2009 November 7, Saturday, Hiking in the Dismal Canyon

Lora, Marcus, Madison, and I went hiking in the Dismal Canyon in Phil Campbell from 12:00-4:4-PM.

We ate some snacks before we began our walk into the canyon.

We stopped at the entrance to take pictures, paid to enter the park, and began our journey down into the canyon.

Stopping for Pictures

Dance Hall

There was a sign posted that read:

Dismals Canyon leaves nothing…  Take nothing…

Dismals Canyon is a natural landmark registered with the department of Interior $1,000 fine for the removal or defacement of rocks, plants, or animals.

We started our descent down this wooden ramp and several flights of wooden steps into the canyon. 

Long walk down into the canyon

Along the way we saw Rainbow & Phantom Falls, Grotto, pulpit Rock, Kitchen, Stovepipe, Indian head rock, Temple Cave, fishing hole, Champion tree, weeping bluff, secretly falls, the Chickasaw Indian’s for secret rituals used dance hall, fat-man’s Misery, Witches cavern, and Burr’s hideout. 

Grotto In 1925, the Girl Scouts built the small pool to your right for drinking water.     

Phantom Falls There is no waterfall behind you but the rock picks up the sound of the actual falls 250’ downstream and throws the echo down to this spot, which is only 10’ around.

Weeping Bluff The water that seeps from this bluff is said to be tears shed by the canyon for the loss of its only true friend the Chickasaw Indians.

SECRET FALLS the water creating these falls flows from an underground mountain stream that opens onto the earth's surface about 3/4 of a mile upstream. 

The Chickasaws Indiana’s for secret rituals used DANCE HALL this well camouflaged area protected from the sun and the elements. 

A tight squeeze

Witches Cavern  a strange and beautiful labyrinth of moss and fern-covered boulders with a large colony of dissimilates resides.

Fat Mans Misery The narrow opening 16” wide between the two boulders was the original entrance to the canyon floor.

Crossing the creek

We walked about three miles and we met Steve Meiji (wearing a black Harley Davidson jacket & chaps) and two of his lady friends (one wearing an orange Haley Davidson Jacket and chaps and the other woman wearing a black jacket and chaps) 

Steve helped Madison & others across the creek to Dance Hall.

He gave me his email and I sent him some pictures. 

We saw several small white mushrooms growing on the side of trees.

We exited the canyon by crossing a swinging bridge.

Crossing the swing bridge

Natchez traces the devil’s backbone dismal canyon serves ad the hideout for many other infamous outlaws who robbed and murdered travelers on the devil's backbone.    

When we finished our walk we stopped in at the museum where we saw 

A statue wearing a white, red, and black feather headdress. We saw a tan lamp with a pair of tan boots for a base. We saw a statue of a baker holding a basket with ready-to-eat mac & Cheese on top,  and a blackboard sign that read Specialties Coffee $1.49, Brownies $2.89 and Brownie bites for fifty cents. We saw a wooden clown, a Totem pole with Indiana faces A red Drink coca cola machine, and a popcorn machine. There were all kinds of gadgets hanging from the ceiling. 

Indian Headdress, Boot Lamp

Totem Pole

Dismals Store

For supper Hubby brought home barbecue from Thomas Pitt.

2012 ~ April 22-25, Trip with sisters to Gulf Shores, Alabama

Day 1: Sunday, April 22 ,  2012

Was out of the bed by 5:30 A.M. I got dressed, checked my email, updated my laptop computer, added movies to my Iphone, I broke a fingernail while making the bed, finished packing, I ate some chocolate pudding and I was ready to leave by 7:35 A.M.

My sister drove her new Jeep; she picked up sisters and they arriving at my house about 8:30 A.M. Teresa was using her droid telephone as a navigation system. 

We took US 43 to US 72 to Athens, then I-65 all the way to Hwy 287 exit 37 toward Gulf Shores Parkway/Bay Minette/Rabun, we turned left onto Rabun Rd for 4.4 miles then Rabun becomes Al-59 S, we turned right onto West Beach Blvd Al-182 and Condo was on left at 809 West Beach Blvd., Gulf Shores. 

