🎢2001 ~ Nov 9-12, Two Days in Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri

Day 1: Friday, November 9, 2001

My husband drove our 2001 Damon Escaper RV through the crowded streets of Branson Missouri to Silver Dollar RV Park.

As we rode through Branson, we saw feet sticking out of a large sign along the highway that said, “Big Feet, Big Laugh.”

We rode past the Country tonight, The Lumber Jack, Legends in Concert “The Brett Family Singers,” and The Remington Theater.

We parked our RV at Silver Dollar City Theme RV Park.

2001 Damon Escaper RV at Silver Dollar RV Park 

We stayed three nights and two days, which included two-day visits to Silver Dollar City Theme park, we went both days from daylight to dark.

The Lumber Jack 

Legends 

To Big Laughs Two Big Feet 

Day 2 & 3: Saturday 10 & Sunday 11, November 2001

The Silver Dollar City RV Park ran a shuttle bus back and forth from the RV park to Silver Dollar City Theme park. 

We were at Silver Dollar City Park from the moment it opened to the minute it closed both days.

We watched all the shows, we traveled inside Marvel Cave, which is also part of the park with no extra cost.

Marvel Cave opened as a tourist attraction in the late 1800s, Silver Dollar City's entrance was built around Marvel Cave.

 Silver Dollar Coffin

Silver Dollar Coffin

 Christmas Trees

Resting on bench 

 Christman Candy Store

The Silver Dollar Frisco

Day 3: Sunday, November 11, 2001 

We travel down several steps and ramps almost 500 feet down to get into Marvel Cave.
After a sixty-minute tour, we were transported out of the cave by a cable car that is pulled out of the ground by a cable otherwise we would have to climb 1070 feet back to the top.

Marvel Cave Group Picture

View of Marvel Cave 

Rock formations still grow today in the ancient surroundings of the deepest parts of Marvel Cave.

Explorers from all over the world have sought out this cave for its size, geological interest, and its suspected marble and gold treasures. 

No treasure except its timeless beauty was found. 

The Osage Indians left stories of their visits to the cave telling of the strange howling noises created by the cave's vast depths and they named it Devil’s Cave.

The tours of Marvel Cave are an adventurous way to learn the cave's history is an hour-long adventure to the earth's dark depths. 

Silver Dollar City Theme park was decorated for the Christmas holidays with a huge green reef around the entrance “Silver Dollar City” topped with a large red and gold bow.

“This was a great place to take pictures.”

Inside the park, we saw the Silver Dollar Post Office, Feed & Fix it Shed, Large saw blade with writing on it, old train steam engine, 1877 Steamer, & Silver Dollar Coffins made to order.

We saw Huck Fins River Blast and listened to Southern Gospel music at Echo Hollow Amphitheater.

I sat on a bench with different writings: Buy your Grains at Sullivan’s Mill, Fresh bread baked daily.

Dine in the Mine all you can eat buffet. Stock you Wagon General Store, and Visit Grandfathers Mans…

Silver Dollar Entrance at Christmas

Christmas Tree and Packages 

Family Group Singing 

Filling the air was the smell of hot chocolate, marshmallows being roasted, peanuts being parched and the freshly made Cotton Candy.

After dark, the park comes alive with thousands of Christmas lights and a Christmas parade riding down Main Street

In the parade, we saw Ragged Ann and Andy, the gifts of Christmas, with Silver Dollars Cities Train leading the way.

We saw the Ginger Bread House, a Snowglobe filled with snow falling down around Frosty.

We saw a Jack-n-the-box.

We saw Joseph, and Mary holding the Christ Child Jesus with a star shining brightly above them.

The Gifts of Christmas Silver Dollar City Parade

Silver Dollar Parade 

There was the lighting of the five-story special effects Christmas tree, every hour on the hour after dark. 

We heard the songs of Sleigh Ride, Joy to the World, Jingle Bells softly playing throughout the park coming from stores, trees, & Christmas Carolers.

In the Living Nativity area, we watched the celebrated musical performance where the Angel Gabriel brings good news about the birth of the Christ Child. 

