Above, Adventure Science Center, Nashville

March 2017 – NASHVILLE TENNESSEE
Nashville has long proclaimed itself “Music City,” and there are music venues on every corner – yes, primarily country. But blues, jazz, gospel, western, and rock also thrive there. Music draws throngs of fans to Nashville year-round, and in addition to paid venues, free outdoor concerts are summer highlights in the Live on the Green series. In addition, the iconic Ryman Auditorium and numerous museums offer history and insights into the industry.

However, there’s much more to the city than music. For starters, the restaurants are phenomenal, with exquisite cuisine of all types. I have to confess my favorite food stop is Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint in its newest location downtown. Watch a whole hog in the roasting pit, and enjoy food made fresh daily.

“No freezers, no microwaves in the building,” says owner Pat Martin.

In the shadow of the music, are many family destinations. Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort is a water park with extraordinary rides, plus family cabins, RV hookups, and zip lines. Nashville Paddle Company has the trendy paddle boarding option, and the Nashville Zoo is a site that deserves a visit.

The Lane Motor Museum boasts a collection of hundreds of historic, innovative vehicles from land, air, and water. And the Adventure Science Center has interactive elements and films to entertain and educate.

The Parthenon, the world’s only full-sized reproduction of the historic Greek Parthenon, houses the tallest indoor structure in the Western world and headlines a lengthy list of museums and galleries.

And history doesn’t take a back seat, either. Belle Meade Plantation, Belmont Mansion (pre-Civil War), and Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage all reveal insightful slices of U.S. history. This would be a favorite part of my time there. 

Who would have thought it – all this in one great southern city. visitmusiccity.com  
Randall Murphree

JH RANCH CALIFORNIA  Photo, JH Ranch zip line
At JH Ranch in northern California, a wide range of faith-based programs are set in the great outdoors and challenge participants mentally, physically, and spiritually. Programs include a variety of hands-on activities including whitewater rafting, cross-country biking, zip lining, surfing, horseback riding, swimming, and more. They are designed to profoundly, yet practically, enrich the lives of those who spend a week or two of their summer there.

JH Ranch was founded by and continues under leadership of a unique family. In 1979, Gene and Joy Johnston, parents of 12, purchased a 300-acre hunting lodge with the intention of turning it into something of eternal value. In 1980, it became Johnston Hospitality Ranch under the leadership of the Johnston’s oldest son Bruce.

Thirty-seven years later, God continues to use JH Ranch to change the lives of families from all over through its adventure-based summer camp programs from June to August. JH Ranch offers four types of camps: parent and son/daughter adventures, student leadership adventures, husband and wife adventures, and a program for seriously dating or engaged couples.

“With each purpose-driven program, our goal is to teach and model the Great Commandment: love God and love others,” reports the ranch website. “Through this, our guests leave JH Ranch with practical Christian principles for everyday life, not simply inspiration.”

Spending time alone with God is one of the main disciplines taught at JH Ranch because that practice is central to all other aspects of life. The outdoor challenges are used to strengthen one’s relationship with God and with others while gaining greater understanding and insight into the purpose of life.

Registration is open for summer 2017 and some 2018 dates. To register, to sponsor a camper, or for more information: jhranch.com, 800-242-1224.
Rebecca Davis

HIGHLAND LAKES TEXAS  Photo, Longhorn Cavern
The vastness of the Lone Star State offers a rich variety for family adventures. Recently, I enjoyed a media tour of Highland Lakes in the Texas Hill Country. The unique beauty of the terrain with its rugged hills – scattered with live oaks, cedars, yucca, and cacti – presents an unsullied stage for spectacular sunsets.

It was December, and it was rainy and frigid my first morning there. But that didn’t slow us down. It was warmer and dryer underground. At Longhorn Cavern State Park, we took a one-and-a-half hour tour of Longhorn Cavern, a stunning, lighted cave. Its fascinating history includes Indians, Civil War soldiers, a 1920s underground restaurant and dance hall, and a two-year excavation project completed by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Misty rain didn’t hinder the Vanishing Texas River Cruise scheduled. We were welcomed by the smell of hot coffee and a delicious pot of gumbo, courtesy of the captain. Along the two-hour, cozy, indoor, guided tour of Lake Buchanan and the Colorado River, bald eagles, mountain goats, waterfalls, and a variety of native birds and wildlife were pointed out.

At Ft. Croghan Grounds and Museum in Burnet, the grounds were established in 1849 by the U.S. Government to protect the settlers from Indian depredations. Also in the quaint, little town of Burnet, population 6,000, we visited the Highland Lakes Squadron WWII Aircraft and Museum where visitors can take flight in a restored WWII aircraft.

Excellent restaurants range from comfortable, down-home cooking experiences to award-winning gourmet meals in classy restaurants with breathtaking views. Trailblazer Grille in downtown Burnet was my favorite in terms of family friendliness. It is renowned for its friendly service, homemade pot pie, specialty root beer selections, unique gift shop, live band performances, and thought-provoking wall quotes. Learn more at highlandlakes.com.
Anne Reed

DOGWOOD CANYON ARKANSAS/ MISSOURI  Photo, Canyon Grill Restaurant
It was perfect – an unseasonably warm fall day to spend an afternoon at Dogwood Canyon, a 10,000-acre nature park sprawling across the state line in southwestern Missouri and northwestern Arkansas.

We first visited the new working mill and enjoyed lunch at the Canyon Grill Restaurant. Both are housed in a rustic/elegant building spanning Indian Creek. The unique menu features Canyon-raised elk and bison in soup and sandwiches. There was too little time to absorb all the education center offers with its remarkable collection of items chronicling Ozark Mountain history.

Fall foliage was at its peak, and a tram ride carried us through rolling hills and forests, by scenic waterfalls, across trout-filled streams, and into pastureland where American bison, elk, and Texas longhorn moseyed up almost within arm’s reach to be fed by our guide.

Options for family fun include biking, hiking, horseback riding, Segway tours, Jeep tours, and fishing – even including a two-day fly-fishing school. One other feature on the grounds near the mill and restaurant is a phenomenal and elaborate tree house.

The park was the vision of Johnny Morris, founder/CEO of Bass Pro Shops. He purchased the first parcels of the property in 1990, and today the park is owned by a nonprofit foundation dedicated to protecting and preserving the natural plant and wildlife environment.

For me, Dogwood Canyon’s location is an added bonus. Not far north are Branson and Silver Dollar City, family destinations that offer countless varieties of family activities; and not far south is Eureka Springs, home of the Great Passion Play, an inspiring outdoor drama, Bible Museum, and Holy Land tours.

I’d say Dogwood Canyon may just be one of those well-kept secrets that is still waiting to be discovered. Learn more at dogwoodcanyon.org.
Randall Murphree

For more vacation recommendations from AFA Journal staff, see last month’s issue here.