2021 Aug 10, Cheekwood Botanical Gardens Nashville, Tennessee

Hubby and I traveled the backroads to Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville, TN via Natchez Trace getting off at the Leipers Fork exit. Hubby parked the car near the entrance and showed the girl at the ticket counter our online tickets.

Pink LEGO Dog 

The first thing we saw as we entered the gardens was a big pink dog made out of Lego blocks. We walked down a long winding sidewalk down several sets of steps to the Train Exhibit, inspired by the Little Engine Who Could.

In front of us was a couple with a very independent little girl with a head full of curls, who was about the age of 2 or three years of age. What a magical place as you enter the land of trains and Fairy mushroom villages. The train exhibit was built of rough timbers and five train tracks totaling over 800 feet of track. As we walked through we saw trains going over bridges and through tunnels, we were in a magical land of trains.

We saw beautiful yellow lilies floating in the lily ponds. We saw pink, orange, white, and red roses busted with life in the Rose Study Garden.

Roses

We saw art pieces made of musical notes made of wire. We saw many Yellow and Black swallowtails on the butterfly bushes.

Yellow Swallowtail 

We saw a red lion, a zebra, a blue bear, colorful birds, a red turtle, a green lawnmower, and a man working in the garden, all made out of Legos. Also, LEGO rabbits were spotted throughout the Bradford Robertson Color Garden. We walked around the mansion, but not inside. Workers were repairing the pool in front of the Mansion in the Martain Boxwood Gardens.

Cheekwood Mansion 

There were waterfalls, ponds, and creeks running through the gardens. We did visit the Art Bark exhibit, which was crayon sculptures by Nashville artist Herb Williams. Inside the visitor center were restrooms, drink machines, and a beautiful rose LEGO sculpture. We took a break to cool off, drink a soda, and use the restrooms before beginning our journey home, We did not walk the entire gardens but had a wonderful time. We traveled home along the backroads this time taking a different route. We came out in Columbia, TN. We got a late lunch of fish at Long John Silvers and took it home.

2021 Sep 26, Day Trip to Huntsville Botanical Gardens Huntsville, Alabama

Arrived at 11 AM just as the gardens were opening. My first stop was the Purdy Butterfly Gardens where I saw several Gulf Fritillary Butterflies, red-spotted Admiral butterflies, Zebra Long-wing butterflies, monarch butterflies, great southern white butterflies, the white peacock butterflies, and the common buckeye butterflies. I spotted several Blue Jays and heard a woodpecker but never saw it. I also heard several other species of birds and saw a snake as I was coming out of the wooded area. I walked through the vegetable garden where I saw just a few including one big orange pumpkin and a few vines with fruit dangling on them.

I saw the fruit of Japanese Persimmons hanging on the trees. On the tree next to them was a thorny tree with Trifoliate orange fruit hanging on it. I also saw lying on the ground an osage orange, so you can see there was plenty of fruit for the animals. I spotted a praying mantis on a small limb. I saw several turtles swimming and lying along the bank of the pond.

I saw pink and purple blooming asters and mums of purple. I even spotted a pink rose. I spotted a gray heron and several turtles lying on the bank near the butterfly house. Uncaged: Birds, Nature & You along with Night Blooms still fill the gardens.

Some of the scarecrows that I saw were: Santa’s Helper, Mr. Antsy Pants, Zooey the ZooKeeper, It's a Girl Scout Vibe, Frida Kahlo, The Scarecrow Dietitian, Terry Lewis “Herb’s wife:/Herb the Birdman, Papa’s Pumpkins, Mr. Crow the Birdwatcher, Dog Day Bride, Collaborative Carl, We can do the job, Snow Fairy, Betelgeuse Scary Spirit, Sir Night fo make it right, Faith, Service, Diversity, Page Turner, Autumn, Larry If I only had a spaceship, Rooted,