Day 4: Monday, November 12, 2001 

As we were leaving Branson, we saw Hollywood Wax Museum, Presley’s Country Jubilee, Jennifer’s American Theater, Grand Palace, Radisson Hotel, Old Grand Victorian Hotel, At the Hop 50s, Grand women of Country, (Leona Williams, Margo Smith, Helen Cornelius, Jean Shepard), Christmas Shop, and the Dixie Stampede 

We had a great time, enjoyed the music, the park, the lights, and the weather was cool but not too cold.

Leaving Branson 

Leaving Branson

I would love to go back someday. 

2002 ~ June 29-July 6, Luxury RV Campground Gulf Shores, Crossing Mobile Bay, Theadore, AL & Biloxi, MS

Hubby drove our  Damon Escaper RV to Gulf Shores, Alabama 

We stayed at Luxury RV Campground in Gulf Shores from June 29-July 6.

Saturday, June 29, 2002
We spent most of the day riding to Gulf Shores which takes about six hours. We rode our bicycles to Gulf Shores beach.

Sunday, June 30, 2002
We rode to Biloxi, Mississippi where we spent the day, we saw the Beau Rivage Casino,  President Casino Boardwalk Resort and Biloxi Light lighthouse.

Casino

Treasure Bay Casino

Biloxi MS

Monday, July 1, 2002
We rode over to Pensacola, where we toured the Naval Airplane Museum, we ate supper at Lambert's Café III "the home of the trowed rolls" in Foley. Come Hungry, leave full & Hopefully have a laugh or two!

Tuesday, July 2, 2002

We toured Fort Meyers “Morgan,” in Mobile Bay,  we rode the ferry across Mobile Bay over to Dauphin Island.

Ferry taking Cars across Mobile Bay

Riding the ferry across Mobile Bay

Crossing the Mobile Bay

Tall Ship that we saw as we crossed the Mobile Bay

Tall Ship that we saw as we crossed the Mobile Bay

We saw many people boating, sailing, and fishing.

Wednesday, July 3, 2002

We drove to Bellingrath Gardens located at 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road Theodore, Al 36582.

The Bellingrath Gardens are located on sixty-five acres of Southern Estate, including the rose garden. 

We saw the Delchamps Gallery of Boehm Porcelain, it is the largest public collection of Boehm porcelain in the states.  

In the Bellingrath home, we saw priceless antiques and furniture.

Bellingrath Gardens 

Inside Bellingrath Museum

Bellingrath Gardens 

Bellingrath Gardens 

We took a relaxing scenic cruise along the Fowl River aboard the Southern Belle River Boat, we saw some of the most secular natural sights.
Mobile Bay is the perfect place to connect with nature, we saw Osprey, pelicans, blue herons, seagulls, egrets, and songbirds.

Riding the Southern Belle Cruise boat 

Bird in Nest

taking the Southern Belle Cruise boat

Waiting on the Southern Belle boat

The freshwater mixes with the saltwater of the bay, there are many lovely homes along Mobile Bay. 

Mobile Bay is loaded with vegetation of the delta grass, Spanish moss, live oaks, cypress, and southern pines support the wildlife in the mobile bay. 

Thursday, July 4, 2002

We went to the Gulf Coast Emporium Science Museum and IMAX Dome Theater in Mobile, Alabama.
My husband was trying to get a park when someone backed into the front of our LS Satun.
The accident broke out the passenger headlight and bent the hood. 

We exchanged insurance information, we then went to the Gulf Coast Emporium Science Museum where we explored the 100 hands-on science exhibits. 

In Mobile Bay, large ships were coming in for the Tall Ship Parade that will be happening on July 4, 2002, later that evening. 

Please note that Sail Mobile, part of the tall ship's program, is one of the most popular events. 
Mobile’s Sail Mobile program plans to display approximately 30 ships which will include 5 to 6 class-A ships and 10 to 12 class-B ships over a five-day period from July 3 to 7, 2002.

We rode back to Luxury RV Park, we sat on a picnic table where we watched the Fourth of July fireworks show that was coming off the Gulf Shore Beach, we were just a few blocks from the beach.

While staying in the park, we enjoyed the swimming pool and riding our bikes to the beach.

For dinner, we ate fried oysters and shrimp at Gulf Shores Sea and Suds, where they have the freshest seafood at affordable prices.

