Monday, December 7, 2015

🎄🎄🎄🎄2015 ~ December 7, Monday, Christmas & Cards Trees, Library & Space Center

I went to the Chiropractor for an adjustment before beginning my journey of walking in Huntsville and Madison. 
We stopped at Chick-fil-a in Athens for lunch
I ordered some chicken nuggets and a drink. 
We rode through Christmas Card Lane in downtown historic Madison.
List of the Christmas Cards 
We saw Christmas trees in Madison where people of the community had decorated to express their own creativity or to promote their business.  
We rode to the Huntsville/Madison Library to take pictures of the Christmas trees distributed throughout the library. 
We saw trees decorated with round paper lace cup mats with notes attached, A tree with jester hat, wearing sunglasses covered in cotton, lights, sticks made into Xs, and covered in toys. Another wrapped in green ribbon,and gold bows, with bugles, colored ball lights. 
A Autism Tree full of christmas balls inside picture of a child, puzzle pieces, ornaments, trimmed in red and gold ribbon. A christmas tree covered in hats, gloves and scars. We saw a tree made out of books and another covered in Christmas Cards. We saw a Christmas Tree from Friends of the Library, and Huntsville Herb Society.We saw a completely white christmas tree trimmed with red and gold rope and electrical lights. A tree trimmed with pink, blue, gold ribbons, and balls. There were many more trees that we saw, I could not describe them all.
HO!HO! HO!(Santa resting after a night of delivering presents)
Thank you for Visiting Christmas Card Lane!(Saying good-by to the last Christmas Card)
Christmas Trees of Madison 
MAC Snowman in the Christmas Trees of Madison 
I also stopped to take pictures of the artistic quilts hanging from the second floor. 

I also saw a display of Doctor Who! Doctor was standing next to the Police Public Call Box.
Police Telephone Free for use of Public 
Advice & Assistance immediately officers & cars respond to all calls pull to open. 
 There was a man sitting next to the display and I ask if he knew Doctor Who? He replied WHO?
We rode to Big Spring Park where we walked the Tinsel Trail of over 200 Christmas Trees.
There were a few trees waiting to be decorated while others were getting the finishing touch put upon them. 
Christmas music filled the air, as we walked along the path, while the sun shone brightly but not too hot. 

It was a perfect day for strolling through the park. 

We were greeted by gold fish, ducks and geese wanting to be feed. 



Christmas Tree at Huntsville Madison County Library 
Quilt Display at Huntsville Madison County Library 
The many faces of Doctor Who?


Ducks, gold fish 
Star Wars May the Force Be with you!
Big Spring Park Tinsel Trail of Christmas Trees
Big Spring Park Tinsel Trail of Christmas Trees
We went to the Space and Rocket Center where we saw Science Fiction, Science Future (where I was beamed up into space) Beam me up Scotty! I stood inside a teleportation machine while my husband at the control panels beamed me into outer space. 
We walked through the U. S. Space and Rocket Center’s latest exhibit, the Celestial Dreams, The Art of Space Jewelry, showcased by the artist Kathy Chan. She uses precious gems, minerals and metals to interpret her genuine wonder of the cosmos in her jewelry. Her display will be on display until May 2016.

Last but not least, there was a movie being made with R2D2.
We had been waiting for the movie maker to come out of the room where he was making the move and he ask if I wanted my picture with R32D2 and I said yes. 
I hope to be in the finished production of the movie.
Wow! What a day! 

I said to the movie producer that Star Wars was my middle sons favorite movie. 
There was a man controlling the sounds that R2D2 made, he made the same sounds that he did in the Star War movies. 
The film will be screened at the U.S. Space and rocket Center’s IMAX theater to promote the new Star Wars, The Force Awakens. 

Wow!!!


Beam me up Scotty!
I saw myself Inside the Time Machine
The Art of Space Jewelry

Cosmic Calendar for December
R2D2
88 Buffet Seafood Sushi Hibachi 
88 Buffet Seafood Sushi Hibachi 
We ate dinner at 88 Buffet Seafood Sushi Hibachi, that is an all-you-can-eat oriental buffet with a variety of different meats,seafood, vegetables and you can watch the chef create your dish right before you eyes.
We had a great day, good food, friendly faces, and a beautiful day. 



