2022 Jan 15, First Day Hike on Multi-Purpose Trail Wheeler Dam

Today, a group of hikers met at the JWSP Cabin Office (24921 Alabama Hwy 101) for a little over a 2-mile hike. We followed in our cars to the hiking spot, "The Multi-purpose Hiking Trail," accompanied by park rangers Sam and David. The trail is located between Wheeler Dam and Fishman's Resort, which offers camping and a lodge. It is a scenic loop that runs along the Tennessee River and Big Nance Creek.

Bathhouse 

We saw several historic ruins of the 1930s, including a bathhouse/restrooms. We saw a couple of overgrown Chimneys and Picnic Tables, once used by the people living here during the building of TVA's Wheeler Dam. We also saw a collapsed viewing area that overlooks the Tennessee River. The rangers hoped to secure a grant to restore the viewing area. We stopped about midway for a group picture. (The ranger David took our picture with his cell phone and said he would email everyone a copy; I have not received mine yet.)

The group stopped for a picture at this spot overlooking Big Nance Creek. We saw several different kinds of hardwood trees, including oak and hickory. We saw a variety of wild mushrooms and berries that feed the park's animals. We saw signs of deer in the soft mud and could hear the many different sounds of Alabama's songbirds.

Open Pit

We also saw a large open grill/pit used to cook outdoor meals for a large group, overgrown with a tree growing in the middle. It was a very overcast day with a chance of rain and snow. The hike began at noon and ended around 2:30 P.M. It started to sprinkle as we were leaving. TVA plans to build a powerhouse to meet the growing community's needs. Hopefully, they will not destroy too much of the walking forest area.

Mushrooms on a log 

Everyone received an "I hiked Alabama State Parks New Year's Day." The first-day hike, scheduled for January 1, 2022, was canceled due to inclement weather. (High winds and threatening tornadoes) and rescheduled for January 15, 2022.

Group of hikers

A copy of the group from Sam and David was sent to everyone. We had three dogs, 10 people, plus two park rangers. (One not showing took the picture)

2021 Aug 10, Cheekwood Botanical Gardens Nashville, Tennessee

Hubby and I traveled the backroads to Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville, TN, via Natchez Trace, getting off at the Leipers Fork exit. Hubby parked the car near the entrance and showed the girl at the ticket counter our online tickets.

Pink LEGO Dog 

The first thing we saw as we entered the gardens was a big pink dog made of Lego blocks. We walked down a long, winding sidewalk, down several steps to the Train Exhibit, inspired by the Little Engine That Could.

In front of us was a couple with a very independent little girl, about two or three years old, with a head full of curls. What a magical place, as you enter the land of trains and Fairy mushroom villages. The train exhibit was constructed from rough timbers and featured five train tracks, totaling over 800 feet of track. As we walked through, we saw trains crossing bridges and passing through tunnels. We were in a magical land of trains.

We saw beautiful yellow lilies floating in the lily ponds and pink, orange, white, and red roses bursting with life in the Rose Study Garden.

Roses

We saw art pieces made of musical notes and wire. We also saw many Yellow and Black swallowtails on the butterfly bushes.

Yellow Swallowtail 

We saw a red lion, a zebra, a blue bear, colorful birds, a red turtle, a green lawnmower, and a man working in the garden, all made of Legos. Also, LEGO rabbits were spotted throughout the Bradford Robertson Color Garden. We walked around the Mansion, but not inside. Workers were repairing the pool in front of the Mansion in the Martin Boxwood Gardens.

Cheekwood Mansion 

There were waterfalls, ponds, and creeks running through the gardens. We visited the Art Bark exhibit, which featured crayon sculptures by Nashville artist Herb Williams. Inside the visitor center were restrooms, drink machines, and a beautiful rose LEGO sculpture. We took a break to cool off, drink a soda, and use the restrooms before beginning our journey home; we didn't walk the entire garden, but we had a wonderful time. We traveled home along the backroads, this time taking a different route. We came out in Columbia, TN. We got a late fish lunch at Long John Silver's and brought it home.

2021 Sep 26, Day Trip to Huntsville Botanical Gardens Huntsville, Alabama

Arrived at 11 A.M., just as the gardens were opening. My first stop was the Purdy Butterfly Gardens, where I saw several Gulf Fritillary Butterflies, red-spotted Admiral butterflies, Zebra Long-wing butterflies, monarch butterflies, great southern white butterflies, the white peacock butterflies, and the common buckeye butterflies. I spotted several Blue Jays and heard a woodpecker, but never saw it. I also heard several other species of birds and saw a snake as I was exiting the wooded area. I walked through the vegetable garden, where I saw just a few plants, including one large orange pumpkin and a few vines with fruit dangling from them.

I saw the fruit of Japanese Persimmons hanging on the trees. On the tree next to them was a thorny tree with Trifoliate orange fruit hanging on it. I also saw an Osage orange lying on the ground, so you can see that there was plenty of fruit for the animals. I spotted a praying mantis on a small limb. I saw several turtles swimming and lying along the bank of the pond.

