2024 Aug 6, Day trip to Shiloh, TN and Iuka, MS

Today we rode up Savannah Highway 20 to Savannah. 

They were working on the road when we crossed into Tennessee. 

They were also spraying along the bridges and gated areas. 

We rode through Savannah and Crump turning left towards Shiloh. 

We arrived At the Shiloh Visitor Center National Park. 

Took a few pictures outside.

Ava at the Shiloh Visitor Center

A park ranger greeted us. 

She told us about the museum and said there were some unfinished displays. 

Several were interactive displays. 

She also gave us directions to the Indian mounds. 

AVA Sitting in front of Hagy's Restaurant 

We stopped at Hagy’s Restaurant for lunch. 

Hubby and I split a catfish fillet meal.

He ate the salad, baked potato, and a piece of catfish.

I ate a piece of catfish and several hush puppies. 

Ava ordered chicken fingers and fries. 

She ate all her fries and a couple of bites of her chicken. 

We got a Togo plate. 

We rode to Pickwick Dam.

Crossing the Tennessee River, we rode through the park at Pickwick. 

We took the highway going to Iuka, Mississippi. 

A road I had never been on before. 

Lots of marines and boats. 

We rode through the downtown area of Iuka. 

We stopped to see the red caboose and red fire truck both retired. 

AVA on the back of old fire truck Iuka, MS

We stopped at Lowe’s to get some lumber but their cutting machine was broken. 

We rode to Home Depot where hubby bought lumber and pavers and I bought three succulent plants. 

Andy met us at Home Depot and we dropped off Ava.

I came home hubby painted the wood and I watered my plants.

I loaded my pictures. 

2024 June 15, 17,18,19, 20 with Ava

2024 June 15, Saturday 

Atlas Birthday Party @ Launch Pad Elgin

 I picked up Ava and we rode to the Elgin LaunchPad 

Atlas is turning 4! Calling all cowboys, cowgirls, and space rangers 

June 15, at 12-2 pm

Don’t forget your jumping socks 

We were served pizza, chips, and birthday cake 

The kids had fun on the launchpad 

We watched Atlas blow out his 4 candles.

I bought Hazel a birthday present because we will be out of town on her birthday, June 29. 

Hazel was having a bad day 

So I gave her her present a very colorful doll

She wouldn’t put it down

I gave Atlas a soccer ball and an Adventure Force Clash Force Combo Auto Advanced with four guns and 20 bullets.

2024 June 17, Monday Ava & River 

Today I rode to Andy’s to see River and Ava 

They were still in the bed but not sleeping 

They quickly jumped into the swimming pool and played 

River said she was hungry and wanted McDonald 

So I said Ask Pawpaw

They dressed and we headed to McDonald 

River ordered a cheeseburger with only cheese bread and meat (which he called ham)

Ava ordered 6 pieces of chicken nuggets with fries 

I ordered filet fish with fries

The kids enjoyed their meal while playing with their kid’s meal toy 

Inside out 2 toy play and score toy

I bought hubby 2 McDoubles and 2 small fries 

We came back to my house and the kids enjoyed playing in the playroom until 1:30

Then we took them back to Andy’s 

River’s mom was on her way to pick up River.

They have a long drive home. 

2024 June 18, Tuesday Ava & River 

River and Ava came over while Andy went to work. 

The kids played in the playroom.

I rode them on the gator.

River loved the ride he was pretending he was in one of his video games

They ate hotdogs no bread

Fruit, candy, and snacks all day

They watched tv 

River’s parents came by around 2 pm they had spent the day in 

Memphis 

They slept late 

A long ride home about 5 to 6 hours 

Andy came for Ava later 

I went to bed early I was tired 

2024, June 19, Wednesday AVA

Today we rode to town.

My two big toes have a fungus and I went to Doctor McCutchens gave me a prescription for meds to heal my toes.

We stopped at Ollie and bought some body wash and some oatmeal raisin cookies. 

