I took a drive through some of the back roads of Alabama about a week ago. My middle child rode with me and, of course, I had to stop a few times for photos. What she did not know when we left, was that I brought along a camera for her to take some photos too. This is not one of hers. I’ll have to post some of them soon.
You can find some of the most interesting things if you get off the beaten path. I found this driving Highway 9 in Alabama. Obviously, it has been around a long time. Since 1893 according to the sign. You can only imagine the history for which this building has been present.
I took a quick trip to Ruby Falls a few months ago and could not help stopping by Point Park that overlooks Downtown Chattanooga. I was very surprised by the lack of visitors. We just about had the entire park to ourselves.
Every July 4 in the US requires red, white, and blue fireworks. This display was in Woodstock. While it was not the most comfortable, the rain cleared out just in time and it wasn’t too bad getting to sit in the back of the van and watch.
Established as a guiding light for the budding colony of Georgia in 1732, the lighthouse on Tybee Island is one of the oldest in the United States. It now stands 154 feet tall at the mouth of the Savannah River and still lights the way for mariners.
I took this shot after taking the 178 stairs to the top and back down. Fortunately, we made it before they shut the lighthouse down that day due to an approaching storm.
One of my favorite places in Panama City Beach are the jetties along the pass at St. Andrews State Park. It is always fun to go watch the boats coming and going. My favorite are not the small ones, but the large transport ships. It amazes me to see them navigate such a small area. It is hard to believe that the water is deep enough for most of them.
One afternoon while we were visiting St. Andrews State Park in Panama City Beach, I decided to take a stroll from the ocean to the northern point of the park along the beach for the bay. I found many interesting things, but was fascinated with this piece of driftwood. I found several logs, but nothing other than this that was man made, or processed. I know that the ocean holds many mysteries and transports things you would never believe, but I was impressed that this beach was so clear of garbage.
This shot is from the top of the fire tower on Mount Sterling in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park looking east over North Carolina. The day before this, I hiked just over 6 miles and gained over 4000 feet of elevation in that time, carrying all my camera gear and camping gear. What a climb, but well worth it for views and a sunrise like this. I almost did not get out of the hammock, as it was so cozy. Fortunately I did.
