Wake Up! Today is the day to get out early and enjoy a local hike! You are going to Radnor Lake. If you get there too late it will detract some from the experience and keep you from being on schedule for a later outing (or two!)
Unless it is winter, I think Radnor is best early. It is a popular and beautiful spot. This is a car outing. The parking lot fills up fairly quickly, so plan on getting to Radnor Lake by 8AM. Do this earlier if you are a morning person. Use navigation to get there, but make sure you are entering on Otter Creek Rd from the Granny White side and not from the Franklin Road side. A walk around Radnor lake is a nice way to be in nature. There are also two hiking ridges these can add on to the flat 3 mile walk around the lake if you want to get some hill work in and get rewarded with a couple of vistas. With both ridges the hike is about five miles. It has some rigor but regular walking gear and watching your step can get you safely through these ridges.
You’ve done it. You completed some exercise. You spent time outdoors, which research says increases your happiness. You also worked up a lather. You might want to pick up a bite to eat and head home.
For this leg of the journey, I have three suggestions.
- Head south and pick up something from Puffy Muffin in Brentwood. It has a lot of good options. It can be very busy but they will take care of you there. (If for some reason nothing catches your eye you there are many places in the immediate area including a Starbucks in the parking lot. If you have decided to invest more into your hiking game, there is an REI in the same shopping center as well.
- Go north to 12 South. While that is a little confusing, it is also true. Granny White turns into 12 South, one of the most visited areas of cafes and shops in Nashville. This option will feature stopping for a neighborhood walk. Hopefully when you get to 12 South there will not be much activity yet. If you find good and free parking, you may want to commit to staying for a while. The destination is Five Daughters Donuts. Connie and I love these donuts. This location is attractive and fun to stop in. You can’t go wrong with the Purist, and it is definitely worth trying at least one bite of donut dipped in coffee. You are here for the cronut variety so don’t be tempted for the more traditional type of donut. Twelve South gets really busy, so if it isn’t right now, I suggest taking advantage of that and walking through this district of shops. If everything but the breakfast places are still closed, you can hunt for murals and take pictures. There are at least three up and down Twelve South.
- Go farther North. Use your phone to order something to pick up for Proper Bagel. For Connie and I, these last two are our choices. It comes down to the question, sweet or savory? Since you likely are grabbing stuff to go, order online to shorten the line and expedite your savory bites. Plan on getting a bagel, but consider getting other items like egg salad as well. This deli is fantastic and it is worth a stop during your stay in Nashville. Proper is likely to be very busy and parking might be challenging. If so, have your passenger run in and pick up your delicious food and circle around the block. Now take it back to your accommodations. Chef’s kiss!!!
Now that you are back at your place, reset, rest, freshen up and consider a nap. Then start moving on to your next outing of the day!!!
(Side note. One thing Connie and I have noticed as Airbnb hosts and nosy neighbors to two other short term rentals, is that people overestimate what they will eat and drink in their accommodations. We caution you to minimize what you purchase to be eaten in your rental unit or hotel room. You are in town to go out and do things. The things you buy that are not for the next meal or sitting you are going to have, are very likely to be left behind at the end of your trip.)
