👣👣👣👣 2017 April 1 & 8, Walking Tours in Athens, Alabama

April Walking Tours 

On April 1, Saturday, I drove to the Visitor Center in Athens to join them on a Walking Tour.

There were sign-up sheets for the following tours. 

1. Athens University Historic Tour WITH ANNA GIBBS

2. Robert Beaty Historic Street Tour BILLY WARD

3. George S. Houston Historic Street Tour REBEKAH DAVIS

4. Athens Veterans Museum

5. Athens Cemetery JIMMY HILL OR WM PEPPER

6. Historic Downtown Athens BUZZ ESTES 

At 10:00AM everyone gathered in front of the Visitor for a group picture, then we disbursed into groups and began our tour. 

I chose the Robert Beaty Historic District Street Walking tour, led by Billy Ward. Mr. Ward was dressed like a southern gentleman, he was wearing a top hat, tailored a suit, and carrying a cane.

We saw many Azaleas, dogwood trees, and other blooming bushes as we walked along the sidewalk, stopping to listen to Mr. Ward tell us interesting stories about the many historic homes. 

Historic Home 

Historic Home in Beaty District 

The Robert Beaty Historic District is located in Athens, Alabama. Beaty was one of the original founders of Athens. Beaty was an Irish immigrant who first settled in Virginia.

Beaty purchased about 160 acres around a spring. Beaty’s Federal-style home was completed in 1826. The District contains several homes in the Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate, Eastlake, Victorian, and Spanish Colonial Revival Styles. 

1984 the district was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Our last stop was the historic home of Billy Ward.
Billy invited everyone into his historic home, and we walked through the ground-level rooms. 

I walked back to the Visitor Center stopping at Creek at Big Spring Park to take pictures of the goldfish and ducks. 

Ducks at Big Spring Park Athens

Ate a side salad from Zaxby’s for lunch before driving home

On April 8, Saturday, I drove to the Visitor Center in Athens to join them on a Walking Tour.

There were sign-up sheets for the following tours. 

1. Athens University Historic Tour WITH ANNA GIBBS

2. Robert Beaty Historic Street Tour BILLY WARD

3. George S. Houston Historic Street Tour REBEKAH DAVIS

4. Athens Veterans Museum

5. Athens Cemetery JIMMY HILL OR WM PEPPER

6. Historic Downtown Athens BUZZ ESTES 

First Christian Church where we parked

Visitor Center Group that toured different sites

At 10:00AM everyone gathered in front of the Visitor for a group picture, then we disbursed into groups and began our tour. 

This time I chose the George S. Houston Historic Street Tour led by Rebekah Davis and my husband came with me.

This time we had to take the car and park in the parking lot across the street from the First Christian Church.

Luke Pryor Historic Home 

 Historic Home

George S. Houston Memorial Public Library & Limestone County Museum Historical Society. 

Inside the Houston Library, we saw a 1944 Certificate of Restoration and appraisal pump organ and melodions, six quilts, a wooden round table, five velvet seat-covered chairs, a green sofa, a fireplace with a white mantle around it, a spinning wheel, several wooden chairs, and rockers, a picture of Robert E Lee, a Goth bust pano with music book Constancy Romance for Piano by Wm Fink with Mary E Mason dated Nov 21, 1898, written on the top of the book, boxes on top of boxes of book, walls badly in need of repairs and two sets of staircases. 
The house/library was a white two-story home with four large wooden columns, green shutters, and a triangle roof that covered the balcony and porch. 
Azaleas and shrubs lined the sidewalk leading up to the front door.
The yard was full of blooming dogwood trees, and magnolia trees 

The George S. Houston Historic District lies to the West and north of the public square where some of Athens's most prominent people lived.

Some of the historic homes that we saw were Hendricks, Bailey Hamilton Home 1919, Luke Pryer Home, Gibes, Powers, Christopher Home 1920, Hayden, Boston Home, Caughran, McCormick, Patton 1935, Stanford, Lauderdale 1969, Tilman Jeffery ca 1913, Martin Malone Johnson #13 1821 home, & Hendrix, Alexander 1937

Only five homes are remaining from the antebellum period. Between 1908 and 1939, such as the American Four Squares, bungalows, cottages, some Tudor Revival, and some Colonial Revival. The Neoclassical style First Methodist Church was built in 1925 and a hospital was built but later turned into apartments. 

