Pictures of the Week 2009-3
Hello All,
We are currently under a tornado watch here in northern Alabama and it is pouring down rain outside. The forecast is for more of the same for the next couple of days. So, what better time is there to sit down and start catching up on our Pictures of the Week.
In May, Barb and I, and a group of our friends traveled to Decatur, AL to take in the annual Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic. The brilliant colors of the balloons on a bright blue sky would be right down our alley for taking photos. Well, to say it was a bust would be an understatement! A cold front was moving through the state and not a single balloon was able to take flight! We were disappointed to say the least.
At the balloon classic there was an antique farm tractor exhibit that we toured. It wasn’t the same as seeing hot air balloons launch but was still interesting. There was even a tractor parade--whoopee!
Below is a 1952 Ford tractor with only 6 hours on the engine. Hard to believe someone would buy a tractor 57 years ago and not use it. Some people collect stamps and others collect tractors!!
We are currently under a tornado watch here in northern Alabama and it is pouring down rain outside. The forecast is for more of the same for the next couple of days. So, what better time is there to sit down and start catching up on our Pictures of the Week.
In May, Barb and I, and a group of our friends traveled to Decatur, AL to take in the annual Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic. The brilliant colors of the balloons on a bright blue sky would be right down our alley for taking photos. Well, to say it was a bust would be an understatement! A cold front was moving through the state and not a single balloon was able to take flight! We were disappointed to say the least.
At the balloon classic there was an antique farm tractor exhibit that we toured. It wasn’t the same as seeing hot air balloons launch but was still interesting. There was even a tractor parade--whoopee!
Below is a 1952 Ford tractor with only 6 hours on the engine. Hard to believe someone would buy a tractor 57 years ago and not use it. Some people collect stamps and others collect tractors!!
This is a 1938 John Deere tractor.
“The Whistle Man” was also at
the jubilee. Now you might think an “ole boy” that loves all types of whistles
would be an Alabama farmer. Well you would be wrong. The Whistle Man is Ron
Beberniss, a retired doctor from Texas.
Not only does he collect whistles, but he spent 16 years building a
glorious 53’ live aboard boat. On a
cruise up the Tennessee River the doctor and his wife stopped at Florence
Harbor and fell in love with the city and the shoals area. He and his wife have
since moved to Florence. Let me tell you when he cranks up some of those train
whistles they are some kind of loud!! He even has a player piano type thing
hooked up to a bunch of whistles. It was
pretty neat listening to it--sounded like a calliope.
In June we hooked up the
travel trailer and headed for east Tennessee. Traveling with us were our
friends Mike & Marie in their motorhome.
We parked the rigs on Tellico Lake and spent the week touring the Great
Smoky Mountain National Park and other sites in the area. In the evenings it
was way too hot for the campfires we came prepared to build, so we just
relaxed, kicked back, and watched the sun set over the lake.
It was an extremely wet summer
for the southern states this year--heavy rain day after day accompanied with
flooding. Normally the flood gates on the dams on the Tennessee River are
closed during the summer to conserve the water in the lakes behind them. This
summer was an exception. At one point Wilson Dam had all the flood gates open
releasing 100 million gallons of water a second!! It was pretty awesome to
witness!
In early August we made a roadtrip to Gadsden,
AL to experience an outdoor sale. This is not just any ole yard sale. It’s the
world’s longest outdoor sale, stretching from Gadsden, Alabama, through
Tennessee, to Covington, Kentucky--some 450 miles! It was fun and we made a
memory, but we won’t be going back real soon! There were yard sales on both
sides of the highway and traffic was bumper to bumper. Just about anything and everything you could
think of was for sale. After four hours and only ten miles traveled we decided
we had seen enough.
Our trip to Gadsden did
provide one pleasant surprise. That was
the discovery of Noccalula Falls and the legend associated with it. The legend of Noccalula came from the early times.
Originally known as the Black Creek Falls, the legend as written says that
“…long ago, on a mountain summit within sight and sound of a rushing waterfall,
lived a great Indian Chief whose young daughter, Noccalula, was famed far and
wide for her beauty and loveliness of character.” Many gallant braves sought
the old chief for the hand of Noccalula, but only one was favored by the girl’s
father, a rich chief of a powerful neighboring tribe, who had much to offer in
exchange: wampum, horses, and blankets.
Vainly Noccalula pleaded that her heart was already given to a young
brave of her own tribe. But this young warrior, though noted for his skill and
valor, possessed little in worldly goods.
The old chief refused to listen and ordered his daughter to make ready for the marriage he had arranged. What was a maiden’s silly fancy against many horses, much wampum, and union with another strong tribe? The girl’s lover was driven from the tribe, and a marriage agreement was made with the neighboring chief.
The wedding day came and a great feast was prepared. In silence Noccalula allowed herself to be arrayed in festive wedding robes. It was incredible to be sold to a stranger by the father she loved! Her chosen lover had been forever banished! Overcome with grief, she quietly slipped away from the merrymakers during the festivities. The soft rhythmical rush of waters called her. For a moment she stood poised upon the brink of the yawning chasm--one leap, and her troubles were over.
Heartbroken, the remorseful father gave the great cataract his daughter’s name and since that day the waterfall has been called Noccalula.
The old chief refused to listen and ordered his daughter to make ready for the marriage he had arranged. What was a maiden’s silly fancy against many horses, much wampum, and union with another strong tribe? The girl’s lover was driven from the tribe, and a marriage agreement was made with the neighboring chief.
The wedding day came and a great feast was prepared. In silence Noccalula allowed herself to be arrayed in festive wedding robes. It was incredible to be sold to a stranger by the father she loved! Her chosen lover had been forever banished! Overcome with grief, she quietly slipped away from the merrymakers during the festivities. The soft rhythmical rush of waters called her. For a moment she stood poised upon the brink of the yawning chasm--one leap, and her troubles were over.
Heartbroken, the remorseful father gave the great cataract his daughter’s name and since that day the waterfall has been called Noccalula.
We also found the Noccalula
Chapel to be quite lovely.
Previously we mentioned all
the rain the South has had this summer.
After a two-week period of heavy rain we decided to take another trip to
Noccalula Falls. The difference was
impressive to say the least. It was a
nasty wet day but we thoroughly enjoyed watching the awesome power of Mother Nature.
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns