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, I was called back to the waiting room. The pressure in both my eyes was checked, and both registered 15, The optic nerve in both eyes was checked, and 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. I 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.

2020 Jan 6, Outing to Decatur, Alabama Birds of Prey, Waterfowl

Owl 

Today, Hubby and I rode to Decatur we ate breakfast at IHOP and went to Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, where we saw Whooping and Sandhill Cranes. 

We saw a small group of schoolchildren and several adults with cameras. We watched a 12-minute movie about the Refuge and walked among the Cypress Trees.

Sandhill Cranes

On the Atkeson Cypress Boardwalk, we saw these gorgeous Cypresses submerged deep in the swam. 

 We stopped at Ingalls Harbor, & Rhodes Ferry Park.

Tern Perched on a pole at Ingalls Harbor. 

We ate lunch at Jack's, hamburgers and fried pies
 We stopped at Wheeler Dam, where we saw hundreds of Terns diving for fish. We also saw hundreds of Terns perched along the entrance to the locks and hundreds of Cormorants perched below the dam. It was a beautiful day for an outing.

At Rhodes Ferry Park, we saw the train lift bridge that once bridged Lauderdale to Colbert County, Alabama. 

At Wheeler Dam, we saw Terns diving into the Swift Tennessee River. 

The Tuscumbia, Courtland, and Decatur Railroad was the only railway line in the country used to transport the Cherokee people during forced removal. 

Linking Decatur to the Cherokee Indian Removal during the Trail of Tears. 
On this river in front of you, 2,300 Cherokee people arrived in waves, forced from their Tennessee Valley homeland from 1837 to 1838. The steamer Knoxville towed flatboats loaded with Cherokee families. Heavy rains soaked their clothes. The cold wind whipped off the water. They survived on cornmeal and flour fried in bacon grease. Once docked here at Decatur Landing, the Cherokee boarded cramped train cars. Their journey west continued along the rails.

2019 May 15, Day Trip Decatur's Historic & Parks Gardens 💐 🌷

Hubby and I had a great day. I was not sure if we were going anywhere because by 10AM, it looked like rain, but we decided to go anyway. 
We rode to Decatur, stopping at Old Bank Park Garden took pictures of the garden.

Old Bank Street Park Garden 

Next, we rode to Frazier Park. (Never been to this park) I was surprised at how beautiful and serene. It had blooming Hydrangeas, and Magnolia trees were in bloom, as other shrubs, trees, and flowers along a running stream with a cross bridge. 

Frazier Park 

We rode over to Albany to Delano Rose Walk and the Children's Riverwild Playground, splash pad, and Garden. We had taken the grandkids to play in the park when they were small. The River Wild Garden Walkway was new to us. 

DragonFly 

River wild Park 

Toad Frog 

Swamp Rabbit 

Tortoise 

Delano Park Rose Garden

We loved the Frogs, Toads, Beavers, Fireflies, Turtles, butterflies, signs, and statues throughout the Garden. By the time we reached the Rose Garden, it had begun to sprinkle. A landscaper working in the garden, I said a little rain cannot hurt but he said I cannot get my work done in the rain. I kept on taking pictures, but the rain got harder. I looked around, and the gardener had disappeared, he had gone back to his truck to keep from getting wet. I started back to the car, and the rain began to come down hard, but I made it to the car before I got too wet. We rode to Huntsville to get the oil changed in our car by the time they finished, the sun had come out, so we rode back to Decatur so I could finish taking pictures.

Pink Rose 

Entrance Way lined with Snow Queen Hydrangeas

We were getting hungry, and we did not eat lunch because we had stopped at the Shell Gas Station, where they sell hot food, and bought some corn fritters. Hubby had been wanting some. We also stopped at McDonald's for hot apple pie.
We ended up eating at Jack's on hwy 31 because we could not decide where to stop in Decatur. But that was okay because we both liked Jack's

2018 Aug 16, Road to Southaven, MS

Sometimes we plan trips, and sometimes we just wear it. Today was a wing-it day.
Hubby had a heart test at 10:30 AM, which did not take very long.
He said have you been to the Train Bridge and seen the mural that is being painted?
I said I had been to the Train Bridge many times but had not been lately.
So off we go to check out the new mural of a train, which I was told is not finished.

Train Bridge Mural


Hubby said I do not want to go home, have you heard of Southaven, MS? I said I think we have been through there.

