2020 Aug 14, Twister in Arkansas

Last night, I was watching Twister with Helen Hunt when I recalled visiting a museum that simulated a tornado but could not remember where. So, hubby and I searched the internet for museums that simulated tornados. 

I take pictures everywhere we go, and when we finally remember where the museum was located, I go into my photo file and find these photos. 

Hubby and I love to travel and visit museums. It is so sad right now because most of the museums are closed because of the COVID-19 virus.

Museum of Discovery's Tornado Alley Theater provides a riveting 7-minute experience for museum visitors as they relive the tornado that devasted the Governor's Mansion district area in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas, in January 1999.

Here, we heard stories of people who survived the storm while watching television footage of the event that was broadcast that fateful day on channel THV 11.

We could feel the rumble and roar as the simulated tornado passed in Tornado Alley theater, sponsored by All Clean USA Restoration Services. 

You can stand inside this simulation. 

Tornado Information for Little Rock, Arkansas

Little Rock, AR, is a Very High-Risk area for tornados. According to records, the largest tornado in the Little Rock area was an F4 in 2014 that caused 193 injuries and 16 deaths. *Tornado risk is calculated from the destruction path that has occurred within 30 miles of the location.

2020 Jan 27, Enjoying a warm winter's day

It was so nice to finally see 👀the sun today, with a nip of cold air still about. I have not been out much because of the cold winter rain. 

I rode to the Rock Pile at TVA Dam, hoping to see an eagle and maybe some waterfowl.

I saw a few waterfowl but no eagles. 

I met  Steve Lovell, a great photographer who has a website on Facebook where he posts some of his photographs.

TVA Dam & Waterfowl 

I stopped at the TVAM to view the art on display that was donated by Wanda and Bill Isom. 

Every room was filled with art that they had collected over the years. One room was filled with Japanese block art. 

The hall was filled with the art of birds. 

The Main gallery was full of large lithography of birds. 

In the back room was a variety of art, including a Norman Rockwell piece and a Van Gogh piece. 

Loved the displays.

White Muted Swan

Canadian Geese 

Domestic geese

My next stop was Spring Park ( Growing up, I spent many hours playing at this park).

Spring Park has a man-made waterfall that is fed by a spring that flows into the pond below. 

Permanent residents are two Muted White Swans.

Other waterfowl that can be found here are Black Muscovy Ducks, White  Muscovy Ducks, Domestic Ducks, Mallard Ducks, Canadian Geese, and others. 

It's a great place to get pictures of waterfowl. 

We had a lot of rain this year, and Spring Park was flooded. A couple of rides were completely covered in water and are no longer in use.  

My granddaughter-in-law owns a beauty school in Sheffield, so I stopped in to visit with her and my great-grandson. Hayne is just a doll, so cute, lovable, and sweet. 

Big Box of Chicken and fixin' from Bojangles

Hubby would be home from work soon, so I stopped at Bojangles to pick up a box of chicken and the fixings for supper. 🍗

It was a beautiful day, not too hot or not too cold. 

Hope we have more days like today.

Visiting Cemeteries

Antioch Cemetery Killen(Dec 9, 2003) June 9, 1997 

Anderson Cemetery Anderson (June 30, 2015) 

Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, VA (Nov 8, 2002) 

Ashberry Shiloh Cemetery Pigeon Forge TN (Nov 17, 2009

Atlas Cemetery Killen(Aug 27, 2003)

Athens Old town Cemetery Athens(April 17, 2016)

Athens Cemetery Athens(April 17, 2016)

Barbe Cemetery Lula, MS (Jan 17, 201) 

Barton Cemetery Barton, AL(July 30, 2009) 

Barnett Cemetery Lexington, AL(Mar 13, 2009)

Canerday Cemetery Florence, AL (Jan 23, 2003)

Cedar Grove (Nov 29, 2016) AUG 8, 1998

Center Hill Cemetery (Feb 12, 2009)

Chattanooga National Cemetery (Mar 22,2015)

Clemmons Cemetery (Aug 28, 2003)

Coffee Cemetery Florence(Sept 8, 2010) (April 10,2015)

Colbert Memorial Cemetery Tuscumbia(Oct 18,1997)

Coon Dog Cemetery Cherokee(July 30, 2009)

Corinth National Cemetery Corinth, MS(Sept 1, 2016) 

Cox Tidwell Killen(Feb 25, 2004 89photo)

Crowell Family Cemetery Fort Mitchell, AL (July 12, 2011)  

