🐐🐐🐐🐐2016 April 12, Tuesday, Touring the Belle Chevre Goat Cheese Factory in Elkmont, Alabama

We took highway 64 to Lexington, a beautiful drive up and downhills.
We stopped at Preston's Restaurant for lunch. Hubby was told to arrive before 11:00AM.
We both ordered off the lunch menu.
I ordered white beans, turnip greens, meatloaf, cornbread, onion, and tea.
Hubby ordered white beans, turnip greens, pulled pork, cornbread, and sweet tea.
I gave my meatloaf to hubby. I ate only vegetables.
We both ordered a glass of tea to go

Preston's Restaurant

We continued traveling 14 miles on highway 64.
We turned right on Highway 89 for 2.3 miles.
We turned left on county road 52 for 1.76 miles
We turned left on AL207 for 1.76 miles
We turned slight right on hwy AL99 for 7.63 miles
We turned left on Salem Minor Hill Road hwy 21 for .87 miles
We took the first right on Easter Ferry Rd hwy 104 for 4.97 miles
We turned left to Morris Rd hwy 49 for .06 miles
Stopping at 18849 Upper Fort Hampton Rd. 

I took several pictures of the winding hilly roads as we traveled to Elkmont.
We saw several planted fields and lots of cows and horses. 
We stopped to take pictures of a couple of historic markers.

Sim Corder/Harrison Mil

Sim Corder/Harrison Mil

Sim Corder/Harrison Mill

Simeon Corder is said to have contracted with George Hamilton to build the mill and operate it for him in 1909. The contract was sealed with no more than a handshake. After Corder's death in 1923, his widow sold the mill to Aubrey Todd, who sold it to George Harrison in 1927. Harrison's descendants have owned it since that time. The waterwheel was sold and moved to Anderson, Al. in 1939 where it remained until 1996. After many years of deterioration and after major repairs it was returned to its original position. With a new millrace, the mill was returned to its original appearance. This mill is but one of many that once existed along the waterways of the county, but is the only one restored to its historic appearance thanks to the dedication of its owners.

Sims Settlement 

Sims Settlement

 Sims Settlement 

In the fall of 1806, a group of settlers led by William and James Sims traveled from east Tennessee on flatboats down the Tennessee River and up the Elk River to this area. They landed near Buck Island and spread out into the surrounding countryside, seeking home sites in what they thought was "government" land that would soon be for sale to settlers. The area they settled, covering several square miles, from Elk River to New Garden became known as "Sims Settlement."

The Federal Government had settled the Cherokee claim to the area north of the Tennessee River in 1805, but the Chickasaw Nation maintained a claim to it until 1816. The settlement by the Sims party and others that continued to come to the area was illegal, and they became squatters or "intruders" on Indian land.

The growing number of white settlers entering the area alarmed the Chickasaws who threatened war if the U.S. Federal Government did not remove them. To avoid bloodshed and to placate the Chickasaws, the government sent troops into this area to remove the settlers. This first removal was in April and May of 1809. Most of the settlers returned as soon as the soldiers left, and so the problem continued. (Continued on another side)

In response, the government sent an ultimatum dated August 4, 1810, to the settlers that if they had not left all land west of the Chickasaw boundary by December 15, they would be removed by force. This boundary was surveyed in the fall of 1807, starting at Hobbs Island in Madison County and running diagonally to a point near Maury County in Tennessee. This boundary was the source of all the settlers’ problems because they were on the wrong side of it. Faced with the grave threat issued by the military, the settlers took the only action within their means.

On September 5, 1810, some 450 of them gathered at Sims Settlement and signed a lengthy letter or petition addressed to President James Madison and Congress. In it, they stated the honesty of their intentions, the strength of their character, and made passionate pleas that they are allowed to stay. Even though they described the terrible condition they would be placed in, especially that of the widows and orphans among them, their entire pleading fell on deaf ears, however. The soldiers who were now stationed at the newly established Fort Hampton set about removing the settlers and burning the cabins and rail fences. This continued until 1817, and in 1818, land in Limestone County was finally offered for sale by the government.

canola fields 

We saw canola fields covered with yellow blooms so we stopped to take several pictures.