We travel over 400 miles taking over seven hours including stopping for gas and food. 

We stopped at Subway(258 Interstate Commercial Park Loop Prattville, AL 36066(334) 358-4950 for lunch. 

We filled-up with gas at Texaco.
(We were going to eat at Cracker Barrel location 796 businesses Park Drive Prattville; Al., but it was a long line.) 
We arrived at Meyer Real Estate at 3:30 P.M. to buy parking pass for Island Royale.

Arrived at Condo called Island Royale located at 809 West Beach Blvd a mile west of hwy 59, it was a Yellow 17 story building room 1203 (P503). 

We took our luggage up the elevator to our room 503 on the 12th floor. It was very windy and we had to make sure that the balcony door was closed before opening the front door, because of the wind draft.

View of the beach

View from our Room

After getting settled in, we went to Long Horn Steak House 3810 Gulf Shores Parkway Gulf Shores (251-96793480) for supper. We all ordered from the flavorful under 500 calories menu. We each ordered Renegade Sirloin 6 oz at $11.99 it came with fresh vegetables or green beans and a garden salad with raspberry vinaigrette dressing. 
I ordered unsweetened ice tea with lemon, everyone else ordered water. With tip, we each spent $20.00. (My sister and I had leftovers for the next day.)

Long Horn Steak House

After dinner, we went to Target, which was in the shopping center behind Long Horn restaurant. Located at 3820 Gulf Shores Parkway Gulf Shores Al. 

Everyone bought something to eat to take back to the condo. I bought couple frozen dinners, some Jergens tanning lotion. 

We played dominos until about 10 P.M. we were all tired from the long trip. 

My sister and I slept in the front bedroom, which was very noisy, people coming, going, and noisy from the wind. 

Day 2: Monday, April 23, 2012 

The next morning I ate a granola bar, took a shower, Paula, and  I walked up the beach almost to the pier while Becky, and Teresa lay on the beach. It was still very cool, and windy. Becky called on the cell phone, said she and Teresa was leaving,

I told Becky to wait for  Paula and I for we were almost back to the condo.  

We all took shower to get the sand off and we got ready to go out for supper. 

We went to Lulu’s Restaurant located at 200 east twenty-fifty avenue Gulf Shores Al 36542, located just off Al-59 at the intercostals Waterway and Homeport Marina.

Teresa and I ordered Lulu’s Famous Fish Sandwich Blacken with Lulu’s wow sauce and chips $12.95 with ice tea. Becky ordered grilled chicken quesadilla (jack cheddar cheese and sautéed peppers and onions served with Lulu’s sassy Salas and sour Cream) for $9.95 and Paula ordered Seafood Platter.

Teresa ordered appetizer of smoked Tuna Dip $7.95 (never seen the inside of a can) and she ordered Lula’s Favorite Margarita $10.00. (The margarita contained Sauza Tres Generaciones organic Tequila, patron Citronge orange liqueur, and five freshly squeezed limes.)  

Some local was singing and playing music, which Paula said she did not like.

We looked around in the gift shop; Becky bought Steve a tee shirt. We rode up to Tanger Outlet but did not get out. We then went to Wal-mart where I bought some strawberries, cool whip, bananas, and cake. 

Paula bought a Yahtzee game and when we arrived back to our condo, we played dominos and Yahtzee until about 10 P.M.

The wind had died down some and the neighbors were not quite so noisy.

Lulu's

Day 3: Tuesday, April 24, 2012

We sat around until about lunchtime. I ate leftovers from Lulu’s then we went to the beach.

Becky lay in the sand while Teresa, Paula, and I walked up the beach again almost to the pier. 

We dressed and rode over to Fort Morgan stopping to buy gas, which I paid for 36.70 at Chevron. We rode to the Goodwill Store where I bought a pair shorts and a top for $6.00.