Demorest Cemetery Michigan(Aug 7,1998)

East Dayton Cemetery Dayton, MI(Aug 8, 1998)

Florence Cemetery (May 16, 2013)(May 14,2013)(May 3,2010)(2009 June 19) (Mar 11, 2009)(Oct 20, 2009) (June 19, 2009) (July 18, 2009) (May 3, 2014)

Fort Mitchell Fort Mitchel, Al (July 12, 2011

Forks Cypress Jackson Cemetery Florence, AL(June 7, 2009)

Glencoe Cemetery Tuscumbia, AL (June 24, 2016)

Glendale Cemetery Leighton April 3, 2008, Oct 18, 1997

Greenhill Cemetery Greenhill, AL Oct 4, 2003)

Greenview Florence, AL 

Grounds Cemetery at Hermitage, TN (Sep 25, 2010)

Hale Cemetery Killen, AL (Dec 12, 2003)

Harden Cemetery Killen, AL (Dec 6, 2006)

Harrison Cemetery Killen, AL (July 31, 2010)

Harrison Little Berry Cemetery Killen, AL 

Henry Stutts Cemetery Killen(Feb 20, 2009)

Hickory Flats Cemetery Lexington(Feb 2, 2004)

Hill Cemetery Killen(Jan 25, 2004)

Hugh McVay Moore Cemetery Florence(Sept 8, 2010)

Hunts Hill Cemetery, MS 17, 2012 

Jackson Tennessee Cemetery Wayne Co TN(Mar 12, 2003)

Jacksonburg Cemetery Florence(Oct 5, 2005)

JOE Wheeler Cemetery Pond Springs, AL(April 17, 2013)

Killen Baptist Church Cemetery Killen April 11, 1999 

Killen Cemetery Killen(Jan 30, 2009)

LaGrange Cemetery LaGrange, AL (Nov 21, 2009)

Lone Cedar Cemetery Florence(Jan 12, 2009)

Loretta Cemetery Loretta, TN(Aug 21, 2003 7photo)

Maple Hill Cemetery Huntsville, AL (Oct 17, 2010) (May 4, 2010)(Oct 18, 2009) (2009 Aug 25) (Oct 13, 2013)

Maple Hill Cemetery Helena, AR (Jan 17,2012) 

Mimosa Cemetery Lawrenceburg, TN (Oct 22,2016)

Mt Hermon Savannah, TN (June 22, 1997)

Mt Pleasant Tn 

Mt Zion Cemetery Florence, AL(Aug 13, 2003,) (Sept 6, 1997)

North Carolina Cemetery Killen Sept 21, 2003, May 31, 1997, July 11, 1998

Oak Grove Paducah, KY (Sept 14, 2011)

Oakwood Cemetery Montgomery, AL (Oct 11, 2013) 

Oakwood Annex Montgomery, AL (Oct 11, 2013)

Oakwood Sheffield Cemetery, AL (Sept 6, 2010)(July 27, 2009)(Mar 12,2003)

Oakwood Tuscumbia Cemetery(May 14, 2013)(Oct 21, 2009)(July 27, 2009),(April 25, 2015)(Oct 18, 1997)

Peck Cemetery Killen(Dec 12, 2003)

Pettus Cemetery Lexington, AL 

Piney Grove Cemetery Hardin County, TN June 22, 1997

Rogers Chapel Zip City, AL 

Rogers Williams Cemetery Providence, RI (July 20, 2014) 

Sadler Cemetery Russellville, Al (Oct 1, 2013)

Saint Margaret’s Cemetery Montgomery, Al (Oct 11, 2013)

Shaw Cemetery Leighton, AL(Oct 18, 1997)

Shiloh National Cemetery Shiloh, TN (Sept 1, 2009)

Tabernacle Cemetery Greenhill, Al(Aug 24, 2003) (Aug 2003)

Union Springs, Ga Cemetery (April 22, 2007)

Wade Cemetery (Mar 21, 2003) (Sept 24, 2009), (June 22, 1997)

Wesley Cemetery Central, Al(Feb 26, 2004) (June 9, 1997)

Winston Cemetery Tuscumbia, AL(July 27, 2009) 

Wilson Cemetery St Florian, Al (Oct 21, 2009)

2002-2019, Trolley, Strolls and Walking Tours

2002 Jun 3,  Henry Pigeon Key Trolley Express Marathon, Fl 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMiuKeKbIr8

2002 Jun 4,  Old Town Trolley Tour Key West, Fl

2004 May 25, Backlot Tour Disney MGM 

2006 Jul 9,  Scenic Boat Tour Winter Park, Fl

2009

2009 Jun 6,  Walking tour Wood Ave. Florence, AL Lee Freeman

2009 Jun 13, Walking Tour Seminary St Florence, AL with Billy Warren

The North Court Street and Seminary street Tour will feature Rogers Hall, Coby Hall, the Governor O'Neal Home, Connor Place, Wakefield, the Robert Dean Martin Home, the Medical Arts Building Pope's Tavern, two Sears & Roebuck houses, and many other homes.