This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

Governor George S Houston's Home Marker 

Governor George S Houston's Home Marker 

George S. Houston/Home/The Houston Memorial Library

This house was purchased by George S. Houston in 1845 and was his home until his death here on 31st December 1879. Houston served the people of Alabama in public office for thirty-six years. His long and distinguished political career began in 1832 and included; one term in the Alabama State Legislature, three terms as circuit solicitor, nine terms in the U. S. House of Representatives, two terms as Governor of Alabama, and he was twice elected to the U. S. Senate. Due to his conservative fiscal policies while in Congress, he was known as "The Watchdog of the Treasury".

Houston's most notable service to Alabama was during his two terms as governor. For almost a decade after the Civil War, the people of Alabama suffered under the rule of Radical Reconstructionists.

(Back):
In 1874 the white citizens of Alabama united behind Houston in his bid for the governor's office. His election as a Democrat returned self-rule to Alabama. During his two terms, the state's huge debt was reduced, property owners were protected from excessive taxation, and many other reforms were enacted that brought stability to the state.

After Houston's death, his home was occupied only occasionally until 1937 when it was deeded to the City of Athens with some stipulations, one of which was that it should house a library and meeting place for literary and patriotic societies and should be known as "The Houston Memorial Library".

Our next stop is CE Pools, The first weekend in April every year they have a grand opening where they grill hamburgers, chicken, and Hotdogs and Sue cooks her famous banana pudding and Butterfinger cake for their customers.

We stopped for a hamburger, coke, and pie.

Our next stop was the 7th Annual Car, Truck, Tractor, and Cycle Show at TM Rogers High School. 

Car Show TM Rogers

Our last stop was to attend the funeral of my brother-in-law. I cannot say enough good things about him. He was known and loved by many, and he gave of his time and money. He will be greatly missed. 

We picked up dinner at Taco Bell (my husband) and Captain D’s (shrimp for me).

It had been a long day and we both just wanted to relax. 

I hope to add three more April tours to this blog. 

2006 June's Adventures Lora's Journal

Sunday, June 18, 2006

We arrived in Florida early. The Welcome Center was beautiful. I love the Palm Trees and other tropical plants. We were all very sleepy. We checked into RMH at 7:45AM. 

(They had three beanie babies on the bed for them.)

We ended up at Arnold Palmer Hospital because Meadow continued to vomit and did not feel well. Marcus also Goa an ant bite plus his left foot swelled on top and got are and puffy. The doctor decided not to admit Meadow. He told me if she did not get better to bring her back. She had Ketones 4 in her urine. She also had a very low CO2 (8?). Marcus got a dose of Clindamycin & an RX.

We also gave him Benadryl. That concluded our first day in FL. Pokie had to check out the hospital facilities to make sure they were suitable.

Clindamycin is used to treat bacterial infections. This medicine may be given to patients who have had an allergic reaction to penicillin. Clindamycin will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

Monday, June 19, 2006

On our first day at Ability & their Meadow met Roberta her PT. She is very good with Meadow. Meadow fussed a lot when placed in a position she did not like. She looked so cute in the little suit! We got some pictures. We went to Steak & Shake for lunch. It was our first day at Dr. Bradstreet’s office for HBOT. I got in the chamber with Meadow. She got in the soft tank. They gave her Baby Einstein DVDs to watch. She fell fast asleep. However, I thought my head was going to explode. My ears started stopping up and pressure shot like a sharp pin down behind my ears and my neck. I got on the walkie-talkie and said, “How long is this pain gonna last?” She told me to hold my nose and blow. The pressure was not relieved. Then I got hot and felt like I was having a panic attack. She told me to face toward the end where the air was blowing and once it was fully pressurized, the pain should stop. When it was fully pressurized, I felt better. I laid my head and took the best nap I have had in a long time. In the afternoon, we went back to the RMH and had supper. We ate vita, salad, & brownies. The kids played in the playroom and we went to sleep. We went to Melbourne Beach after therapy. The kids loved the ocean. They played in the waves and sand. Madison found some seashells. Meadow liked the water too. The kids got more beanie babies.

Meadow suited up for Therapy.

