Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am partaking in some lovely self-isolation. Not going anywhere, seeing anyone, or doing anything definitely gets old after a while. Other than cracking a window, the only change of scenery I get is by scrolling through old pictures. The memories remind me of a time when the highlight of my day was something other than going grocery shopping. Some of my favorite photos are from the recent trip I made to Nashville, Tennessee. A fun-filled girls trip to Music City would make anyone nostalgic. The weekend was full of delicious food, tons of history, and good times. I thought now would be a great time to write a post about my trip to Nashville and some of the amazing things the city has to offer. With all of this free time, this is the perfect opportunity to plan a future trip! Lower Broadway When I think of Nashville, one of the first things that comes to mind is Lower Broadway. This strip is filled to the brim with inviting neon signs and live music pouring out of countless honky tonks. Known as "Honky Tonk Highway", Lower Broadway has an electric feeling in the air. This is a place where you're encouraged to let you hair down, throw a few drinks back, and dance like there's no tomorrow. Whether you like classic establishments like Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, or you prefer something new-school like Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row, there's a place for everyone! I had a blast listening to amazing live music, learning how to line dance, and partook in some truly entertaining people-watching. Whether you like country music or not, Lower Broadway is something you have to experience! Johnny Cash Museum Nashville is known as Music City. From Country to Blues to Rock 'N Roll, many music genres have roots there. The city is home to so many music history landmarks like the Grand Ole Opry, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and The Ryman Auditorium. With only a couple of days in town, it was hard to decide which places to visit and which to save for a later trip. I was travelling with two friends who aren't fans of country music (terrible, I know), which made the decision a lot easier. We decided to go to the place where they could focus on one single fixture of country music history, the great Johnny Cash! The Johnny Cash Museum details the life of the legendary country music singer, Johnny Cash. From his small-town Arkansas roots, to his dedication to prison reform, to his deep love for June Carter, the Museum leaves no details spared. My favorite exhibit featured clips from all the various film projects he starred in. Some clips are surprisingly good, but a lot of them will make you laugh at how dated or over-dramatic they are. The last stop in the exhibit is a screening of his music video for "Hurt" and guarantees that no eye will be dry leaving the museum. The Johnny Cash Museum will make you laugh, bring you to tears, and does an amazing job of making all of its visitors feel a connection to the late legend. The Parthenon As a lot of you know, I am a humongous history nerd. Therefore, the Parthenon was a must-see for me. The Parthenon is a full size replica of the actual Athenian marvel and stands as the centerpiece of Centennial Park. The Parthenon is home to countless paintings, casts of the Elgin Marbles, and a 42-foot replica of the statue of Athena Parthenos. The sheer size of the statue is truly amazing (pretty sure this is how normal sized people see me). Whether you speed through the exhibits, or take in every last details, it's impossible not to appreciate this site's beauty. As a history buff, I loved the Parthenon, but truly believe this landmark should be on everyone's list! Mural Hunting There's so much to do in Nashville, it can be hard to stuff it all into a weekend. If you have some time, I definitely recommend checking out some of the street art Nashville is known for. Let's be real, everyone loves finding that flawless background for the perfect Instagram photo. From posh floral backdrops to meaningful messages, Nashville's street art is unique and diverse. Here is a guide to Nashville's best works of street art! Food Scene Nothing makes this girl happier than chowing down on some delicious food. I'm pretty sure I put more time into planning our dinner spots than on actual activities. Nashville's food scene is expansive and features all cuisines from Ramen to Tex-Mex. However, on this trip, we focused on the fare that the city is known for: Southern Comfort, Hot Chicken, and BBQ! Here are some of the restaurants I absolutely adored in Nashville: •Monell's was the star of my Nashville dining experience. Monell's serves all-you-can-eat family style Southern Comfort food. Some of the dishes they serve are (heavenly) fried chicken, fried fish, mashed potatoes, corn bread, green beans and ribs. They served around 15 different items, and I devoured all of them. Get ready to loosen those belts because you will definitely leave this place with a food baby! •Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant is the place to go if you want wonderful Southern food and the live music Nashville is known for. I got their Piggy Mac (pulled pork mac 'n cheese), and