I saw pink and purple blooming asters and mums, all in shades of purple. I even spotted a pink rose. I spotted a gray heron and several turtles lying on the bank near the butterfly house. Uncaged: Birds, Nature & You, along with Night Blooms, still fill the gardens.

Some of the scarecrows that I saw were Santa's Helper, Mr. Antsy Pants, Zooey the ZooKeeper, It's a Girl Scout Vibe, Frida Kahlo, The Scarecrow Dietitian, Terry Lewis "Herb's wife:/Herb the Birdman, Papa's Pumpkins, Mr. Crow the Birdwatcher, Dog Day Bride, Collaborative Carl, We can do the job, Snow Fairy, Betelgeuse Scary Spirit, Sir Night fo make it right, Faith, Service, Diversity, Page Turner, Autumn, Larry If I only had a spaceship, Rooted,

Mr. Morgan, Bill the birdwatcher, Johnny Apple Seed, and Demeter, Find Your Space, South Huntsville Sam, Auntie Smile, Miss Mary, La Ofrenda, Rosie the Refunder, Discovery Daisy, Lady Golfer, Noah, Cedrick Crow pin, Meets the Adams Family, Tiger, and Crow, & Voting Violet. I saw several people in line to go into the park as I was leaving. I spotted a lady with a Nikon camera, so I walked up to her and told her where I had seen the heron and all the butterflies that were not inside the Purdy Butterfly House. She asked me about my camera, and I said I had been taking pictures for many years. She said she had just started with her new camera. It started out a cool morning by afternoon, it was hot. I walked back to the car, ate the bowl of nuts and the diet Sprite that I had brought, and rested for a few minutes before starting the hour-and-a-half drive home. That morning, I had stopped at Wheeler Dam to see the waterfowl. Several people were fishing, and more were arriving to fish. I asked a young man about the waterfowl, and he said there were a few, but a couple of days ago, they were more numerous than he had ever seen before. I miss them. I did get a couple of shots of a heron catching a fish.

2021 April 24, Touring the Antebellum Home of Presbyterian Minister Robert Donnell Athens, Alabama with Tour guide Alice Tiller

Pleasant Hill 

Home of Rev. Robert Donnell (1784-1855) 

Built abt. 1849 by Rev. Robert Donnell, a native of North Carolina, and his second wife, Clara Lindley Donnell. 

He was greatly inspired by the Great Spiritual Revival of 1800 and became a Presbyterian circuit rider, one of the "flaming fires" because of their spiritual intensity. Donnell held the first camp meeting in the settlement that became Huntsville, started new churches in North Alabama and Tennessee, and retired as minister of the Athens Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

The North Alabama Presbytery was named in his honor for his service and dedication. After Rev. Donnell died in 1855, the house and surrounding acreage passed to his son, James Webb Smith Donnell. J.W.S. Donnell and his family lived here during the Civil War, despite the Union Army's efforts to apprehend him for allegedly aiding the Confederacy. 

In 1862, during the sacking of Athens, Federal troops camped on the house grounds, looted, and damaged the house through bankruptcy after the war. 

It served as a boarding school for boys for a time and later as the home of Athens School Superintendent Julian Newman and his family. 

 Local historians and authors Christine W. Edwards and Faye A. Axford initiated a campaign to save and restore the house in the 1970s. Local citizens, businesses, and Donnell's descendants contributed to the restoration of this historical landmark.

Pleasant Hill Historical Marker

Pleasant Hill Historic Marker

Donnell House

The Donnell House is located at 601 South Clinton Street. 

It hosts events throughout the year, such as a Christmas tree presentation during the holiday season. Because it is located on the campus of Athens Middle School, students have conducted school projects, including interpretive videos centered around the house's history. 

April is the month to showcase local history in Alabama counties by featuring walking tours every Saturday. I chose the Robert Donnell House & Museum to tour; it was the only walking tour that I had not attended. 

 *Tour options were: *Beaty Historic District *Downtown Athens Historic District *Athens City Cemetery *Athens State University *Houston Historic District. All the above are excellent tours, and many tour guides dress in the period-appropriate attire for the tour. 

 Unfortunately, the Governor George S. Houston Library and Museum was not offered this year. 

 The Donnell House and Museum were hosting a wedding later that day, and food was being prepared and finger foods placed on the table.

Wedding Buffett

What caught my eye was the Armadillo pink cake. Hanging in the parlor were pictures of Rev Donnell and his two wives. 

Two staircases led to the upper level, showcasing the home's history and its occupants. 

 Outside was a 1830s log cabin donated by Don and Ed Horton, sons of Judge James Horton, and nearby was an herb garden. 

 I had often driven past the Donnell House Museum, but I had never noticed it until the tour, because it was located within the Athens School system.