Souvenir City of Gulf Shores 

We shopped at Souvenir City of Gulf Shores located at 217 Gulf Shores Parkway Gulf Shores, Al 36542 251-948-7280, Paula bought a dress. 

Bahamas Bobs Beach Side Café 

We at ate Bahamas Bobs Beach Side Café 601 West Beach Boulevard, Gulf Shores, and Al 251-948-2100. 

I ordered Coconut Shrimp $6.00 (Coconut fried shrimp appetizer five large shrimp fried in a coconut batter).

Paula ordered Island Sampler for everyone which included a combination of two fried cheese sticks, fried mushrooms and chicken tenders at a cost of $9.99.

Paula also order Fried Stripped Pangus, with steamed royal reds cost $13.99.

Teresa ordered a Char-grilled delight Tuna sandwich $9.99.

Becky ordered Stanial Cay Chicken Tenders fried golden brown and served with a delicious dipping sauce cost $6.99. 

We stopped at TCBY and we each ordered a Greek Yogurt.

Day 4: Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Today was our last day. 

We cleaned the rooms of any garbage, loaded the dishwasher, put dirty towels into laundry room, packed bags, I ate a bit of breakfast, loaded the car, locked room and put key back into key box. 

We left at about 9 A.M. stopping only for gas and to eat lunch at Wendy’s in Prattville, we were half way home.

I ordered Wendy’s hamburger and frosty, Becky and Paula ordered hamburger, fries, and drink. Teresa did not order anything. 

We arrived home about 3:30 P.M.
I always have fun with my siblings. 

    

My husband said that while I was gone the refrigerator ($1,115.00) stop working, the jacks stop working (270) and we needed new tires for RV (3,000) which we decided not to buy.

Cost for motor for jacks was $270.93 from HWH Corp Motor, which My husband installed.

Added oil into jacks. (Right front jack still will not work.) Hose for power Steering busted bought new hose at Alabama Hose products cost $27.47. Bought power steering fluid at Tri Cities Truck parts $88.00. 

Ordered part to fix refrigerator RV Cooling Unit Warehouse $1,115.00 that My husband has not fixed as of (6/2/2012) we had it shipped to Dixie Signs had to be shipped to business.

May 8, 2012, My husband moved RV to drive in front of house because we had concert poured cost $1,900 took from savings.

While sitting in front of house from Tuesday, May 8, 2012, to May Tuesday, May 15, 2012, I waxed the RV.

During this time, we had no direct TV or Internet; we watched a lot of movies. 

🎄🎄🎄🎄2012 December 8, Saturday, A Dickens of a Christmas in Franklin Tennessee

2012 Saturday, December 8, Franklin, TN

It was A Dickens of a Christmas in Franklin Tennessee?

My husband and I ate  breakfast of eggs, sausage, and toast. 

We arrive in Franklin Tennessee about 10:00 a.m. 

My husband and I walked around taking pictures of costumed characters from Dickens story “A Christmas Carol.

I rode the horse drawn carriage around the Public Square cost $2.00. 

The carriage had four  patted bench seats that would seat up to twelve people of normal size.

It was pulled by a couple of  horses, one was brown and white and the other pitch black.

We saw holiday bazaar arts and crafts throughout the public square. 

There were musicians along the streets; we saw violinists, hand bell choirs, harpists, and carolers. 

I grabbed a picture of Scrooge, the  Old “Humbug” himself. 

My husband took a picture of me next to the Grim Reaper.

I took several pictures of the Cratchit family along with Tiny Tim, The Ghost of Christmas Past, Future, and Bobbies (who are actually Franklin police officers on duty) Father and Mother Christmas.

We sampled peppermint pretzels, and we watched the Morris Dancers perform a Cornish dance with swords and sticks from the mining communities of Cornwall.

It rained the first part of the morning, we saw many people carrying umbrellas, the rain did not detain the festival.

We ate lunch at Papa Boudreaux Cajun Café & Catering Co., we spent $33.15.

The building was painted purple and trimmed in a bright yellow with iron-metal Iron tables and chairs sitting outside. 