We finally reached the Belle Chevre Goat Factory. The guided tour started at 1:00PM. While everyone was registering for the walk, my hubby and I walked outside. I took several pictures of the three goats that were housed outside. 

I tried to get a picture of the free ranged chicken but he was camera shy.

When the tour began, we were told the history of the building, and the history of the three goats and then lead into a room to watch a five-minute video.

Our next stop was the making of the cheese. It was one very large room where four women were working.

We saw how they rolled the cheese, cut the cheese, and mixed the cheese. 

We were given a sample of the cheese from the cheese roll.

Everyone was guided back to the front office where we all lined up to sample the different cheeses.

Making the cheese

Chevre Cheese that we took home. 

We each were given a sample of the goat cheese on a popsicle stick. We sampled coffee, honey, cinnamon, fig, original, and one sample of blackberry, jalapeño jelly atop the cheese on a cracker.

We selected the original and cinnamon goat cheese to take home. 
We thanked our tour guide for the tour and the samples.
I took a few pictures of the surrounding area and we took I-65 to Athens and hwy 72 home.

2016 April 5, Tuesday, Touring the Tiffen Motor Home Plant Red Bay, AL

In Tuscumbia, we took Hwy 72 West to 247 south to Red Bay arriving a few minutes before the Tiffen Motor Home tour began. 
Highway 247 was like a roller coaster ride as we were going up and down the hills.
A beautiful spring day where we saw many trees that were turning green while others still naked from the winter.

Traveling down 247 Hwy 

Tiffins has a one hour tour a day tour beginning at 9AM Monday - Friday. 
We were in a group of about twenty people from every walks of life but mostly older people looking to buy their dream travel home. 
For most of us, this will be our last major purchase. 

There was a pot of hot coffee and several friendly faces awaiting everyone as they enter the Visitor Center. 

We were told that we would need a pair of safety glasses to wear as we toured the dusty plant.
We were also given a radio so we could hear our two curators as we walked into the noisy plant. 

We watched a short video about how the Tiffen plant began and how Red Bay got its name. 
Red from the red clay dirt and Bay from the many bay trees located in the area. 

We were also asked what Allegro means. A musical term which means brisk tempo.
Mr. Tiffen's wife was taking music lessons and she suggested the first motorhome be called Allegro so they would not be listed at the end of the telephone book.

Everyone was wearing their safety glasses and listening to their radios, that we were all given, as we followed our tour guides to the plant. 

The Visitor Center had four Texaco Fire-Chief gas pumps, on display when gas prices were seventeen cents a gallon and your gas was pumped into your car for you. 

Under the porch was one of the first Allegro motorhomes built using the Avocado Green Appliances inside the coach. 

Visitor Center

The Slide Out

Cabin Shop 

Plumbing 

Chassis: The rectangular, usually steel frame, supported on springs and attached to the axles, that holds the body and motor ...

Diesel Motor 

Waiting for final inspection

When the tour ended we were told we could tour the many finished motorhomes. 
Some of the motorhomes were inside getting the finishing touches put on while others were outside waiting for a final inspection. 

We walked back to the Visitor Center to use the restroom before beginning our trip home. 
While inside the Visitor Center I picked up a postcard that was a replica of the picture hanging on the wall of the Visitor Center. We were would be told that the postcards were free. 

Depicts the history of Tiffen

We stopped at Jack's for a quick lunch.

We had a wonderful day meeting new people, taking a tour of the Tiffen Plant and the pleasant ride down 247. 

If you are looking to buy a motorhome then you should take a tour. If you order a motorhome from Tiffen you can actually watch the motorhome being made. 