found that my bowl was entirely clean in minutes. I also tried their whiskey-glazed salmon, and it was also scrumptious. Order a drink, eat some amazing comfort food, and have fun while listening to some of the best live entertainment Music City has to offer! •Hattie B's Hot Chicken: Was the line out of the door? Yes. Was it worth it? 1,000% yes! Nashville is know for its Hot Chicken. Not only does Hattie B's have bomb chicken, they also have great sides to pair it with. I tried both the chicken sandwich and the chicken quarter. The chicken quarter was good, but the chicken sandwich was on another level! •Martin's BBQ Joint is one of the best places to get barbecue in Nashville. As a Texas gal, I am a tad bit biased (yes, we have the best barbecue), but Martin's smoked brisket and ribs are no joke! We shared a family plate with sausage, ribs, brisket, mac 'n cheese, green beans, and a hoecake. I inhaled the brisket and the sides. While barbecue can get pricey if you're hungry, you have to give this place a visit! •Sky Blue Cafe's breakfast was one of the best I had tried in quite some time. I ordered the Nutella and Strawberry French Toast Stuffed Pancakes. It was a thick piece of french toast in-between two generously sized pancakes, all layered with nutella and fresh strawberry slices. I wanted to stick my face in this dish. It was literally heaven on a plate. Want something a little bit lighter? The Lo's Bowl was delicious and diet friendly. You definitely have to check this place out for breakfast! **Just a heads up. This place is tiny and can have waits up to 3 hours. I recommend arriving no later than 8:15 a.m. if you don't want an hour long wait. Tips Here's a few tips to consider: •Most sites and activities charge admissions fees. If you plan on doing three or four activities, it starts to add up. Nashville offers an all-access pass to the city's most popular attractions for one flat rate. Check it out here if you plan on touring the city's biggest destinations! •Good luck trying to find parking in the city for less than $20. If you are travelling in a group, then that price is reasonable. If you are travelling solo or as a pair, then parking can break the budget, especially if you're hopping from site to site. Consider walking if you can, or Uber/Lyft places where you can't. Try to plan your activities for the day in one part of town. That way, you only have to park once, and can walk from site to site. •Want a nice view of the town at night? Take a quick walk from Lower Broadway to John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. It has views of Downtown Nashville, Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge, and Nissan Stadium all in one place. Bring a date, grab some ice cream, and take in the wonderful views! Next Time Around
With only a few days in town, I wasn't able to do and see everything I wanted. Here are some places I missed and plan to visit next time: •Country Music Hall of Fame •Grand Ole Opry •Pinewood Social •12 South Neighborhood •Civil Rights Room at the Nashville Public Library •Ryman Auditorium •Bluebird Cafe •Biscuit Love •Loveless Cafe •Arnold's Country Kitchen Nashville was amazing, and I can't wait to come back. Any suggestions for my next trip? Leave them in the comments below! Thanks for reading!!
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Fun fact about me: I have an older sister that is about to get MARRIED in less than a month!! To celebrate this exciting time in her life, my sister, her fabulous bridal party, and I traveled to San Francisco for a Bachelorette weekend. With only a few days to explore one of the country's most visited cities, our schedules were jammed pack with as much San Fran sightseeing as possible. Needless to say, it was everything I had imagined, and I'm already planning my next trip! Sausalito Picture a bustling beach town right off of the Pacific Ocean with rows of docked boats and streets lined with restaurants, shops, and boutiques. You just pictured Sausalito! From ice cream shops, to Michelin Star restaurants, to quaint cafes, there is so much Sausalito has to offer. Our first stop was of course the ice cream parlor, duh! Sausalito Sweets had an amazing milk and honey flavor and a rich raspberry sorbet. Next we did a couple of wine tastings at Real Nappa WInery and Bacchus and Venus Winery. The bartenders were super knowledgeable and were awesome! Next, we popped into Copita for chips and salsa and some bomb margaritas! After, we explored the streets of Sausalito and stopped at Bar Bocce. This spot practically screams Sunday Funday! It had an amazing vibe. It had an open patio area that opened up onto the bar's private beach. The spot is perfect for any size group to go out and chill on the private beach sipping one of their delicious cocktails. After exploring Sausalito for the entire day, we were exhausted and knew exactly what we could do to relax. What sounds more relaxing than a sunset cruise on the Bay?! Nothing! We booked tickets with SF Bay Adventures. Their boat fit about 30 people and had an amazing crew. There was also a cash bar on-board for anyone who wanted to sip wine while watching the sun go down. The star of the cruise was, of course, the views. We set sail at about 7:30 