2024 April 19, Visitor Center, Kennedy Douglas Art Museum, Coffee Cemetery with AVA

 Today we rode into town to pick up hubby's medicine at Walgreens. 

We rode to the Blue The Blue Door Thrift Store/SCOPE 310 and bought AVA a game. 

Ate lunch at Culverts. 

Hubby and I split a plate of shrimp, fries, cole Slaw, and Chocolate moose yogurt.  

We bought an AVA hamburger, fries, and chocolate yogurt.

We stopped at the nearby Walmart for a few items. Ava and I walked across the street to the Coffee & Slave Cemeteries. 

A very large old tree at Coffee Cemetery

Ava wanted to visit a museum so we rode to the Kennedy-Douglass Art Center. There we saw AROY Artistic Rendering of Youth which features artwork created by 7th through 12th grade students from 15 different schools! Outside we stopped to take pictures of the statues. 

AVA and the outdoor art

We walked across the street to Wilson Park there the mist from the fountain seemed to reach the clouds.

overflowing Fountain at Wilson Park 

Color is the music of light 
Frank Lloyd Wright 
(this marker is on the sidewalk at Wilson Park)

We watched a barge go up the Tennessee River 
men fishing 

Ava enjoyed the playground area at McFarland Park. Our last stop was the Visitor Center where they saw several displays. 

Large and small-mouth bass
Bass fishing & tournaments are big in the Tennessee River in Florence
Ava enjoyed the one with the big and small-mouth fish. 

WC Handy Statue in Wilson Park 
WC Handy 
Father of the Blues 
1873- 1958 
Born in Florence, Alabama 

Display of WC Handy's music at Florence-Lauderdale Visitor Center.
Handy played the Cornet (pictured here) 
Handy's first hit was "The Memphis Blues".

The W. C. Handy Music Festival is held annually in Florence, Alabama, sponsored by the Music Preservation Society, Inc., in honor of Florence native W. C. Handy, the "Father of the Blues." The non-profit Music Preservation Society was formed in 1982, with the mission to preserve, present, and promote the musical heritage of Northwest Alabama.

The next 2024 Handy Festival will be Wednesday-Saturday June 12-15 in Florence, Alabama. 

2023 Sep 15, Trip to The Movie town of Canton, MS

We rode through Russellville, AL stopping at Jack's Restaurant for breakfast gravy and biscuits and Diet Coke. 

We stopped at McDonald's in Louisville, MS for a restroom break and a couple of cookies and cream pies. 

After a four and half hour's drive through several small towns, we arrived in Canton, MS 

We were greeted by our guide Billy Joe Wells at the Visitors Center in Canton also known as the Trolio Hotel. 

A Time to Kill stars Samuel L. Jackson, Sandra Bullock, Matthew McConaughey, Kevin Spacey, and many others were in this film.

Most of the filming took place around the Madison County Courthouse, the old jail, and a Sound stage was built in the city's park. Much of the stage props were in Canton's Museum.

My Dog Skip was principally photography in Canton props also located in Canton's Museums.

O'Brother, Where Art Thou? Was shot in the Spring in Canton, MS props, and New Paper Articles in the Museums. 

The Hotel Trolio had Memorabilia from the movies. O' Brother and A Time to Kill.

Cast from A Time to Kill 

Lawyers Office from A Time To Kill 

By George Mississippians Think he's got it.
Fans flock to see Clooney filming a movie the latest effort in his move from TV to Big Screen. 
O'Brother, Where Art Thou? George Clooney 

Restaurant/Cafe where the scene of A Time to Kill was filmed. 

A scene from "A Time to Kill" was shot at the table in this restaurant. 

Also located up a flight of stairs in the Trolio Hotel was more Memorabilia from both movies. 

Willie Morris & My Dog Skip Movie Museum

Willie Morris & My Dog Skip Movie Museum.

Every community needs a Willie. 

This museum is lovingly dedicated to the ineffable spirit of Willie Morris. 

Because he turned south toward home, My Dog Skip became a reality. 

Our many thanks to Alcon Entrainment and Warner Bros 

February 12, 2000 

A Glimpse of Willie Morris 

The Canton Convention & Visitor Bureau and Film Office 

5 & 10 cent Store Est. 1935

The General Store was where scenes from My Dog Skip was shot. 

Bone tired and Weary in a country Cemetery
John Wayne Blough Sr. steers a team of horses through the streets of Canton during filming of the "Ponder Heart" based on an Eudora Welty novella, for PBS  

Billy took us to several locked museums loaded with memorabilia and did a very good job of explaining about the props and the movies. 

We had not seen the movies for some time so nothing was familiar. 