2009 Jun 20, Walking Tour Florence Cemetery AL.with Harry Wallace

2009 Jun 27, Forks of Cypress Walking Tour Florence, AL Harry Wallace

The Forks of Cypress Plantation was one of the oldest Antebellum mansions in Alabama. It was built in 1822 by James Jackson, one of the first settlers in Lauderdale County and a friend of Andrew Jackson & Jackson Cemetery.

2009 Sep 7, Walking Tour with Outlaw Tom Clark Florence, AL with Lee Freeman

2009 Oct 18, Maple Hill Cemetery Stroll Huntsville, AL 

The lives of over 65 notables buried in Maple Hill have been carefully researched, remembered, and told by volunteers. Five governors and soldiers from every war will be remembered, as well as outstanding citizens and those of some notoriety who shaped Huntsville's future.

2009 Oct 25, Ghost Walking Tour Florence, AL Deborah Glass

2009 Nov  7, Hiking in the Dismals Red Bay, Al 

2009 Dec 17, Calvary Fellowship Church Walking Tour Florence, Al

2009 Dec 17, Wood Avenue Church of Christ Walking Tour Florence, Al  

2009 Dec 17, First Presbyterian Church Walking Tour Florence, Al 

2009 Dec 17, First United Methodist Church Walking Tour Florence, Al

2009 Dec 17, Trinity Episcopal Church Walking Tour Florence, Al

2009 Dec 6,  Christmas Mooresville, AL Walking Tour w/Madison, Marcus 

2010 

2010 Mar 22, Walnut Street Walking Tour Florence, AL Billy Warren  The Walnut Street Historic District boasts tree-lined sidewalks, diverse architecture, and elegant homes.

2010 May 10, Maple Hill Cemetery Stroll Huntsville, AL

Favorite characters Tallulah Bankhead and Mollie Teal drew their typical large crowds as Bankhead, the legendary actress, visited her mother's grave and Teal, a madam whose establishment became the first Huntsville Hospital, discussed her life.

Volunteer Jan Dorning also drew a large crowd as Elizabeth Dale Gibbons Flanagan Jeffries High Brown Routt, known as the "Black Widow of Hazel Green." Her second of six husbands is buried in the cemetery.

2010 Jun 5,  Walking Tour of Homes Huntsville, AL 

2010 Jun 12, Delano Walking Tour Decatur, AL 

2010 Aug 12, Historic Edenton, N.C. Trolley Tours

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VUyh8bypwA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkDGLI6aYnM

2010 Oct 10, Maple Cemetery Stroll HUNTSVILLE, AL

2012

2012 Sep 13, Freedom Trail Guided Tour Boston, MA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdJx_nMi5XM

2013

2013 Apr 6,  Walking Tour Tuscumbia, AL 

2013 Apr 13, Walking Tour Homes and Earth Day Sheffield, AL Jimmy Austin 

2013 Apr 20, Walking Tour Walnut Street Florence, AL Billy Warren

2013 Oct 13, Maple Hill Cemetery stroll Huntsville, AL 

Highlights from the Maple Hill Cemetery Stroll presented by the Huntsville Pilgrimage Association and the City of Huntsville. This year's characters highlighted are Maria Howard Weeden, COL Daniel R. Hundley, Thomas Freeman, Sheriff Stephen Neal, Susan Bradley Johnson, and Mammy Chapman. Portrayers include J.W. Kennedy, Jon Stieglitz, Claire Aiello, Dr. Patricia Sims, Linda Wright Riley, and James Henley. The Stroll is the effort of the HPA to restore headstones, monuments, and memories of the historic Maple Hill Cemetery.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_EiU-xQlRE