The tour is well worth your time. 

2016 April 2, Saturday Mule Day Parade in Columbia, TN

I once again find myself on the road alone. I rode to Columbia Tennessee to watch the Mule Day parade. I found a parking spot whipped my van into an empty spot. I got my camera, cell phone, coat, and chair and walked across the road. 

I picked out a spot opened my chair and sat down. Decided it was too cold so I went back to the van for my bigger coat. 

Both sides of the road started filling up. 

I went back to my chair and I sat patiently waiting for the parade.

A couple from Sheffield sat right next to me. They said this was the first time coming to the parade. We discussed which direction the parade was coming neither of us sure. 

The woman's husband said he was going to walk down the road to Hardees to use the restroom and for some snacks. 

The woman placed two chairs next to mine and we began to talk. 

It never fails that I meet someone I know or someone from the same area. She asks me where I went to church and I told her thinking she had never heard of our church. Wrong! She knew a couple that had been going to our church for years. It goes to show, that we should behave where ever we go. The Lord is watching us and he is sending his angles to make sure we behave.

The man returned, stayed only a few minutes before he was wearing short pants and he told his wife it was too cold to sit outside so he went back to his car. 

He told his wife to call him on his cell phone when the parade began.

There were over two hundred entries in the parade which made for a very long parade. 

I was taking pictures with my big camera as well as taking videos with my cell phone. 

Once I heard a man say the horse almost sniffed your butt. I had turned around and was taking pictures of the parade that had already passed. I was standing very close to the road so I could get pictures of the parade. The parade started with a motorcycle police escort. Next was men & women dressed in black pants and vest-wearing yellow shirts carrying the US Flag and three other flags. One was red, white and blue with three stars in the middle. May have been the Tennessee State Flag. The other two were different shades of blue. 

Mule Day Parade

Next, we saw the grand marshal riding in a wagon being pulled by two dark gray and black mules.

Next, we saw a couple of brown mules pulling the first, second, third and fourth runners-up of the Mule Day court. The girls were dressed in orange, green, purple and white gowns
Next was a couple of white mules pulling a red wagon.
We saw wagons being pulled by one mule, two mules, three mules, and four mules. 
We saw people riding mules, horses, & ponies in every shape and color. 
We saw a young girl dressed in blue, she was riding a brown and white horse, and she was waving to the crowd. Many riders were dressed in western attire. Many of the horses and mules were harnessed in black,& silver.
There was a couple of riders pulling a horse without a rider. They said that they lost their rider. 

We saw floats, horses, and riders.
We saw a 1394 train with wheels rolling down the road. 

We saw a bright blue Corvette in the parade.
We saw a man wearing a red, white and blue flag shirt. He had an American flag hanging on the back of his wagon, that was pulled my two miniature mules. 
He was wearing a smile on his face. 

Mule Day Parade

We saw a group of very scary clowns. Their float turns at the entrance of the academy just before they reached us. 

Mule Day Parade

We saw a man riding a brown mule he was wearing a red shirt and a long white beard. He could be Santa Clause at Christmas. 

We saw a girl riding a horse with orange hoofs, orange ears and tail.
We saw a float with "Old George" a mule and a man singing.
We saw an all white male with orange hoofs. 
We saw a wagon train. 

Mule Day Parade

In the distance, we could see the wagon train, the crowds of people watching the parade passed as it crossed the highway headed up the hill to the Maury County Park. 

Mule Day Parade

A very pretty pair of mules

Many riders had their pets

Many different riders

We had riders in jail

We saw a team of mules pulling a HURST

There were many who loved getting their picture taken while others turned away or covered their face with their hats. 

The kids jumped for joy when they saw Spongebob Square Pants.

the kids also loved Batman and Wonder Woman

We saw a horse performing tricks

We saw mules wearing overhauls

What a day! What a great parade!
If you missed this parade be sure to tune in for the next one!

