2022 April 26-29, Trip to Knoxville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN (4 days) Dollywood Express Train Ride

 Travel to Knoxville, stopping at Baxter's Botanical Gardens. The gardens are only open to the public during April as part of the Dogwood Arts Festival in Knoxville. 

Baxter's Azalea Garden

We visited the White Garden, the Maze, the Bluebird Garden, the Lotus Pond, the Dogwood Rambol, the Gazebo, the Azalea Garden, the Iris Garden, the Asian Garden, the Ellipse Garden, the Fuji Garden, the Balustiade Garden, the Hannah Garden, and the Birds of Baxter's Garden. 

We spent about 30 to 45 minutes here. 

We then traveled to Pigeon Forge and checked in at Margaritaville's The Island Inn.

We walked around the Island and stopped at Mellowmushroom for dinner. 

Mellow Mushroom at the Island, Pigeon Forge, TN

We ordered a Hawaiian Pizza with a drink and spent $30.57.

Day 2 Wednesday, April 27

Ate scrambled eggs, 2 slices of bacon, fried potatoes, biscuits with strawberry jelly, and cranberry juice for breakfast at the hotel.

We rode to the Trolley Center at 186 Old Mill Ave, beside Patriot Park, where we purchased day tickets to take the trolley to Dollywood. The cost for the all-day pass was $3 each.

We bought senior tickets at Dollywood, which cost $166.10 for the day. 

Throughout the park, we saw flowers designed in the form of characters. We saw Busy, Busy Bees, Ring-tailed Rascals(Raccoons), Family Times (bear family), Round as a Peacock, Turtle, Frogs, butterflies, a Coat of many colors, Colorful umbrellas, Duck Days, The Dolly Wood Tree, Fines Farm, Doctor I. B. Painless Dentist, and Topsy Turvy.

Wildwood Grove at Dollywood 

We rode the Dollywood Express Train Ride and the Village Carousel. 

We bought cinnamon bread with Coke at Dollywood Grist Mill and spent $15

We ate supper at Huck Finn, which included green beans, catfish, creamed potatoes, and shrimp.

We stopped at the Margaritaville Store, where we bought 2 t-shirts. 

Coat of Many Colors Flowers

Day 3, Thursday, April 28

Today, we ate breakfast at the hotel: Muffins, sausage, & potatoes.

We rode to Old Mill Park, where we saw pigeons, geese, and mallard ducks.

We rode to Parrot Mountain and paid $53.11 for tickets, where we saw and fed many exotic birds. 

Parrot Mountain

Some of the birds we saw were the red-billed Tucan, Swanson Tucan, Keel-Billed Tucan, Kookaburra, Scarlett McCaw, Catalina McCow, African Pied Crow, Von Der Dickens Hornbill, Green-wing McCaw, Sun Conure, Mustache Parakeet, Golden Conure, just to name a few. 

We ate lunch at Firehouse Subs, ordering a small Steak and Cheese sandwich and a Medium Italian sub sandwich. $21.75

We rode back to the Trolley Center at 186 Old Mill Avenue to buy tickets for the trolley ride to the Gatlinburg Trolley Center.

At the Gatlinburg Trolley Center, we rode the trolley to Gatlinburg. We had a very entertaining driver, who made the ride enjoyable. 

Ankeesta and Black Bear 

We bought tickets for Ankeesta, where we rode the skylift up the mountain for $58.08. We bought lemonade and walked around, then took the Treetop Skywalk, which had a beautiful view. 

We rode the skylift back down the mountain and walked around Gatlinburg, stopping at Bubba Gump's for supper. There, we ordered a Forest Seafood Feast, which we split between the two of us. It included shrimp, fish, fries, and coleslaw. 

Forrest Seafood Feast at Bubba Gumps

We returned the trolley to Gatlinburg Trolley Center and Pigeon Forge Trolley Center.

At the Old Mill, we purchased Relish and self-rising Cornmeal. $12.91

Day 4, Friday, April 29

We ate breakfast in the hotel: bacon, eggs, biscuits, jelly, fried potatoes, and cranberry juice.

