Nashville’s Big Back Yard, an economic and tourism initiative focused on a natural watershed region wending through the Natchez Trace National Parkway, features 12 rural communities. Leiper’s Fork is the northern anchor, not too far from Nashville. The Big Back Yard journey traverses Tennessee’s southwest quarter down into Alabama’s legendary Shoals region—the mother ship of American music.

The featured rural communities’ common thread is the historic architecture and a timeless, charming small-town atmosphere, some with a river running through it.

Join correspondent Tom Wilmer for an exploration of Nashville’s Big Back Yard with Aubrey Preston, the visionary behind the program. Preston, a resident of Leiper’s Fork, realized there are upside economic and cultural opportunities in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic for refugees from urban centers across America, seeking a rural alternative to urban life.

Next up is a visit with Mike Wolfe, host of History Channel’s 'American Pickers' tv series, at his home in Leiper’s Fork. Wolfe takes us on a journey across America and close to home, providing a contextual lens for Nashville’s Big Back Yard’s various initiatives.

We also speak to Liz McLaurin, president of the Land Trust for Tennessee in West Nashville. The Land Trust is a true greater-good engine of engagement for those who want to become involved with Nashville’s Big Back Yard’s Land Trust preservation initiatives.

You are invited to subscribe to the Lowell Thomas Award-winning podcast travel show,  Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer, featured on the NPR Podcast Directory,  Apple Podcast, iHeartradio, the NPR One App & Stitcher.com. Twitter: TomCWilmer. Instagram: Thomas.Wilmer. Underwriting support provided by Honolulu based, Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative.

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Category: Places to Visit

Last Updated: 20 January 2021

The Mission of the Elephant Sanctuary

The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee exists to provide captive elephants with individualized care, the companionship of a herd, and the opportunity to live out their lives in a safe haven dedicated to their well-being, and to raise public awareness of the complex needs of elephants in captivity, and the crisis facing elephants in the wild.

Links and Resources

For more links and resources worldwide, please visit the Sanctuary's official website, www.elephants.com.  The Elephant Sanctuary is a refuge for elephants who have been held in captivity and performers in various circuses or penned in zoos now need of the peace and quiet of the Sanctuary to recover from their past.  The About Us page has a list of values and 

Although visitors are not permitted at the Elephant Sanctuary, the trust has a wonderful learning center in downtown Hohenwald, The Discovery Center, where guides will inform visitors about the history and interesting details of the Elephant Sanctuary.  Be sure to read about the Center in our website, and then plan your next visit.

An Elephant Never Forgets

In 1995, The Elephant Sanctuary was founded on 110 acres in Lewis County, Tennessee.  Tarra, a former performing elephant, was the first resident, and construction of the first barn was completed. 

Barbara, a former circus elephant, was the second elephant to find sanctuary in Tennessee in 1996.  That same year, Jenny arrived.  An emergency fundraising campaign was developed to bring her to The Elephant Sanctuary from a Nevada animal shelter.

Shirley and Jenny were reunited in 1999, after 25 years apart.  They immediately recognize each other from their previous lives as circus elephants.  Also in 1999, the first EleCam, a live-streaming video feed from the habitat, went live on www.elephants.com.  

Visitors were not allowed at The Elephant Sanctuary for the safety of both elephants and humans.  Many elephants later and a Sanctuary encompassing 2,700 acres of peace for its residents, the EleCam system and the Elephant Discovery Center were welcome additions to engage adults and children, to create awareness and educate them of the plight of captive elephants and the conservation efforts worldwide for elephants.

The Elephant Discovery Center

Beginning July 9th, the Elephant Discovery Center will be open Thursday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. by appointment only.

The Center's staff is excited to give you and your family a guided tour of their exhibit space and to answer all of your questions about elephants and The Sanctuary. Please call 931-796-6500 x109 or email Joy Owens at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in advance to check availability and schedule your visit. Openings are limited.

To ensure appropriate social distancing, tours will be made available for individuals, families, and for groups of 10 or less.  Please don’t forget your mask! As recommended by the CDC, all visitors and staff will be required to wear a face-covering while inside the Elephant Discovery Center. Face coverings are not required for children two years of age and under.

Distance Learning Program

For more information and to request a Distance Learning program, please email Morgan Kaelin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 931-796-6500 ext. 108.

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Category: Places to Visit

Last Updated: 30 December 2020

Spirits and wine along the Natchez Trace have a long and outstanding history.  Landlocked farmers with no direct access to the sea needed a way to ship their produce to markets. 

You may wish to download the Passport pdf file for the South Central Tennessee Wine Trail here.

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Category: Places to Visit

Last Updated: 03 January 2021

Read more: Natchez Trace Wine Trail

This is Nashville’s Trace: a road trip through charming Tennessee towns linked together by the UNSPOILED BEAUTY and stories of the Natchez Trace Parkway and National Scenic Byway.  Experience the Trace as its own scenic destination, or take any or all of the six off-Trace loops provided in the Tennessee Visitor's Guide.

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Category: Places to Visit

Last Updated: 07 December 2020

Read more: Nashville's Trace: Backstage to Backroads