while the sun still had about an hour left to give. We sailed past the Golden Gate Bride, Alcatraz, and beautiful islands. To say the views were breathtaking is an understatement. If you end up in Sausalito, this sunset cruise is the first thing I recommend you do! However... WARNING: bring a parka with a hood! Y'all...I've never been so cold or felt so assaulted by wind before. My group and I thought we looked so cute in our jean jackets until the temperature dropped twenty degrees out on the water. Everyone else got the memo that areas on or around the Bay can be as much as 20 degrees colder than areas just a few miles away. So everyone else was just watching us suffer in their puffer jackets...smh. So we sat there quietly, shivering, and getting two-pieced by the wind. No big deal! Regardless of the weather, the sunset cruise was the highlight of our day trip to Sausalito. With streets chalk full of stores and world renowned restaurants, this beach town deserves an entire day of exploration. I can't wait to go back! Land's End There's so many natural beauties surrounding the Bay area. From Redwoods to Twin Peaks, you could spend days exploring all that Mother Nature has to offer. Since we were only in town for the weekend, we could only visit one. We decided to visit Lands End Trail. Lands End Trail is a moderate hiking trail that has great views of the Pacific Ocean and The Golden Gate Bridge. There were so many different paths that took you to various lookout areas or lead you down to the ocean. We spent about three hours exploring the beach, building wish columns on the shore, and chilling at lookouts gazing at the Golden Gate Bridge. There are a few things to keep in mind. As previously mentioned, areas around and on the Bay can get pretty chilly and windy. The parts of the trail that led down to the ocean were gorgeous, but definitely made my nose run. Also, I would definitely recommend closed toed shoes. Even though the hike isn't extremely hard, the loose gravel and sand can make the paths difficult to ascend and descend at times. Most importantly, be wary of the Stairs! I mean, I enjoyed the fact that I hit my move goal on my Apple Watch, but I was sweating and my glutes were on fire! Be prepared to climb at least 6 flights of stairs to get to the good spots on the trail. From amazing wildflowers, to picturesque beaches, Lands End Trail is nothing less than stunning. Bring a jacket, pack some water, and get ready for the most beautiful butt workout of your life! Chinatown The Chinatown in San Francisco is the biggest one in the world outside of Asia. The streets are decorated with vibrant Chinese decorations and are home to dozens of restaurants and souvenir shops. There are street musicians playing traditional Chinese songs, and their melodies help add to the vibe of Chinatown. We spent so much time looking through the different stores. They varied from Chinese home goods to handmade jewelry. It was a cool experience, but also a tad bit disappointing. There were only a handful of authentic Chinese shops. Everything else was pushing I Heart SF gear, key chains, or cheesy inauthentic Chinese souvenirs. For my anime lovers out there, you MUST stop by the Anime Pop store. It was actually heaven and I didn't want to leave! They had apparel that I had never sen anywhere else. I also recommend checking out Z & Y Restaurant. Their soup dumplings and chicken fried rice were amazing and I literally licked my plate clean. No shame. Overall, Chinatown was beautifully decorated and had a few nice spots, but felt super touristy and inauthentic. As recommended by the locals, next time I will try Little Italy and Japantown. Alcatraz As a self-proclaimed history buff, there is one thing I HAD to do in the Bay area: visit Alcatraz. The Alcatraz Prison is a correctional facility that has held some of history's most notorious criminals and is the topic of many myths and mysteries. It did not disappoint! We used Alcatraz Cruises. We were taken out to the island on a three-story cruise ship. Although there is seating on the inside of the boat, the outside seating is the place to be. Not only do you have a view of Alcatraz at the front of the boat, but also views of the Bay Bridge at the rear. When you finally get to the island, Alcatraz looks like an ordinary prison. The facade of the building does a great job of concealing the beauty that actually lies on the grounds of the prison. Before we headed into the building, we had to stop to marvel at the gorgeous plant life that the island is home to. Bright pinks and lush reds dot the island, and it really makes you forget that you are visiting a prison! There are a number of different tours you can do like the Gardens of Alcatraz tour or a Myths of Alcatraz discussion. The longest part of the trip is the audio tour. It is chalk full of fun facts, narrated stories, and insight from past inmates and guards. It was so interesting to hear about different escape attempts and what life was like for everyone on the island. Afterwards, you are led into the gift shop which hold dozens of Alcatraz-centered book, house decor, and knick knacks. Don't miss out on the chance to meet one of Alcatraz's former inmates, Bill Baker, and have him sign his book, Alcatraz 1259. He's adorable and obviously is super knowledgeable about the prison. Alcatraz is mandatory for anyone visiting San Fran. It's rich in history and mystery. It's more than just an old prison. The grounds have some of the best views in the Bay area and is home to some beautiful plant life. Alcatraz is a place that takes its visitors back in time and puts them in the middle of dangerous and captivating stories! San Francisco was truly amazing. It's a place that is full of natural beauty, rich in culture, and overflowing with entertainment options. It is deserving of more than just one weekend, and I can't wait to go back and explore more of this amazing metropolitan city! Below are some other amazing places to check out in the Bay area.
