A Tank of Gas and a Day Off Archives - Page 4 of 6

Merridee’s Breadbasket and Gray’s on Main in Franklin, TN: Tasty Lunch Choices

04/27/2016 By: CCPearsoncomment

Let’s take a quick time-out from touring Louisiana Plantations.

Having 3 grandchildren only an hour and a half up I-65 from our house has a lot of benefits — not the least of which is the chance to explore their hometown of Franklin, TN. We recently had a 3-day babysitting gig while their parents were away that gave us yet another opportunity to explore . . . . and EAT! As a result, I want to blog about our 2 latest lunches. After all, Franklin has many festivals and reasons to visit. You definitely need to know where to eat. And, as you know, when I’m given a choice, I ALWAYS choose a non-chain. I want to support small business owners while soaking up local color and regional cuisine.

Our first lunch on this visit was enjoyed at Gray’s on Main — located specifically at 332 Main St. in downtown Franklin. The building was actually constructed in 1876, and in 1930, it was purchased by Frank Gray, Jr. and D. C. Kinnard. They established Kinnard Gray Drug Company. In the 1940’s it was renamed Gray’s Drug Company, and in 1952 the now-famous sign went up. More of this building’s history can be found on the website.

Steve had been hearing about the Hot Chicken that Nashville is becoming known for, so he ordered the Hot Chicken Sandwich. Let’s just say that his water glass had to be refilled numerous times. I had the crabcake with fried green tomatoes, roasted corn succotash and remoulade sauce. We were both very pleased.

The next day, we again drove down Main St., but this time we turned onto 4th Avenue South and parked in the free, 4-story parking garage. It’s a good thing Franklin has this — and probably they need to start building another one. We finally found an empty spot on the top level. A LOT of people like to go to downtown Franklin, TN.

Merridee’s was right across the street. Rightfully, it is officially called Merridee’s Breadbasket, and there are many very tempting baked goods for sale.

For this lunch Steve chose the smoked salmon roll-up, and I had what was called their “most popular sandwich,” the chicken salad. I am something of a chicken salad fanatic. It is one of my favorite things to order for lunch. Merridee’s chicken salad was good, but this time I think Steve’s choice won the prize. His roll-up was bursting with flavor and color. We shared some key lime pie — another thing we both have trouble resisting — and it was good, too.

A Taziki’s franchise is now open on Main Street, and there is a Mellow Mushroom at the end of the street. Puckett’s Grocery is very popular, but I haven’t tried it yet. We did try 55 South several months ago. We should probably give it another chance before I give you a definitive opinion. Maybe we just made unfortunate menu choices.

There are dozens of cute shops in the downtown area. Of course, Cool Springs is popular, but I believe you’ll find something special in the non-chain stores of this great town. And, don’t forget about my favorite preacher who “just happens” to pastor The Church at West Franklin at 700 TN-96. Tell him I sent you. 🙂

Countdown in The Shoals — 1 Long Wall That Will Inspire You

02/29/2016 By: CCPearsoncomment

What will my great-great-grandchildren know of me many years from now? Will my life story be one that inspires them? Will my actions and reactions to adversity be something they will want to share with as many people as will listen?

Tom Hendrix had a great-great-grandmother who inspired him to spend 35 years of his life creating a memorial to her. 35 years. By his count, Tom has hauled 25 1/2 MILLION pounds of rocks (that’s 8.5 million pounds handled a minimum of 3 times each), and in the process he has gone through many wheelbarrows and pairs of gloves. Te-lah-nay, Tom’s great-great-grandmother, was a Native American who was forced to leave during the Trail of Tears. She survived the trip to Oklahoma, but even more remarkably, she spent 5 years WALKING BACK. Tom has attempted to lay a stone to represent each one of her steps back home.

Tom, now in his 80’s, took time to tell me the story a few weeks ago and gave me a personal tour of the wall. It is a peaceful, absorbing, dramatic place. You can hear more of his story at www.ifthelegendsfade.com. The wall is located on Tom’s property at 13890 Country Road 8, Florence, AL 35633. It is open for visitors 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Tom Hendrix and his wall

A portion of Tom’s Wall.