We traveled home, stopping in Athens for Gas.

2023 Jan 7, Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Event

 Yesterday, Hubby and I visited Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, an event held at Joe Wheeler State Park. 

There, we meet up with a group from Oak Mountain in Birmingham. 

Groups were coming from several other places.

There were so many cars that the park ranger had to direct traffic. Many parked along the side of the road, and many parked across the highway. Next week is the big event for Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, and I'm glad we went today. 

Hubby and I walked to the new observation building, where we saw the five Whooping Cranes with my new scope.

We also saw thousands of Sandhill Cranes, Ducks, and geese. 

Cypress Trees 

Next, we took the Cypress Tree Trail, a walkway across a wooden bridge surrounded by Cypress Trees.

We could loudly hear Blue Jays calling out to each other. We heard White-breasted Nuthatches (what we call upside-down birds). We heard Red-winged Blackbirds, European Starlings, and Eastern Phoebe, and we saw and heard a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

We walked to another observation station and saw no cranes, but we saw several Robins hopping around looking for food.

Hubby returned to the car, and I walked to the two-story Observation building that offers a fantastic enclosed view of our winter surroundings.

View of Sandhill Cranes, Ducks, and Geese from the Observation building

I met several members of a Gatlinburg photo club there. They said they would set up a booth at Gatlinburg's Wildlife Week and told me to look for them if I went that week. 

I saw a small boy enjoying kicking and picking up gravel as his family walked to the Observation building.

We returned to the car and rode across the road to see more cranes.

We only saw a few, but met several women from the Birmingham Area.

They were taking pictures. We did see a couple of white egrets.

Our next stop was a target to pick up a couple of boxes of Skinny Popcorn. 

For lunch, we stopped at Whataburger, where I ordered a #1 Hamburger with tomatoes, lettuce, onions, mustard, and pickles, along with fries.

It was an overcast day with rain hanging in the air.

Later that night, Hubby and I enjoyed dinner with my sisters and brother-in-law. After the meal, the girls and I played UNO and dominoes.

Had a wonderful day.

2022 April 23, Madison Walking Tour lead by Gerald Clark

 We began the tour at the Roundhouse, located near the railroad tracks. Before Mr. Clark started his speech, a train roared past. 

A War Memorial displayed in Madison Park 

We walked across the railroad tracks and began our tour of Historic downtown Madison.

A little history about Madison:

The town began about 1856, when the Memphis and Charleston Railroad laid tracks. In 1858, Judge Clemons planned the town's lots fronting the railroad.

One of the first businesses was a Grist Mill operated by J.J. Akers, S.D. Doolittle opened a blacksmith shop, and other merchants, including Walter, Thomas Hopkins, and James Bib, also opened it. 

Humphrey and Hughes Drug Co.
The Rexall Store 

Historic Madison homes and stores that we saw:

The History of Madison

Madison Station Hertzler Vaughn 1905 

Madison Station Apperson Brown ca 1900

Madison Station Cain Steadman ca 1880

Madison Station, Farley Thornton Goodson, 1911 

Madison Station Clay Sensenberger 1853

Madison Station Shelton Balch 1928

Madison Station Pride Drake 1910 

Madison Station Thomas Vaughn ca 1910 

Madison Station Burton Balch Willis 1885

Madison Station, Farley Sturdivant 1910 

Madison Station Gillespie McDermott 1897

Madison Station Riddle W. Hughes Sampieri 1920

Madison Station Riddle C.P. Hughes 1910

Madison Station Sullivan Wellborn 1889

The Methodist Church 

War Memorials 

Colonel Cecil Hamilton Bolton, LT US ARMY

Leo K Thorsness COL US AIR FORCE

Paul L. Bolden SSG US ARMY 

CITY OF MADISON WALL OF HEROES

Madison Roundhouse

Storefront 16 Main (Yellow House)

Humphrey Bros. was Built by D.S. Brandon 

Robert P. Cain Mercantile 

Humphrey-Hughes Drug Co Store 

The Rexall Store 

Established in 1869, the City of Madison

J.H. Cain General Merchandise 

We learned about Buttermilk Alley, a narrow lane between Front and Arnett Streets. Circa 1900 was a safe haven for sweethearts to take a walk at dusk and hold hands. Mrs. Katie, an African-American woman working for Dr. Kyser on Front Street, sat on her porch and watched the youth's safety. 

