Sheraton - Boston Hotel

"Boston's newest, most exciting hotel. 29 soaring stories of inviting convenience. Seven great specialty restaurants and lounges. Huge lanai terraced swimming pool. Right at Prudential Center Exit 22, Massachusetts Turnpike".

Memories of Opryland USA

Opryland USA, or just "Opryland", was a theme park that opened in 1972. It drew people from all over the country to Nashville. Here are some pictures that I took during the height of Opryland's popularity in 1978. These were taken with a 35mm camera, but focus never was my strong point. Click on any pic for a larger version.


The Wabash Cannonball was the third roller coaster to be built at the park. The ground under the loop was always littered with caps and hats that had fallen off. At its peak, Opryland had five roller coasters.


To get these shots, I climbed and stood on the rail of the exit ramp. It took three minutes before security chased me off.


The Tennessee Waltz. Wait one half hour after eating before this ride.

Opryland had many stages with live shows, and music was piped throughout the whole park. You can get the whole experience by listening to Opryland Radio USA on www.live365.com. You'll hear actual recordings of park music and shows. If you keep the sound in the background, it's like you're there! There's also an Opryland Yahoo Group here.


The Flume Zoom was a favorite. Many hats were lost over the drop.


There was a full mechanical arcade. Here's the basketball game. There were also animal games. I wished I'd gotten a pic of the Tic-Tac-Toe playing chickens.


Opryland closed in 1997, but many people didn't realize that. I worked weekly at CMT, and for an entire summer, I would see RVs and vans from all over America pull up to the entrance, just like Walley World. There were full time staffers at the gate just to turn people away. Was the park closed due to insurance concerns, the fact that Dollywood and Branson were luring away customers, or new ownership that just didn't care? The debate continues.

Free At Last

Seen just south of Franklin, TN.

I'm not sure this is what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had in mind.

Where Are The TV Themes?

A great article in the Sydney Morning Herald about the reasons why TV shows don't have catchy theme songs anymore. Can you say M-O-N-E-Y? Read the article here.