2023 November 4, "Walking with the Saints" a Saints Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Florence House of Worship

Today, hubby and I did a walking tour with a group at (10:00 AM) at the Florence Library led by Lee Freeman. 

We visited the the former Popular Street Christian Church now Wood Avenue Church of Christ (1970) which is across the street from the Florence Library. 

Wood Avenue Church of Christ 

Cavalry Fellowship Church

424 E Tombigbee St Florence, AL 

From the library, we walked to Tombigee St and Popular Streets. 

We stopped at the Cavalry Fellowship (former Popular Street Christian Church)

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church 630 N Poplar St
Florence, AL

From Cavalary Fellow Ship we walked several blocks up Popular St to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (1938)630 N. Popular St.

First Baptist Church 209 North Walnut St.

We walked back up several streets to Walnut St. The Baptist church which is across the street from the Florence Library. 

We stopped at the Gothic Style First Baptist Church (1888) 209 North Walnut St.

First Presbyterian Church 224 E Mobile St

Next, we walked to East Mobile Street the First Presbyterian Church is across the street from the Florence US Post Office. 

We stopped at First Presbyterian Church (1818) 224 E Mobile St. The Oldest Christian Church is the “Mother Church” Florence’s oldest church. 

Tennessee Valley Community Church AME
119 N Pine St Florence, Al 

 

We walked down the one-way street of Mobile St to Tennessee Valley Community Church AME on Pine St. There is construction going on near this church as you can see in the picture. 

Trinity Episcopal Church 410 N Pine St Florence, Al 

We walked up Pine St to Trinity Episcopal Church (1824)Florence’s third oldest Christian congregation church, which is a couple blocks from Tennessee Valley Community Church. This church faces Pine St and faces North Seminary St. We walked up a couple blocks to the United Methodist Church.

First United Methodist Church 415 N Seminary Florence, Al 

Our last stop was First United Methodist Church (1822) 415 N Seminary, the second oldest church in Florence. 

Wilson Park Fountain 

Wilson Park is near the United Methodist Church and across the street from the Florence Library. 

We stopped to take a few pictures of the fountain at Wilson. The wind was blowing the water from the fountain and wet us as we walked by.

There were a couple of children enjoying the sprinkles from the fountain.  

Also took pictures of the Florence Library and The Kennedy Douglas Art Center. 

We ate lunch at St Florian Pharmacy Soda Shop. We sat at the bar and watched as they took orders for dipped ice cream and made sandwiches. 

Hubby ordered a ham and cheese Sandwich with Cheetos and a Strawberry Milkshake. 

Reuben Sandwich with chips

I ordered a Reuben with Sun Chips whole grain Harvest cheddar and diet Coke. 

After lunch, we headed for home but there was a traffic jam on Highway 72 where there was a lot of construction going on. 

We took Middle Road to the Old Jackson Highway to US 43 home. 

 

2023 Oct 6-14, CARNIVAL SPIRIT Cruise (from Mobile) The BAHAMAS 8 Days: Nassau, Half Moon Cay, Freeport, & Bimini

 Day 1: Friday, Oct 6, Mobile:

We ate breakfast at Chick-fil-A a couple of buildings down from our hotel. I ordered chicken minis and Diet Coke. 

Loaded our luggage into the shuttle and were taken to the docks. 

We went through customs and loaded onto the boat before 12 p.m. 

We stopped for a quick lunch and went to our room. The ship was leaving port around 4:30 P.M. 

Party time 

We went to the deck to join the sail-away party.

We were in stateroom 6117 (Deck 6) and our boarding time was 12:30-1PM. 

Muster Station 5.

Hotel The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel and Spa 26 North Royal St Mobile, Al 36602

I bought CC Home Port Deck Pictures 2 5x7 for $31.65

I bought a Lanyard lock for $7.65 for my Carnival Card. 