We took Ava to McFarland Park to play

She wanted to go to a museum but she settled for the park 

She had fun with several other kids 

I did some birding and took pictures 

We ate lunch at Chick-fil-A 

We stopped at Foodland and talked to Ronald he gave Ava some mints 

We picked up my prescription at Killen Drugs 

We rode up to Greenhill and bought some peaches and a watermelon 

Had a fun day 

Afternoon visit near Muscle Shoals Reservation Trail

Today Thursday, June 20, we rode to Rockpile TVA 

Ava and I walked to the waterfalls

Stopping to take pictures 

We saw a red-bellied Woodpecker in the top of a rotten tree

We saw a redtail hawk and a couple Great Blue Herons and we heard several different bird sounds 

Ava played on the playground but it was too hot and no other kids were there 

We rode to McFarland Park there were lots of kids but none on the playground 

So we walked up the path to a couple of large boulders where I took several photos 

We rode to Panda Express for lunch 

We ordered a large plate 

Ava ate the noodles 

I ate the walnut shrimp 

Hubby orange chicken and broccoli with beef 

Hubby went next to get a haircut 

While Ava and I stayed at Panda Express 

We came home and Ava and hubby watched Sponge Bob 

2023 Dec 14, Christmas Card Lane Ditto Landing, Big Spring Park Tinsel Trail Huntsville & North Pole Stroll Athens

 Today we stopped at Jack in Athens for two cheesecake pies and a scoop of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream for Ava. 

We strolled down North Pole Lane to see the Christmas Trees in Athens. 

North Pole Stroll 

We stopped at Murphy's to fill up with fuel.

We stopped at RSA so Ava could see the rockets. 

RSA Rockets 

We rode to Ditto Landing to stroll along the Tennessee River to see the Christmas Cards that were dotted along the bank of the river. 

Ava loves animals this was her favorite

Hubby stopped about halfway down while Ava and I strolled to the end, stopping to take pictures. 

A few people were walking and a few were riding bicycles along the pathway.

We stopped at Chick-fil-A South Huntsville to eat lunch. Ava and I both ordered a kid's meal with ice cream. Hubby a chicken sandwich. 

Our last stop was at Big Spring Parks Tinsel Trail. Lots of Christmas trees on both sides of Big Spring. 

This is Ava's favorite at Big Spring Park 

Hubby sat in the car while Ava and I strolled up and down and around the park. 

We stopped to feed the ducks and fish. 

Feeding the Ducks and fish 

2023 Dec 13, McWane Science Center Museum Birmingham, Toyota Field Dancing Lights

 Today we ate breakfast at Jacks in Cullman. I ordered gravy with sausage and biscuits. Ave ordered sausage and biscuits. Hubby ordered a ham and cheese sandwich. 

McWane Science Center Birmingham, Al 

We traveled to Birmingham stopping at the McWane Science Museum Center. Hubby went to level 3 to see the train display. 

Ava and I went to the second floor to see the dinosaurs, where we saw a Super Cell Tank and birds in a tree, Ava was a weather girl, and she rode the Sky High Cycle. 

Sky High Cycle

We walked up to the third floor and Ave rode the train and the Zipline several times.

Ava rode the Train

In the basement was the World of Water Aquarium where Ave petted a shark and ray. 

We saw coral, a variety of fish, and eel.

On the first floor, Ave made large bubbles and experimented with several science objects.  Ava lay on a bed of nails. We went inside the distortion room, on the top corner you were small, and on the bottom corner, you were large. 

Ava on a bed of nails 

distortion room,
"Honey I shrunk the kid"

 We stopped for dinner at Oh! Bryans in Hartselle. Hubby ordered steak, baked potato, and salad bar. I ordered a chicken wrap. Ave ordered chicken nuggets, and fries from McDonalds.

Ava touched a Python before we left McWane Science Center.

Ava with the Blues Brothers 

After dinner, we rode to Toyota Field in Huntsville to see the dancing lights. 

Winter Wonder Land was not open but we did get to see the light show. 

Traffic was horrible in Huntsville. 

It was way after dark when we arrived home. 

Ava spent the night.