Hubby said I want to go look at an Entegra Class A diesel, and we can get lunch along the way.

I said you know we traveled this same route last week when we went to Little Rock, Arkansas.
We stopped in Corinth, Mississippi, at Cracker Barrel for lunch.

Cracker Barrel Corinth, MS 

Checker Board at Cracker Barrel 

Lunch Shrimp, Fried Apples with Cornbread! YUM!!

Hubby eating Pinto Beans, Fried Apples, Cornbread, and Roast Beef.

We traveled US 72 West to 385 West and I-55 South to Southaven, which is just a short distance away from Memphis. We saw countless jets overhead coming out of the Memphis Airport.
We stopped at America's Largest Indoor RV/Marine Showroom at Southaven's RV's.
We looked at two of the  Entegra Class A diesel.
https://www.southavenrv.com/rv/southaven+ms/entegra+classadiesel/4844/entegra+cornerstone+45b

Sitting on display were a couple of Travel Trailers, and I said we have come a long way since the beginning of travel. Hubby and I were watching the Travel Channel, and it said that it was not until the 1960s that the name Travel Trail went to being called RVs.

We normally do not do a lot of shopping, but today was a wing-it day.
Across the highway was the Tanger Outlet, so off we went in that direction.
Mississippi is just as hot in the summer as Alabama. Hubby parks, and we began our journey through the outlets.
I said I would love to have something cold, so hubby sat down, took out his cell phone, and began looking for restaurants.
In the meantime, I have spotted Blues Markers and guitars dotted throughout the shopping area, and off I go, taking pictures.

Travel Trailer

Travel Trailer

Tanger Outlets 

Flowers at Tanger Outlets

Birthplace of America's Music Blues  Notice the tarps over the walking areas. 

I take over a hundred pictures when I get a call saying where are you?
By this time, it is hot, I stop at a vending machine for a Coke.

Children's Play Area Tanger Outlets 

Splash Pad at Tanger Outlets 

We headed back to the car and began our trip home it was around 4:30, and traffic was getting heavy.
The GPS bypasses Interstate traffic.
We stop at Jack's in Corinth for dinner, Mapco for gas, and Walgreens
We arrive home around 8:30PM

2016 Nov 26, Christmas Adventue

A fun day with my sister-in-law.

Our first stop was the Athens Christmas tree trail, but they had only decorated one Christmas tree, too early for all the trees to be decorated.

My throat was dry, so we stopped at Chick-fil-A, where I bought a large Ice tea. 

Our next stop was the Tinsel Trail at Big Spring Park, where we saw a variety of differently decorated trees.

I'm not sure how many trees, but I took over 300 pictures. 

Grover from Sesame Street

The sun was bright, but it was cold in the Shade. 

Several times, we would come out of the shade into the sun just to warm up. 

We walked through Tinsel Trail twice to make sure we did not miss any trees. 

We watched the ducks and fish swimming in the canal.

On our travels, we rode past Huntsville Hospital and the nearby shops. 

From Governor's Drive, we took I-565, exiting onto Old Madison Pike and stopping at Bridge Street Centre.

I parked near Book-a-million, and we used their restrooms. 

In the restroom, I met a woman from Madison, and we began a conversation.

I told her about touring the Tinsel Trail and all the beautiful Christmas Trees. 

We talked for another 15 minutes after we left the restroom. 

My sister-in-law had never visited Bridge Street Town Centre.

We walked to the large man-made pond to see the Christmas displays and carousels. 

We stopped at the Piper & Leaf Artisan Tea booth to taste the four different samples: Cherry Christmas, Caramel Apple Pie, Mistle Grove, and Pumpkin Moonshine Tea. 

 Piper & Leaf Artisan Tea booth

At the Piper & Leaf Artisan Tea booth, I laughed and said did the Pumpkin have real moonshine in it?

The young man said you can add your own, then we both laughed. 

My favorite sample was the Caramel Apple Pie.

We stopped to see the Large Christmas tree near Monaco Theater.

In front of the Christmas tree was a young girl singing Christmas Carols, and children were running along the water's edge. 

We listened to a couple of songs and walked back to the car. 

Large Christmas tree near Monaco Theater.

We rode to  Historic Madison to drive past the Christmas Card Trail. Large handmade Cards are displayed in front of historic homes in Madison. 

We were too tired to walk the trail.  I snapped pictures of the Cards as I slowly drove past. 

