girl, California vernacular.  Words like supper were something I saw in movies or The Beverly Hillbillies.  I equated these phrases with Southerners and just assumed that they had a lower IQ.  This is a common misconception thanks to the stereotypical hillbilly moniker.

In fact, I found that most “hillbillies” are really just simple people, living within necessary means.  They do not have flamboyant houses or cars and that is the way they like it!  I have spent time on many a farm in Tennessee because most people have them in their backyard.  Actually, it is quite relaxing and humbling to be in a self-sustaining home.  My favorite part of Franklin is the down-home feel and if that means I’m a hillbilly than pass that moonshine on down!

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The Coastal South

Natural Disasters

Fortunately for many Tennesseans, horrific natural disasters are not prone to the area.  Unlike, the Coastal South, specifically Louisiana, Tennessee has a very low hurricane rate.  Although slow-rise flodding has occured in the past, Tennessee is typically safe from hurricanes, since the state lies further inland.

Interestingly, the chance of an earthquake occurring in Tennessee is significantly lower than the national average.  However, the risk of tornado damage in Tennessee is much higher than the national average. 

I suppose every destination is susceptible to a natural disaster.  Therefore, when deciding where to live, the resident must take into account which disaster you believe poses the least amount of threat. 

http://www.usa.com/nashville-tn-natural-disasters-extremes.htm

http://www.tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/disasters/

Main Street Festival

My favorite activity in Franklin is the Main Street Festival.  There is live music, good food, handcrafted gift shops, carnival rides, and so much more!  Click on the link below to see a quick video that shows the street festival in action!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ifa5OAEOIzQ

http://www.nashvillehomesbuylindaseaton.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Franklin-Festival-042611-244x300.jpg

Florida

My Florida Experience:

I have been visiting Franklin since I was twelve years old.  I typically go in the summertime when the air is thick and residents are on vacation.  Since I am also on summer break, the vacation usually is two-fold.  I always try to visit another state after I have spent at least a week in Franklin. 

The year I turned fifteen the second part of our vacation would be a trip to Panama City, Florida.  I was going with my best friend, Chelsea and her grandmother, Carolyn, who is a native of Franklin.  Along with her best friend, Sherry, the four of us set off in her Cadillac for the beautiful beach town. 

The drive is roughly 450 miles, meaning we would be stuck in the sedan for over SEVEN HOURS!  

AT the time, that drive seemed endless, but once we finally reached the pearly white, fine sand, and warm, clear blue water, we realized it was well worth being cooped up in the backseat.

https://cdn4.gbot.me/photos/oG/3Q/1326311581/Panama_City_Beach_Florida-Panama_City-20000000000922971-500x375.jpg

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Sustainability in the New South

New South:

When some people think of the South they think of rural communities and backwoods towns.  Education seems limited and progressiveness extremely behind.  However, this New South mirrors the North in many ways, urban influence being the most influential.

Sustainability:

According to Chris Mayda, author of A Regional Geography of The United States and Canada, "Sustainability aims for an ecological dynamic equilibrium of Earth’s interconnected ecosystems that maximizes efficiency, minimizes waste, and spends interest but not principal” (57).  In fact Tennessee has developed many different sustainability plans.  The Tennessee Environmental Council launched the Sustainable Tennessee coalition in 2007.  In 2013 the coalition is focusing on energy efficiency, mountaintop removal coal mining, recycling and composting, and fracking. The hope is that by implementing this sustainable agenda that the state of Tennessee will have a re-vitalized economy and an improved quality of life.    

http://tectn.org/sustainable-tennessee/

http://newshour-tc.pbs.org/newshour/images/convention/south.gif

Mayda, Chris.  A Regional Geography of The United States and Canada.  Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2013.  Print. 

Transportation

Airports and Freeways:

When traveling to Franklin, the closest airport is Nashville International Airport (BNA).  The airport is about thirty minutes away.  A quick jump on I-65 transports you to mellow Franklin while also keeping you connected to the buzz of Nashville, the Music City.  I-440 also provides an alternate route into Nashville.  It is worth noting that driving in Tennessee is NOTHING like driving in Los Angeles!  People are polite to each other and allow right of ways and follow traffic laws diligently.  Another amazing fact is that I don’t think I have ever experienced traffic while driving in Tennessee!  I guess when people aren’t in as much of a rush there isn’t any need for rude or reckless driving.

Franklin Local Street Plan:

This plan was developed by the city of Franklin to maximize street interconnectivity.  It is the hope that the plan will aid the functionality if the street network, increase accessibility, and reduce the average trip length and travel time.      

http://franklintn.gov/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=606

http://franklintn.gov/index.aspx?page=992

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