Spruce Pine, North Carolina

7/1-8/11

The week-long visit with family and friends gave us an opportunity to experience some of the great North Carolina attractions.

The fourth of July was spent on Lake James with friends and family.

Zip lining is a thrilling new sport to us.  We drove to Plumtree, North Carolina, and joined other folks at the Plumtree Zip Line Canopy Tour company at the Toe River Lodge.

After being hooked to a cable between trees, we flew from the higher to the lower tree.  The rush of air while dangling from the pulley gave a sense of freedom and excitement.

 At one point we walked across this rickety rope bridge.  Notice the helmets and the yellow safety straps that are hooked onto cables at all times in case of a fall.  The straps will support a person who may slip off an edge.

Shannon and Erin, our guides, made sure that everything that we did was safe and enjoyable.

Back at the home of Cassie and Jeff, Joan supplied huge sparklers for everyone.

Bob and Zach relaxed before packing for the trip home.

Crossville, Tennessee

6/29-30/11

Whenever we're near Crossville, we stop and visit our friends, Dick and Donna Moran.  Dick was our pastor on Long Island for ten years and retired to Tennessee.

We took a ride to nearby Ozone Falls

 

Dick and Donna live in a community on the lake in the background.  The covered picnic areas provide shaded and cool respite from the hot sun.

The Cumberland County Community Band is a volunteer organization that gives several concerts a year.  The program of patriotic music in the Crossville High School auditorium was excellent.

Chattanooga, Tenneesee - Spaceship House

6/29-30/11

The scenic route from Chattanooga over the top of Signal Mountain to Crossville, Tennessee was a beautiful leisurely drive.  This house is at the base of the mountain as it is visible from the road.

This view from the street shows the hatch which serves as the entrance.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

6/29/11

A pit stop in Chattanooga took us to the Aquarium.  We walked around the interesting area between the attractive buildings.

The grounds contain raised walkways that look like an earthquake had hit the area.

 Children waded through shallow pools on the hot day.

Find out more at:
http://www.tnaqua.org/PlanYourVisit/PlanYourVisit.aspx

Henagar, Alabama - Old Buildings

6/26/11

We left Scottsboro, Alabama for Crossville, Tennessee on a scenic road.  Downed trees littered the sides of the road and the fields beyond around Henagar, Alabama.  While there was evidence of the April tornado, much had been cleared up and we stopped in Henagar so that Joan could take some photos of the damage done by the awesome power.

This link shows the distant tornado as it was happening.

The immediate aftermath of the tornado is shown in this clip.

Henagar is a small town with some interesting buildings.  Oliver's Feed Mill looks like it's for sale.

One of the most attractive buildings is this Noah's ark front which is probably a nursery or child-care center.

The ark is across the street from a relic of an interesting tire business.

Note the big tire at the front door.  This panoramic visual is made from two shots using Zoner Photo Studio 12, a free photo program.


This silhouette above a next-door business is common throughout the rural United States.

Scottsboro Boys Museum

6/28/11

While waiting for Joan at the Unclaimed Baggage Center, Bob found a brochure for the Scottsboro Boys Museum.  The museum was only open a few days a month.  Bob took a chance and called the telephone number at the bottom of the brochure and was fortunate to contact Shelia Washington, the founder and director.  Shelia graciously offered to open the museum for us.

Ms. Washington told us that she found a book under her parent's bed wrapped in an old cloth.  When she asked her father about the book, Scottsboro Boys by Haywood Patterson, he told her to forget about its existence.  It was apparent from Sheila's retelling of the story that her father was upset about what had happened in 1931.  Haywood Patterson was one of the nine mostly teens who were falsely accused of raping two white women.

The second story is that of a determined, focused and courageous woman who persevered in the face of veiled threats when she began to pursue the concept of the museum.  A church became available and she raised the funds to purchase it.  She gathered news articles and artifacts and opened her museum in February, 2010.  Sheila Washington is an inspiration.  She's proof that America is still a place where a person with little more than a dream and determination can succeed.

 

Joan stands with the indomitable Sheila Washington in the museum.

 

 

The church remains as it was when the last of the congregants - four elderly ladies - left to join another church.

 This corner shows photographs of the Scottsboro Boys taken when they were arrested.  A juror's chair from the courthouse is seen below the photographs.

More about this story that involved two Supreme Court decisions is available at:
http://scottsborostories.blogspot.com/

Scottsboro, Alabama - Unclaimed

6/28/11

One of the most intriguing locations that we've heard about is the Unclaimed Baggage Center.  That's the final destination for all those unclaimed airline bags.

Joan managed to find some jewelry to buy and Bob walked out empty-handed after looking at several hundred cameras and other "stuff".

You can find more information at:   http://www.unclaimedbaggage.com/

Nashville Zoo

6/26/11

 The Nashville Zoo is an extraordinarily impressive experience.  Although the day was hot and humid, there was ample shade and a few indoor exhibits.

 One of the literally cooler areas was Alligator Cove.  The path through the bamboo grove was shaded and inviting.

 This huge enclosed cage brought us close to the birds.

Birds watched everyone who came into the cage.  Several landed on Joan -they were attracted to her because of the small cups of flavored water that she carried.

The earring was too attractive to pass up.

 Large and small animals live in clean and natural settings.

  Flamingo Lagoon was near the end of the zoo trail.  It was fun to see them cavorting around.

Explore this fascinating place at:
http://www.nashvillezoo.org/