2021 Sep 16, Paw Paw Patch Hike Joe Wheeler

 Our hike began at the Champion trail, which begins at the West end of the Lodge parking lot. (1 mile; Elevation: 566.76 ft./628.17 ft.)

Today at 10 AM, we went on a Paw Paw Patch hike led by Sam Woodruff.  A family of five, 2 girls and one boy, they lived and traveled in a fifth wheel and traveled all over the USA. He was ex-military. A woman from Florence got too hot while hiking. Everyone stopped hiking while Sam went to get a golf cart and take the woman to her car.  He made sure she was okay before leaving her. We then continued our hike. 

We saw many different wild mushrooms, wildlife flowers, and a couple of ripe pawpaws. The little redheaded boy found a rubber snake in a tree. Sam said he had put several along the trail on a previous hike for school children to find.

 

Sam identified several mushrooms and plants on the hike. 

Seeds from the Paw Paw Patch
One of the tastiest late-season rewards for hikers and wildlife alike is the pawpaw fruit, which begins to ripen in late summer and peaks in September and October. The flavor of pawpaw fruit is often compared to bananas but with hints of mango, vanilla, and citrus. The fruit has the ungainly appearance of a small green potato and may occur in clusters on the tree. Despite pawpaw’s prevalence in NCR forests, successfully foraging for its fruits can be a challenge. Pawpaw is self-incompatible, which means that pollen produced on a plant cannot pollinate flowers on the same plant. Instead, to produce fruit, a pawpaw flower must receive pollen from flowers on another tree, and sometimes, this “other tree” is farther away than it may appear at first glance! Although pawpaws frequently grow in clusters (think pawpaw patch), the trees in a patch are often genetically identical and connected underground by roots (and thus, in biological terms, are a single plant). Nonetheless, pawpaw’s pollinators (which include flies and beetles) inevitably pollinate some flowers, and fruit hunters may eventually find a tree with fruit. Opossums, foxes, squirrels, raccoons, and birds are all known to enjoy pawpaw and are likely to be closely watched for ripe fruits. Still, pawpaw fruit can often be found by closely surveying the ground underneath a fruiting tree.

Sam holding a couple of Paw Paws and
the little Red-headed boy who was a member of our hike 

Crab Apple Tree
The animals that eat crab apples are rabbits, squirrels, mice, voles, rats, foxes, deer, and insects. They also eat the seeds, buds, and leaves of this fruit. Crab apples are also used to attract birds, and they are also used to make bird feeders.

Shelve Mushrooms 

2021 Oct 15, National Mushroom Hike at Joe Wheeler

 Today at 10AM, I took a hike on the Jimmy Sims Birding Trail with a group of people led by Sam Woodroof, park ranger for Joe Wheeler. 

We saw Chanterelles, Jelly, Puffballs, and mushrooms. Mushrooms are flesh-fruiting bodies of fungi and a variety of species. 

Mushroom Hike 

Mushrooms

On the birding trail, we could hear a woodpecker but could never spot him. The trail ended at the overlook, but several of us walked a little further across a couple of creeks. It was a great day for hiking. 

We saw some blooming Indian Heliotrope, an annual hirsute plant that is a common weed in waste places and settled areas. Widely used in native medicines.

Indian Heliotrope

Once we got back to the boating dock area, everyone was disbursed. 

I walked down to the edge of the River at the docks, and that is where I saw a couple of gray herons, & a Muscovy duck.

Muscovy Duck 

2021 Dec 22, Christmas on the Square Moulton & O'Byran's Hartselle, Alabama

Today, Hubby and I took Ava to historic downtown Moulton to Christmas on the Square. Christmas on the Square began in 2019 with only 100 trees. 