Mr. Morgan, Bill the birdwatcher, Johnny Apple Seed and Demeter, Find Your Space, South Huntsville Sam, Auntie Smile, Miss Mary, La Ofrenda, Rosie the Refunder, Discovery Daisy, Lady Golfer, Noah, Cedrick Crow pin, Meets the Adams Family, Tiger, and Crow, & Voting Violet. I saw several people in line to go into the park as I was leaving. I spotted a lady with a Nikon camera so, I walked up to her and told her where I had seen the heron and all the butterflies that were not inside the Purdy Butterfly House. She asked me about my camera and I said I had been taking pictures for many years. She said she had just started with her new camera. It started out a cool morning by afternoon it was hot. I walked back to the car ate the bowl of nuts and the diet Sprite that I had brought and rested a few minutes before starting the hour-and-a-half drive home. That morning I had stopped at Wheeler Dam to see the waterfowl. There were several people fishing and more coming to fish. I asked a young man about the waterfowl and he said there were a few but a couple of days back they were more than he had ever seen there. I guess I miss them. I did get a couple of shots of a heron catching a fish.

2021 April 24, Touring the Antebellum Home of Presbyterian Minister Robert Donnell Athens, Alabama with Tour guide Alice Tiller

Pleasant Hill 

Home of Rev. Robert Donnell (1784-1855) 

Built abt. 1849 by Rev. Robert Donnell, a native of North Carolina, and his second wife Clara Lindley Donnell. 

He was greatly inspired by the Great Spiritual Revival of 1800 and became a Presbyterian circuit rider, one of the "flaming fires," so-called because of their spiritual intensity. Donnell held the first camp meeting in the settlement that became Huntsville, started new churches in North Alabama and Tennessee, and retired as minister of the Athens Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

For his service and dedication, the North Alabama Presbytery was named in his honor. After the death of Rev. Donnell in 1855, this house and surrounding acreage passed to his son James Webb Smith Donnell. J.W.S. Donnell and his family lived here during the Civil War, even though he was wanted by the Union Army for aiding the Confederacy. 

In 1862, during the sacking of Athens, Federal troops camped on the house grounds, looted, and damaged the house through bankruptcy after the war. 

It served as a boarding school for boys for a time and later as the home of Athens School Superintendent, Julian Newman, and his family. 

 In the 1970s, a campaign to save and restore the house was initiated by local historians and authors Christine W. Edwards and Faye A. Axford. Local citizens, businesses, and Donnell's descendants contributed to the restoration of this historical landmark.

Pleasant Hill Historic Marker

Pleasant Hill Historic Marker

Donnell House

The Donnell House is located at 601 South Clinton Street. 

It hosts events throughout the year, such as a Christmas tree presentation during the holiday season. Because it is located on the campus of the Athens Middle School, students have conducted school projects, including interpretive videos that are centered around the history of the house. 

April is the month to showcase the local history in counties in Alabama by featuring walking tours every Saturday in April. I chose the *Robert Donnell House & Museum to tour it was the only walking tour that I had not attended. 

 *Tour options were: *Beaty Historic District *Downtown Athens Historic District *Athens City Cemetery *Athens State University *Houston Historic District All the above are excellent tours and many tour guides dress in the period of the tour. 

 Unfortunately, the Governor George S. Houston Library and Museum were not offered this year. 

 The Donnell House and Museum were hoasting a wedding later that day and food was being prepared and finger foods placed on the table.

Wedding Buffett

What caught my eye was the Armadillo pink cake. Hanging in the parlor were pictures of Rev Donnell and his two wives. 

Two staircases were leading to the upper level which showcased the history of the home and its occupants. 

 Outside was an 1830s log cabin donated by Don and Ed Horton sons of Judge James Horton and nearby was an herb garden. 

 I had driven past the Donnell House Museum many times but never noticed it until the tour because it was located in the Athens School system.

2021 April 3, Florence Cemetery Walking Tour, UNA, McFarland Park, Wilson Dam, & Ava Florence, Alabama

The tour will begin at 705 East College Street led by Harry Wallace. The tour of the Florence Cemetery established in 18181 features many unique headstones and famous gravesites among the rolling hills and towering trees. 

The cemetery contains the graves of many early settlers, two governors, prominent leaders and families, and many unknown CSA soldiers.

Harry Wallace our guide

Blooming Cherry Trees 

McFarland Par 

After the walking tour, I stopped at Wilson Park to see the blooming cherry trees. 

Next, I went to UNA to see the newly remodeled fountain. There were people there taking pictures for Graduation. Leo the lion was basking in the sun and he roared several times. Normally he just lays quietly but today he must have been hungry.