Thanks for reading!! Feel free to leave me comments or suggestions to add to the page! Usually, my Spring Breaks are spent back home taking the opportunity to do absolutely nothing. This year, just in time for my last Spring Break, I took a week-long trip to the wonderful state of Hawaii. I need to give a HUGE shout out to Texas Volleyball for letting me live out my dreams of being Lilo for a week. The volleyball team was travelling to Hawaii for a game against the Bows and needed a backup player. Luckily I was the most accessible has-been, and they let me tag along. Hawaii has been a dream destination of mine since I was a small child. I had been once before, but I was literally a fetus, so it's safe to say I don't remember much. I was so blessed to have gotten this opportunity, and you can bet that I made the most of it! The entire week, we stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. They definitely call it a village for a reason, as it has numerous high rise towers, restaurants, a private beach, shops, and anything else you would need if you decided to spend all your time at the resort. Most nights they have a luau you can attend for a fee, fireworks on Friday nights, and many other activities going on around the resort. You might even get to spot a celebrity. On our trip, we ran into Michael Irving. For those of you who don't know, Michael Irving is one of the greatest football players of all time. As a Dallas native and Cowboys fan, my whole life was made after I snagged a picture with him. If you want to take a trip to Oahu and hang around the hotel, this would be a great place for you. However, that isn't something I would recommend in a place like Hawaii! !!The North Shore The North Shore is a stretch of coast known for its huge waves and awesome surf contests. It isn't exactly a quick trip from Waikiki. Its over an hour drive, and traffic can get pretty bad when driving in. On your trip, take a little extra time and stop and check out some cool spots along the way. Our group made a quick trip to the Old Waialua Sugar Mill. It houses a number of different small companies, a kitchen that makes some amazing shaved ice, and a huge gift shop. You have to get some of their chocolate and get a strawberry and lilikoi shaved ice! It was extremely charming inside and I couldn't help but pick up a few souvenirs as well! Waimea Bay was our beach of choice. We had an amazing scenic drive for the last couple of miles. When we finally got to the beach, I was blown away by the natural magnificence. The waves were huge and the sun's reflection off of the water made it feel like a dream. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to get in the water due to large waves and a dangerous current (but we still got in for a little bit). I was a little bummed about that, but I was satisfied just by looking at the beauty of nature. We also got to see someone get married! If you happen to go to the North Shore on a day where the waves are massive, don't expect to get in unless you are an experienced surfer. However, don't let that deter you from from taking a walk along a gorgeous beach or seeing some surfers in action! Also, make sure not to fall asleep on the ride home! There's so much lush scenery to gaze at during your drive back, and you won't want to miss it! Diamond Head Diamond Head State Monument is always a go-to destination for travelers staying in Waikiki. It's less than a 15 minute drive, and its trail is easy enough for people of all ages. The entry fee is $5 per vehicle or $1 per walk-in visitor. I went twice on this trip. I went once around 9:00 am with a large group, and then went again at 5:45 am with a couple other people. While the first trip was fun and offered great views, the second trip was amazing. It takes between 30-45 minutes to get to the top depending on your pace and how crowded it is. We reached the summit at 6:23 am and had a front row seat to one of the prettiest sunrises I've ever seen. When you leave the park, make sure to stop by the pineapple food truck in the parking lot! It had all sorts of sweet, fruity treats. I got the fresh squeezed pineapple juice, pineapple whip, and a pineapple and guava smoothie. They were all yummy. Overall, I appreciated the ease of the hike, and wasn't rewarded any less. The views were still gorgeous even though it was only a half hour hike. If you plan on hiking Diamond Head, I strongly urge you to go and catch the brilliant sunrise! Pearl Harbor Anyone who knows me probably