T E N N E S S E E   T O U R

Tuesday, November 9, 2004

Surprisingly, I only see this single cotton field during my entire drive. Initially, I'm not sure what it is, having never seen a live plant before. To my surprise, I quickly learn it's cotton. I pull the van over to investigate. Amazed at how much raw cotton resembles the cotton balls you buy, I spend a little time playing with the fiber. Simple pleasures for simple minds, eh?

Cotton is a very important worldwide commodity. As far back as 12,000 BC, our ancestors used the plant's white offering. Cotton is an important cash crop in Tennessee. It's historical significance is promoted by its prominent placement within the Seal of Tennessee.

An outdoor museum of sorts, this motley crew of old, rusting farm machinery speaks of a time before hydraulics, modern engines, and high-technology. With each passing season, they slowly rust away, continually reminding us that everything has its own time and place. For even today's space shuttles, modern vehicles, and even ourselves, are destined for such a fate as this. Geeze, that's kinda morbid. Okay, well, here's just a bunch of old farm equipment. Don't compare it to anything other than what it is, just a lot of rusting junk. Better?