We visited the Tanger Outlets Stores in Foley, Al. 

Friday, July 5, 2002 

We rode to the Harley Davidson located at 3260 Pleasant Valley Road, Mobile. I bought a white T-shirt with a picture of a Harley Davison motorcycle on the front of the shirt inside a red star.

Harley Davidson T-Shirt

For supper, we ate fried oysters, french fries with ice tea at the Original Oyster House in Gulf Shores.

Saturday, July 6, 2002 

Traveled six hours in our RV to Florence, we stopped to eat lunch at a Country Market. 

🚗~2002 Wednesday, July 22, Day Trip to Tullahoma, Tennessee

My daughter-in-law had an interview with the Board of Education in Tullahoma.

It was a beautiful bright sunny day as we traveled to Tullahoma, Tennessee.

My grandson was wearing a smile on his face, a bright orange American eagle Tee Shirt, with below the knee denim shorts and brown tennis shoes.

Hannah and Jake 

My granddaughter was wearing a bright red tee shirt with “What would Jesus Do” printed on the front with denim shorts and gray tennis shoes.

I was wearing a white tee shirt with a Harley Davison motorcycle printed on the front (that I had purchased at the Harley Davidson Store in Gulf Shores, Alabama), with denim shorts, white tennis shoes, and white socks with American flag and USA on the neck of the socks.

My daughter-in-law was wearing a long black skirt, mint green pull over top with black sandals.

While my daughter-in-law was being interview Jake, Hannah and I walked over to the Gano/Bussell log cabin.

It is the oldest known structure in Tullahoma build about 1850. 

Gano/Bussell Log Cabin

Standing on the porch of Gano/Bussell Log Cabin

The log cabin once stood at 607 Atlantic Street where it was dismantled and later reassembled at its current location 404 South Jackson Street at the Public Square.

A tin roof was added, steps to the back and front were added, and a covered front porch was added to the reassembled log cabin.

Placed on the front porch were a wooden rocker and bench for visitors to relax on.

The smell of fresh herbs came from the fenced in herb garden near by.

Here we took pictures and made videos.

Beside the Board of Education building we saw the Tullahoma Public School (now Civic Center) school buses, Red Cross building and a Confederate Cemetery Historic Marker that read:

1 mile SW is buried 407 unknown Confederates. Many of these died in one of the hospitals established here when Tullahoma was headquarters for the Army of Tennessee during the first six months of 1863, following the Battle of Murfreesboro and preceding the withdrawal of the Army of Chattanooga.

Tullahoma Public School 

Red Cross building 

CONFEDERATE CEMETERY

The kids posed for a picture at the South Jackson Civic Center that was built in 1886 as the first public school.

We ate lunch after my daughter-in-law finished her interview. 

We then rode to Lynchburg, Tennessee where we tour of the Jack Daniel Distillery.

We each took turns taking pictures beside the of the life size picture of Jasper Newton “Jack Daniel.”

Jake tried to poke his finger up Jack’s nose.

Jake, Hannah and picture of Jack Daniels

At the visitors’ center was several displays explaining the basic steps to making Tennessee whiskey.  

1. Mix the mash (corn, barley, malt, and yeast) with iron-free spring water.  

2. Ferment the mash for 6 days. No heat is applied, but the 2-story towers of mash bubbled f furiously from the generated carbon dioxide as the sugars are converted to alcohol. Fermentation results in the mash having about a 24% alcohol level.

3. Boil the mash and then cool the resulting vapor to extract the alcohol. The liquor is now 70% alcohol (140 proof), and just a small whiff will hit you like a bag of rocks!

4. Slowly drip the liquor through 10 feet of maple charcoal to "mellow" the flavor. It is still 140 proofs as it is collected from the bottom of the charcoal tower, but the sharpness is gone. As I understand it, only after this mellowing stage can the liquor be declared “Tennessee whiskey."

5. Add spring water to cut the whisky to 80 proof (40% alcohol).  

6. Place in a charred oak barrel and age for at least 4 years in an unheated/uncooled warehouse. The changing temperatures push the whisky in and out of the pores in the oak barrel, extracting sugars and giving the whiskey its color.

Pull the barrels and bottle!

After visiting the museum, we watched a short film by Jack Daniel’s about some of the independent spirits who call Lynchburg home. 