Body Barns Fitness, 

El Rio Mexican Restaurant,   

Lawrence Couty Career Technical Center,   

The World is a better place with you in it. (Merry Christmas from Marlee Sutton Foundation), 

Merry Christmas from Crow Veterinary Clinic (Dog head holes),

Merry Christmas from JMAK Service Ince Martin McLemore,  

Merry Christmas from Shine Time Super Wash,  

Merry Christmas from Joe Wheeler EMC,  

Merry Christmas from Lawrence County Farmers Market (Plants), 

Merry Christmas from The Burch Agency (House with Snowman), 

Merry Christmas from In Loving Memory of our Daddy’s Bradley Gone Hunting,  

Merry Christmas from Southern Automotive,  

Merry Christmas from Morris Plumbing,  

Merry Christmas from Rayco Doors & Docks Inc,  

Merry Christmas from First Southern Financial,  

Merry Christmas from The Shaun’s Show,  

Merry Christmas from LCHS Family & Consumer Science,  

Merry Christmas from Lawrence County Republicans (Red, White, & Blue American Flags) Holiday Camper with puppy Dog and a candy cane for trailer hitch, 

Merry Christmas from Morris Plumbing Company (Covered with Frosties and blue ribbons, 

Merry Christmas from Sandra Ligon & Staff (Mini-Lawrence County Courthouse), 

Merry Christmas from LC Road Dept equipment with Santa at the wheel, 

Merry Christmas from In Memory of Dock Flannigan (Santa, frosty, presents), 

Merry Christmas from In loving memory of Sonya Collins, 

Merry Christmas from Caddo Congressional Christian Church (White Crosses, Star, blue balls, 

Merry Christmas from Turquoise Turtle (Blue mailbox), 

Merry Christmas from Berea Baptist Church (covered In fruit), 

Merry Christmas from Crossfit Zapped (yellow weights), 

Merry Christmas from Butterstick Bakery & Bistro (wrapped in red and white ribbons), 

Merry Christmas from Moulton Middle School (Little Red School House), 

Merry Christmas from National Fallen Firefighters (pictures of fallen heroes), 

Merry Christmas from Moulton Elementary “Great Happens Here,” 

Merry Christmas from Lawrence Medical Center,  

 Merry Christmas from Chalybeate Fire & Rescue,  

Merry Christmas from Shear Effects (large frosty), 

Merry Christmas from Blown Away (Girl blowing bubbles), 

Merry Christmas from Amber Leeann’s Boutique  

Merry Christmas from Southern Care New Beacon Hospice (May your days be Merry and bright), 

Merry Christmas from Walmart Moulton, 

Merry Christmas from Lawrence County Sheriff's Office (Police Car), 

Merry Christmas from Comfort Care Hospice,  

Merry Christmas from Loving Memory Tim Craig,  

Merry Christmas from the Town of Courtland,  

Merry Christmas from ELMS,  

Merry Christmas from Senator Larry Stutts (Gingerbread Man and Christmas Tree head holes, 

Merry Christmas from East Lawrence FFA, The Mystery Machine Agricultural Education 

Merry Christmas from Mt Hope Pre-K, 

Merry Christmas from In memory of Ashley Hughes, 

Merry Christmas from Lawrence County Library (Frosty & Books), 

 Merry Christmas from LA Plaza Bonita Mexican Restaurant,  

Merry Christmas from LC Schools (Gnome), 

Merry Christmas from Funderdome Skating Rink (Skates Let the Good Times Roll Groovy), 

Merry Christmas from Moulton Church of Christ,  North Pole Santa is out,  

Merry Christmas from Morgan Jones Mar-Mac Real Estate (Cabin), Manger scene on the front lawn, Merry Christmas from In Memory of Dewey & Ann Retherford,  

Merry Christmas from Country Brook Design Inc.,  

Merry Christmas from WCU Banking with Gnomie,  

Merry Christmas from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System,  

Merry Christmas from Moulton Baptist Church (What’s a Candy Cane), 

Merry Christmas from LouAllen Farms, 

Merry Christmas from Faith over Fear in Honor George Terry (white bench), 

Merry Christmas from Steve’s Drugs,  

Merry Christmas from Boycott Construction,  

Merry Christmas from Resurrection Catholic Chapel  

Merry Christmas from In Loving Memory of Mary-Frances Adair  Camper with Farm Fresh Christmas Trees Red Bench, Santa & Reindeer 