We thanked Billy for the tour and walked around the historic Courthouse Square taking pictures of several of the historic stores, courthouse, and markers. 

We stopped at the thrift shop where I purchased several Halloween figurines.

Canton Madison County Courthouse is also used in several movies. 

2023 July 21-23, Trip to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN

Friday, July 21: 

Today we left Helen, Georgia, early morning, about 6AM. We took the back roads and by 6:51 we were in Clayton, North Carolina. 

By 8:12AM we were in Cherokee, North Carolina.

 We stopped here to take pictures of the bear statues before heading across the mountain. We stopped along with several others to see a herd of elk gracing. 

Herd Elk 

Bears of Cherokee, NC 

We crossed the mountain and stopped several times to take pictures of the smokey clouds lying on them. We stopped for breakfast at Cracker Barrel in Pigeon Forge. 

We went shopping at the Tanger Outlet Mall. Bought two bras and two panties at Victoria's Secret and one bra at Pink. We stopped at several other stores: Disney, Nike, Under Armer, just to name a few. 

The Christmas Place 

We feed the Ducks, Geese, and Pigeons at the Old Mill along the Little Pigeon River 

We rode to the Old Mill Farm-House where I bought my son several different herbs packages, a bag of stone ground yellow cornmeal, and olive oil.

Along the Little Pigeon River near the Old Mill, we saw several geese, ducks, and pigeons 

We ate Taco Bell for lunch.

We checked into Apple Valley Inn a little after 4 PM unloaded the car and filled the fridge with our snacks. 

Spent the rest of the day watching TV and resting. 

 Saturday, July 22: 

We ate breakfast at McDonald's I ordered Muffins and sausage. 

We rode to Pigeon Forge's Visitor Center and bought all-day tickets to ride the trolley. 

We bought fuel at Murphy's and bought a few groceries at Walmart (bagels, cream cheese, drinks, fruit)

Took our food back to the hotel. 

We rode to Parrot Mountain and were there when they opened at 10AM. 

Parrot Mountain 

Had my picture taken with five birds, two on my arms two on my shoulders, and one on my head.

We visited the parrot nursery where we could actually pick up the birds. 

We also went into the feeding area with Nectar several small birds flew down and drank every drop of the nectar from my hand.

Around 11:30 AM we rode to the Trolley from  Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg. 

We took the trolley from the Visitor Center in Gatlinburg to the downtown area. 

We were the last two to board the fully loaded trolley which was standing room only.

A nice young man gave me his seat and hubby had to ride standing up.

It took over an hour to go a short distance because of the traffic. When we were almost there everyone got off except a couple and us. 

Everyone had to get off the trolley when we arrived at the Center near the Aquarium and wait for another trolley to take us into the downtown area. 

The traffic was terrible and we had already waited over 30 minutes for the next trolley.

Where we were going was several blocks away so we decided to walk. 

 We took the scenic route along the Pigeon River which was not crowded and there was a nice cool breeze. 

Seafood Platter at Bubba Gumps 

We were headed to Bubba Gumps for a late lunch. 

We ordered a seafood platter of shrimp, fish, hush puppies, and fries. 

When we finished we walked down the crowded sidewalks and it began to rain so we looked for shelter. 

It did not rain long so we walked further down the sidewalks. 

We walked back to the Trolley Stop and waited for the trolley to take us to Gatlinburg Visitor Center. 

The crowd had thinned out so the trolley was not crowded going back. 

At the cross, there was an accident involving four vehicles. Our turn was blocked by police vehicles.

We had to take a detour which took us a couple of miles out of the way. 

We took the next trolley going to Pigeon Forge which also had to take a detour. 

This ended up being an all-day event. 

It was late when we arrived back at our hotel. 

Sunday, July 22, 

We ate bagels with cream cheese for breakfast. 

Packed our bags, loaded the car, and headed for home. 

We stopped at a couple of rest areas. 

We had snacks with us so we did not stop to eat until we got home. 

2023 July 18-21, Trip to The Alpine Village of Helen, Georgia

 Tuesday, July 18:

We left home about 6 A.M. stopping at Jacks in Athens for biscuits and gravy. 

We continued through Huntsville, taking Hwy 72 toward Scottsboro through (hwy 35)Mento crossing the Tennessee River,  to (Hwy 40) Hangar, Valley Head, and Mento crossing into Georgia.

In Georgia, we traveled through Summerville, Rome onto the I-75 bypass of Atlanta. We went through Cartersville, Marietta taking 400 north bypassing Atlanta to Dahlonega, Cleveland, and 75 to Helen.

