2023 April 1, Mule Day Parada Columbia and Mount Pleasant, TN. Grill & Museum

 Hubby and I had an excellent April 1st, (April Fools' Day) We stopped at Jacks in Lawrenceburg for breakfast. I ordered their single gravy, sausage, and biscuits. Hubby ordered their big breakfast with pancakes.

We rode to Columbia to watch the Mule Day Parade. Arrived a little early and found a place to sit. There were thousands of people there for the parade and other events. The parade began at 11:00 AM and was over a little after 12.  The Grand Marshall was Mike Wolfe from America Pickers.

At the end of the parade were a couple of big sweeper trucks to clean up all the horse and Mule poop.

Grand Marshall Mike Wolfe 

An unusual float the Solo Cup 

Mules and Horses 

We left Columbia and drove through Mt Pleasant stopping at Mt Pleasant Grill. It didn't appear much, but we thought we would try it. It was a lot bigger on the inside and very nice. The food was great. A little spicy and cooked differently. It was tender, fresh, and delicious. We definitely will eat there again. 

Fried Catfish, Fried Okra, Cole Slaw 

We asked about the museum next door and one of the waitresses said it was worth seeing. So we toured the museum. It was filled with lots of memorabilia about the town. The things you would see in a doctor's office, war artifacts, gowns, dresses, furniture and so much more.

doctor office

I bought several note cards: The Hamilton Place, The St Johns Episcopal Church, Walnut Grove, Rippavilla, and Fountain Creek Mills. (historic homes, church, and mill). The curator tried to sell us a 2023 Farmers Almanac she was telling us about some of the things she had read in it. 

Walked outside to the nearby park where I saw those beautiful tin flowers and 2 blooming dogwood trees. The perfect time of the year to be blooming. We had a great time except for the 30 MPH winds. We saw hats, trash, and cotton candy flying everywhere. One bag blew off the vendor's rack and spooked several horses. All in all, it was a great day.

Dogwood Trees

2022 Nov 13, Clydesdae's Parade in Cullman's Wearhouse District Cullman, AL

It was a bitterly cold morning as we rode to the Warehouse District in Cullman to see the Clydesdale Nov 13, 2022

Budweiser Advertisment 

Budweiser Clydesdales  coming to Alabama Nov 10-13, 2022 

Jingle & Mingle Birmingham Nov 10 

75th Annual Nationa Veterans day parade Birmingham Nov 11

Lakeview District Trot Parade Birmingham Nov 12 

Christmas Market Open House Cullman Nov 13. 

since Adams 1937 

We arrived at about 1PM and got in line for the parade where we could watch the horses being unloaded. 

Each of the eight Clydesdale was taken out of the trailer one at a time then harnessed with solid brass, patent leather, and stitched with pure linen thread harness which weighed over 130 pounds. 

One of the Clydesdale being hitched up with its harness 

The Red, White, and Gold beer Wagon also has to be taken out of the 50-foot tractor-trailer and the Clydesdale hitched up one at a time. 

Once the horses were hitched to the Wagon, the drivers, riders, and Dalmatian dog climbed aboard the wagon and the parade began.

The parade was scheduled to begin at 1PM but it did not start until 2:20 PM.

The Budweiser wagon, 8 Clydesdale, two drivers,  Dalmatian, and three passengers rode around the Warehouse District 3 times, stopping once for pictures before heading back to the tractor trailers to be loaded up.

8 Clydesdale, drivers, riders, and Dalmatians starting the parade 

Close-up of drivers and Dalmatian 

There were several children standing next to me. A family with three redheaded children. One of the little boys was very impressed with my camera and wanted me to take his picture which I did. 

The little boy who wanted me to take his picture.

There were thousands of people waiting to see the horses. We watched the Clydesdale go around a couple of times. 

After Clydesdale's first trip around the district, many people left. At about the same time we heard the train's whistle blow and a very long train crossed the tracks so these people had to wait for the tracks to be clear to cross. 

We were going to leave after the first round but since we were going to have to wait on the train we decided to go back and watch the Clydesdale one more time. I am glad we did because I got a better video of them coming around the corner and getting my picture made near the wagon. 

After the parade, we headed home stopping at Cracker Barrel in Athens for supper. Hubby ordered a big breakfast and I ordered pinto beans, fried apples with cornbread, chow chow, and onion.  

