Remembering Nashville's 2nd Avenue North
You may have heard about Nashville’s massive RV bomb explosion early Christmas morning. It has been a hard year. Honestly, we did not need that drama. The really good news is that it was not a terrorist act. Aside from the bomber, who died in the explosion, no one else was critically hurt. This was, in part, because a loud speaker blared from the RV reporting that a bomb would go off. Police had been called to the scene about an hour before the bomb was detonated. They heroically went from condominium to condominium beating at the doors to wake up the residents who lived in the area. A young family with a four year old and a one year old got out to safety. That just hits too close to home for me, when I think of my little grandchildren who are at that age.
I am not familiar with many streets in Nashville, but I do know the part of 2nd Avenue North that was completely destroyed in the explosion. I have written about it as the connector street to get to Broadway. If there was such a thing as an ISO tracker you would be able to follow my progress as I walked the five or so blocks from Public Square Parking down 2nd Avenue to Broadway. First, 200 ISO then 400, 800, 1600, back to 400 and finish off at 800 ISO.
When I am going out to shoot street photography, this street gives me a little time to get ready for the crowds on Broadway. I know the light on the street. I recognize the greeters at the Wild Horse Saloon and Dick’s. I take pictures of the shoe shine man on the way in and again on the way out. He and I were getting to be friends. I know the stores. I know the crosswalks. I have a routine. And so I am sad. It will never, ever be the same. Goodbye, 2nd Avenue North. You are gone but not forgotten.