Longtime residents also credit Buttermilk Alley's name to food handouts from Front Street residents to hungry hobos riding the train. 

Buttermilk Aly

Madison is a historic small town rich in history and now experiencing rapid growth. 

2022 April 16, Walking tour Decatur Cemetery Decatur, AL with Phil Wirey

Today, I attended the walking tour of Decatur Cemetery, organized by Decatur Morgan County Tourism and Morgan County Historical Society.

Our guide talks about James & Ellen Hildreth.

The cemetery is located on Highway 20, west of Decatur. Coordinates: 34.61690, -87.00110

The first burial was recorded in 1855. The cemetery is divided into 7 sections: the Original, Brown Circle, Cantwell, Cowan, Decatur Land Company, Humes, and Sterrs. 

Two famous people are buried here. 

Christopher Columbus Harris, a US Congressman, was also a Lieutenant in the Civil War. He is buried in the Cantwell Section of the cemetery.

Seybourn Harris Lynne Jurist, a civil Rights Figure who served as a US Federal District Judge from 1946 to 1973.

Marker and Civil War Graves 

Known buried within this cemetery
Isaac L. Beard 6th Ark Co B Dod April 1, 1862
John R. Hopkins Sgf. 12th LA. Inf. Co. A. KIA Oct. 28, 1864
Jacob Hubbard, PVT 12th LA. INF. CO. H. KIA Oct. 28, 1864
John R. Palmer DOD Feb. 16, 1862
James E. Patric,k CPL 12 LA. INF. CO. G. KIA Oct. 28, 1864

Beneath this hallowed ground lie the remains of fifty-five Confederate soldiers. They gave their lives to establish southern independence, protect their homes, and preserve state rights. These original headstones were placed in May 1903 by the Joe Wheeler Chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy. On June 3, 1903, a dedication service was held by the Daughters of the Confederacy and veterans of the Horace King Camp, United Confederate Veterans. This site was rededicated on April 26, 2005, by the Joe Wheeler Chapter No. 291, United Daughters of the Confederacy, and Sons of Liberty Camp 580, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Decatur, Alabama.

Confederate States of America
1861-1865

2022 April 9, Walking Tour Moulton, AL

Moulton's Head Start, former Rosenwald School

 Everyone meets with speaker Nita Marlborough at Moulton's Head Start, the former Rosenwald School. 

After the speech, we all walked through the building.

History of Moulton (not quite finished), painted by Monica Hooper 

I parked near the Mural of Moulton and walked to the School. 

Next, I walked to the nearby Freeman Tabernacle, where we listened to Leela Reeves talk about the church. (We all went inside)

Freeman Tabernacle Church (located on Byler Road and Rosenwald Street 

On January 3, 1874, former slaves and Deacons King Crayton, George Pruitt, Tandy Crayton, and Ben Warren paid $50 for land to construct the Colored Baptist Church, one of the earliest in the Muscle Shoals Colored Baptist Association. This organization helped black communities build churches and schools. After he died in 1933, the congregation renamed the church in honor of its longtime pastor, John Harrison Freeman.

Our next stop was Bayler Road Church of Christ to listen to Lewis Jackson.

Smith Chapel C.M.E Church 
In 1871, former slaves constructed one of the first churches and schools for African Americans in Moulton on this site. The Colored Methodist purchased most of the materials used for the building. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Nabors Owen gave land for the Colored Baptist and Colored Methodist Church and School in Moulton. The congregations worshipped together until 1874. The church is named after Rev. Andrew Smith, a former pastor.