LEO the Lion at UNA

Fountain at UNA 

Ava riding her car 

I rode to McFarland Park and stopped for a few pictures. The River was down compared to what it had been but still was peeking at the banks. One side of the park was closed because of flooding. There were a lot of people at the park, people were parked everywhere even on the banks of the road. 

I stopped at River Heritage Park and walked to see the floodgates at Wilson Dam. The Tennessee River was raging through. 

On my way home I stopped to check on my son Mike he had surgery on his back. He was outside with his brother Andy. Ava came outside and was riding her car. Saw a Yellow Monarch Butterfly landing on the yellow dandelions. 

I had a very interesting day.

2021 April 17, Mooresville Walking Tour and Huntsville Botanical Gardens

It was a great turnout at Mooresville for I had to park along the side of the road and walk several blocks.

 We began at the Post Office which closed at 10 AM so if you wanted to go inside you had to be there by 9:45 AM.

 We saw a couple of churches, a tavern, and several homes, and our guide talked about the history of the small town. 

We saw a beautiful little cottage that is now Lyla’s Little House of Mooresville. “All the sweet that’s fit to eat!”

Stage Coach Stop 

Lyla’s Little House of Mooresville

Brick Church

The brick church had been owned by several different denominations but was now owned by the town and used for weddings and town hall meetings. We walked inside the Brick Church the Post Office and the Tavern. Our guide passed out several booklets on Historic Mooresville's Bicentennial Est 1818 but ran out. It was a nice day for the tour a little cool but warmed up quickly. I left before it ended because I couldn't hold it in any longer. I stopped at Cracker Barrel in Madison to use the restroom. 

 My next stop was the Botanical Gardens. I first went to the Butterfly house and saw one butterfly, a few turtles, and several children. I was so thirsty that I bought an orange crush drink and finished it off before I left the gardens. 

 Walked through the Children's Garden to the newly built Birdwatching building. Meet a man there who was building a new home and was getting ideas for his lawn. (shrubs, flowers, and such). Had a nice relaxing visit to the Huntsville Botanical Gardens?

Field of Wildflowers

Squirrel

I strolled through the wooded area along the paths less taken. I saw several Robin Redbreast, rabbits, and squirrels. As I was walking near the pond I saw lots of turtles sunbathing. Yellow and White Wildflowers were blooming everywhere they were so pretty. I also walked through the herb garden.

 I had a great day but was tired from all that walking and I still had to drive an hour or more home.

2002 Jun 28, Children's Museum of the Shoals Florence, Alabama

Took Hannah to the Children's Museum where she sat in the dentist's chair holding a blue toothbrush as long as her arm would not fit in her mouth. Of course, the teeth she is standing next to would be used by the large blue toothbrush.

Naturally, if you are in the Shoals area you have to visit the birth home of Helen Keller. Of course, hanging next to Helen Keller on the wall are Jessie Price and Stanley Goldstein. Now for a little sitting time in a nook for storytime. Back to the first floor, it is time for a little music, as Hannah enjoys dancing on the musical keyboard with keys that are bigger than her feet. There were also drums, xylophones, and many other musical instruments.

Onto the kitchen where a raccoon was watching as she prepared a meal. After she finished cooking it was time for a quick slide with Miss Piggy. Time for a little construction work with a hammer & nails, Hannah don't forget to put on your construction hard hat. Now it was time to check out the water pump and the flowing creek that was filled with boats floating down the stream.

It was such a beautiful day so we headed outside. Hannah crossed the rocks that were over the babbling brook, making sure she did not get her feet wet. Lying on the ground were construction materials to build a house, she started but did not finish. There was a Green wagon so she climbed aboard for a picture. We walked back inside did a little grocery shopping and once again did a little cooking. Back upstairs for a little karaoke. Hannah dressed up in a white robe with purple trim and sash. Of course, I joined in the karaoke we had fun acting silly.

Next, we visited the X-ray machine to see what she looked like inside. Next, she did a little crafting and tracing the USA map. We had a fun day at the Children's Museum of the Shoals

2018 March 17, & 2016, 2015 My thoughts

March 17, 2018 Today I went to the Florence Lauderdale Visitor Center where I saw this little Bird (Killdeer), and the little Killdeer's feathers flared out as I started walking past her I took my cell phone and took a couple of pictures I noticed 4 eggs were laying on the ground near her. She had made a nest in the grass near the sidewalk at the visitors center That was why there was an orange cone sitting there I hope she guards them well.

