2019 June 12, Day Trip Cooks Museum of Natural Science, Decatur Depot, Huntsville, Athens, Alabama

Hubby and I rode to Decatur, where we visited the newly opened Cooks Museum of Natural History. 

There, we walked through exhibits featuring a cave, forest, Arctic, and desert environments. 

Cooks Museum of Natural History 

We saw live turtles, saltwater fish, live coral, moon jellyfish, river fish, gopher snakes, American bullfrog, American Alligator, and a variety of insects.

We saw a live beehive with thousands of bees that were connected to the outside, where the bees could collect pollen for the hive. 

A meteorite from outer space, a digital seashell generator, a kinetic sand table, and a tree with a rope bridge to climb were just a few of the inter-actives at the museum. 

Cooks Museum is a place where you can touch, feel, see, and hear different species of animals, reptiles, birds, insects, and fish. 

It is an excellent destination for school groups to visit. 

We had a great time. 

Bee Hive 

We were greeted by a well-informed curator at the Decatur Train Museum. 

He told us some of the museum's history.

We saw an engineer running a miniature train around the tracks, along its path, which was a replica of notable buildings of Decatur.

We saw the Prince's Theater, the Old Bank building, the Turner-Surles Community Resources Center, the Train Depot, and the Dance-Polk House.

We saw a Coca-Cola engine, an Army Supply Train, an Orange caboose, a CSX Engine, a C&X, a K Line, a Seaco, an ADM Box Car, etc. 

Signs along the walls that read Southern Railway "The Southern SerRailroadouth," Railroad Crossing, & Will not clear man or side of the car.

Decatur Train Depot Museum 

We saw the early Memphis Railroad in 1Railroadh steam engines and carriages. We saw an early telephone hanging on the wall, the early Western Union Telegram, maps of early Alabama, and an old Underwood Typewriter. 

On display inside was a Red 1941 Chevrolet 1 2-ton pickup truck

On display inside was a Green and Yellow John Deere model “LA” general-purpose tractor 

We shopped at the new Duluth Company Trading Post( located near Intergraph in Huntsville), which had men's and women's clothing.

We ate a late lunch/dinner at Golden Corral. I always overeat at buffets. 

We purchased an HP OfficeJet 9015 Printer and ink at Office Depot in Huntsville. My old HP had died.

The car was loaded with two cases of water we had bought at Sam's the day before. 

We bought vegetables (cucumbers, tomatoes, squash) from a local grower on our way to Decatur.

We bought a few groceries from Oldies in Athens.
We purchased some baking soda at CE Pool, where we had our pool water tested. 

So, the car was loaded with items to be put away.

I had taken several pictures but was too tired to upload them to the computer. I will do that another day.

Ready for some couch time!

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

Hubby and I had a great day. I was unsure if we were going anywhere because by 10 A.M., it looked like rain, but we decided to go anyway. 
We rode to Decatur, stopping at Old Bank Park, Where We 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 was. It had blooming Hydrangeas, and Magnolia trees were in bloom, along with other shrubs, trees, and flowers, by 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 took the grandkids to the park to play 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 drove to Huntsville to get our car's oil changed. 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 since we had stopped at the Shell Gas Station, which sells hot food, we bought some corn fritters for lunch. 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 couldn't decide where to stop in Decatur. But that was okay because we both liked Jack's

2008, April 7, Monday, Having fun in the park with grandkids

I picked up Sierra, Montana, and Nevada at their grandmother Clanton's house.

I had packed a picnic lunch of peanut butter sandwiches, bananas, fruit bowls, and Mountain Dews. 

We ate lunch at St Florine Park, and when we finished, we walked the trail.

About midway through the trail was a hill of loose dirt

The kids wanted to climb atop the dirt hill, and I said they could.

They said Grannyncameme up, so I did.

We walked around on top of the dirt pile and up and down several times. 

The kids loved this area. 

We walked around the park and I took pictures. 

I took the kid's picture standing on a bridge next to a statue of an alligator.

Nevada 

Sierra 

Montana

We saw, sitting on a stump, some tin statue-singing frogs, which intrigued the kids. 

Along the walking trail, we saw a face carved into a tree; it had large marble-like eyes.

I took pictures of the kids everywhere in the park. 

When we finished walking, the grandkids played on the playground.
Deibert Park was the next place we went to. 
We walked on the trail, and there were signs everywhere about the animals one might see along the way.

Sculptures in Deibert Park

Sculptures in Deibert Park

The kids and I got very hot, so our next stop was McDonald's for an Oreo McFlurry. 

Next, we went to Loaves and Fishes, a thrift store in Muscle Shoals.
I let the grandkids pick out five books each and two movies. 