On our travel home, we stopped at Chick-fil-A in Athens. I ordered a kid's two-piece chicken meal to-go. My sister-in-law had to wait for her food because they were preparing large trays of orders to go. 

We were headed west, going home with the sun shining in our eyes. 

The thermometer in my car read 56 degrees. 

Had a great day with my sister-in-law, the traffic was light. 

This was the Saturday after Thanksgiving, so I  guess everyone went shopping on Black Friday. Glad we did not go on an adventure yesterday. 

Tinsel Trail at Big Spring Park is located near the YMCA in Huntsville. 

Across the street is the rest of Big Spring Park, which is under Construction.

We heard Christmas music playing through loudspeakers overhead as we walked through Tinsel Trail. 

It was a gorgeous day, and I needed the long walk in the park after all the Thanksgiving food. 

It was a bit on the nippy side, but as the day progressed, it warmed up. But I still needed a light jacket, especially in the shade. 

I was home by 3:30PM.  November 26, 2016

2017 Aug 18, Traveling South on Natchez Trace

Had an eye appointment, then lunch at Burger King (Whopper Junior, onion rings, and drink).

I took  20/Savannah Highway to Natchez Trace, traveling toward Colbert County.

I stopped to take pictures of Rock Springs, Rock Springs Trail, and Tiny Jewels of the Air Markers.

Tiny Jewels of the Air

Few birds are as distinctive and charismatic as hummingbirds. From their iridescent plumage to their incredible aerial antics, hummingbirds are an irresistible attraction at Rock Springs. Each fall, hundreds of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds pass this way to feast on the nectar of the abundant jewelweed and other wildflowers.

Hummingbirds and certain flowers have evolved an interdependent relationship over millions of years. Flowers provide hummingbirds nectar, the fuel they need to keep flying. In return, hummingbirds transport pollen between flowers, helping the flowers reproduce.

The flowers of choice are long and tubular and usually red, a color bees have trouble seeing. This shape fits the hummingbird’s long bill and deposits pollen on the bird’s forehead. Individual flowers usually grow separate from one another, allowing ample space for whirring wings as the hummingbird dashes from flower to flower. Pollen from flowers powders the head of these tiny jewels as they sip nectar. Subsequently, this pollen is then spread to other flowers on which the hummingbird feeds.

Faster Than a Speeding Hummingbird?

A hummingbird’s small size and rapid movement can make it difficult to watch for long. Fortunately, hummingbirds will often perch on an overhead branch and draw attention to themselves

by making high squeaky chipping noises. To spot a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird, look for its iridescent throat--called a gorget. The color of the gorget depends on the lighting and, in most instances, looks dark. Only when the feathers catch the light at a certain angle can their intricate beauty be seen? In good light, the male Ruby-throated Hummingbird is unmistakable with his bright ruby-red throat.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Migration

Each year, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrate from eastern North America to winter in Central America. Although some of the birds work their way south through Florida to the Caribbean or through Texas to Mexico, Alabama’s hummingbirds fly across the Gulf of Mexico. These incredible creatures undertake a 600-mile voyage across open water to find warm weather and plentiful nectar further south.

Rare Surprises From the West

Each fall, bird watchers from across Alabama visit these patches of jewelweed to witness the spectacle of hundreds of hummingbirds on their southward migration. As an added bonus, these large concentrations of hummingbirds sometimes attract western hummingbird species that have strayed from their usual migration route, particularly in the winter. Species to look for in the fall include Rufous, Black-chinned, Calliope, and Anna’s, among the Ruby-throated.

Rock Spring

Rock Spring Nature Trail offers you an opportunity to explore a small natural spring as it bubbles forth from the ground. Small fish dart about a deep pool created as the stream wandered through rich bottomland soil and limestone rock. Vegetation and trees change as you move through an abandoned field past the stream onto a rocky hillside.

After completing the 20-minute walk, you may decide to pull off your shoes and dangle your feet in the swift, cool waters.

I traveled to the Tennessee River and the Natchez Trace Bridge Mile Marker 328.7, where I took pictures of the marker:

Driven Up the Waters

Natchez Trace Parkway (near Natchez Trace Bridge Lauderdale side) 328.7

National Park Service U. S. Department of the Interior

Driven Up the Waters

The Trail of Tears led groups of Cherokee up the Tennessee River here. The Cherokee is one of the southeastern tribes who was relocated to Oklahoma due to the US Indian removal policy in the 1830s. 