Inside there were long wooden bench tables that could set up to eight people, and total occupancy max is 49.

On the outside of the restaurant on the purple door was a sign that read,” Restrooms are for paying customers ONLY! Sorry, we are a small establishment…….Signed Pap’s Management.

Scrooge walking the streets of Franklin

Wet Streets of Franklin

I took pictures of many historic markers: Courthouse, behind the marker was a sign that read “Franklin on foot” .

What once was the local courthouse is now the Visitors Center in Franklin.

Another sign Union Headquarters Planning for battle, John H. Eaton was located near a manger scene.

St Philip Chaotic Church Marker in was in front of the Church.

The Old Factory Store is now a bookstore where, there was several authors were singing book.

We also saw the Masonic Temple, Hiram Lodge No 7 & building and marker which was in the Civil War tour number 17.

We saw the Ewen Cameron marker, The Presbyterian church marker.

We stopped inside the Starbucks Coffee store to use the restroom before we left Franklin.

We passed many war markers as we walked back to the van. We saw the Chickasaw Treaty Council, Field Hospital caring for the wounded, Franklin Special School District, Franklin Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Hincheyville Markers.

Christmas Tree in Center of Town

Lady in Pink

Carriage Rides

Cratchit Family

We rode to Leipers Fork about 1:30 P.m. to watch the Christmas parade, but the parade was canceled because of the weather. The town was hit by lighting earlier that day. 

The participants of the Christmas Parade had gathered and dis-pursed after the storm.

So many of them had to travel down main street and we saw many.

We saw a sign that read “Possum Holler Garage Like US on Facebook.”

Radio Flayer Wagon 

Possum Holler Garage 

We saw Radio Flayer Wagon atop a Jeep full of riders full of Christmas Cheer.

We saw Possum Holler Garage Sawdust tow-truck pulling and old Plymouth car behind it.

We saw F 150 Truck pulling boat on-top of wagon with riders wearing Santa hats.

We saw Old Chevrolet Truck with the inscription Posser Holler Garage pulling an outhouse inscribed on the side was “Old NO. 7.”

There was a round hole cut in the outhouse and it  had a reindeer hanging out of the hole with 4-closed underneath. On the backside of the outhouse was a satellite dish, sign that read, “Merry Christmas.

A sign that read “Possum Holler est. 2006, “The other White Meat”, “24 Wreck Her Service”, “You Bend We Mend ’em”.

Beneith the signs was Frosty the Snowman, with a couple of reindeer and a sign that read,”STAY BACK 100 FEET EXPLOSIVE GAS.”

Riding in the  1921 Clampetts truck

STAY BACK 100 FEET EXPLOSIVE GAS.”

We saw Hillsboro United Methodist/Bank of Leiper’s Fork historic markers located at Old Hwy 96 W.

We walked through the Winters Arts located at Locke Building.

We went inside the Serenity Madison antiques, &  mercantile store.

We stopped inside the Laurel Leaf Fashion Store.

We saw the Puckett’s grocery restaurant with men sitting outside.

My husband made my picture sitting in the Clampet’s Old Ford Truck. It had a homemade wooden bench to set upon.

Inside and hanging along the old truck I saw,  a jug of moonshine, a washtub, a trunk, a five gallon bucket, a frying pan and a dead opossum lying in a wash pan, hanging under the backside of the truck, just waiting for Granny Clampet to fry.

We saw an outdoor theater that was located inside was a live Christmas tree that had  hundreds of colorful bulbs strung around it. On either side standing straight and tall were nutcrackers. 

As we were leaving we saw the Church of Christ at Leiper’s Fork Meets Here EST 1831.

We walked around the many stores and did not buy anything.

We left around 2:30 p.m. traveling down the Natchez Trace to Lawrenceburg, Tn

We stopped at Kroger’s in Lawrenceburg at Kroger’s where we bought a  baked chicken, two slices of red velvet cake, chocolate covered almonds and rolls. 

We took all that food home to have a  feast.