Merry Christmas from Blue Dolphin Pools  

Merry Christmas from In Memory of Eden Grace Hill (all purple) 

Merry Christmas from M & D Mechanical  

Merry Christmas from Republic Services 

Merry Christmas from Roden Surplus Imports Inc (North Pole Santa’s Mailbox) 

Merry Christmas from Shine Time Super Wash  

Merry Christmas from Flash Fiber  

Merry Christmas from Moulton United Methodist Church (Noah’s Ark and animals) 

Merry Christmas from LC Solid Waste (Green Garbage can) 

Merry Christmas from the Market 

Merry Christmas from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church  

Merry Christmas from Western Sirloin  

Merry Christmas from Batters Box LC Fury  

Merry Christmas from the Moulton Lions Club  

Merry Christmas from the town of Hillsboro  

Merry Christmas from In loving memory of Sydney Claire Briley 

Merry Christmas from Jerry Folks Insurance Agency  

Merry Christmas from Claiborne Electric  

Merry Christmas from In Memory of Ronnie Logston 

Merry Christmas from Brewer Heating & Air  

Merry Christmas from Vintage Boutique  

Merry Christmas from West Lawrence Water  

Merry Christmas from Calvary Tabernacle Church  

Merry Christmas from American Diesel  

Merry Christmas from Pilgrim Missionary Baptist (Cross & Manager ) 

Merry Christmas from Shelton’s Jiffy Mart (Santa’s workshop) 

Merry Christmas from Cornerstone Church (Big Red Radio Flyer wagon)

Merry Christmas from Apex Real Estate (There’s no place like home)

Big Red Sleigh with reindeer 

Merry Christmas from McCaw Hydraulics Moulton (Grinch) 

Merry Christmas from the City of Moulton Gingerbread Street   

Merry Christmas from Lawrence County Signature School 

Merry Christmas from In Loving Memory of Willard Blankinship Gingerbread Street, Merry Christmas from Martin and Co-Construction Co  

Merry Christmas from Tis the season to be a jolly old red truck  

Merry Christmas from Ink & Thread 

Merry Christmas from Christmas on the Square Committee 

Merry Christmas from Soul-shine Tan & Shop   

Merry Christmas from NARCOG (Cocoa Booth) 

Merry Christmas from Hospice of North Alabama Grinch Kissing Booth Mistletoe candy canes 

Merry Christmas from In Loving Memory of Bobby Ray Talley Sr  

Merry Christmas from in loving memory of Bill Terry  

Merry Christmas from Lawrence County Dream Center (Face-hole Christmas tree 

Merry Christmas from Berryman Trenching JOY  

Merry Christmas from Julia’s  Merry Christmas from Hatton High School 

These are from the one I took pictures of, and I am sure there are many more that I missed.  

We arrived around 11:00 AM, and I took over 200 pictures. 

There were several great stopping places to take pictures.  

One was in a little Red car with dice dangling from the rearview mirror with Ava at the Wheel.  

One was at the Burch Agency “Merry Christmas and Frosty 

One was Ave and a Brown Beaver wearing a red 7 Black checked hat 

One was at Santa’s Workshop with Elves 

One was at the Road Department with Santa at the wheel 

One was in front of the mini courthouse Of Course, 

One was in front of the big red Radio Flyer, Ava petting a mole & some dogs 

One way of us hugging at There’s snowflake-like home 

One of Ava in the Tiny dollhouse 

One of Ava the Target dog and snowman  

One of Ava & me in the Big Red Truck  

One of Ava and me riding in the Big Red Sleigh with Reindeer 

One of Ava the Grinch and the dog  

One of us sitting in red chairs on Gingerbread Street Ava and the Gingerbread man 