2016 April 1, Friday, Mule Day in Columbia, Tennessee

I started the day with a Pedi-Manicure, which I immensely enjoyed. Next to get an adjustment with the Chiropractor. Next, I stopped at Chick-fil-a for 4 pieces grilled chicken nuggets & a small strawberry milkshake. (used my cow card). As if that was not enough sugar for the day, I went to Krispy Kreme for a cup of donut holes.

Still had enough time to ride to Columbia Tennessee for mule day.
I had a great time watching the mules pull the wagons. I took pictures of several pictures of corralled Mules. 

Mule Day in Columbia 

Mule Day in Columbia 

The parking lot was muddy so I parked on the pavement several blocks away. 

The day was overcast but that did not stop people from coming.
Lots of people.
One of the Arenas was covered in mud and could not be used.
I only stayed a couple of hours and I did not check out the vendor's wares.
Three little girls stood beside me at the railing of the arena. On little girl ask me if they were giving pony rides. I said I did not know but I saw several children petting a poney.

One little girl kept calling the mules horses and I said, honey, they are not horses, they are mules. I don't think she knew the difference.
Her sister said sis are you making a friend.
The little girl said my mom and dad are back behind us.
The little girls walked away and all three came back with a plate full of
funnel cakes. This kept the little girl quite for a while.
I walked back through the corralled mules for one last look and left. 

I stopped at Long John Silvers in Lawrenceburg for a Fried Cod meal and a Seafood meal. 

Hubby and I talked about going to First Friday tonight but both were too tired.

We decided to watched Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy on TV instead. 

🎄🎄🎄🎄2010 December 28,Tuesday, Christmas decorations at Opryland Hotel in Nashville

Trip to Opryland Hotel Nashville, Tn

Tuesday, December 28, 2010 

Hubby Sierra and I rode to Nashville, Tennessee.

We stopped at store number 134 Cracker Barrel in Franklin Tennessee for lunch. Hubby ordered a  Rib Eye Steak, a baked potato, a salad, cost @12.99 Ice tea $1.89.

Sierra ordered a kid's fried chicken tender meal with Mac and cheese, and a doctor pepper to drink it cost $4.49.

I ordered a Kids grilled chicken tender meal, with green beans, onion, chow, chow, cornbread and ice tea with lemon to drink cost was $4.49.

For dessert we all shared, and the Apple Dumpling cost was $3.79.

I bought two 22 oz Wood Wick Candles, one was Candied Berry and the other was Pumpkin Butter.

To park for one day at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel is Eighteen dollars. 

Hubbyparked as close as he could get to the walkway.

We went inside the hotel where we saw many Christmas lights and displays that was in the gardens. Some of the displays had already been removed. The trees of Christmas and the Nativity Scene were no longer there.

There was a cheerleading competition going on. There were girls there with their parents signing in at the Tennessee Ballroom.

Sierra and I rode the Delta Queen River Boats it cost nine dollars plus tax. Our Ticket numbers were 5228935, 5228936.

Hubby did not want to ride so he waited for us. 

Fruit Tree

 Christmas tree made with poinsettias

Jack Daniels

Standing on the grand staircase

Sitting in the gardens

Along the waterway were several plaques telling about the blending of the waters. On July 28, 1996, water from more than 1,700 sites around the world was blended into the Delta River, commemorating the opening of Phase IV, the Delta at Opryland Hotel Convention Center. 

There were also several plaques describing the fish that were in the Delta River. 

They were a Blue Catfish, Blue Gill, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Common Carp, and American EEL.

There was another sign that said,” Delta River Fish” You cannot get any nearer the country music than inside the walls of the nearby Ole Opry, and if you traveled all fifty US states you couldn’t step inside one that had a greater diversity of freshwater fish, over 300 species than Tennessee

We walked around I took pictures of everything. 

We saw poinsettia everywhere displayed in several different sizes, shapes, and colors. There was a musical fountain and several waterfalls. 