2012 June 19, Tuesday, Trip to Plains Georgia

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

My husband and I were up at  4:30AM we both ate a tomato sandwich for breakfast. (I ate 1/2 sandwich.)

We stopped at the rest area in Birmingham, AL., to use the restroom, and to get snacks of Reese’s pieces, and Diet Pepsi. $3.00

We filled up with gas in Alexander City, which cost $50.00 at 8AM we put 15.38 of gallons in the van at a cost of #3.24 per gallon.

After we filled with gas, our GPS went crazy and stopped working. 

We drove through Columbus Georgia and we stopped at Carl Gregory Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge Dealership at 2201 Victory Dr. Columbus, Ga., 

My husband wanted to ask someone in the services department about why the GPS was acting the way it was but they did not know.

We stopped at the Webster County Courthouse (red brick with four large white columns) to take pictures of the historic markers of Walter F. George 1878-1957 who served as senator of Georgia for 34 years, and the historic marker of the First Confederate flag that was raised in Georgia, and Webster. I took several pictures of the surrounding area. 

Webster County Courthouse

The buildings across the street from the courthouse were Simply Country Thrift and Snack Bar, Mom’s Kitchen Restaurant, which had a mural of grilling out in the park, and Jesus with the twelve disciples sitting at the Lord's Supper. 

We arrived in Plains Georgia. Our first stop was Jimmy Carter’s Boyhood Farm. 

After parking, we both walked to the rest room which was located at the front of the parking lot. 

There were several markers along the walkway, “From here to Plains, Jimmy Carter’s Boyhood Farm, Jimmy Carter's signature and his hand print in the cement dated Sept. 24, 2010, and Always a reckoning.

We saw chickens inside the pen, an outhouse, a garden with fresh vegetables planted, a marker saying Carter Slept here marker, a chicken house, money on trees, and a water pump.

Inside, The Earl and Lillian Carter home, we saw the kitchen which had a dough bowl, rolling pen, bowls, cook stove, in the hallway an old talking telephone, Jimmy carters bedroom, bathroom, dining room, breakfast room, Earl and Lillian’s Bedroom, Gloria and Ruth’s bedroom and the living room. 

I sat in a rocker on the front porch for my husband to take my picture.

Jimmy Carter's Boyhood Home 

Jimmy Carter's Boyhood Home 

We walked past the Carter tennis court, the windmill water pump, old gas pump next to the store that was owned and run by the Carter Family.

We walked past the Winds of Change marker, the Carter family garden, which grew velvet beans, black-eyed peas, sweet potatoes, collard greens, and peanuts.

The Carters also owned a Blacksmith Shop and a barn.

Jimmy Carter's Boyhood Home & Barn 

 We walked past the marker of Catch the Mules and the next-door neighbors, Cash Crops, Never Far from Home, and Legacy of an Outdoor.

We were greeted by the Park Ranger Ivan, Pierson, he told us a little about the farm and he walked around the park with us. We asked him about his college, and he said he was going back to get his master's in History but loved what he was doing.

We thanked him and we rode into the small town of Plains. 

We crossed the railroad tracks and spied the historic marker of President Jimmy Carter.

We stopped at the Train Depot that Carter used as his campaign headquarters when he was running for president.

I took many pictures, inside the depot.

Our next stop was the Plains Museum the former Plains High School.

Jimmy & Roseland Carter

Sitting at the President's desk 

We were greeted at the door and given a paper about the school. We walked through taking pictures and reading posters inside. 

Bought four postcards and was told that we could get them stamped at the post office.

We asked where was a good place to eat and we were told that Mama’s Kitchen 203 Church St Plains Ga.

We rode over to Americus Ga. and ate lunch at Captain D’s on 1305 East Lamar Street Americus, GA 31709. 

I ordered twelve butterflies Shrimp Plate with green beans and a salad. 

My husband ordered a deluxe seafood Platter with baked potato and slaw. 

Next, we rode over to the Charles Lindbergh monument at Souther Field near the airport 

Next, we rode to the historic downtown of Americus to tour the Best Western Plus Windsor Hotel. 