We stopped at Murphy's Walmart to fill up with Gas. It was dark by the time we arrived home. 

It was a cold day but at least the sun was shining. I think it got up to 41.

2019 Dec 4-Dec 17, Trip to Sevierville, Tennessee and three Root Canals

Dec 4, 

All night my lower left bottom tooth hurt so on our way to see my eye doctor in Huntsville we stopped at the dentist and he said I had two obsesses.

The dentist did a root canal on the tooth that was hurting which hurt several days after the root canal. I was given pain pills and antibiotics for an infection.

I went back the next day but the dentist could not get to the canals so he closed back up the canal and made me an appointment to see the endodontist.

I went on my trip with abscessed teeth.

Dec 8, 

Traveled from Huntsville to Sevierville, TN with my cousin Sherry and Aunt Bobbie. 

We were too early to check into Wyndham condos so we went to eat a late lunch at Applewood Farmhouse Grill.

We ordered a hot bowl of vegetable soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, apple fritters, apple sauce, and their delicious apple, orange, & pineapple juice. We had enough food left over for dinner.

Juice and Apple Fritters

Checked into Wyndham Condos after 4 PM 

We were staying in room 1427 and had brought several items and we needed a cart to load everything onto.

Sherry spied a couple of luggage carriers in the entranceway and was going to get one but a couple had taken both of them

Sherry was upset and said that they should give us one but they would not

We finally found one and loaded it with everything that we had brought 

Another couple was waiting for our baggage cart and asked if they could have it when we were finished with it

Sherry and Bobbie were pushing and pulling the cart around the twisting walkway things kept falling off the cart finally the man said let me help you, ladies

He gave his luggage to Aunt Bobbie and proceeded to push the cart to our room

His wife asked me if I was with them

I laughed and said yes

I said it was like The movie Christmas Vacation 

We both laughed 

Her husband helped unload the cart 

We thanked him and he took the cart and they left 

Another couple waiting for the cart when they had finished. 

What a way to start our vacation 

Later that night Sherry and I rode to Walmart to pick up a few items. (Apple juice & chips) And where I saw Dolly Parton’s Imaginary Library book.

Dolly Parton’s Imaginary Library book

Dec 9, 

We met Wanda & Buck at Huck Finn for lunch.

We all ordered catfish, fries, white beans, onion, pickle, coleslaw, and hushpuppies from the lunch menu.

We said goodbye to Wanda and Buck and rode to Dolly Parton’s Stampede which was decorated for Christmas.

We all took several pictures.

Dolly Parton's Stampede

Huck Finn's 

We shopped at Burlington Coat Factory and Old Time Pottery.

We rode back to the condo for the remainder of the day and watched TV.

Dec 10, 2019 

Sherry and Bobbie went to a meeting at Wyndham. We all ate breakfast at the Time-share and I was taken back to the condo by one of the bus drivers. 

While they were at the Time-share I called my dentists to get a refill of my antibiotics at Walgreens and to cancel my colonoscopy until the first of the year. 

We ate lunch at Firehouse Sub. I ordered a Philly Steak 4inch sandwich, salsa chips, and Sprite

Philly Steak 

It was a cold wet, night but we ventured out because we had free tickets to see Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show.

We had to go through security after we got our tickets. We were early so we walked around in the gift shop and then found a bench to sit on.

Our tickets said Row 6A which was on the left side of the building and could not see all the characters in the show.

We saw a Seal lion show, a Scrooge pirates show, Birth of Jesus with Mary riding out on a donkey with Joseph, an angel descending from the ceiling, Wise men coming from afar, and shepherds. 

Mary and Joseph 

Our server was Jenna and she first served us drinks, I ordered tea.

Next, she brought everyone a cup and she filled each cup with a Cream of Vegetable soup. Next, she brought us biscuits to go with our soup.

Next, she brought everyone a piece of fried chicken, along with Mac & Cheese, & sweet potatoes. When everyone finished eating she gathered up all the dishes and returned with a plate and a  peach pie.

She also brought doggie bags for our leftovers. 

I was not super hungry but I ate all my pie.

While at the show I got a text saying my great-grandson Hayne Cohen Hughes was born weighing 7lbs 10 oz 

The show was over around 8 or 9 we rode back to the condo watched some TV and went to bed. By this time it was snowing.