We saw decorations hanging from the ceiling, hot air balloons, characters, and lights. We saw a sign that read,” Jack Daniels Tapping the Barrel in February 2011.” 

There were several fruit trees in the gardens.  

We saw a Coconut Tree, a Bosnia Tree, and others. 

There were several restaurants throughout the hotel, along with many different stores and display windows.

One window display was the Tennessee Titans and the North Carolina Football teams.

Some of the stores we saw were Opry Shop, Sunny G a Children’s Boutique, Stax, Delta Island Mezzanine, Solario, Ravello, The Falls, Conservatory Bar, Cocoa Bean, and Findley’s Irish Pub.

There was a  forty foot Christmas tree, (Delta Atrium) and two Christmas trees made with poinsettias. (One in the Magnolia Lobby) 

Outside was a very large Christmas tree that was made of stringed lights with Poinsettia all around it? 

Outside were a Nativity Scene and the reading of the birth of Christ.

The Manger Scene

Reading of the Birth of Christ

Christmas Tree outside

We enjoyed several hours at the Opryland Hotel.

We went to the  Bass Pros Shop it was not as big as the one in Kodak TN. 

We stopped in Columbia Tennessee and we ate supper at Taco Bell. 

ï Magnolia – The original lobby and retail area of the hotel. Currently features “The District” and Grand Staircase, modeled after the Tara from Gone With the Wind.

ï Garden Conservatory – The first atrium constructed, considered by many to be the heart of the hotel. Several weddings take place in the Garden Conservatory’s romantic setting each year, near the Lion head Fountain and Crystal Gazebo.

ï Cascades – The second atrium constructed. Features the rotating Cascades Terrace Lounge as well as Wasabi (a Japanese sushi restaurant) and the hotel’s largest waterfalls. Connects to the main lobby, which is where the main, and only, the registration desk is located.

ï Delta – The third and largest atrium constructed. Currently the center of activity at Gaylord Opryland Home to the Delta River, several retail stores, a few eateries, and Gaylord Opryland’s finest restaurant, the Old Hickory Steakhouse. This area of the hotel also features a connection to Opry Mills Shopping Mall. The Delta Project was the main inspiration for the company’s expansion into other markets.

ï Convention Center – The largest convention area in Tennessee with three main exhibit areas and five ballrooms

🎄🎄🎄🎄2010 December 19, Sunday, Reading of A Christmas Carol & Christmas Party 🎄🎄🎄

Trees of Christmas

I took Sierra  to the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art where on display was The Trees of Christmas. They are 12-foot spruce and fir trees decorated in themes by local residents at the art center, 511 N. Water St., Tuscumbia. Free Sundays 1-3 PM 

The curator told us about the drawings and display of the singing river sculptures that were on display created by artist Audwin McGee.

Still in its infant stages, the Singing River Sculptures are planned as four semi-abstract sculptures — one each in Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia — placed in highly visible spots, Matthews said, such as a city entryway. The capstone of the project will be a cluster of about seven to nine sculptures overlooking the river.

Created from recycled aluminum donated by Wise Alloys, a producer of aluminum can stock based in Muscle Shoals, the pieces' sizes would range in respect to their locations. The goal is for each to be larger than life, about 18 to 20 feet tall.

After view, the sculptures we visited the 12-foot spruce and fir trees decorated in different themes by locals. 

One was decorated to honor the firemen it was decorated with fireman hats, Dalmatians dogs, candy canes, fire trucks, roped in do not cross the line, fire suites, badges, and etc

One was decorated with ice cream cones, roped in red and white-stripped paper, large and small lolled pops, candy, and dolls 

One tree was decorated with large and small red and gold balls, poinsettias, keys, roped in lights, bells and packages, presents under the tree and a big red ribbon streaming from the top.

One Christmas tree was decorated with bubbling lights roped with colorful lights, dangling icicles, reminded me of an old fashion Christmas tree.