We joined our friends in the dining room for dinner. For appetizers, we ordered a shrimp cocktail and Caesar salad. For our main course, I ordered grilled salmon for dessert, and I ordered chocolate molten cake.  

Grilled Salmon with Veggies 

Show Inside Scoop Shopping and Fun Ashore. 

After dinner, we went back to our cabin where we watched Weathern Heights on TV, then went to bed. 

Day 2: Saturday, Oct 7, Sea Day: 

Up early walked around the upper deck stopping to talk to people along the way. I went downstairs to get a pastry and some fruit juice. I was writing in my journal when hubby joined me for breakfast. 

Sea Day Brunch in the Empire Room where I ordered a skillet cake with two link sausages and water. 

Hubby's Sea Day Brunch ham, steak, fries, eggs, fruit 

Hubby bought a Mt Dew cab for $3.54

Went back to our room watched 24 hours on TV and took a nap. For lunch a hamburger from Guys Burgers. 

For dinner, I ordered grilled shrimp, appetizers mushrooms, and dessert?

Carnival Spirit Halloween Pumpkin 

After dinner, we enjoyed watching the 80's Show performance. 

Went to our room watched Harvey the Rabbit with Jimmy Steward and went to bed. 

Day 3, Sunday, Oct 8,  Bimini:

Was up at 4:30 AM went to the upper deck to walk and watched the sun come up. 

Met a family from Alabama and one from Madison, MS. Took several pictures. 

Took a free trolley into Bimini then a taxi to the old town. ($20.00)

Bimini 

Hubby bought a sun hat and we walked to the beach. I got into the water while hubby sat on the beach. 

We stopped to take pictures of the Bimini Museum outside for the museum was closed.

We met several children playing and we stopped to talk to them. 

We took the taxi back to the trolley area and then back to the boat. 

We ate a late lunch and then took a nap.

Sunset on Bimini 

Dinner in the Empire Room.

After dinner, we watched The Magic Show with Side Show Bert in the Pharoh Room. 

We stopped in the bar area where Mootown Trivia was going on. 

We went to our room only to find out there was a leak and the floor was wet on hubby's side.

Hubby put several towels down to dry up the floor. 

Day 4, Monday, Oct 9, Free Port:

Breakfast consisted of a cinnamon raisin roll with juice. 

Bought an excursion Garden of the Groves Tour.  $129.98

Senor Frogs before the Garden tour 

We boarded a bus to take us to the Garden of the Groves. 

Met up with our guide and she led us through the gardens where we saw waterfalls, birds, Royal the cockatoo,  turtles, ducks, a cat,  a church, a labyrinth, and many flowers.

We ended the tour at the gift shops where they sold local items including souvenirs from things in the gardens. 

Hubby and I ordered a Chicken quesadilla and diet cokes at the nearby restaurant. (25.00) 

Quesadilla and Coke at Garden of the Groves.

We sat at table 5, Our server was Mel. Loaded back onto the bus and was dropped off at the nearby port. 

There we shopped and stopped at Zorbas Greek Cuisine and bought a slice of Carrot cake and a bottle of water. which hubby and I shared. (S10.00)

We were back on the ship by 2PM 

Banana Split 

For Dinner, I ordered Prim ribs and dessert Banana split 

After dinner, we watched the show Get-Away Island.

Went to bed and watched TV. 

Day 5, Tuesday, Oct 10, Half Moon Cay:

French Toast for breakfast. 

Had to take a ferry over to the island of Half Moon Cay. 

Beautiful Blue Waters of Half Moon Cay

We bought an excursion for the Glass Bottom Boat which took about an hour. ($98.34)

We bought a hat and a bottle of Mt Dew. ($16.81) (($16.01 hat)

Took the trolley to the beach where we boarded the boat.

The ship's crew was doing a free cookout for lunch.

I ate a hamburger, cookies, cake and a drink. 