In the tiny house, Ava and Scooby-Doo  

Ava mailed her letter to Santa 

Ava and the Mystery Machine  

Ava holding Frosty’s hand  

Ava and the abominable snowman  

Ava and I on the White Bench, and Olf  

Ava and 3 Snowmen  

Ava and reindeer 

Ava and I in front of the old truck Ava at Christmas on the Square  

Ava & Travis at the Christmas Camper  

Ava at Soul-shine: Ava and 2 penguins 

Ava selling hot cocoa  

Ava and Noah’s Ark  

Ava and Baby Jesus  

Ava and the Grinch  

Ava and I at the kissing booth 

Ava and the mini-Train  

Ava and Tin-soldier Nutcracker 

Me and the polar bear  

Ava at the Exit  

Ava and the White Owl  

Ava and the Christmas Toys  

Ava at the Dream Center  

Ava and the Manger Scene  

Ava hugs the farmer  

Ava and I  hugging at JOY  

Ava hugging Santa Clause 

Ava and I riding the Red Car 

Heads in strawberry and grapes 

Ava and I Groovy at the Skate Center  

Ava and Pluto  

Ava with Mickey and Minnie  

Ava with Snow Family 

We rode to O’Bryan's in Hartselle for lunch, where I ordered a petite sirloin steak with sweet potato, and hubby ordered a Delmonico Steak with baked potato and salad bar.  Ava ordered a hamburger, fries, and doctor's pepper. Ava ate her fried but did not touch her hamburger.  I took pictures of Ave standing next to the Christmas tree, one sitting on the fireplace, one in front of a gasoline pump, the back of an old car, and one sitting on a fire truck.  The decor is the retro front end of Chevy used as a counter and the backside as seating.  There is a room where you can sit in a car and watch TV (like being at a drive-in).

We left there and rode to Wheeler Wildlife Refuge. 

I went to see the Sandhill Cranes, Ducks, and Whooping Crane while Ave and hubby stayed in the automobile.  There were thousands of cranes feeding on the grain left by farmers.  There were several people in the view area taking pictures of the birds. Six Sandhill Cranes were sighted, and I saw three. I walked down to the edge of the water to get a closer look at the cranes. 

I did not stay long because it was cold.  We saw an inflatable Santa atop a car dealership leaving Decatur.  We stopped at Mike's to see Atlas after we dropped Ava off.  Atlas was driving his jeep, is 18 months old, still sucking on a Passy, and driving that jeep everywhere.  He knows how to make it go but still does not understand how to control it.  It had been a full day with all the activities.  I was ready to lie down to rest.

2022 Jan 15, First Day Hike on Multi-Purpose Trail Wheeler Dam

Today, a group of hikers meets at JWSP Cabin Office (24921 Alabama Hwy 101) for a little over the 2-mile hike. We followed in our cars to the hiking spot "The Multi-purpose Hiking Trail" with park rangers Sam and David. The trail is between Wheeler Dam and Fishmans Resort camping and lodge. It is a scenic loop that runs along the Tennessee River and Big Nance Creek.

Bathhouse 

We saw several historic ruins of the 1930s, a bathhouse/restrooms. We saw a couple of overgrown Chimneys and Picnic Tables, once used by the people living here during the building of TVA's Wheeler Dam. We also saw a collapsed viewing area that overlooks the Tennessee River. The rangers said they hoped to get a grant to restore the viewing area. We stopped about midway for a group picture. (The ranger David took our picture with his cell phone and said he would email everyone a copy; I have not received mine yet)

This spot overlooking Big Nance Creek is where the group stopped for a picture. We saw several different kinds of hardwood trees, oak, and hickory. We saw a variety of wild mushrooms & berries that feed the animals that are in the park. We saw signs of deer in the soft mud and could hear the many different sounds of Alabama's songbirds.

Open Pit

We also saw a large open grill/pit used to cook outdoor meals for a large group, overgrown with a tree growing in the middle. It was a very overcast day with a chance of rain and snow. The hike began at noon and ended around 2:30 PM. It began to sprinkle as we were leaving. TVA is planning to build a powerhouse to feed the growing community. Hopefully, they will not destroy too much of the walking forest area.