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Thursday, December 3, 2015

2015 November 27, 28, 29, Trip to Gulf Shores, Al, Biloxi, MS & Pensacola, Fl

We left mid-morning, heading south on I-65 to Gulf Shores.
At lunch, we stopped at Peach Park in Clanton,n Alabama, where we enjoyed a delicious fried peach pie topped with a scoop of peach ice cream. Hubby also ordered a large order of onion rings and a barbecue sandwich.
fried peach pie topped with a scoop of peach ice Cream
I walked around Peach Park, taking pictures of the giant peach statue sitting on a large bucket with a sign that read, Peach Park, Clanton, AL (do not sit on the peach)
I took pictures of a green birdhouse, several wooden bridges, a pond, the playground area, a large red barn where children could play, a swing, a gazebo, a lighthouse, a red caboose (that is rented as an RV), a rose bush, a tractor, and my husband sitting at a picnic table.
 A large red barn where children could play
Back on the road for another four hours, stopping only for fuel and to use the restrooms.
The Rat Pack (Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Frank Sinatra
We stopped in Bay Minette, Alabama, to get our oil changes at Chuck Stevens Dodge.
Inside the deanship, I noticed paintings of several famous people hanging on the wall.

 I asked the owner if I could take a picture of the paintings, and he said he would sell you all of them for $100 each if you took them all.
They were paintings of Sammy Davis Jr (notice the ring on his right hand), Frank Sinatra (big smile), and Dean Martin (The three members of the Rat Pack).
Lewis Armstrong (with his trumpet), Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Jimmy Dean, Willie Nelson, Jerry Lewis, Glen Miller, and Madison Bourbon Jazz.
In the painting of Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, and Jimmy Dean, they all appeared with a cigarette.

 I told him that someone had done a great job, but I did not want to buy them.
Clock Belltower 
We saw a Christmas display in Robersdale.
After we checked into the Staybridge Hotel, we rode back to Foley's Heritage Park.
In the park was a Christmas village, a clock chime, angels, and a flowing fountain.
Gulf Shores Beach 
We ate dinner at Chick-fil-A in Foley.
I ordered some chicken nuggets and a Peppermint milkshake, and my husband ordered a strawberry milkshake and a grilled chicken sandwich.
Before we went back to the hotel, we went to Gulf Shores beach, but it was too dark to take pictures.

It had been a long day, so after we both had a hot shower, we climbed into bed for a long winter's sleep.

 Saturday morning, we were both up before the rooster crowed.
We dressed and headed to the beach to watch the sunrise, which was at 6:27 A.M.
Sunrise
I was an awesome, white, and dark cloud overlooking the blue gulf.
There was a hint of pink, blue, white, and yellow as the sun poked its head through the clouds.
Slowly, this ball of fire raised its head higher and higher, changing from yellow to a bright orange, then back to a bright yellow, with clouds floating all around it, until you could no longer look directly into its face.
A couple was sitting on a blanket that they had spread out on the sandy beach to watch the sunrise. It was still chilly, so they were wearing light jackets.
Watching the sunrise 
As the sun peeked, the sky cleared, and you could see the waves that splashed happily upon the sandy beach.
We rode back to the hotel, where we enjoyed a nice breakfast of link sausage and an omelet. We had cranberry juice to drink.
We stopped to take a picture of the Bell Tower in Foley's Heritage Park.
The 52-foot Bell Tower has four clock faces facing north, south, east, and west, each with 32 brass bells. The Bell Tower and Plaza were built to celebrate Foley's Centennial on January 8, 2015.
Across the street is the Hotel Magnolia, one of Foley's oldest buildings, which is now for sale.
Bell Tower 
We took I-10 from Foley to Mobile, driving through the George Wallace Tunnel across Mobile Bay.
As we approached Mobile in the distance, we could see the RSA Battle House Tower, the RSA Bank Trust Building, and the Van Antwerp Building.
We stopped at the Antebellum Welcome Center in Jackson County, Moss Point, Mississippi.
The Welcome Center was built to resemble an antebellum home with its spiral staircase, arched doorways, and chandeliers. It is filled with antique furniture and sculptures by Marlin Miller.
Sculptor Marlin Miller is working on a large oak near Hard Rock Casino Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi. It is named "Marlin's Marlin". This is just one of his many pieces.
We traveled the Gulf Coast freeway, crossing the swampy area of the Escatawpa River, through Pascagoula, Gautier, Ocean Springs, and to Biloxi, MS.
As we topped the I-10 in Biloxi, we could see several casinos, and as we exited the interstate, we could see the Gulf, the beautiful white-sand beaches, and the Biloxi Lighthouse. We rode past the casinos to Veterans Memorial Park, where we stopped to take pictures.
We rode back to the welcome center to find out where we could buy trolley tickets.

 We were told we had to hurry to catch the trolley because it was leaving in a few minutes.
We walked down the hill, across four lanes of traffic, to catch the trolley that was leaving the station.
I caught up with the driver, Carla Beaugez Taconi, who said to climb aboard, that she had not collected for the ride.
So we climbed aboard the back of the open-air trolley, so I could take pictures.
We introduced ourselves as the newcomers to the ride, and then off we went, hair blowing in the wind.
When Carla wasn't telling stories about Biloxi, she was playing upbeat music from the area.
As we rode down the street, many residents waved to us, and we waved back. Carla knew many by their first names, and they knew her name.
Carla showed us what authentic southern hospitality is all about, the way she greeted everyone she met.
Carla made you feel like you were a part of her family and her neighbor.