Killdeer 

March 17, 2016 Today was a beautiful day the sunset was awesome. I did a little work outside this afternoon. I sat looking out my window watching all the varieties of birds eat from the four feeders. My husband said to look and we saw a long-eared rabbit sitting in front of the tractor eating grass. I looked out the window on the other side of our RV and saw a groundhog come waddling down the field looking for his dinner of fresh clover. Well, I lay on the sofa watching Wheel of Fortune (we watch it every night)when it ended I went to work on my computer. Every evening I check to see what color the sunset is and tonight it was awesome. I will post some pictures later. While taking pictures of the sunset I turned around looked behind me and saw a herd of deer (doe) I counted at least eight. They just stood there while I snapped their picture. I was careful not to make any sudden moves. I have not seen any deer for some time. I think this warm weather has brought out all the animals and climate change has caused us to have such an awesome sunset.

Rabbit 

March 17, 2015, was such a beautiful day, the sun was shining, no rain, snow, or sleet. I enjoyed it very much, we did not go anywhere just worked a little in the yard. The older that I get the less I want to do any manual labor for it makes me hurt all over, I guess that is old Arthritis working in my bones.

2021 Mar 9, Day trip Oak Mountain State Park Pelham, Alabama

Today we rode to Pelham via hwy 43 through Russellville, ending on I-22 going into Birmingham. We filled up with gas at Loves Gas in Jasper and restroom break. We traveled through Birmingham I-65 to Pelham. We stopped at the Interpretive Center and Treetop Nature Trail, where we saw a Eurasian Eagle-Owl, and Shelby the Bald Eagle. Most of the Interpretative Center was closed for renovations. We also saw several hawks and owls in another area.

Bald Eagle 

owl 

As we were coming back inside the center we met a Park Ranger with a Red Tail Hawk that was blind in one eye. We talked to her for several minutes and watched while she fed the hawk. She said that its food comes to them frozen so they just thaw it out for them. She was returning the hawk back to its cage. We thanked her for taking the time to show us and tell us about the habits of the red-tail hawk.

Red-tail Hawk 

We began our journey back home we had not eaten any dinner and both agreed that we would like to stop at O'Bryan's in Hartselle. I ordered a petite Sirloin steak with a sweet potato. Hubby ordered a Delmonico Steak, baked potato, and salad bar. After we ate we took pictures of the Blues Brothers statue and other memorabilia at the steak house.

O'Brien's Hartselle

We stopped at Krogers in Hartselle and headed for home. We traveled from Hartselle to Decatur taking Hwy 20 alt 72 to Wheeler Dam. The sun was going down as we were near home.

Sunset

We had a great day both wore out from all the traveling.

2021 Feb 8, Day Trip to Huntsville, Alabama

Hubby and I rode to Huntsville today for my Opthomologist appointment. You know the drill by now. Stay, in your car, and call the office to let them know you are there; they will call you back when you can come inside. Once inside the building, they take your temperature; you are given a sticker to place on your shirt or blouse that says you are okay to enter the building. Once inside, I checked in; after a short wait was called back to the waiting room. The pressure in both my eyes was checked both registered 15 and The optic nerve in both eyes was checked nothing changed. I had taken my big camera with me; I wanted to get a few pictures of the waterfowl and colorful fish that swam at Big Spring Park, so that was our next stop. On our way to Huntsville, the thermometer on the car read 35 and showed snow; but it turned out to be a beautiful day. The sun was shining; not much wind with a little chill in the air. I took my coat but never had to put it on.

Canadian Geese 

We then rode to Braham Spring Park where we saw Canadian Geese, Mallard Ducks, and a few starlings eating and swimming at the park. I said it's such a beautiful day let's go to the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge in Decatur so we entered I-565 and not far past the airport the traffic was bumper to bumper because they were working on the road and were merging into one lane. We then turned onto I-65 only to find out they were working on the interstate and were also merging into one lane. We finally made it to our turn off and hubby said what do you think about getting lunch at Libby's in Priceville. I said that sounds good for I love me some good old fried catfish. I was not disappointed; I ordered one piece of fillet with coleslaw, hush puppies, onion, baked potato, and iced tea. I could not eat it also got a to-go box.