2013 Oct 19, Walking Tour Rogersville, AL 

2013 Nov 16, Walking Tour Civil War Florence, Al (Lee Freeman)

2013 Dec 18, Callaway Gardens Trolley Tour Pine Mountain, Ga

2014

2014 Apr 5,  Walking Tour North Montgomery Sheffield, AL Homes of prominent people of Sheffield. Jimmy Austin 

2014 Jul 20, Walking Tour Lovecraft College Hill Providence, RI

2014 Nov 15, Footsteps of the Blue & Gray Walking Tour Florence, AL (Lee Freeman)

2015

2015 Apr 11, Walking Tour Tuscumbia & Car Show AL

2015 Apr 18, Walking Tour Major Samuel Jones Tuscumbia & Civil War 

Trolley Tour Florence, AL

2015 Apr 25, Walking Tour Tuscumbia Oakwood Cemetery AL

2015 May 9,  Trolley Tour Fame, Music Hall of Fame, 3614 Swamper (Judy Hood)

2015 Jun 27, Tuscumbia Tour & Music Church of Helen Keller

2015 Nov 28, Trolley Tour Biloxi, MS

2016

2016 Apr 9,  Historic Downtown Square Walking Tour Athens, AL

2016 Apr 16, Walking Tour UNA Campus Florence, AL Thomas Hale 

The Historic University of North Alabama campus tour will feature iconic buildings such as Wesleyan Hall, which pre-dates the Civil War, and the Memorial Amphitheater, which is a memorial to UNA students who served in the military during the war. A tour of UNA’s campus would not be complete without stopping by to see the impressive habitat of the university’s lion mascots. The tour will be led by Thomas Hale.

2016 Apr 23, Historic Home TROLLEY Tour South Pittsburg, TN (Cornbread festival)

2016 Apr 17, Historic Athens Cemetery Stroll ATHENS, AL The event is presented by the Athens-Limestone County Tourism, Order of the Confederate Rose, and Sons of the Confederate Veterans.

2016 Jun 25, Walking Tour Tuscumbia & Church

2016 July 23, Up From Slavery Trolley Tour with Lee Freeman

This will be an educational and entertaining tour that will include stops at historically African American churches, schools, and local businesses.

2017

2017 Apr 1,  Historic Beaty District Walking Tour Athens, AL with Billy Ward 

2017 Apr 8,  Historic Houston District Walking Tour Athens, AL

2017 Apr 15, Church Walking Tour Decatur, AL  with Phil Wirey

2017 Apr 22, Larimore House Florence, Al Walking Tour with Billy Warren

2017 Apr 23, Athens City Cemetery Stroll Athens, AL The event is presented by the Athens-Limestone County Tourism, Order of the Confederate Rose, and Sons of the Confederate Veterans.

Many local, well-known faces will be partaking in the storytelling during the day’s event, including Billy Ward, Dr. Robert Glenn, Karen Middleton, Rebekah Davis, Deborah Kohlase, Glenn Hall, Peggy Allen Towns, Frank Travis, and many more.  Citizens throughout North Alabama have answered the call to bring Limestone County’s history to life.

2017 Apr 29, Historic Bank Street Decatur, Al

2017 Dec 10, Bethlehem Walk Mable Hill Baptist Church Ardmore, Al

Children and adults will enjoy the live menagerie of animals, and all ages will appreciate the story from the actors who clad themselves in robes, headdresses, armor, and leather and pause to tell the tale to travelers. 

2018 

2018 Apr 7,  Wilson Park, Federal Courtroom, Kennedy-Douglas Walking Tour Florence, Al Billy Warren

2018 Apr 21, Decatur Veterans Dedication at Train Depot Decatur, Al

2018 Apr 28, Walking Tour Athens State University Library, Delmore Museum and Founders Hall Athens, Al

2018 Aug 7,  Trolley Tour Little Rock, Arkansas

2028 Nov 3, Fork of Cypress Tour with Harry Wallace

2018 Nov 4,  Athens City Cemetery Stroll Athens, AL

2019

2019 Apr 6,  Sheffield, AL Walking Tour of Historic Homes Jimmy Austin The free tour begins at 10 a.m. at Sheffield City Hall, 600 N. Montgomery Ave. The 2-hour tour will focus on historic homes along Montgomery Ave. 

2019 Apr 27, Historic Downtown Walking Tour Sheffield, AL Jimmy AustinThe free tour begins at 10 a.m. at Sheffield City Hall, 600 N. Montgomery Ave. The 2-hour tour will focus on historic commercial buildings along Montgomery Ave. 

