Float on Flint Creek with Alabama EcoAdventures

Karen had been trying to get Katie Beth on the list for North Alabama Land Trust‘s “Tuesdays On the Trail” event today. At the last minute, Karen got word that they had space. So, Katie Beth and I made a mad dash to get ready and drive to Decatur.
We had a fun time paddling Flint Creek. The weather was warm, but the trees provided a lot of shade. Katie Beth was tired by the halfway point of our trip. I enjoyed the workout that paddling provides especial given the limited amount of paddling by Katie Beth.

I would truly recommend checking the Tuesday’s On The Trail.

You can see more photos here. Remember, the username and password are “Friends” and “Photos”.

Raising an Engineer

Katie Beth Lift Chair for Treehouse You don’t set out to raise an engineer, but you soon learn that you are raising one. You notice your tape disappears into masterly planned projects. You find in-progress projects throughout your house. You wonder if you should stop the more crazy ideas or in courage them. 

For her latest project, Katie Beth is designing and building a lift for her treehouse. She first started with a old chair’s seat bottom and attached a board to be a back. She drilled holes in the seat to attach a rope. She collected up all the exercise weights that she could find around the house. She searched around for a pail to hold the weights and proceeded to the treehouse to install her lift.  After she learned the pails is too small and weak, she found an old decorative plant basket, which was up for the job of holding the counter weights. 

It was wonderful watching the construction and testing of her idea, but best of all it is fun raising this wonderful daughter to be the best she can be. 

What a day in Nashville!

We took our friend and his daughter to Nashville to catch a flight to see his other daughter’s child’s christening.  After the airport drop-off, we headed to the Parthenon,  Along the way, we stopped by a White Castle for Karen’s breakfast and her first White Castle experience.

AthenaAfter arriving at the Parthenon, Katie Beth was demanding that we moved to the center piece the the event, which was the Athena statue.  It was impressive.  The builders provided a rich history of how the building and statue came about to be.  After seeing it and all of the other artwork in the Parthenon, we walked the beautiful grounds of the park.  Hunger soon came upon us.

Next up was lunch, we headed to the Tailgate Beer’s Music Row. The pizza, beer, and outside seating was the winner for us.  But for Katie Beth, Drew Lord’s mural and that he was working on it today was the winner.  Katie Beth sat close to the mural and watched Drew work on it.  After awhile, Drew approach Katie Beth and they chatted about art and drawing.  He asked Katie Beth if she would like to help him with the mural.  Drew Lord, being a parent, said check with her parents.  Katie Beth quickly ran to us and to confirm that it was okay.

Drew Lord and Katie Beth WorkingDrew asked Katie Beth to color in some details in a section of the mural.  Katie Beth was intent with her work and focused. It was fun for Karen and I to watch Katie Beth painting maybe even more fun for us watching than her painting.

After Katie Beth finished the section, Drew had her sign her work, which was a very sweet thing to do.  Drew, thanks for the cool opportunity.

What a day it has been!  We look forward to returning to Nashville, soon.

You can see more photos here. Remember, the username and password are “Friends” and “Photos”.

Mother’s Day

Mother's DayKatie Beth made Karen breakfast this morning for Mother’s Day and a nice homemade card. Karen enjoyed the smoked salmon with capers, onions, and a boiled egg. 

Chalk Art and Panoply

Octopus Chalk Art at Panoply 2017Katie Beth has been having a blast at Panoply. The various STEAM tents and their associated activities have been a lot of fun for her. The artist venders have been beautiful to see.

But, Katie Beth’s passion has been her chalk art. She started late last night as our day at Panoply was winding down. When we arrived this morning, she wanted to go directly to the art to check on it.  After seeing it, she went back to drawing. She loved blending the colors and her clothes, face, and hands showed it.

People would stop to watch her draw for a while and ask her questions. Some would even take photos of the chalk art.

She sure loves to draw.

Easter in Blue Ridge: Day 6

Today’s activities started with a big delay as Karen couldn’t find her phone and it wasn’t responding to Apple’s “Find My Phone” or to her Apple Watch’s search capabilities.  Karen was sure the battery must have died.  We searched for hours. After tearing the cabin apart, we finally found the phone. Karen was so relieved.

We decided to head out to hike Dukes Creek Falls Trail near Blairsville, Georgia and to visit Helen, Georgia that we have heard so much about from Hope. The drive was beautiful through the mountains of Georgia.  Along the way, we stopped at various overlooks.  The picture above is from one of those overlooks.

In Blairsville, we spotted a thrift store, had to stop, and we scored a few items.

Katie Beth and me on the viewing platform of Dukes Creek FallsDukes Creek Falls is a beautiful cascade of 150 feet.  The trail itself is about 2.3 miles round trip.  Along the trail, you have beautiful views of Duke Creek.  The actual falls are on Davis Creek, which join Duke Creek at the base of the falls.  We saw trout fishermen and lots of cascades in Duke Creek.

Karen wished we had had time to hike the Raven Cliff Falls Trail, but the round trip distance of 5 to 6 miles was too much. The falls cuts through a rock at the top of a cliff.

Dukes Creek Falls Trail

Helen Georgia ArchitectureWe arrived in Helen very hungry so we drove around town looking for a place to eat and learned that parking is a big deal in Helen as there are parking lots every where with high fees.  The town is a tourist destination, but we arrived in the off-season so the place was empty. Most of the town is decorated as a little German Village. Many of the residents are of a German heritage and a great many speak with a German accent.
Katie Beth and Karen at The Troll TavernKaren wanted fish for our late lunch so we decided on The Troll Tavern & Restaurant, which is under the bridge on the Chattahoochee River.  The food was very good and Katie Beth loved playing in the river on the rocks.  We could have sat along the river for hours. The weather was wonderful with mild temperatures and a nice breeze.  Katie Beth in Chattahoochee RiverKatie Beth had children to play with on the rocks.  We even had a parent compliment Katie Beth on how nice she was with their child.

Many places were closed, which could have been do to the season or that is was a Monday. But, we did find Zu Zu’s Petals Rock Shop. Karen and Katie Beth enjoyed exploring the store.  The owner let Karen have some free single crystal Staurolite samples.  Karen is wanting to find in the wild the double crystal form of Staurolite, which is in the form of a cross.

As the day came to a close, we needed to head back toward our cabin for dinner and to be packed for tomorrow’s trip home.

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