I took pictures of storefronts, the hotel, and the visitor’s center that was inside the hotel.

Inside the hotel was an ice cream shop called Richelle’s Bakery 123 W. Lamar St Americus Ga. 

Richelle’s Bakery

My husband and I share a bowl of vanilla ice cream and two chocolate chip cookies, which cost $5.50.

We rode back to Plains Georgia to the Golden Peanut Company formerly the Carter Warehouse where we tasted the peanut butter ice cream, bought a basket of tomatoes and a bag of peanuts, and spent $9.76.

We drove to the post office where I had my four postcards stamped with the seal that said Hometown of the 39^th president of the USA and 2002 Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Stamp said Plains Ga Jun 19, 2012 AM 3180. Cost $2.14.

Post Cards

 Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm, Plains GaJimmy Carter Boyhood Farm Plains Ga., as a young boy Jimmy Carter lived on a farm Smiles from Plains. Pictures are (1) Commissary and Gardens (2) Jimmy Carter (3) Barn (4) Boyhood Farm.

The Smiling Peanut, (The Smiling Peanut was made for a Carter Rally in Evansville, Indiana, in 1976 and later given to Plains in 1977. It is a favorite spot for photographs and a reminder of the importance the peanut played in Jimmy Carter’s presidential campaign. Jimmy Carter.

Presidents and Mrs. Jimmy Carter at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains Georgia. The Carters returned to their hometown of Plains in 1981 after leaving the White House. 

2008, April 7, Monday, Having fun in the park with grandkids

I picked up Sierra, Montana, and Nevada at their grandmother Clanton’s house.

I had packed a picnic lunch of peanut butter sandwiches, bananas, fruit bowls, and mountain dews. 

We ate lunch at St Florine Park and when we finished we walked the trail.

About mid-way of the trail was a hill of loose dirt

The kids wanted to climb atop the dirt hill and I said they could.

They said granny come up, so I did.

We walked around on top of the dirt pile, we walked up and down several times. 

The kids loved this area. 

We walked around the park and I took pictures. 

I took the kid's picture standing on a bridge next to a statue of an alligator.

Nevada 

Sierra 

Montana

We saw sitting on a stump some tin statue-singing frogs, which intrigued the kids. 

Along the walking trail, we saw a face carved into a tree, it had large marble-like eyes.

I took pictures everywhere in the park of the kids. 

When we finished walking the grandkids played on the playground.
Deibert Park was the next place we went to. 
We walked on the trail there were signs everywhere along the trail about the animals that they one might see along the trail.

Sculptures in Deibert Park

Sculptures in Deibert Park

The kids and I got very hot and so our next stop was McDonald’s for an Oreo’s McFlurry. 

Next, we went to Loaves and Fishes a thrift store in Muscle Shoals.
I let the grandkids pick out five books each and two movies. 

We stopped at train Tressel on the Colbert side of the Tennessee River.
We walked to the end and back by the time we finished  Montana's long curly hair was ringing wet with sweat.

Our next stop was River Heritage Park located next to the Marriott Hotel.
The kids played on the castle and the train playground equipment. 

Stopping for a poise

Having fun at River Heritage Park 

I made pictures of the kids playing and when we were leaving the park we stopped at the waterfall in front of the Marriott hotel.  

My granddaughter called said she needed someone to pick her up at school.

For dinner, I baked potato and the grandkids dressed their potato with cheese, bacon bits and sour cream.

For dessert, I served strawberry pie.

Strawberry pie is Montana's favorite and he ate pie until he said Granny my stomach is about to pop.

Hannah and Sierra went outside to ride scooters.
My grandson Jake came over to pick up his sister Hannah. 

He was hungry so he ate a potato with all the trimmings.
After Jake and Hannah left, I took the other grandkids to Ron's where they played with Ron's Star Wars Dolls. 

We came back home and later that day the grandkids mom came to get them.  

I spent the day with grandkids climbing a dirt hill, hiking, picnicking, walking trails, playing in the park, reading signs and making memories.