Along with a group of others, we were taken on the tour of the distillery process.

We visited the barrel warehouses, stills, and spring and bottle plant.

We saw the iron safe that killed Jack. 

One morning Jack could not remember the combination to his safe kicked it got gangue green and later died.

Several labels of whiskey distilled here are Old No. 7, Gentleman Jack, Tennessee Honey, Tennessee Fire, Green Label, Silver Select, Winter Jack, and No., 27 Gold.

Our guide a long time member of the Distillery looked very much like Jack Daniels but a much larger version.

Standing next to Jack Daniels 

After our tour, I took a picture of the grandkids next to our much larger version of Jack Daniels.

We thanked him, walked back through the visitor’s center the front door to our car and road home.

OUR Guide, Hannah, Jake

Our Guide, Statue of Jack Daniels

Setting on Wall near flowers, vines at Jack Daniels

2015 ~ Saturday, June 27, Helen Keller Festival Tuscumbia, Alabama

Today I went to the Car Show in Tuscumbia were on display was a variety of antique cars, 
White & black Rally Sport Camaro, black Belair trimmed in white, several MGB's, Corvettes, trucks and some motorcycles. There were Mustangs, Camaro's, Chevrolets, & Fords. 

Car Show Mustangs 

Driving down Main St to be Parked.

Volkswagen

The New Ford V8 Coupe Utility 

I took the hour walking tour, our guide talked about the founding of Tuscumbia. He talked about the founding of the railroad, the many hotels that were in Tuscumbia because of the Railroad, the rival between Colbert County and Lauderdale County.

The Colbert County Reporter 

The Train Depot and Museum 

Why the people from Tuscumbia would travel by train to Decatur to the bank, and shop instead of Florence.
John Coffee a surveyor laid out the founding of Tuscumbia in a Commons. Tuscumbia was sold to the US Government by the Indians.
Our guide talked about the different churches on Dickson Street that started out as Main Street.

St Johns Episcopal Church on Dickson Street 

Walking group 

House behind St Johns Episcopal Church on Dickson Street 

Touring Bus 

Walking group

The street where the Cold Water Book Store now is was once Grain Row and Main Street was once Mechanical Row.
This was the main shopping area of Tuscumbia in the early days.
He said the water flowing in Spring park comes from an underground spring and the area was once the hunting grounds for the Indians.

Met this very sweet dog, his owner had him sit and pose for me. So cute, and lovable

Our tour ended at First Presbyterian Church in Tuscumbia where everyone was invited inside to listen to a Helen Keller Festival Mini Concert featuring Dinie Stone pianist, Blair Reinlie oboist, & the great, great, great-nieces and nephews of Helen Keller. 

First Presbyterian Church in Tuscumbia 

First Presbyterian Church in Tuscumbia 1824-1904

Dinie Stone pianist, Blair Reinlie oboist, & the great, great, great-nieces and nephews of Helen Keller. 

Guitar player

The great, great, great-nieces of Helen Keller she did  a solo accompanied by guitar

Blair Reinlie oboist

Helen Keller born June 27, 1880, died June 1, 1968 "Happy Birthday Helen".
"Once I knew only darkness and stillness... my life was without past or future... but a little word from the finger of another fell into my hand that clutched at emptiness, and my heart leaped to the rapture of living."
Helen Keller
Songs 
Over the rainbow, Etude, To a wild Rose, We gather, We praise, The Lord is in His Holy Temple, Surely The Presence of the Lord is in this place  In your arms Lord Jesus Christ, Children of the Heavenly Father, Down at the River we shall gather, Let us break bread together and remember you, Behold the lamb, Amazing Grace, I dream a dream, You raise me up, God Bless the USA, God Bless America.
Everyone joined in singing God Bless America.
After the concert, everyone was invited for light refreshments.

I stopped at the Tuscumbia Art Museum to view the art on display by disabling students of Alabama and watercolor paintings from all over the USA. There were some very interesting pieces on display. 
One of the volunteers came into the museum with a notebook about the art and we discuss several pieces. 
Ate lunch at Ruby Tuesday with two new friends I met at the Art Museum. I was telling my husband about my day, he laughed and said nothing you do surprises me.