Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Just Arrived!

Parking Area

On Our Way Up To The Top

After Hiking The Appalachian Trail (Sort Of)

 

Clingman's Dome

The View

On Our Way Back Down

We went to Great Smoky Mountain National Park on "our way home".  Of course, it also rained nearly the whole time.  By this point in the trip, we are used to the constant drizzle, and keep umbrellas with us for the inevitable downpour every hour.  All of the rivers were swollen and scary looking.

As soon as we entered the park, we saw several elk and a group of turkeys. What is the name for a group of turkeys?

I just looked it up, a group of turkeys is called a rafter. 

We hiked to the lookout point for Clingman's Dome, 6,643 feet high and the tallest mountain in Smoky Mountain National Park.  The distance from the parking areas is only 1/2 mile, but because it is steep, it required us and our lowland lungs to stop frequently.  

We couldn't see anything because the clouds were super thick.  It made everything seem eerie and i look forward to going back sometime when the sun is shining.  

WhiteStone Farm

Original Cabin

Path To The Spring

Cool, Refreshing, Spring

Red Dirt Turns Into Red Mud

Giant Fishing Spider

Valley

After camp, we were fortunate to spend time with friends in North Georgia.  They have a large amount of land to tromp on, and even though it rained nearly the whole time, we had fun anyway.
Jasper and i even managed to start and cook our meal over a blazing fire in a torrential downpour.
At the highest elevation, they have a shop and sell various items to passersby.  The view up there is beautiful. Just a taste of what was to come...

Camp Fasola

View From Our Cabin

Hayride With A Friend

Friends

Zip Line

Hollie Powell

A Different Kind Of Friend

This is the reason we came South in the first place...Camp Fasola.  We had a WONDERFUL time and learned a lot about Shape Note Singing.

http://campfasola.org/

Happy 11th Birthday To Tullaia!!

Civil Rights Institute/Kelly Ingram Park

The Civil Rights Institute is across the street from the church.  There is a lot to learn about here and worth the time/ money.  On Sunday, it is donation only.  
http://www.bcri.org/

Across the street is Kelly Ingram Park, otherwise known as West Park.

Many demonstrations and rallies took place here as well, including an assembly point for participants in the SCLC's (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) Project C.
Under the direction of SCLC President Martin Luther King, Jr., and Fred Shuttlesworth, department stores were targeted for boycotts and protest marches organized. Dr. King was arrested and held in solitary confinement for three days.  During this time, he wrote, smuggled out of jail, and had his "Letter from Birmingham Jail" printed.  
After so many peaceful adult protesters had been arrested and filled the jails, the SCLC called on children and young people to join the protests.
Under orders from Public Safety Commissioner Eugene "Bull" Connor, police arrested 600 child picketers (some as young as six years of age) and by the next day, 1,000 children had been jailed. 
In the days that followed, firemen used high-pressure fire hoses to blast the protesters, loosed the attack dogs and beat people with nightsticks.  

I am in awe of the children and parents who were brave enough to be peaceful protesters despite such evil injustice.  

Birmingham, 16th Street Baptist Church

We were fortunate to receive scholarships for Camp Fasola in Alabama.  So the kids and i headed out for a road trip.
On Sunday, we went to church at 16th Street Baptist Church, which was organized in 1873 as the First Colored Baptist Church of Birmingham.
Due to it's important role in the black community, and it's central location in downtown Birmingham, many mass meetings and rallies were held here in the 1960's.  Throughout the turmoil taking place in a city nicknamed "Bombingham", the church provided a safe haven for black men, women and children dedicated to destroy the evils of segregation.  This is also where 4 little girls were killed by a bomb while they attended Sunday School.
I felt very emotional while we worshipped here and i am glad we went.
http://16thstreetbaptist.businesscatalyst.com/index.html

Chicks 3 Weeks Old

Dot

Clover Kids

Bessie(Bossie)

Sweetie

Chip In Front

In these pictures, they are 3 weeks old, and they still look like innocent little fluffballs.   But since then, they have turned into mischief makers.  They have lost nearly all of their down and are covered in real deal feathers.  And they work!  A few times, they have flown right out of their box and onto the toilet or floor.
And they are loud too.  Judy is trying hard to hold it together, but since they are in the bathroom, it is hard for her.  She loves chicken nuggets.
The coop is not done yet, but soon!

Andy Goldsworthy Inspiration

As i was going through the pictures, i found this one.
The kids are sleeping, but i am guessing one of them was inspired by Andy Goldsworthy and ripped the leaves accordingly.
The book was given to me by Helen, for my wedding, and has been cherished by all of us.

I found out recently that she passed away and left 3 kids behind.
I didn't know her well, but think of her often because of this gift.

Free Flower Yard

Bush's Poppy Mallow

Black-Eyed Susan

Bee-Friend On Lamb's Ear

I am excited to have money to buy some different flowers.  But for now, the flowers i brought from our old yard have spread out and are having babies.
I like plants that aren't picky.  Same goes for people.

Chicks

Awake

Asleep

Sweetie Sleeping (Barred Plymouth Rock)

Dot (Golden Buff)

Chip (Golden Laced Wyandotte)

Bessie (Golden Campine)

These little chicks eat, sleep, and poop a lot.  But they grow up fast and are super cute.  Their tail feathers and wings are already popping out.
They think the thermometer is their warm mama.