It snowed all night and the next morning the ground was covered. 

By noon the next day, the roads were clear. 

It Snowed all night and this is the next morning 

Dec 11,

Picked up my medicine at Walgreens.

We rode to Dandridge TN to eat Lunch at Bush Family Cafe. 

We all ordered the lunch special chicken and dumplings with okra, roll, and creamed potatoes 🥔 

But I ordered green beans instead of potatoes.

After we finished lunch we walked to the museum and the curator asked if we had toured the Bush Family Home we said no we did not know that it was open to the public.

She said you had better hurry for they were closing at 2 PM and it was about fifteen till 2.

The Bush Bean home was opened for the Christmas Holidays

We were told that they usually open Thursday-Saturday but had added Tuesday and Wednesday this year 

The house is used for business purposes and the family no longer resides there.

The home had four bedrooms and four bathrooms upstairs. 

Bushes Home that we toured

After touring the Bush home we rode back to the Bush Museum where we got our pictures taken together and separately. We talked to the man taking the pictures for several minutes. 

On our way back we saw a car in the ditch, I guess he was driving too fast to make the curve.

It had snowed the night before so he could have encountered some black ice.

We stopped at Ollie’s to do some shopping before returning to the condo. I bought a Drop N’ Charge wireless charging mouse pad. 

Group picture at Bush's Bean Museum

Dec 12,

Around 12:30 AM I heard a banging on the door

I was asleep and thought Aunt Bobbie was checking to see if I was asleep. 

I kept hearing the banging and got up and opened the bedroom door and did not see anyone

I heard the banging again and looked out my bedroom window 

I was sleeping in the front bedroom next to the front door

A man standing at the door said he was with security and asked if we heard the water running so I let him inside 

We checked all the sinks and toilets in front of the condo first

Then we went into the back bathroom and we heard the water running 

The sink stopper was shut and the faucet was running 

Water had overflowed into the floor and flooded the condo below us

The people in the condo below us had to be moved to another condo in the middle of the night

After all the water was dried up

Everyone went back to bed 

I could not go back to sleep so I watched some TV and uploaded pictures from our day’s adventures.

Later that morning a man from engineering came to our condo to check out the sink.

It was stopped and had to be replaced. 

We rode to Vanity Fair to do some shopping. I bought two cute sweatshirts, one a coke cola, the other pink and gray. I also bought Hubby a gray button-up shirt.

We were all getting hungry and Texas Roadhouse was close by so we stopped there for lunch. 

We all ordered from the lunch menu. I ordered a Sirloin Steak Medium well, sweet potato, and Ceaser Salad.

We had enough leftovers for dinner later that night.

Sirloin Steak Medium well, sweet potato and Ceaser Salad

At 8:00 PM we took a shuttle bus from the Elkmont Activity Center, along with a family of 8, to see Christmas lights, from the condo where we were staying. 

Elkmont Activity Center

Several got off the bus to take pictures at the Smoky Mountain Opry. We rode past the Titanic, and the Hatfield & McCoy’s.

Several got out at the Dixie Stampede, & The Island where we took several pictures.

Smoky Mountain Opry.

The Ferries Wheel at the Island

We rode past the Inn at Christmas, & Veterans Park. We rode along the boulevard where we saw the 12 days of Christmas and Teaster Lane where we saw Christmas lights of the old mill, Hey Diddle, Diddle, Humpty Dumpty, Mother Goose, and Pigeon Forge Trolley all decorated in Christmas Light.

Dec 13, Checked out and traveled home

We stopped at McDonald's in Huntsville to use the restrooms. Sherry and Bobby ordered a hamburger.

I did not order anything because I was meeting my hubby at Cracker Barrel in Huntsville.

After they dropped me off hubby and I stopped at Wendy’s in Athens for a bowl of hot chili, and chocolate Frosty.

Dec 14,

I had not seen my grand grandson so I went for a visit and to hold him.

His grandparents came by while I was there. I had to do some more Christmas shopping so I said goodbye. 

Dec 15

I had a great time tonight with my son, hubby, Ava Grace, and River. The great Grandkids enjoyed seeing The Grinch, Frosty, The Gingerbread Man, Frosty, and Santa Claus. They decorated and ate some gingerbread cookies. It was a perfect night to view the Christmas lights not too hot or not too cold.