guessed that Pearl Harbor was the biggest thing I wanted to do on Oahu. I am a huge history buff, and Pearl Harbor is a site I've wanted to visit since I was a little girl watching the History Channel with my dad. Luckily, my travel buddy Jeremy also wanted to go. It was about a 25 minute drive from the hotel. We got tickets for the tour online, so we had no problem getting in and meeting our tour group. The tour starts off in the small theater on the grounds. They show you a 25 minute documentary about the events surrounding the tragedy and the affect it has had on the country. After the film, they take you out on the harbor to the USS Arizona Memorial. Along the way, you see smaller memorials for the other ships that were destroyed that day. Unfortunately, the USS Arizona been out of service due to construction, but they still get the boat close enough so you can see the sunken ship underneath. Once they drop you back on land, there are numerous placards, signs, and monuments that give great knowledge about the history of Pearl Harbor, the attack, and some of the sailors who perished. Since the Arizona was closed, we bought tickets for the Virtual Reality Tour. For five dollars, the headset takes you inside the USS Arizona Memorial, shows you what the Arizona looked like, and what the attack looked like from the shore. The trip can take as long as you want. It can take anywhere from 35 minutes to 4 hours depending on how fast you walk through the grounds and if you visit any other memorials or museums. It was a truly somber, educational experience. When visiting, it is important to remember that thousands of people lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor. It is a memorial to the 2,403 people who gave their lives for the country. Even though you are on the water surrounded by pretty scenery, it is imperative you remember what happened on those grounds all those years ago. If you are planning on going, I would recommend buying your tickets online the day before. There are a limited amount of walk-up tickets everyday! Manoa Falls Manoa Falls is a waterfall in the Manoa Falls Trail. It took less than 15 minutes to get there from our hotel. Parking costs five dollars, and there are buses you can take from Waikiki for pretty cheap. Check the weather before you go. If it recently rained or is going to rain during your trip, expect it to be extremely muddy and very slippery. I wouldn't recommend bringing young children when the trail is in that type of condition. When we went, it hadn't rained so it was solid. For the majority of the hike, you are walking through a deep green, lush Hawaiian jungle. The terrain can get craggy at some points, but that just means it will be a little harder. Our group had people ranging in age from 7 years old to 60 years old, and everyone made it to the waterfall. It will take about 30 minutes to get to the end. I encourage you to explore off the beaten path, because there were some cool areas we discovered. The waterfall is 150 feet tall and has a freezing cold pool it feeds. It is strongly discouraged to swim in the pool, but YOLO right? Jeremy and I navigated the rocks in the pool and made it under the waterfall. It was a pretty cool (and freezing cold) experience, and the photos were nothing less than Insta worthy. I would recommend hiking to the waterfall if you have some spare time on your hands. I think there are better waterfalls you could hike to if you have the time. For us, there were a couple of hours we needed to burn, and Manoa Falls was the perfect option! Bagley Beach and Sandy Beach Park One of the best days of the vacation was the trip to Sandy Beach Park and Bagley Beach. Sandy Beach Park wasn't a beach I would plan on getting wet at. The water is known for its body surfing because the waves break very close to the shore. While this is pretty awesome for experienced body surfers, it can be extremely dangerous. Many people are seriously injured and even killed at Sandy Beach. The park was full of people on the beach and in the parking lot blaring tunes in their car. It was really cool to see people out in the water getting tossed around. It was truly an awesome sight to see how hard the waves crashed and how much everyone in the water loved it. After we left Sandy Beach, we went to Bagley Beach where we planned to spend the rest of the day. We had the beach almost to ourselves. It was sunny, warm, and the waves were amazing. I spent the bulk of my team being taught how to boogie board by my coaches' sons. By the end of the day, I felt like a character on Blue Crush or Rip Girls. There are a number of inlets like Bagley Beach in the Waimanalo Bay area. I would suggest spending at least a few hours at one. The warm waves and powdery soft sand were one of the most memorable elements of the entire trip. Hawaii was everything I had imagined and more. From the majestic mountains, to the sparkling ocean, every part of Oahu mesmerized me. The people were nothing short of hospitable and kind. I am so grateful that I got to see the Aloha state up close. A huge thank you to Texas Volleyball and also to the Gabriel family for introducing me to Aloha Maid juice! I can't wait to come back to this beautiful land again. Mahalo, Hawaii!