Mushrooms on log 

Everyone received an "I hiked Alabama State Parks New Year's Day." The first-day hike scheduled for Jan 1, 2022, was canceled because of inclement weather. (High winds and threatening tornadoes) and rescheduled for Jan 15, 2022.

Group of hikers

A copy of the group was sent to everyone from Sam and David. We had three dogs, 10 people, plus two park rangers. (One not showing took the picture)

2021 Aug 10, Cheekwood Botanical Gardens Nashville, Tennessee

Hubby and I traveled the backroads to Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville, TN, via Natchez Trace, getting off at the Leipers Fork exit. Hubby parked the car near the entrance and showed the girl at the ticket counter our online tickets.

Pink LEGO Dog 

The first thing we saw as we entered the gardens was a big pink dog made out of Lego blocks. We walked down a long winding sidewalk down several sets of steps to the Train Exhibit, inspired by the Little Engine Who Could.

In front of us was a couple with a very independent little girl with a head full of curls who was about the age of 2 or three years of age. What a magical place as you enter the land of trains and Fairy mushroom villages. The train exhibit was built of rough timbers and five train tracks totaling over 800 feet of track. As we walked through, we saw trains going over bridges and through tunnels, we were in a magical land of trains.

We saw beautiful yellow lilies floating in the lily ponds. We saw pink, orange, white, and red roses busted with life in the Rose Study Garden.

Roses

We saw art pieces made of musical notes made of wire. We saw many Yellow and Black swallowtails on the butterfly bushes.

Yellow Swallowtail 

We saw a red lion, a zebra, a blue bear, colorful birds, a red turtle, a green lawnmower, and a man working in the garden, all made out of Legos. Also, LEGO rabbits were spotted throughout the Bradford Robertson Color Garden. We walked around the mansion, but not inside. Workers were repairing the pool in front of the Mansion in the Martain Boxwood Gardens.

Cheekwood Mansion 

There were waterfalls, ponds, and creeks running through the gardens. We did visit the Art Bark exhibit, which was crayon sculptures by Nashville artist Herb Williams. Inside the visitor center were restrooms, drink machines, and a beautiful rose LEGO sculpture. We took a break to cool off, drink a soda, and use the restrooms before beginning our journey home, We did not walk the entire gardens but had a wonderful time. We traveled home along the backroads, this time taking a different route. We came out in Columbia, TN. We got a late lunch of fish at Long John Silvers and took it home.

2021 Sep 26, Day Trip to Huntsville Botanical Gardens Huntsville, Alabama

Arrived at 11 AM, just as the gardens were opening. My first stop was the Purdy Butterfly Gardens, where I saw several Gulf Fritillary Butterflies, red-spotted Admiral butterflies, Zebra Long-wing butterflies, monarch butterflies, great southern white butterflies, the white peacock butterflies, and the common buckeye butterflies. I spotted several Blue Jays and heard a woodpecker but never saw it. I also heard several other species of birds and saw a snake as I was coming out of the wooded area. I walked through the vegetable garden, where I saw just a few, including one big orange pumpkin and a few vines with fruit dangling on them.

I saw the fruit of Japanese Persimmons hanging on the trees. On the tree next to them was a thorny tree with Trifoliate orange fruit hanging on it. I also saw lying on the ground an osage orange, so you can see there was plenty of fruit for the animals. I spotted a praying mantis on a small limb. I saw several turtles swimming and lying along the bank of the pond.

I saw pink and purple blooming asters and mums of purple. I even spotted a pink rose. I spotted a gray heron and several turtles lying on the bank near the butterfly house. Uncaged: Birds, Nature & You, along with Night Blooms, still fill the gardens.