The Trees of Christmas

The Trees of Christmas

One Christmas tree was decorated all in gold, with gold balls, lights, and toped with a large gold ribbon streaming down to the floor. It had packages under the tree, it reminded me of a luxury Christmas tree. 

One Christmas tree was decorated in string, bird nest, and pinecones, roped in tiny white lights, Christmas in the Country. 

One Christmas tree was decorated with cards, books, USA maps, times, ABC’s, Cat in the Hat Books, encouraging children to read with books under the tree. 

One Christmas tree was decorate with lambs, sheep, roped in tiny white lights, bible scriptures on lamb cards, toped with a large sheep. Under the tree more sheep and lambs. 

One Christmas tree was decorated with angles, musical instruments, roped with string wooden beads, and toped with lots of icicles spiraling toward the ceiling. Under the tree were several brown bears wearing shirts with “Alabama Dirt Shirt” written on them and they were sitting in a wicker chair more of a country Christmas. 

Once during the Christmas Holidays you can visit the Helen Keller Home for Free. 

 Helen Keller Home 

 Helen Keller Home 

Donations are welcome. 

Home Tour Admission:

Adults...$6.00

Students  5-18..................$2.00

Seniors & "AAA" members...$5.00

Military (Active and Retired)...$5.00

Group of 20 or more..................Adults $5

Children $1.50 (Group reservations requested)

Sierra and I walked through Ivy Green home of Helen Keller it was decorated for Christmas.

The decorations are taken from the grounds of Ivy Green. 

We toured the first floor Parlor, the dining room, the hall, Captain Keller’s bedroom, Evalines bedroom, upstairs Anne & Helen’s Bedroom, the Trunk Room, and the Boys room. 

Each room was connected by a hallway and each room had its own fireplace. The home was build by Helen’s grandparents David and Mary Keller in 1820. The grounds consist of Rose Garden, Cottage, Boxwood Circle, Cook’s House, Well, Herb Garden, Butterfly Garden, Memorial Stone, New Zealand Gate, and Japanese Garden. 

We finished touring the Keller Home and we rode to the Sheffield Library for the reading of A Christmas Carol by Will Stutts. 

Will Stutts did a solo of the reading of Charles Dickens a Christmas 

We saw, A Very Merry American Christmas tree 

The library had a Christmas tree donated by LE Wilson Elementary Art Classes.

It had a sign that read," This tree is dedicated to Whit & Genie."

Love and their daughters, Tabitha & Kayla 

Bless you for your kind and generous sprits

Merry Christmas

Along the side was written Rudolph, Santa Claus, Christmas Trees, The star of Bethlehem, Jesus, and Frosty the Snowman. 

The Sheffield Library had Christmas cookies and hot apple cider for refreshments. 

Will Stutts solo reading of Charles Dickens a Christmas

Christmas Tree and Cookies at Sheffield Library 

Will Stutts did a solo of the reading of Charles Dickens a Christmas Carol. 

He did a very good job and he kept my attention.

I was happy to say that I loved to listen to him read. His voice changed with each character and he followed throughout the reading. 

I had a very enjoyable afternoon. 

Sierra and I stopped at Krispy Kreme for two-dozen donuts.

We went to Sam’s Club for a pizza, a chocolate cake, cheese dip, which we brought  home for our Christmas party.

For our Christmas Party we had chili, cocktail wieners, chocolate cake, donuts, crackers, chips, cheese dip, and drinks.

When everyone finished eating, we retired into the living room where the kids played board games, monopoly, checkers, and twister.

Christmas presents were passed out.  

Lora, Stephanie, and a friend came but her kids did not come. 

Montana called out the colors for twister while Lora and her friends played the game.

I had my camera out and took lots of pictures.

It was very nice of Tracy to share her home with our family.

Thank you Tracy

Christmas Party at Tracy's 

Playing games