We checked into the Castle Inn around 2:25 p.m. and took all our luggage up two flights of stairs (they had no elevator.)

We walked down the front of the hotel to the nearby Troll Tavern. The Tavern was along the Chattahoochee  River with a gate covered in locks weighing it down. There was a sign that said no more locks and all locks had to be removed. It was causing the gate to be unstable and unsafe. 

Troll Tavern with Gates full of locks 

While we were waiting for a table we watched hundreds of people tubing down the Chattahoochee River on green, pink, and blue tubes.

We ordered Reuben on toast with mashed potatoes and Diet Coke. I think they were short-staffed because there were lots of empty tables and people waiting to be served.

Reuben on toast with mashed potatoes

We walked around the town and some of the places we saw were: The Wooden Toys, Assay Station, Welcome to Wildwood, Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen, Wilkommen, Helen Hat, Grimm's Weg, Sock Store, Christmas & More, Christoff's Seventy-six, Helendof Inn, Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf, Pepper Place, Dizzy Bear,  Cowboys and Angels, The Christmas Shop, just to name a few. 

Gone Squatchin in Helen 

It was a beautiful day but very hot so we walked back to the Castle Inn and rested until around 7PM. 

We left the Castle Inn and walked across the bridge stopping for a picture at the Cafe International (head in the hole), the Mural of Helendof Inn. I continued walking passed the Alpine Wedding Chapel, Fashall where they were playing bingo. I saw the Pirates Cove Miniature Golf and Alpine Village Inn. 

I walked to Wendy's where I had left hubby and he bought us a strawberry frosty and Diet Coke. 

We walked back to our car and rode to Cleveland stopping at the White County Courthouse to take a few pictures. 

Wednesday, July 19:

Early morning I took my journal outside onto the balcony and began to write. I watched as the town slowly came alive. I could hear the birds chirping in the distance and could feel the cool breeze and the sky was full of clouds. The only people that I saw were early-morning workers. 

We were at the Waffle House when it opened at 8AM. I ordered 3 pecan pancakes with whipped cream and Diet Pepsi. Hubby ordered 2 eggs, sausage, 3 pancakes with gravy, biscuits and hash browns.

We rode to the visitors center there they gave us a map of Helen and suggested places we should visit. 

She said Anna Ruby Falls, Sautee General Store, Hardman's Farm & Indian Mound, and the Covered Bridge. 

We walked through Veterans Park taking pictures the park was behind the Visitors Center. 

We rode to Unite State Park to see Anna Ruby Falls but before we began our climb uphill to the falls it began to sprinkle so hubby went back to the car for the umbrella. 

We had to stop several times to rest during our climb uphill. There were stone benches along the path. 

It was getting slippery with all the light rain but we finally made it. Hubby stopped just short of the falls Hubby talked to a couple while I walked to the top. 

Anna Ruby Falls 

I ask a red-headed girl to take a picture of me standing in front of the waterfalls.

We also met a family with teenagers walking up the hill and they passed us coming down. Several people were visiting Anna Ruby Falls. 

Our next stop was Baby-land The Cabbage Patch Doll Hospital. Baby cabbage patches were planted all around the hospital. When you walked inside there were pictures of famous people on the walls. 

There were several different rooms of dolls and scenery it was overwhelming.

Cabbage Patch Kids

It was hard to choose which baby to adopt but I settled on Sandy Sue. 

Everyone crowded around to watch the birth & the storytelling of a baby boy Cabbage Patch Doll. 

Our next stop was the White County Courthouse Museum.

It had already closed the day before so we rode back today. 

Several ladies were sitting around a table talking they were members of the Historic Society of White County. 

One of them told us the history of the museum. 

We could hear music coming from upstairs. There was a man in the Old Courtroom playing a fiddle.

I saw a replica of the Covered Bridge and asked questions about it and its location.

Our next stop was the Hardman Farm State Park.  We had to park on the hill and walk down several flights of stairs to the Visitor Center so hubby did not want to walk around the farm. 

Hardman Farm Historic Site Sautee Nacoochee, Ga 

He bought me a ticket and I walked around taking pictures of the building and historic markers.

I met a couple of women also taking pictures of markers to be read later. 

Hubby was in the car waiting for me at the bottom of the hill.

Next, we rode to Stovall Covered Bridge and Old Sautee General Store.

The Stovall Covered Bridge has been washed away three times. 

We stopped at Walgreens in Cleveland for shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and a couple of Heath Bars. 

We stopped at Nora Granary Mill where we bought some stone mill cornmeal. 

We ate dinner at Wendy's then back to Castle Inn. (Hamburger and fries)

We watched the new Ghost Buster Movie.

I walked outside to talk to my daughter and to write in my journal. 