Dec 16, 2019 

I went to an endodontist this morning for a root canal with an abscessed tooth and I ended up getting two root canals. Both teeth were behind my bridge and abscessed.  Now I will have to have a new bridge. Two weeks ago I had a root canal done on my lower left tooth because it was abscessed. I am taking pain meds and going to bed. Tomorrow I will have to go to the dentist for a temporary bridge. 

Dec 17, 

Today I went to the dentist for my temporary bridge and post 

When I got home I took a pain pill & an antibiotic pill and laid down.

Hubby had to get a temporary crown he had a tooth break off 

He is also resting

2016 September 10, Saturday, Oka Kapassa, British Car Show &🎂🎂🎂 Birthday at Pond Springs

My first stop was the dollar store, for a Diet Coke and a package of NeKote's cookies, my favorite.
I ate the package of NeKote cookies and drank a diet Coke, not a very good breakfast, but I was hungry and did not want to stop anywhere to eat 
I arrived around 11:00AM at Joe Wheeler Lodge and State Park.
I parked near Joe Wheeler Lodge which was on a hill. 
The parking below looked to be full so I had to walk down the hill to view the cars. 

The cars that were in the British car show were parked in the shade near the bank of the Tennessee River.
The first row of cars was facing the Tennessee River so I walked along the sidewalk taking pictures. When the front row ended I walked back through the grass to view the second row of British cars. 

I saw in the Tennessee River, tied up at the pier sailboats, cabin cruisers, & motorboats.
I think I got a picture of most of the cars on display.
When I finished taking pictures I walked back up the hill and drove to Wheeler Plantation.

Jaguar

1960 morgan

1951 Riley 

I saw Jaguars, Class A; MGB, New Mini Class O, 2007 Jaguar Vanden Plas, Empire, Morgan Plus 4 DHZ, Riley AMD, DHC, Vanden P125 Princess 1300, Empire Sedan, 1961Austin Healy Buqaye, & 1959 Austin Healy, 1977 Trump TR6, 1972 Trump TR6, 9171 Trump TR6, 1973 Trump, 1969 Trump, 1979 Trump Spitfire, 1975 Trump Spitfire, 1975 MGB Roadster, 1980 MGB, 1976 MGB, 1980 MB, MG Roadster 1975, 1959 MGA Twin Cam, 1959 Austin Healy. 

Tennessee River full of Sailboats

I took 101 across Wheeler Dam, turning left onto hwy 270, then left on Alt 72 east/20, traveling to Wheeler Plantation at Pond Springs. 
I arrived around 12:00pm, at the entrance of the Wheeler Home was a Fire/Rescue Truck with its ladder extended with the words the City of Courtland.
I saw several motorcycle riders, men dressed as Confederate Soldiers, with 1st Battalion Mechanized Cavalry written on the back of their shirts. There were two black, one white, and two brown horses standing near the white fence near the house. 

City of Courtland Fire-truck

Horse and riders 

Motorcycle and riders

Joe Wheeler Home at Pond Springs

The Well-house 

The slave quarters 

Vendor selling food 

I talked to a woman whose father worked as a caretaker of the plantation many years back.
She told me a story about when she was in school and had to write a paper about the plantation.
Her teacher gave her a D because she said no one could go inside the plantation and look at the papers she did not know that her father knew the owner and had let her do her homework by reading the papers, the owner called the school and she got an A.
I walked to the cemetery and looked inside the well and a couple of the outside buildings.

My Next stop was going to be Spring Park in Tuscumbia. I traveled west on Highway 20 to 72 West, turning right onto South Woodmont Drive. 
I parked near Cold Water Book Store, and I walked down the hill to Spring Park.
I walked around taking pictures of the creek, ducks, swans, geese, vendors, and the people that were in the park.

Swan, Ducks @Spring Park 

I watched the Indian dances and listened to the storytellers and music.
Amy Bluemel a Native American Story Teller told a story to the children that she had gathered around her. 

Native Tribal Dancing Oka Kapassa 

She told a story about a baby rattlesnake.
He begged for rattles, well he finally received rattles and he frightened everyone he met until one day he tried to frighten a little girl. 
She was frighted but she also stomped on the little snake rattles destroying them.
He went home crying and should have listened to his father. 
Amy was still telling stories when I left. 