During removal, most Cherokee went by land, but thousands of others traveled aboard barges and steamboats. Diseases, bred in cramped, unsanitary conditions, raised the misery of those already reeling from the loss of their homes, homeland, and most possessions.

After learning of shipboard hardships, Cherokee leaders organized future removals themselves, primarily over land.

I rode across the bridge, men were working along the bridge. There were red lights to stop traffic, for it was only one lane working.

I took pictures of markers on the Colbert County side. There are new markers celebrating Alabama's 200 years of statehood.

Safe Crossings 

In the early 1800s, ferries like the one George Colbert ran near here on the Tennessee River linked segments of the Natchez Trace. Ferries carried people across the river for a fee. Post riders, Kaintucks, military troops, casual travelers, slave traders, and enslaved people took the ferries.

The Chickasaw had the title to the land in this region, and Chickasaw leaders like George Colbert understood the value of safe river crossings. In 1801, in one of their first treaties with the US, the Chickasaw allowed the US to develop the Natchez Trace into a road. The Chickasaw retained the right to operate a ferry across the Tennessee River.

US General Andrew Jackson and his veterans of the Battle of New Orleans marched homeward after the War of 1812. George Colbert's ferry carried them across the Tennessee River here. Although the river was not as wide and deep then, ferries made crossing safer and easier. 

Another Safe Crossing was located at Bird Site #12

Trace Travelers

Natchez Trace Parkway (near Natchez Trace Bridge Colbert side)

National Park Service U. S. Department of the Interior

Trace Travelers (Restroom area Colbert Side)

Frontier America once walked along the Natchez Trace.

The Chickasaw and Choctaw used the Trace for transportation and trade. After 1801, with tribal permission, post riders who rode the Trace connected isolated settlements in Mississippi and beyond.

Boatmen or farmers, known as Kaintucks, floated their products down the Ohio and  Mississippi rivers to market in Natchez, Mississippi. Then, they sold their flatboats as lumber and walked home along the Trace. On foot, the 500-mile trip took about 35 days. By 1810, occasional travel had turned into the human flood; up to 10,000 Kaintucks passed along the well-trodden path each year.

Chickasaws moving south pass Kaintucks on the northbound leg of their journey home.

During the War of 1812, the Trace became a road for American armies marching to and from battle. 

Steamboats-powerful enough to sail up the Mississippi Riverstemmed the tide of Trace use.

Wet, Wild, and Wonderful Bird Site 12

Alabama’s Winter Waterfowl

The Tennessee River Valley is the winter home for thousands of waterfowl. These birds migrate from across the northern US and Canada down through the center of the continent to the Tennessee River.

Careful management practices have created more wetland areas. Regular planting of food crops such as millets, oats, and wheat has increased food sources for these winter visitors, helping to bring their numbers to record highs. While everyone can enjoy the benefit of more waterfowl, much of this work has been done through the support of waterfowl hunters paying license fees, stamps, and excise taxes on equipment.

Ducks and geese are a very diverse group of birds. Over thirty species are found in Alabama and the Tennessee River Valley. Look for the difference in their size, plumage, feeding, and flight characteristics to see how many species you can identify. Often rafting with other ducks, the dark gray American Coot is not a duck at all but is a member of the rail family.

Geese

Geese tend to stand out from the pack because of their large size and long neck. The most familiar goose in the Tennessee Valley is the Canada goose, with its dark head and white cheek. Many Canadian geese, released as juveniles in the state, now live year-round in the area.

Mergansers

Mergansers are also known as “Sawbills” because of the tooth-like serrations of their long, thin bills. These birds are made to chase and catch fish underwater. Hooded Mergansers and Red-breasted Mergansers are often seen in large groups and can be joined by small numbers of Common Mergansers.

Dabbling Ducks

Dabbling Ducks are our best-known ducks. Dabbling Ducks have rounded, often flat bills used for filtering seeds, aquatic plants, and other organic materials from fine mid just below the water’s surface. Dabbling Ducks to look of r include Northern Shovelers, which have a pronounced shovel-shaped bill and can be seen actively filtering water through their bill as they swim. Other dabblers are Mallard, Pintail, Green-winged Teal, and American Widgeon. 

Diving Ducks

Diving Ducks prefer to stay in deeper water where they dive for food, Although they use a different technique, diving ducks also hunt for seeds, aquatic plants, and some aquatic insects. Diving ducks can usually be seen in mixed-species flocks, including Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Ducks, Canvasback, and Redheads. While divers run across the surface to take flight, dabblers leap from the water’s surface.

