One Last Bridge




Clarkson Covered Bridge

 

There was one last covered bridge that Fred and Elaine hadn't seen.  It was on our way home, so we stopped.  This one is in need of repair so you can't drive your car across it.  There is a neat little dam and grist mill there though.  It was a nice way to end our fun two days of running around Northern Alabama with Fred and Elaine.  We always have so much fun when they come up.  We'll be looking forward to the next time!

Mountain Entertainment

Our so nice tour guide.  He even took the picture of the four of us.   



starting out





He's on the right,on the edge of the rocks, half way up the picture.



He makes it to the top.



His wife spots him with the rope.

As we were walking around the top of the canyon at the park, we came across some people who were dropping ropes down the side of the rocks.  Then, they were climbing down the cliff between the rocks, where it wasn't that steep.  We came across this guy and we started talking to him about the people and what they were doing.  He told us that his wife was a rock climber but he wasn't because he was scared of heights.  Yes!  my kind of man!!! and he even admits it...ha!  He told us that there was a path all the way down to the bottom of the canyon and that was how he was getting down.  He said he would take us down on it.  As we talked, we found out that he and his wife were from Destin, Florida.  Also that they had just spent a month on their sail boat, down in St. Pete. at the Vinoy harbor.  Small world up here, I tell ya.  After climbing down the canyon for awhile, we finally came across the people who were going to be climbing up the canyon. They were so nice and talked to us about it.   We all sat down to watch.  It was amazing how this guy climbed up where there were no places to put his feet or hands.  He held on by just a thread of rock.  It really was entertaining.  He went up the rocks like he was Spider Man! It all just added to our fun time at Palisades Park in the Fall.  

Falls Palisades Park



Eating lunch



Alabama Rock



Beautiful view





Chuck and the natural bridge



Chuck climbing up, up , up!



Elaine and Fred



I think Palisades Park is the most beautiful in the Fall.  The wind was really cold when we were on top of the mountain but once we got hiking through the rocks and down the path to the bottom, it wasn't cold at all.  In fact, we were taking off our layers. We had stopped and picked up sandwiches for lunch.  We found a picnic table in the sun and enjoyed our food before heading out for the couple of hours of hiking.  The views where breath taking from the top and even from the bottom, looking up at all the rocks.  We certainly got our exercise for the day. It was a great day as usual when we spend them with Fred and Elaine.  

Easley Bridge in the Fall



I love this picture!!! 



The second bridge that we got to drive through was the Easley.  It was smaller but just as fun.  There seemed to be more colored trees around it to make it as beautiful as a painting.  I know I said Spring was my favorite season, but once Fall comes and all the trees are so beautiful, I change my mind.  I will change it back once Spring comes though.  What ever season we are in, is my favorite. 

Swann Bridge in the Fall

We had wanted to go back to Palisades Park in the Fall, last summer when we were there with Fred and Elaine.  So, we set out for the day and since the covered bridges were on the way, we decided to take little side track trips to see if they had them open.  They were redoing all three of the ones we went to last summer.  The two that we went to, they had finished and you could drive through them.  It was something that Chuck and I had never done.  It was actually really neat.  The scenery was so different from summer since all the trees where in their colored glory.  It was just beautiful! 

Tuscumbia's Train Depot



Just like two little boys looking into the caboose



As we drove around Tuscumbia, we came across the really neat train depot.  It didn't look like it was in use any more but it sure would make a great movie set.  I could just see the people dressed in period clothing, waiting to get on the trains to travel across country.  I pictured Helen Keller and Annie sitting on the benches outside, waiting to get on the train.  I'm in love with history! 

Spring Park in Tuscumbia



A gate in down town Tuscumbia



Even a carousel



Fred and Elaine with carving



Beautiful flowers



Cold Water Falls..Largest man made water fall.



Oh No!!! Here comes a train!!!!

Our first fun day with Fred and Elaine included a trip to Tuscumbia to find something that we hadn't seen before.  That was easy.  After warming up in a local book store/coffee shop with a pumpkin muffin and pumpkin coffee ( Chuck and Fred had regular coffee...men!) we walked down to this wonderful park that had the largest man made water fall in the U.S.   It was beautiful!  This whole park was beautiful!  It had a fountain with tons of geese and ducks swimming in the pond.  A train that went around the whole park and even a carousel! Any kid would want to spend the day there. We loved it!! 

Happy Fall Ya'll!



Gate Post





pumpkins I grew



Instead of putting Fall decorations at the back porch this year, I decided to decorate the gate post so people would see them from the road.  We never close the gate any more.  In fact, the last time it was closed was three years ago.  We opened it November 7, 2009 and it's been open ever since.  Remember how we pulld up to the gate to open it and there was a big " Welcome Home!" banner on it?  Who knew, three years ago, that Shell would be moving up the same time of year.   Life is always full of surprises! 

What's New



New Valances



Chair recovered





Huge Peace Lily

What a difference some fabric makes up at the windows.  Well, it wasn't " just fabric" but a lot of work too but it was worth it.  Chuck made the wooden valances and I spent three days, sewing and covering them with batting and fabric.  Before I left for my Florida trip, we had dropped the recliner off to be recovered.  It was ready to be picked up when I got home.  It's hard to believe that the same chair had white, flowery fabric on it before.  Now it looks like a chair that belongs in a room with rich fabrics and colors.  I'm finally getting the living room to look like we have always lived here.