Amy Bluemel a Native American Story Teller

I was hot, tired, and very thirsty.
I walked through the park, past the waterfall wanting to put my feet into the water but I did not stop. I kept walking along the sidewalk up the hill to where I had parked.
I rode to Chick-fil-A in Muscle Shoals where I ordered a kids ' strip meal, which included two chicken strips, a fruit cup, tea, and ice cream. 
At Chick-fil-A, I tried to upload my pictures to FB and Flickr but the internet was too slow.

Ice Cream with Fruit

Chicken fingers

2016 April 2, Saturday Mule Day Parade in Columbia, TN

I once again find myself on the road alone. I rode to Columbia Tennessee to watch the Mule Day parade. I found a parking spot whipped my van into an empty spot. I got my camera, cell phone, coat, and chair and walked across the road. 

I picked out a spot opened my chair and sat down. Decided it was too cold so I went back to the van for my bigger coat. 

Both sides of the road started filling up. 

I went back to my chair and I sat patiently waiting for the parade.

A couple from Sheffield sat right next to me. They said this was the first time coming to the parade. We discussed which direction the parade was coming neither of us sure. 

The woman's husband said he was going to walk down the road to Hardees to use the restroom and for some snacks. 

The woman placed two chairs next to mine and we began to talk. 

It never fails that I meet someone I know or someone from the same area. She asks me where I went to church and I told her thinking she had never heard of our church. Wrong! She knew a couple that had been going to our church for years. It goes to show, that we should behave where ever we go. The Lord is watching us and he is sending his angles to make sure we behave.

The man returned, stayed only a few minutes before he was wearing short pants and he told his wife it was too cold to sit outside so he went back to his car. 

He told his wife to call him on his cell phone when the parade began.

There were over two hundred entries in the parade which made for a very long parade. 

I was taking pictures with my big camera as well as taking videos with my cell phone. 

Once I heard a man say the horse almost sniffed your butt. I had turned around and was taking pictures of the parade that had already passed. I was standing very close to the road so I could get pictures of the parade. The parade started with a motorcycle police escort. Next was men & women dressed in black pants and vest-wearing yellow shirts carrying the US Flag and three other flags. One was red, white and blue with three stars in the middle. May have been the Tennessee State Flag. The other two were different shades of blue. 

Mule Day Parade

Next, we saw the grand marshal riding in a wagon being pulled by two dark gray and black mules.

Next, we saw a couple of brown mules pulling the first, second, third and fourth runners-up of the Mule Day court. The girls were dressed in orange, green, purple and white gowns
Next was a couple of white mules pulling a red wagon.
We saw wagons being pulled by one mule, two mules, three mules, and four mules. 
We saw people riding mules, horses, & ponies in every shape and color. 
We saw a young girl dressed in blue, she was riding a brown and white horse, and she was waving to the crowd. Many riders were dressed in western attire. Many of the horses and mules were harnessed in black,& silver.
There was a couple of riders pulling a horse without a rider. They said that they lost their rider. 

We saw floats, horses, and riders.
We saw a 1394 train with wheels rolling down the road. 

We saw a bright blue Corvette in the parade.
We saw a man wearing a red, white and blue flag shirt. He had an American flag hanging on the back of his wagon, that was pulled my two miniature mules. 
He was wearing a smile on his face. 

Mule Day Parade

We saw a group of very scary clowns. Their float turns at the entrance of the academy just before they reached us. 

Mule Day Parade

We saw a man riding a brown mule he was wearing a red shirt and a long white beard. He could be Santa Clause at Christmas. 

We saw a girl riding a horse with orange hoofs, orange ears and tail.
We saw a float with "Old George" a mule and a man singing.
We saw an all white male with orange hoofs. 
We saw a wagon train. 

Mule Day Parade

In the distance, we could see the wagon train, the crowds of people watching the parade passed as it crossed the highway headed up the hill to the Maury County Park. 

Mule Day Parade

A very pretty pair of mules

Many riders had their pets

Many different riders

We had riders in jail

We saw a team of mules pulling a HURST

There were many who loved getting their picture taken while others turned away or covered their face with their hats. 

The kids jumped for joy when they saw Spongebob Square Pants.

the kids also loved Batman and Wonder Woman

We saw a horse performing tricks

We saw mules wearing overhauls

What a day! What a great parade!
If you missed this parade be sure to tune in for the next one!