Wearing my new hat on the Island of Half Moon Cay

I think the hamburger was not done because that night I got sick and could not eat my dinner. 

After lunch, we walked to the beach. I fell when the sand broke away from the bank causing me to fall. 

I was not hurt. I only broke my pride. 

We walked along the beach and back to the ferry that took us back to the ship.

We joined our friends for dinner but I could not eat my stomach was churning and I had to leave. Went to bed early that night. 

Day 6, Wednesday, Oct 11, Nassau:

Breakfast cinnamon roll.

Shore Excursions we went to  Junkaco Museum. (22.00)

Junkaco Museum 

We went to the Straw Market where hubby bought a button-up Bahama shirt at the Salty Waves gift shop. ($30)

At Del Sol, I bought 2 tees and a bag that changes colors in the sunlight. (63)I bought a smoothie. ($11)

It was awfully hot and we did not stay long at Nassau.

Leaving Nassau 

We walked back to the ship around 10:30 and wrote in my journal.

We got a hamburger and fries at Guys Burgers. 

Dinner was Alligator Bites and ribs, french fries, corn, and baked beans. 

Watched show 88 Keys 

Day 7, Thursday, Oct 12, 

Sea Day: Up in time to see the sunrise was very windy.

Beautiful Sunrise Sea Day

Sea Day Brunch was a parfait and steak with eggs and fries. 

Found a couple of ducks. 

Dinner consisted of Lobster tail, baked potato, and pie with ice cream.

Took a nap earlier in the day 

Bought 2 Alaska T's, and a pair of shorts. ($35.49)

Watched the Epic Rock Show at Pharoh Palace. 

Day 8, Friday, Oct 13, 

Breakfast was a cinnamon roll

Lunch was a ham and cheese sub with ice cream cake.

Took a nap and watched movies. 

Bought a build bear at St Jude fun-raiser (34).

Dinner was baked salmon and fried shrimp with baked Alaskan Ice Cream.

Ice Cream

Packed everything and went to bed.

Day 9, Saturday, Oct 14, 

Ate breakfast and got ready to leave the ship. (2 pastries and juice)

We stopped for fuel in Mobile at Murphy's at Springdale Blvd. 

Bought a kit cat and coke. 

Stopped at Sonic in Thomasville for Corn Dogs and tater tots.T's

Stopped at CVS in Haleyville to buy some dental floss.

A six-hour ride home. 

Sunrise Mobile

 

 

2023 June 21, The Yellow Deli, Pulaski, Etheridge, Lawrenceburg and Lynnville, Tennessee

 Today we rode to Lawrenceburg. 

Goodwill did not open until 9AM so we stopped at Dunkin's Donuts for bacon bites and 2 minis, bagels.

Next, we stopped at Goodwill where I bought 2 men's shirts and a quilt.

We love to buy veggies from the Amish so we rode to Etheridge where we bought 2 large heads of cabbage, Squash, onion, peppers, cucumbers, eggs, candy, peanuts, and potatoes.

We had the whole day free no grandkids to watch.

So we rode to Pulaski stopping at the Yellow Deli for lunch. 

There we ordered a Ruben sandwich which is corned beef, with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, mayo, and mustard on light rye bread served with chips and pickle.

We also ordered a side salad and for dessert a slice of their delicious carrot cake. 

We ordered iced tea to drink and hubby knocked his over while trying to take a picture of a plant.

Their food is always fresh and delicious.

1/2 Reuben on Rye Bread Sandwich

Salad 

Slice of fresh Carrot Cake

We rode to Lynnville, TN to tour the Train Depot Museum (rebuilt as RR Museum 1998)and the steam locomotive. We walked through the Locomotive, passenger cars, and the little red Caboose.

In the museum were several displays including a miniature train display.

Across the street was Soda Pop Junction and Big Johnny's Burgers which was closed for repairs.

In front of those buildings sat an Orange and White Dodge truck, carousel, old bicycle, coke machine, and parking meters.