 We rode past many vacant store buildings and empty lots that Katrina had destroyed with her violent winds and waters.
We saw old mansions and homes that had survived the storms of time.

 We stopped at the 12-foot-high Hurricane Katrina Memorial, where we saw a glass case containing various items found after the storm and a black marble wall listing the names of those who died or were lost during the hurricane.

We stopped at the Magnolia Hotel Museum, built in 1847 as a lodging establishment and now a Mardi Gras Museum.
In it, we saw memorabilia from carnival celebrations with a variety of colorful Mardi Gras costumes.
Trying on the colorful Mardi Gras costumes
We ended the tour by riding past the works of art on Beach Boulevard, which is a sculptured garden teeming with pelicans, egrets, seagulls, blue marlin, and a shark.
After Katrina destroyed most of the trees along Beach Blvd, a chainsaw artist carved six oak trees into marine sculptures, now displayed along the median.
Katrina Sculptured Garden 
We thanked Carla as we exited the trolley.
We walked along the beach to the pier, where I took a few pictures.

 We had to cross four lanes of traffic back to the Visitor Center.
The Visitor Center is a museum in itself; it has a wealth of information, a gift shop, multimedia exhibits, Biloxi Memorabilia, and, on the second floor, a 67-seat movie theater. The Visitor Center has a striking resemblance to the Dantizier House that once stood on this site, with two-story porches, a grand staircase, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

 We started our journey home, stopping at Taco Bell for a snack.

 We arrived just in time to see the sunset in Gulf Shores. The sunset was at 4:50 P.M.
Sun Setting 
We stopped at Lucy Buffett's Lulu's for dinner.
We ordered the Seafood Sampler with iced tea.
It had been a long day, and we were both too tired to do anything else.
Seafood Sampler at Lulu's 
The next morning, we slept a little later, got dressed, and went down for breakfast. We came back upstairs, packed our bags, and checked out of the hotel.

 We rode to Pensacola, Florida.
We rode through the historic area of Pensacola, toured the Historic Village, and took many pictures.
The village consists of 20 properties in the Historic District, including the Museum of Commerce and Industry, Julee Panton Cottage, Manuel Barrios Cottage, the McMillen House, Lavalle House, Lear-Rocheblave House, Dorr House, and the Old Christ Church. All were closed on Sunday.
We also walked through the park, stopping to take pictures of the T.T. Wentworth Florida State Museum and many other historic state buildings in the historic town.

We went inside the Atlas and Fish House, which is along the riverfront, to use the restrooms.
 Some of the famous people who have eaten here are American Pickers, Neil Armstrong and Gene Cernan (Astronauts), Elton John, Steve Martin, and Mariah Carey, just to name a few.
Historic Village in Pensacola, FL 
Old Christ Church 1832
I took pictures of John Wesley Hardin (Criminal turned lawyer), the First Baptist Church site, Old City Hall (1907), Mooring Anchor, "I never throw anything away," gateway to Florida's History, and many others.
We stopped for gas in Cantonment, Florida, near the Paper Mill, which was emitting an awful cloud of steam.
We ate lunch at Burger King.
On the way home, we stopped in Flomation, Alabama, to take pictures of the marker, L & N train car, and Train Depot, now a visitor center.

The closer we got to Montgomery, the heavier the traffic got; it was bumper-to-bumper because of the Thanksgiving Holiday.

We took a detour along Highway 31, coming out at Calera, where we stopped to eat at Cracker Barrel.
We headed back to I-65, hoping the traffic had moved on, but no, it was worse.
We saw wreck after wreck and traffic backed up for miles, but this time it was headed south.
It took several hours longer than we expected to get home. With my intestines in knots, we finally made it home. I think the break on my side of the card did not work too well.
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Location: Biloxi, MS, USA

🎄🎄🎄🎄Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2015🎄🎅🏻

Another year has passed, and I am still here, thank God.

It has been a hectic year.