It had been a full day. 

Thursday, July 20:  

We rode to McDonalds in Cleveland bought a muffin with sausage and hubby ordered a big breakfast. 

Today we rode to North Georgia Wildlife and Safari Park in Cleveland, GA.  We walked through the petting zoo and then drove through the Safari where we saw buffalo, Elk, Deer, Emu, Ostrich, camels, Zebra, and several small animals. 

I was not too impressed.

Next, we rode to Brasstown Bald Hiawassee, GA (the highest point in Georgia) and paid $8 to ride the shuttle van up to the overlook and visitor center. 

It was too foggy to see very far but we did enjoy the Visitor Center museum. 

Brasstown Bald Overlook and Visitor Center

In the museum, we saw several handmade quilts hanging on the walls.

We saw several different forest animals, a log with a saw, a train engine, displays, etc. 

Saw several barn Swallows and Gray Catbirds. 

We rode the shuttle bus back down the mountain. 

We stopped at Chick-fil-A in Cleveland for dinner. I ordered a kid's chicken finger meal with waffle fries and ice cream. 

It was raining when we returned to the Castle Inn. 

I sat outside on the balcony listening to the band in the restaurant across the street. 

It was a stormy night and very few people were outside. 

Friday, July 21:

Check-out Castle Inn 

2018 Aug 22, Kermits Outlaw Kitchen & Sites Tupelo, MS.

Hubby and I rode south on Natchez Trace, stopping at Pharr Mounds where we saw three markers overlooking the Indian Mounds. Trade from Afar, Objects, and Ideas, and Coming Home. 

Pharr Mounds 

Pharr Mounds Rest Area

We stopped at Natchez Trace Visitor Center Saltillo near Tupelo a part of the National Park Service. 

The ranger gave me a map of the Trail of Tears. I also pick up Explore the Natchez Trace Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee A Unique Journey from Natchez to Nashville, and a book about Natchez Mississippi (I hope to visit Natchez shortly).

There were signs throughout the center Natchez Trace Parkway Center, The Heyday of the Old Trace, Transition, Who traveled the old trace, The old Southwest, The Mission to remember, Traces of Tribes, and a bust of Meriwether Lewis. 

Visitor Center Natchez Trace Mississippi

Visitor Center Natchez Trace Mississippi

We stopped at the Tupelo Automobile Museum where we saw over 100 various restored cars from the turn of the century to the present day car.  

The tour begins with a brief history of the museum and its founder Frank Spain.
We saw a 1976 Lincoln Mark IV owned by Elvis Presley, Liberace's Barrister, one used in the movie The Great Race, New York to Paris, Richard Petty #23 NASCAR, BB King's Rolls Royce, & Chevy El Camino. We saw the 1948 Tucker, 1920 Cord L-29, 1937 Lagonda, and 1929 Duesjnberg, just to name a few.

Liberace's 1982 black "Barrister" Corvette was one of only seven made by California customizer George Barris. The extended body, multiple side pipes, and golden radiator grill were common to all seven, but the full-size candelabra bolted to the trunk is exclusively Liberace.

Richard Petty #43 NASCAR HE won his 200th and final race in Daytona

Elvis Presley 1976 Royal Blue Lincoln Mark IV
This car was given to a policeman that oversaw Elvis's security.

BB King 1978 Rolls Royce 

We stopped at the newly remodeled Tupelo Welcome Center on display is Tuple’s, Elvis Story. Welcome to Tupelo and Elvis's Musical influence in Gospel, Country, Blues, and Modern Music. 

Elvis influenced Music in the gospel, Blues, Country, and Modern 

In Tuple’s Fair Park stands a statue of Elvis Presley holding a microphone and has his hand held out to welcome his fans. 

On October 3, 1945, a ten-year-old Elvis played to his first crowd on these grounds and took 5th place in a talent show.

We also saw a plaque with a picture of Elvis holding a guitar and guitars throughout the town of Tupelo.

The Elvis Presley statue stands on the site of the old fairgrounds where the concert took place, created by Mississippi sculptor Bill Beckwith.

We were told that Kermit's Outlaw Kitchen has the best food in town. 

So, we each ordered a fully loaded hamburger and fries.

Kermit's Outlaw Kitchen purchases its food from local farmers. The food was delicious. (One of the best hamburgers that I have eaten in a long time.)

Outside Kermits’s was a pile of wood, and a raccoon holding a shotgun. 

Inside hanging on the wall was the outlaw Willie Nelson. 

Outlaw Burger 

Kermit's Outlaw Kitchen
KOK is a wood-fired grill that uses the freshest meats produced from local farms.