We stopped at train Tressel on the Colbert side of the Tennessee River.
We walked to the end and back by the time we finished, and Montana's long curly hair was glistening with sweat.

Our next stop was River Heritage Park, located next to the Marriott Hotel.
The kids played on the castle and the train playground equipment. 

Stopping for a pose

Having fun at River Heritage Park 

I made pictures of the kids playing, and when we were leaving the park, we stopped at the waterfall in front of the Marriott hotel.  

My granddaughter called and said she needed someone to pick her up at school.

For dinner, I baked a potato, and the grandkids dressed it with cheese, bacon bits, and sour cream.

For dessert, I served strawberry pie.

Strawberry pie is Montana's favorite, and he ate pie until he said Granny, my stomach is about to pop.

Hannah and Sierra went outside to ride scooters.
My grandson, Jake, came over to pick up his sister, Hannah. 

He was hungry, so he ate a potato with all the trimmings.
After Jake and Hannah left, I took the other grandkids to Ron's, where they played with Ron's Star Wars Dolls. 

We got home, and later that day, the grandkids' mom came to pick them up.  

I spent the day with grandkids climbing a dirt hill, hiking, picnicking, walking trails, playing in the park, reading signs, and making memories. 

2008 ~ Monday, April 7, Spending time with Grandkids

I went to Teresa Clanton's to pick up the grandkids, Sierra, Nevada, and Montana. I had packed a picnic lunch because I was taking the grandkids to St. Florian Park.

I made peanut butter sandwiches, each with a banana, a fruit bowl, and a can of Mountain Dew. 

After everyone finished eating, we started walking the trail. About halfway around, the kids spotted several piles of loose dirt and wanted to climb on top, so I said okay.

The kids climbed up and said, "Come on, Granny, you can do it," so I climbed up with the grandkids.

Climbing the dirt pile

We walked on top of the dirt pile and went up and down several times. 

We started walking the trail again, and I took the kids' picture standing on a bridge next to a statue of an alligator.

Nevada and Montana are pointing to the alligator.

We saw some tin statue-singing frogs sitting on a stump, which intrigued the kids. I also had to take their picture there. 

Nevada is pretending to blow a horn like the frogs

We walked a little further down the trail, where we saw a face carved into a tree. It had large marble-like eyes, and the kids loved it. 

I took pictures everywhere in the park with the kids. 

Nevada and Sierra are posing in front of the tree with a face

We stopped at the playground, where the kids played on the equipment.

Taking a break 

Montana is pointing to a frog.

Sierra posting

Nevada is a frog

Montana is standing on a tree stump.

Next, we went to Deibert Park, where they played on the playground, and we walked through the park, reading the signs about the animals and plants.

Reading the park signs

 We stopped along the fence line to take pictures of the metal sculptures.

Nevada and Montana posing at the metal sculptures

Sierra and Montana posing at the metal sculptures

Nevada and Montana posing at the metal sculptures

Nevada, Montana & Granny posing at the metal sculptures

Nevada and Montana posing at the flower gardens

We saw a family of turtles at the pond.

Turtles are walking next to the pond.

I took the grandkids to McDonald's, where we each ordered an Oreo McFlurry.

I took the kids to Loves and Fishes in Muscle Shoals, where I bought each grandkid five books and two movies.

We stopped at the Traintrestl, which is along the Tennessee River on the Sheffield side, where we walked to the end and back. 

It must have been a hot day, because Montana's head was wet with sweat.

Walking down the Train Trestle

Our next stop was at Heritage Park, located next to The Marriott Hotel in Florence, where the kids played inside the castle, on the train, and on all the other playground equipment. 

Nevada and Montana are enjoying the playground equipment at River Heritage Park.

Nevada and Montana are enjoying the playground equipment at River Heritage Park. We stopped at the waterfall next to the Marriott Hotel, where I took pictures of the grandkids.

Montana at the Waterfall at the Marriott Hotel 

Sierra at the Waterfall at the Marriott Hotel 

Nevada at the Waterfall at the Marriott Hotel

Hannah called from school and asked me to pick her up, so I loaded the grandkids into the car and we rode to Roger High School to pick her up. For supper, I made baked potatoes with all the fixings: cheese, bacon bits, and sour cream. I also made a strawberry p.e, and Montana ate his fill of it. 

Hannah and Sierra rode the scooters. 

Jake came over to get Hanna., I made Jake a potato with all the trimmings. 

I took the grandkids to Ronald's, where Nevada and Montana played with Ronald's Star Wars dolls. 

Later that afternoon, Charity came to get the grandkids.