Our next stop was a guided tour of Smith Chapel led by Caroline Fletcher.

At the Moulton Cemetery,  Cindy Praetor, Alicia Carpenter, and Beth Garner (who were dressed in the period) gave a talk about the tombstone they were standing next to.

Mollie, James & Lucy Downing

Elaine Jackson led us on a tour of the Hot Spot. 

The Hot Spot 
c.1945
Alabama Register of 
Landmarks and Heritage
by Alabama 
Historical Commission 
June 27, 2019 

Guides

(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 April 30, Walking Tour Town Creek, AL

The Walking tour took place in Town Creek, and everyone was to meet at the Farmers Market on Main  Street.

I arrived early, so I took a look around and spoke with the vendors. I bought two tomato plants.

At 1:00 P.M., the van arrived, driven by Pastor Steve Agee, provided by Victory Baptist Church.

The former mayor of Town Creek (Linda Peebles) rode with us.

Everyone loaded into the van, and we headed to the public library. 

We were met by the librarian. She gave us some material, which included:

Welcome to Town Creek, which contains stories about Saunders Hall and Good Mansion 

The Town Creek Hotel, Town Creek City Hall, Veterans Memorial & 

The new Story Walk is a learning trail behind the library. It is designed to introduce visitors of all ages to the area's environment.

The librarian informed us about the Story Walk Trail and distributed pamphlets to all of us. 

Our next stop was the Town Creek Depot, where dignitaries made speeches. They were Mayor Mike Park, Prince Roberson (State Representative), Loretta Gillespie, and Robert Sheffield (Former Hazelwood coach). 

The Town Creek Train Depot was built in the early 1800s, and the first engine run took place on February 1, 1835.

Former NFL football players from Town Creek were also attending.  

Chris & Kerry Goode (brothers) and DJ Jones.

After a meet-and-greet session, we headed to our next stop, Posey Farms.

We were greeted by the Posey Family with refreshments.

Mr. Posey said it all began in 1953 when we leased 7 acres of land and planted our first cotton crop. 

Posey's first home is now surrounded by farmland. 

2022 Dec 4, Tinsel Trails, Christmas Card Lane Ditto Landing & Toyota Field Christmas Lights Huntsville, AL

 On Sunday, we stopped in Decatur to walk through the Enchanted Forest in Founders Park, a tinsel-stroll supporting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

We stopped in Madison for their Polar Express Christmas event on Main Street, where the Christmas trees were beautifully displayed. 

We stopped at RSA to take coworkers' Christmas presents.

We rode to South Huntsville for Christmas on the River at Ditto Landing. There, we strolled along the Tennessee River Greenway, looking at custom-designed 4 x 8 plywood Christmas cards. 

Grinchmas

It's not what's under the Christmas Tree that matters. 
It's who's around it. 

We stopped at every card to get a picture, and it began to sprinkle before we returned. 

We rode to Huntsville's Big Spring Park to walk the Tinsel Trail. 

Big Spring Park Tinsel Trail.

We were afraid of getting wet, but the rain had stopped.

Next, we rode to Toyota Field to see The North Pole Rocket City Christmas Light Show and Winter Wonderland.

Which are a mile-and-a-half maze of bright, dancing, and twinkling lights. We tuned our radio to 95.5 to listen to Christmas music.

The North Pole Rocket City Christmas Light Show 

After the drive, we stopped at Toyota Field and walked through Winter Wonderland, stopping for pictures with Santa, Trash Panda, and Frosty. 

Picture with Frosty 

We hadn't eaten since breakfast and weren't sure what we wanted. We were tired and didn't want to go into a restaurant and wait, so we decided to stop at Krystal. Believe it or not, their food was good, or we were hungry. 

A picture with Trash Panda 

I ordered a double cheese Krystal and a strawberry Milkshake. 

When we arrived home, it was late, and we were both tired from the long day. I put my cameras away for another day to download and went to bed.