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Madison woke up vomiting. She slept all morning. We went to therapy. Meadow was much better today and more tolerant of the therapy. She likes to jump in the spider. Marcus and I boxed with Hulk gloves. Madison lay on the floor on Elmo's mat and slept. Mom got in the HBOT Chamber with Meadow. I slept on the couch in the playroom with Madison. I little boy jumped up on top of me while I was sleeping and I thought it was Bucko! We went to RMH after all therapy because Madison was sick. The Belles & Beaus of Chiropractic Club of Orlando had a Hawaiian lei feast with chicken curry rice, salad, fruit delight, and a veggie tray. Delaney took Marcus for a ride in her wheelchair at the RMH.

Kids enjoying the waves at Melbourne Beach 

Meadow's second day of therapy

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Madison felt better this morning. 

 We took Meadow to their suit therapy. Marcus played on the game cube. We went to lunch at Olive Garden. We then went to HBOT. I got in the chamber with Meadow and took a nap. I still felt the pressure. I was not as anxious this time because I knew what to expect. We went to Andretti Thrill Park and rode on the go-karts. This man took us on a train ride. I did not think he was ever going to stop! We rode the bumper boats again, Marcus rode with a teenage girl, and Madison rode with a teenage boy! We had fun. Marcus played a game where he shot a rifle and a butt popped up with blue jeans on but you could see his crack! It was hot outside. The kids are making friends at RMH.

Day three of therapy

Thursday, June 22, 2006

 Today at Suit Therapy, Meadow was cranky. She woke up early this morning. Zach is the other child getting therapy from the other PT. She is from Holland. Zach is autistic. He is seven years old. After therapy, we went to an authentic Italian Restaurant. We ordered a pizza with spinach, mushrooms, and Pepperonis. Granny went into the chamber with Meadow today and Madison talked to Granny on the walkie-talkie. 

 After HBOT, we went to Dixie Stampede. We got there early and went through the horse stables. There was a white horse with spots and a big albino horse. Then we went inside. The lobby had a huge painting with a big buffalo and horses on it. Then we went to the carriage room. Mrs. Dixie played it again Sam performed. There was a magic show, too. In the main arena, we had a huge dinner. Madison and Marcus got a call (Meadow was announced up) to the arena for the Northside to chase chickens. Bucko was the first one to make it. They both got ribbons and medallions. After the show, the cast called us down for a VIP meeting for pictures. The girls all wanted to hold Meadow. We went into the center arena and took pictures. One of the crewmembers gave the kids coloring books. The host gave Meadow a ribbon like Maddie & Buckoes. They told me they were going to mail us a picture and they were all going to sign it. We had a good time!

Day at Therapy

Madison and Marcus at Dixie Stampede

The picture with the Dixie Stampede Group

Friday, June 23, 2006

 Meadow was worn out after her first week of therapy. We went to Winter Park and watched a live Marionette performance of “Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp” The owner of the Marionette Theaters was the man that played Howdy Duty and Bozo the Clown. We met them both. The show was good and we sat right up front. 

 Pinocchio’s Marionette Theater 

 A non-profit organization 

 Presents 

ALADDIN and the Wonderful Lamp 

Book and lyrics by David Eaton 

June 3, through Aug 26, 2006

525 S. Semoran Blvd. Winter Park Florida 

www.Pinocchios.net

Aladdin with Lora and Meadow 

Saturday, June 24, 2006

We went to the Orlando Science Museum and spent the entire day. 

 It had six floors. The first floor had a nature center with alligators and turtles. It also had Kids Town  (hands-on) we watched three Cinedome IMAX movies, Wild Safari, Greece, and Star Quest. We went inside Hugh's mouth and walked through the walls of the digestive system. We went through the Dinosaur Center. There was a center with monster heads, electricity, and a space center. Then we went to the top where there was a planetarium. It was a fun day.

Lora, Meadow, Marcus, and Madison at RMH

Science Center Going through the Digestive System 

Sunday, June 25, 2006

 We went to Gatorland there were alligators and crocodiles all around, big, small, and babies. Madison and Bucky held an alligator and a python snake. They had their picture made while holding them. We watched Gator Wrestling, Later Jumparoo, and Close Encounters. We rode the train through the swamp area. There were all kinds of species of large birds nesting and alligators nesting. It started pouring down rain.

Marcus holding an alligator at Gator Land.