2019 May 23, Trolley Tour Faith of our Fathers Churches Tuscumbia, Al

2019 May 25, Music Trolley Tour Sheffield with Colbert Tourism "We Rock the World" Muscle Shoals Sound, Cypress Moon, & Earl Montgomery Museum (Colbert Tourism)

2019 Oct 19, Finding Huntsville, AL Walking Tour with Carol Cordori

2021

2021 Apr 3,  Florence, AL Cemetery Walking Tour with Harry Wallace 

The tour of the Florence City Cemetery, established in 1818, features many unique headstones and famous grave sites among the rolling hills and towering trees. Florence City Cemetery contains graves belonging to early settlers, two former governors in the O'Neal family, along with other prominent community leaders and families.  

2021 Apr 10, Sheffield, AL  Downtown Walking Tour Jimmy Austin 

The April 10 and 24 tours will focus on businesses along Montgomery Avenue south of City Hall.

2021 Apr 17, Mooresville, Alabama Walking Tour with Shirley or Susan Mooresville is the oldest town in Alabama, with the oldest post office still in operation. Participants can tour the six streets of homes and see the famous 1818 Farm. The entire 1-square-mile town of Mooresville is on the National Historic Registry.

2021 Apr 24, Donnell House Athens, Alabama Tour Built in 1845, it served as the headquarters for Union Colonel Ivan Turchin during the infamous Sack of Athens in 1862, guide Alice Tiller 

2021 May 31, Wildflower Hike Joe Wheeler with Sam Woodford JWSP

2021 Sep 16, Paw Paw Patch Hike Joe Wheeler JWSP Sam Woodford

2021 Oct 15, Mushroom Hike Joe Wheeler JWSP Sam Woodford

2022

2022 Jan 15, First Day Hike Joe Wheeler Multi-Use Trail JWSP Sam Woodford

2022 Feb 19, Multi-Purpose Hike Joe Wheeler JWSP Sam Woodford

2022 Apr 9,  Moulton, Alabama Walking Tour (Marvin Jackson,  Nita Marlboro led the discussion at Rosenwald School, Lela Reeves at Freeman Tabernacle, Louise Jackson at Byler Road Church of Christ, and Carolyn Fletcher guided the tour to Smith Chapel)

2022 Apr 16, Decatur, AL Cemetery Walking Tour with Phil Wirey

Oakwood Cemetery, locally known as the Decatur City Cemetery, has been the final repository of Decatur’s culture and history since 1855. The approximately fifty-acre burial ground, founded by the Calvin Brown family, a family which has laid to rest five generations of Decatur residents, is the final home of many of Decatur’s most prominent and interesting citizens. There are more than two dozen notable burials in the cemetery. The tour begins at the chapel in the cemetery located at 1001 Wilson St. NW.

2022 Apr 23, Madison, AL Historic District Walking Tour with Gerald Clark 

2022 Apr 30, UNA Walking Tour with Billy Warren FLORENCE, AL 

UNA Campus: The tour will begin in front of the Harrison Plaza Fountain and be led by Billy Warren, City Historian, at 10:00 a.m.The

The Historic University of North Alabama campus tour will feature iconic buildings such as Wesleyan Hall, which pre-dates the Civil War, and the Memorial Amphitheater, a memorial to UNA students who served in the military during the war. 

2022 Apr 30, Town Creek, Alabama Walking Tour 

2022 May 21, Champion Hiking Trail Joe Wheeler JWSP Sam Woodford

2022 June 11, Walnut Street Architecture Walking Tour with BILLY WARREN FLORENCE, AL

2022 Sep 24, Paw Paw Patch Hike JWSP Sam Woodford

2022 Oct 24, Hiking JWSP Sam Woodford

2022 Oct 30, UNA Class of History Tours of Maple, Cypress Hills, and Woodland Homes WITH HARRY WALLACE FLORENCE, AL 

2023

2023 Apr 15, Cullman, AL Walking Tour (Our tour guide was Ben Johnson South(a descendant of Creek Indians). 

2023 Apr 29, Decatur, AL Garden Tour, and Historic Homes Tour led by Historic Decatur Association (The tour begins at Westminster Presbyterian Church, located at 801 Jackson St, SE. )

2023 Oct 22, Historic Trolley Tours Sheffield, Al Jimmy Austin

2023 NOV 4, ALL SAINTS WALKING TOUR FLORENCE, AL with Lee Freeman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9F66rDwjCE

2024

2024 APR 6, WALKING TOUR TWICKENHAM HUNTSVILLE, AL, led by  Denise Swain

2023 Apr 20, Courtland Walking Tour Courtland, AL

2024 October 13, Walking tour Charlottetown, PEI Canada