Orange and White Dodge Truck

Soda Pop Junction and Big Johnny's Burgers

There were public restrooms next to Lynnville's City Hall.

We saw the Iron Horse Hotel, Iron Horse Country Store, and a Historic Marker.

It began to rain so I only had time to take a picture of the Marker before we headed back to the car.

steam locomotive

Miniature Train Display

Historic Marker
Lynnville Historic District 
Construction of the Nashville & Decatur Railroad and the partial burning of Old Lynnville (Waco) by Federal troops brought this charming town to its present location after the Civil War. The Lynnville National Register Historic District (1988) contains 59 buildings, with architectural examples from each period of the town's development from the 1860s through the early 1900s. 
Erected by Giles County Historical Society 1990

We rode back to Pulaski, stopping at Walmart and Murphys(gas). In Pulaski, we stopped at The Butcher Shop for some homegrown fresh meat.

We stopped at Flatrock Cheese where we bought 3 different cheeses, some fried pies, stick candy, and a pint jar of local honey.

Then home by way of Minor Hill, TN.

2022 Feb 1, Day trip to Lake Guntersville Birding Guntersville, AL

 Today we rode to Lake Guntersville stopping at Lake Guntersville Park on Sunset Drive. 

We stopped at McDonald's in Decatur for a couple of apple pies and drinks before heading to Guntersville. 

We sat down on a bench near the water's edge then I heard this pecking sound, I looked up and to my surprise, I saw a red-headed woodpecker pecking on a rotten tree. He flew from the rotten tree to a Sweetgum tree. I followed it from tree to tree. Then I spotted a sparrow scratching in the dirt for food when it saw me it flew up into the trees.

Red-headed Woodpecker 

Another of my favorite birds the downy woodpecker was aimlessly pecking away on a rotted stump. It was hard getting a picture because the downy was in a shadowed area. I did get a couple of good pictures.

Downy Woodpecker 

We also saw several Canada Geese, white and spotted ducks, and lots of white terns.

We could hear several fish crows above in the trees.  Also saw and heard several bluebirds. 

We rode to Marshall County Park where we saw several ducks and a great gray heron. We also saw a  marker of Major Paramoris Federal Bombardment of Guntersville. 

Major Paramores Federal Bombardment of Guntersville. 

The hill to the immediate left was the site of the 1862 shelling of Guntersville during the War Between the States.
On July 28, 1862, a Federal force under the command of Major J.W. Paramore placed two Parrots guns on the hill and shelled Guntersville from 7 a.mm to 6 p.m. Captain Cyrus Loomis' First Michigan Battery carried out the shelling, which sent more than one hundred of Guntersville's women and children to the ravine south of town for protection.
The rifled Parrots guns fired six-pound projectiles greater distances than older smooth-bore cannons and enabled the Yankees to reach across the Tennessee River. Trenches had to be dug to steady the Parrot's guns and they can still be seen on top of the hill.
Most of the shelling concentrated on cotton warehouses and boat construction facilities south of Henry Island now inundated. The Federals attempted to send an attractive force across the river but failed. 
As a result of the bombardment, several homes near the riverbank were burned and many other homes suffered damage from the shells, including the Nickels and Gilbreath residences. 

Fortunately, both these houses still stand today.
The Chattanooga Daily Rebel reported that the shelling resulted in only two deaths. One was the wife of military General Samuel King Rayburn.

We left Guntersville and rode to Hartselle, stopping at Krogers Grocery for some bottled Mountain Dews and other items. 

We ate a late lunch at O'Bryan's where I ordered a sirloin Steak with sweet potato and diet coke.

We came home by way of the old paper mill road where we saw a red-tail hawk.

We also stopped at Wheeler Dam where we saw several American White Pelicans floating down the Tennessee River. We also saw a couple of Gray herons flying overhead. 

American White Pelicans 

It was a great day for birding. 

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