My husband and I started the year off right in January. We took an overnight trip to Gulf Shores.
The beach is a great place to go in the winter months. Few people were on the beach except those there to watch the sunset, which was awesome. 
We stayed at Staybridge Suites for half price (a full kitchen), just like living in an apartment. We enjoyed a delicious seafood meal at Lula's (my husband had never eaten there).
Gulf Shores sunset 
We celebrated Valentine's Day in February by ordering pizza from a new place called The Rising Crust. The pizza was delicious.
The Rising Crust Pizza 
My granddaughter had her first child and our first great-grandchild, Ava Grace.
Ava Grace
I rode to Huntsville in March to attend the Saint Patrick's Day Parade. (I had never been to a Saint Patrick's Day Parade) It was fun, and I took lots of pictures.
Saint Patrick's Day Parade
Toward the end of March, I was invited to spend the weekend with my friend and her husband in Pigeon Forge, TN. My sister went with me. We had a great time. We went to a quilt show, rode the Ferris wheel, ate at Margaritaville, Mel's Diner, and The Apple House Restaurant.
Riding the Ferris Wheel
My husband and I took two of the grandsons to the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge and the Wheeler Dam Birding Trail. That same day, Hubby bought a 2007 Silver Honda. 
Two of my amazing grandsons 
I spent the day at the Birmingham Zoo in April with my daughter and grandchildren.
Early that morning, we watched the third Blood Moon set, which was terrific.
My daughter and her three exceptional children 
In April, I took several walking tours: the Civil War, Tuscumbia, and Oakwood Cemetery. I also took a Civil War trolley tour in Florence.

In May, Hubby and I went to Rock City in the Lookout Mountains. 
Rock City in the Lookout Mountains, me in my neon suit
I went to the Decatur hot air balloon show and a Dennis Family Reunion. (to meet relatives I never knew)

Sierra, my granddaughter, graduated from high school, and her brother graduated from sixth grade.
Sierra 
Montana
In June, my husband and I toured the Rosenbaum home/museum.
Rosenbaum home/museum
I took several of my grandchildren to the movies every Thursday in June, July, and the first two Thursdays in August. 
Carmike Theater has a four-dollar summer special: a small Coke, a small popcorn, and a movie. We have been doing this for several years.

In June, my husband and I took a day trip to Hurricane Mills, Loretta Lynn's Ranch, Museum, RV Park, and Grist Mill. 
Loretta Lynn's Ranch/Museum
In July, we took several day trips.
Train Depot in Jackson, Tennessee
Beechcraft Air Museum.
In August, Hubby and I rode to Birmingham, Alabama, to visit the Iron Works Historical State Park. 
Iron Works Historical State Park
We rode to Pulaski, Tennessee, touring the Milky Way Farms. (The farm built by the candy giant of Milky Way Candy 
Milky Way Farms 
Cannonsburg Village, Murfreesboro, TN
My daughter decided to leave Rhode Island and move to Fort Myers to work, so at the end of September, I flew to Rhode Island to help her move.

We spent the first day on the road, stopping in Columbia, South Carolina, to stay overnight with one of my daughter's friends.
The next day, we were back on the road, stopping at the Frampton Visitor Center in South Carolina. The Frampton was an old plantation home. We also stopped at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge and Museum in Hardeeville, Ga.
Our next stop was the waterfront in Savannah, GA, where we ended the day with my cousin, Marjorie Goodrich. We spent the evening catching up with family and the night.
The next day, we continued our travel to Fort Myers, arriving at the fully furnished apartment my daughter had rented.
Some of the places that we visited while I was in Florida were Sanibel Island, Fort Myers River Walk, Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee Smallest Post Office, Everglade Museum and boat ride, Mound House at Estero Island, Edison/Ford's winter homes, Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, Manatee Park, Shell factory, Lakes Park, Slough Preserve. We attended a Pirates Festival, Zombie Festival, and Oktoberfest. 
Mother and Daughter in Fort Myers, Florida
In November, my husband and I rode to Meridian, MS, toured the Jimmy Rodgers Museum, grave, and Blues Trail.
Jimmy Rodger Statue
I attended the wedding & shower of Chase Wanner.
My husband and I enjoyed watching the Christmas fireworks show at Bridge Street Town Center.
I spent three days beside my middle son, who was in the hospital for three days with mini-strokes. 
We rode to Nashville, Tennessee, where we toured A Country Christmas at the Opryland Hotel, beautifully decorated for the holidays.
We walked through the Nutcracker's magical & colorful carved Ice Sculptures.
Manger Scene in Carved Ice Sculptures
Pier on Beach in Biloxi, MS
My husband and I traveled to Gulf Shores for three days and two nights. 
We traveled to Biloxi, MS, to take a trolley tour of the historic downtown area.
We traveled to Pensacola, FL, where we toured the Historic Village of Pensacola. 
We had an eventful ride home, watching people dart in and out of traffic. We saw several wrecks, and traffic backed up for miles.

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We watch my niece and other church members entertain us with their salute to our Lord Jesus Christ. 
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2025 Dec 5-7, Christmas Tour of Homes Trip to Eufaula, Al with Backroads Tours LLC

 Day 1: Friday, December 5: Today we traveled to Scottsboro , a two-hour drive.  We stopped at McDonald's in Huntsville for breakfast, ...