Colbert Stand

George Colbert operated a ferry across the Tennessee River from 1800 to 1819. His stand or inn offered travelers a warm meal and shelter during their journey on the Old Trace. Colbert looked after his own well-being and once charged Andrew Jackson $75,000 to ferry his Tennessee army across the river.

This site of his stand is a short 50 yards up this path. An additional 20-minute stroll will take you along the Old Trace to the bluff overlook station and back.

Chickasaw Hospitality 

National Park Service U. S. Department of the Interior

Natchez Trace Parkway

George Colbert's stand sat atop the ridge before you.

As one of many inns that dotted the Trace between 

Nashville and Natchez provided travelers with food and lodging.

With a Scottish father and Chickasaw mother, George 

Colbert used his bilingual abilities and knowledge of both

cultures to build a network of enterprises. As a Chickasaw,

he gained the right, by treaty, to operate a ferry across the 

Tennessee River, 

One traveler, Jose Bernardo Gutierrez de Lara, described 

the stand that Colbert built near his ferry as "a country

place." Unlike other frontier buildings, it had an

"abundance of glass in windows and doors."

I find all the Indians on the road, particularly

the Colbert family is very accommodating to

us, we shall be tolerably well supplied in passing

through the [Chickasaw] nation..."

Colonel John Coffee

War of 1812

As the end of the day nears, post 

riders and travelers on the Old Trace

gather at Colbert's stand.

Chickasaw Planter

Natchez Trace Parkway (near Natchez Trace Bridge Colbert side)

National Park Service U. S. Department of the Interior

A Chickasaw Planter

During the early 1800s, a slave-owning planter class, including George Colbert’s family, emerged among the Chickasaw.

George’s success stemmed from a variety of endeavors. He fought with the Americans against the Shawnee and Creeks, traveled to Washington, DC, as a tribal emissary, and steadfastly protected  Chickasaw rights during treaty councils.

In addition to a ferry and an inn that Colbert operated nearby, he grew cotton and raised cattle. His large plantation depended on the labor of 150 enslaved African Americans.’

After removal to “Indian Territory” in present-day Oklahoma, Colbert established another large farm. Already past his 80th birthday, he died in 1839.

“Major Colbert, who ranks high in the government of his nation…has labored at the plow and hoe during the last season, and his example has stimulated others.”

Benjamin Hawkins, 1801

US Agent for Indian Affairs

Though run down by the time this photo was taken, Colbert’s Stand was once an important landmark on the Natchez Trace. Until forced removal, Colbert and his family lived in a more substantial house near present-day Tupelo.

Bridging Cultures

Natchez Trace Parkway (near Natchez Trace Bridge Colbert side)

National Park Service U. S. Department of the Interior

Bridging Cultures

Here, near the bubbling waters of Buzzard Roost Spring, Levi Colbert (Itawamba Minko, “Bench Chief”) built one of the many inns-called stands along the Natchez Trace.

But it was Colbert’s negotiating and language skills that sustained him as a tribal leader. Bilingual, with a Scottish father and Chickasaw mother, he took advantage of opportunities in both cultures.

Across several decades, Colbert sat among the Chickasaw during treaty talks. Using his knowledge of both white and Chickasaw society, he protected both the Chickasaw homeland and his own interests.

A dogged negotiator, at the time of his death in 1834, Colbert was trying to amend an 1832 treaty to gain better terms for the Chickasaw people.

A 2012 inductee into the Chickasaw Hall of Fame, Levi Colbert earned a reputation as a skilled negotiator.

Something to Chew On 

Natchez Trace Parkway (near Natchez Trace Bridge Colbert side)

National Park Service U. S. Department of the Interior

Something to Chew on 

Inns, or stands, provided occasional shelter for travelers along the Natchez Trace. These stands offered flood to eat and food for thought: local news, information, and ideas. The ever-changing mix of diverse populations - whites, American Indians, and African Americans - interacted at stands regularly.

Already a Chickasaw leader and successful businessman, Levi Colbert enhanced his influence with a stand that he owned and operated here at Buzzard Roost Spring. Trace travelers no doubt talked about Levi’s stand. It was nicer than most and offered respite from the miles of footsteps that defined a Trace journey.