2021 April 3, Florence Cemetery Walking Tour, UNA, McFarland Park, Wilson Dam, & Ava Florence, Alabama

Harry Wallace will lead the tour at 705 East College Street. The tour of the Florence Cemetery, established in 18181, features many unique headstones and famous gravesites among the rolling hills and towering trees. 

The cemetery contains the graves of many early settlers, two governors, prominent leaders and their families, and numerous unknown Confederate soldiers.

Harry Wallace, our guide

Blooming Cherry Trees 

McFarland Par 

After the walking tour, I stopped at Wilson Park to see the blooming cherry trees. 

Next, I went to UNA to see the newly remodeled fountain. People were taking pictures for Graduation. Leo the lion was basking in the sun and roared several times. Usually, he just lies quietly, but today, he must have been hungry.

LEO the Lion at UNA

Fountain at UNA 

Ava riding her car 

I rode to McFarland Park and stopped for a few pictures. The River was down compared to what it had been, but it still peaked at the banks. One side of the park was closed because of flooding. There were a lot of people at the park; people were parked everywhere, even on the banks of the road. 

I stopped at River Heritage Park and walked to see the floodgates at Wilson Dam. The Tennessee River was raging through. 

On my way home, I stopped to check on my son Mike. He had surgery on his back. He was outside with his brother Andy. Ava came outside and was riding her car. I saw a Yellow Monarch Butterfly landing on the yellow dandelions. 

I had an exciting day.

2021 April 17, Mooresville Walking Tour and Huntsville Botanical Gardens

It was a great turnout at Mooresville, for I had to park along the side of the road and walk several blocks.

 We began at the Post Office, which closed at 10:00 A.M., so if you wanted to go inside, you had to arrive by 9:45 A.M.

 We saw a couple of churches, a tavern, and several homes, and our guide shared the history of the small town with us. 

We saw a beautiful little cottage that is now Lyla's Little House of Mooresville. "All the sweet that's fit to eat!"

Stage Coach Stop 

Lyla's Little House of Mooresville

Brick Church

The brick church had been owned by several different denominations but was now owned by the town and used for weddings and town hall meetings. We walked inside the Brick Church, the Post Office, and the Tavern. Our guide distributed several booklets on Historic Mooresville's Bicentennial, Est. 1818, but ran out. It was a lovely day for the tour. It was a little cool but warmed up quickly. I left before it ended because I couldn't hold it in any longer. I stopped at Cracker Barrel in Madison to use the restroom. 

 My next stop was the Botanical Gardens. I first visited the Butterfly House and saw one butterfly, a few turtles, and several children. I was so thirsty that I bought an Orange Crush drink and finished it before I left the gardens. 

 Walked through the Children's Garden to the newly built Birdwatching building. Meet a man there who was building a new home and was getting ideas for his lawn. (shrubs, flowers, and such). Had a pleasant, relaxing visit to the Huntsville Botanical Gardens?

Field of Wildflowers

Squirrel

I strolled through the wooded area along the less-traveled paths. I saw several Robin Redbreast, rabbits, and squirrels. As I walked near the pond, I saw many turtles basking in the sun. Yellow and White Wildflowers were blooming everywhere. They were so pretty. I also walked through the herb garden.

 I had a great day, but was tired from all that walking, and I still had to drive an hour or more home.

2002 Jun 28, Children's Museum of the Shoals Florence, Alabama

Took Hannah to the Children's Museum, where she sat in the dentist's chair holding a blue toothbrush as long as her arm would not fit in her mouth. Of course, the teeth she is standing next to would be used by the large blue toothbrush.

Naturally, if you are in the Shoals area, you have to visit Helen Keller's birthplace. Of course, hanging next to Helen Keller on the wall are Jessie Price and Stanley Goldstein. Now for a bit of sitting time in a nook for storytime. Back to the first floor, it is time for a bit of music, as Hannah enjoys dancing on the musical keyboard with keys that are bigger than her feet. There were also drums, xylophones, and many other musical instruments.

Onto the kitchen, where a raccoon was watching as she prepared a meal. After she finished cooking, it was time for a quick slide with Miss Piggy. Time for a bit of construction work with a hammer & nails, Hannah. Don't forget to wear your hard hat on construction sites. Now, it was time to check out the water pump and the flowing creek that was filled with boats floating down the stream.

It was such a beautiful day, so we headed outside. Hannah crossed the rocks that were over the babbling brook, making sure she did not get her feet wet. Lying on the ground were construction materials to build a house. She started but did not finish. There was a Green wagon, so she climbed aboard for a picture. We walked back inside, did some grocery shopping, and then cooked again. I went back upstairs for a bit of karaoke. Hannah dressed up in a white robe with purple trim and a sash. Of course, I joined in the karaoke, and we had a great time acting silly.

Next, we visited the X-ray machine to see what she looked like inside. Next, she did a little crafting and traced the map of the USA. We had a fun day at the Children's Museum of the Shoals.