Some of the scarecrows that I saw were Santa’s Helper, Mr. Antsy Pants, Zooey the ZooKeeper, It's a Girl Scout Vibe, Frida Kahlo, The Scarecrow Dietitian, Terry Lewis “Herb’s wife:/Herb the Birdman, Papa’s Pumpkins, Mr. Crow the Birdwatcher, Dog Day Bride, Collaborative Carl, We can do the job, Snow Fairy, Betelgeuse Scary Spirit, Sir Night fo make it right, Faith, Service, Diversity, Page Turner, Autumn, Larry If I only had a spaceship, Rooted,

Mr. Morgan, Bill the birdwatcher, Johnny Apple Seed and Demeter, Find Your Space, South Huntsville Sam, Auntie Smile, Miss Mary, La Ofrenda, Rosie the Refunder, Discovery Daisy, Lady Golfer, Noah, Cedrick Crow pin, Meets the Adams Family, Tiger, and Crow, & Voting Violet. I saw several people in line to go into the park as I was leaving. I spotted a lady with a Nikon camera, so I walked up to her and told her where I had seen the heron and all the butterflies that were not inside the Purdy Butterfly House. She asked me about my camera, and I said I had been taking pictures for many years. She said she had just started with her new camera. It started out a cool morning by afternoon, it was hot. I walked back to the car, ate the bowl of nuts and the diet Sprite that I had brought, and rested a few minutes before starting the hour-and-a-half drive home. That morning, I had stopped at Wheeler Dam to see the waterfowl. There were several people fishing and more coming to fish. I asked a young man about the waterfowl, and he said there were a few, but a couple of days back, they were more than he had ever seen there. I guess I miss them. I did get a couple of shots of a heron catching a fish.

2021 April 24, Touring the Antebellum Home of Presbyterian Minister Robert Donnell Athens, Alabama with Tour guide Alice Tiller

Pleasant Hill 

Home of Rev. Robert Donnell (1784-1855) 

Built abt. 1849 by Rev. Robert Donnell, a native of North Carolina, and his second wife, Clara Lindley Donnell. 

He was greatly inspired by the Great Spiritual Revival of 1800 and became a Presbyterian circuit rider, one of the "flaming fires," so-called because of their spiritual intensity. Donnell held the first camp meeting in the settlement that became Huntsville, started new churches in North Alabama and Tennessee, and retired as minister of the Athens Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

For his service and dedication, the North Alabama Presbytery was named in his honor. After the death of Rev. Donnell in 1855, this house and surrounding acreage passed to his son, James Webb Smith Donnell. J.W.S. Donnell and his family lived here during the Civil War, even though he was wanted by the Union Army for aiding the Confederacy. 

In 1862, during the sacking of Athens, Federal troops camped on the house grounds, looted, and damaged the house through bankruptcy after the war. 

It served as a boarding school for boys for a time and later as the home of Athens School Superintendent Julian Newman and his family. 

 In the 1970s, a campaign to save and restore the house was initiated by local historians and authors Christine W. Edwards and Faye A. Axford. Local citizens, businesses, and Donnell's descendants contributed to the restoration of this historical landmark.

Pleasant Hill Historical Marker

Pleasant Hill Historic Marker

Donnell House

The Donnell House is located at 601 South Clinton Street. 

It hosts events throughout the year, such as a Christmas tree presentation during the holiday season. Because it is located on the campus of the Athens Middle School, students have conducted school projects, including interpretive videos that are centered around the history of the house. 

April is the month to showcase the local history in counties in Alabama by featuring walking tours every Saturday in April. I chose the *Robert Donnell House & Museum to tour it was the only walking tour that I had not attended. 

 *Tour options were: *Beaty Historic District *Downtown Athens Historic District *Athens City Cemetery *Athens State University *Houston Historic District All the above are excellent tours, and many tour guides dress in the period of the tour. 

 Unfortunately, the Governor George S. Houston Library and Museum were not offered this year. 

 The Donnell House and Museum were hoasting a wedding later that day, and food was being prepared and finger foods placed on the table.

Wedding Buffett

What caught my eye was the Armadillo pink cake. Hanging in the parlor were pictures of Rev Donnell and his two wives. 

Two staircases were leading to the upper level, which showcased the history of the home and its occupants. 

 Outside was an 1830s log cabin donated by Don and Ed Horton, sons of Judge James Horton, and nearby was an herb garden. 

 I had driven past the Donnell House Museum many times but never noticed it until the tour because it was located in the Athens School system.