I came back through Cherokee and stopped at Spring Park, Tuscumbia, to take a picture of 

U. S. Army M60A3 Main Battle Tank

Obtained from Ft. Rucker, AL, by American Legion Post No. 31

April 28, 1999

*Weapons: 105 mm rifled cannon. 7.62 mm and .50 caliber machine guns.

*Engine: 750 hp. 12-cylinder air-cooled diesel.

*Crew-4 men: Weight-107.900 lb.: Speed-30 mph: Range-300 miles

*Entered service in 1960 and used by 22 countries

Ended the day by meeting the Tidwell family at 6PM at Legends for a birthday dinner, where I enjoyed 6 boneless wings and a hot roll. 

2017 May 16, Tuesday, Day Trip to Huntsville, Alabama

Hubby and I rode to Tennessee to buy our bi-monthly lottery tickets. Hubby went inside scanned his tickets and came back to the van. 
He said I forgot my wallet do you have any cash? I had enough money to buy the tickets $28
We had an appointment at Champion Chrysler Dodge to get the oil changed in our Town and country in Athens at 11AM.
We had to ride back home to get his wallet.
We stopped in Elgin for B-12 shots and just made our 11AM appointment at Champion.

They finished our van but the oil light was still on. 
Hubby went back inside and told them, they had forgotten to reset the oil. 
The woman came out and tried she said the floor mat was too close to the gas peddle and was not letting it reset. 

Had to sit in the Slingshot sitting in the Showroom 

We rode to Huntsville, and our first stop was the Huntsville Train Depot/Museum.  The park area was open but the museum was closed. 
There was a school group visiting the park and earlier that morning there was a Civil War Re-Enactment there were still tents standing in the open field. 
We walked into the Museum store, Caboose, and Train Engine.
Huntsville Depot Museum Hours
Wednesday -Saturday 10-3PM 
Gates Open 
Monday - Sunday year-round 9-5PM
As we were leaving a train came rattling down the tracks.

The Huntsville Alabama Depot Museum 

Standing in the Engine Room 

Civil War Camps

Passenger Depot
Huntsville Alabama
Built 1860
Memphis and Charleston Railroad Company
Eastern Division headquarters in this passenger Depot,
Adjoining yards and shops were captured by the Union Army on April 11, 1861.
Vital east-west Confederate rial link served, CSA soldiers imprisoned here.
The depot was later used by Federals as a base for gathering supplies for Western Theater
military operations. After the Civil War returned to M & CRR Co
acquired by Southern Railway System in 1898, since1971
preserved by the City of Huntsville. 

The main reason for coming to Huntsville was to see the newly renovated Big Spring Park.
There is a concrete walkway around the reshaped lagoon, where the water flows so it can clean itself. 
There are park benches along the walkway, but no trees, (so it will be hot during the summer).
You can walk right up to the water's edge. We saw children leaning into the pond feeding the goldfish and ducks. 
We walked along the water's edge and the fish and ducks followed us. 
I saw a young man feeding the fish.
I made the comment I was going to buy some food but my hubby did not have any change. 
The young man gave me a quarter, I thanked him and I bought a quarter's worth of seeds. 
The fish and ducks gobbled the food right up.

Goldfish and ducks feeding 

Big Spring Park Oriental Bridge 

Newly reshaped lagoon

Fountain 

Kids feeding fish and ducks

Huntsville Art Center 

We rode south on Whitesburg Drive to Airport Road then onto Parkway stopping at 
Rosie's Mexican Cantina for a late lunch.
We ordered a white chip dip and shared a Chicken Fajita. 
Rosie's Mexican Cantina on South Parkway has a beautiful garden full of blooming flowers.

Rosie's Mexican Cantina Garden 

Rosie's Mexican Cantina Garden 

Rosie's Mexican Cantina Garden 

Rosie's Mexican Cantina Garden (Singing and playing Minstrels 

Parkway South is under construction (turning it into six lanes).

Road Construction on South Parkway 

Road Construction on South Parkway 

Road Construction on South Parkway 

We rode to Ditto Landing and saw a few geese, boats, and bridges.

Gaggle of Geese

Bridge Closed at Ditto Landing 

We rode down Drake Avenue to RSA where we filled up with gas and saw a few geese. 
We were home a little after 5PM
My granddaughter had been texting me all day wanting to know when we were coming home.
My granddaughter, her daughter, and a friend came over around 5:30PM to swim.
I did not get into the pool because I was too tired.