This spring, I have been interning at Keep Texas Beautiful in Austin, Texas. Every summer, they host a conference in different cities around the state. This year, it is in Rockwall, Texas at the Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront Hotel. Although I grew up in the same metropolitan area, I have never had the chance to spend time in Rockwall. This will be an awesome opportunity to explore what the area has to offer. I looked up some things to do in Rockwall and surrounding cities and came up with a list of things I'd love to do while I'm there. If you are traveling to Rockwall or any other part of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, you should check out this list for some activities to add to your itinerary! The Harbor Rockwall Virtually in the backyard of The Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront Hotel, The Harbor Rockwall has a wide variety of amazing entertainment options. During the day, you can take a stroll down the boardwalk or through one of their beautiful parks. If you're a movie buff like myself, kick back and watch a new movie at the Cinemark 14 Rockwall & XD. It's practically a requirement to try local restaurants when travelling. Get your meal with a lakefront view at Dodie's Cajun Diner or try some of Rockwall's best Italian cuisine at The Oar House. At sunset, take a trip out on the water with Harbor Lights or Sail With Scott LLC to watch the sun dip below the horizon. It seems The Harbor Rockwall has so much to offer any traveler. The best part? It's only a hop, skip, and jump away from the hotel! Blase Family Farm The Blase Family Farm is a staple for families in the area that want to get outside and spend some time together in nature. In the summer, they open their farm so visitors can pick organically grown blueberries from any of their 1,300 blueberry bushes! Their farm also has a nature walk, outdoor games, farm animals to pet, and delicious treats like their blueberry popsicles. If you're travelling in the fall, check out the farm for their charming pumpkin patch, hay rides, and many more family friendly options! The Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden Renowned as one of the best gardens in the world, The Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardenis a must-see destination when travelling to the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex! I remember coming here in middle school for a field trip and falling in love. Fun Fact: this is my dream wedding venue! They boast a wonderful weekly concert series, numerous children's activities, cooking demonstrations, glorious floral displays, and so much more. Traveling with kids? They have the Roy Meyers Children's Adventure Gardens. Want lunch or dinner with a view? There are a number of dining options that look out to parts of the stunning garden, or you can bring your own meal and have a picnic in the garden. The garden is about a 20 minute drive from Rockwall, but it is definitely worth it! Local Wineries and Breweries There is no denying that Texas' wine scene is growing rapidly. I plan to get in on the action at a winery or brewery near Rockwall! From San Martino Winery & Vineyard to Bankhead Brewing, there are so many options to choose from. Each place is unique and offers something different. Wine/beer tastings, local eats, karaoke, games, and more can be found at locations in the area. There are local ones in Rockwall and others throughout the metroplex. If you're looking to immerse yourself in local fare, find your new favorite bottle of wine, or just want to let your hair down, there is a local establishment for you! I personally can't wait to embarrass myself at a karaoke establishment =) Other Rockwall Favorites
At the Harbor
Blog Post Written By Morgan Johnson Property of Keep Texas Beautiful |
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March 2020
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