Catfish plate @Libby's in Priceville, Alabama

We then rode to Wheeler Wildlife Refuge to see what was left of the Sandhill Cranes to my disappointment they were just a few. The visitor center was closed and so was the observation building. There was a wooden wall with holes cut out to view the fields but no birds. We stopped at Jack's in Decatur for a diet Coke and two strawberry Cheesecake pies. Our last stop was a Wheeler Dam to see the waterfowl. Saw a few White Pelicans so we didn't stop. When we got home I went outside and filled both bird feeders and saw more birds at home than I did at all the places where we had stopped. We have Cardinals, Wrens, Finch, Tuff Titmouse, Mourning Doves, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and Downy Woodpeckers just to name a few of our backyard birds.

2021 Feb 2, Day trip to Guntersville, Alabama & Ground Hog Day

Hubby and I rode to Guntersville via Hartselle. We were in Muscle Shoals so we took 72 to 157 through Moulton turning onto 36 into Hartselle. We saw Oh! Bryans is my hubby's favorite place to eat. We had planned to eat at Libby's in Priceville but since we had taken a different route and would not go past Libby's we decided to stop in Hartselle. The food was great at a reasonable price. We like to take the back roads when traveling because you never know what treasures you may find. I loved the way that they had decorated Oh! Bryans. At the front where you check out was the front of an old car(57' Chevy) and not far away was the backend of two other cars used for waiting benches. If you ever are ever in Hartselle you need to check out OH! Bryans.

 O'Bryan's Hartselle 

Eating steak, sweet potato, and toast

Salad Bar food

I ordered the sirloin steak with sweet potato and a glass of water with lemon. Hubby ordered a Delmonico steak and baked potato with salad. After lunch, we rode to Guntersville State Park where we saw several deer. Stopped at the pier in Guntersville where we saw hundreds of Double-crested Comomorants and Sea Gulls. We stopped at Ollie's in Madison and bought a couple scissors. We stopped at Russell Stovers in Athens where hubby and I both ordered a small waffle cone with ice cream. (Rockie Road). Then on to Aldi for a few groceries then home. The sun came out but the temperature hung around 42 degrees all day. After a long cold outing, I was ready to warm up so I climbed into my warm bed and fell asleep.

flock of birds

Deer

2021 Jan 14, Day trip to Gadsden and Covered Bridges of Alabama

Today the hubby and I traveled US 72 to I-65 to 67 east to Priceville stopping at Morgan County Memorial Park where they had a Hurley helicopter, a T-34Mentor Plane-on loan from Pensacola, FL, and an M60A1 Tank. There were several tall war plaques representing soldiers who had to give their lives. For our country.

 Morgan County Memorial Park Priceville, Alabama 

We stopped at Jack's in Blountsville for lunch. Ordered a kid’s chicken finger meal and a blueberry cream cheese pie. Saw a carved statue in the trees outside Jack's.

Swann Covered Bridge

We traveled to Swann Covered Bridge built in 1933, located, at Swann Bridge Road Cleveland which crosses over the Locust Fork River.

 Easley Bridge

Our next stop was the Easley-covered bridge built in 1927. It was located at Easley Bridge Road Oneonta. We met a couple the man was in the car the woman taking pictures. I asked them if they had been to the Swann Covered Bridge they said not today. We rode to Horton Mill Covered Bridge built in 1934, which crossed over the Calvert Prong Little Warrior River.

Noccalula falls

Horton Covered Bridge 

We filled up with gas at Love's in Sneed. Then we rode another thirty minutes to Noccalula Falls in Gadsden, where we met a man on a motorcycle I asked him if he knew where the covered bridges were at the park. He said you are asking the wrong person I am from New York and I am enjoying this warm weather but I said it gets cold here in north Alabama. He said enjoy your day and rode off. We walked around taking pictures of the roaring falls. The water was too rough for any waterfowl. We started for home the sun was going down and staring us right in the face which didn’t last long. Before we knew I it was dark. We came home through Decatur and the traffic was Heavy. It had been a beautiful day for traveling.

Traveling home