Stones, stones, and more stones — 8.5 million pounds of them in all.

Countdown in The Shoals – 3 Artistic Names You’ll Want to Learn (if you don’t know them already)

02/22/2016 By: CCPearsoncomment

Allow me to introduce you to Robin Wade. You might just want to go directly to his website. His furniture creations are some of the most eye-catching and unique ones you’ll ever see. Examples can be found in the lobby area of the Marriott Shoals, the Florence/Lauderdale Tourism and Visitors Center, Court Street Market, Bank Independent, and at the Reception Center of the Rosenbaum House. No. Mr. Wade’s work does NOT come under the heading of “budget-friendly.” His pieces are high-end, and are crafted over a long period of time.

His is a fascinating, environmentally-aware process. He seeks out trees (oftentimes, walnut) that can be harvested sustainably. He prepares the wood for an aging period, and then fashions it in the least-invasive way possible. Here are just a couple of examples:

Robin Wade pieces in the Florence Visitors Center.

Robin Wade piece in the Marriott Shoals hallway.

2. The next name to learn is Natalie Chanin. Her clothing and home accessories company is called Alabama Chanin, and she, too, has a beautiful website. Think recycled materials. Think hand-sewn, as well as machine sewn by local seamstresses. Think one-of-a-kind. And, you begin to get a sense of her style and what makes her designs unique. The Alabama Chanin Factory is in Florence, AL. Tours are available, and a very upscale cafe is on site. There you will find a menu featuring fresh, locally-grown, organic produce with soups, salads, desserts and daily specials. The website’s calendar shows many times when sewing workshops are held.

3. The third name is one that you will recognize — Frank Lloyd Wright. But, it is significant here because the only house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Alabama is in Florence. The Rosenbaum House is also the only house designed by Wright to be open for tours in the Southeast. The house was bought from the Rosenbaum family by the city when Mrs. Rosenbaum could no longer live in it. Extensive restoration work was done, and it is now a stellar example of Wright’s Usonian style. In another interesting tie-in, Robin Wade considers Frank Lloyd Wright to be one of his primary design mentors.

Exterior of the Rosenbaum House.

Interior of the Rosenbaum House.

And, here’s a bonus name for you — Betty Sue Matthews. She is not from The Shoals, but she is a native Alabamian and a folk artist with a story similar to that of Grandma Moses. Here are a couple of links to stories about her you might enjoy. The Troy Messenger profiled her, since she is originally from nearby Brundidge, and DetourArt also featured her. I found out about her when I was exploring the fitness area of the Shoals Marriott. Several of her works are on the walls, and they were painted on corrugated paper. I wish I had known about her when I was teaching elementary school art.

Folk Art by Betty Sue Matthews.

Folk art by Betty Sue Matthews.

So, I hope you now have even MORE reasons to explore The Shoals.

Stay tuned for future posts about The Shoals:

2 Luxurious Places to Spend the Night

1 Long Wall That Will Inspire You

Countdown in the Shoals – 4 Great Places to Eat on Court Street

02/17/2016 By: CCPearsoncomment

There’s an especially convenient place to park once and get at least 4 great choices for lunch or dinner. Set your GPS for Court Street in Downtown Florence and decide what type of cuisine would whet your appetite. A couple of well-known chains are in the vicinity, but you know I always recommend that you try locally-owned businesses whenever possible. Sure, chains provide predictability, but life’s too short to always stay on the tried-and-true route. Venture forth.

Trattoria de Ricatoni (Ricatoni’s Italian Grill). This place has a great Mediterranean menu with the heavenly smells associated with those great herbs and spices. Lots of pasta and sauces.

2. City Hardware. Yes, a very strange name for a restaurant, but that’s what it is nevertheless. Good American food. The same man owns this place AND Ricatoni’s, and they share a wall.

3. Odette. This choice is very sleek and fresh. It has a Southern menu with international flavors and touches. The produce is locally-sourced, and the sauces are housemade. Very delicious. Chef Josh Quick is doing a great job making it something surprising and special. You’ll find things like fried chicken and meat loaf on the daily specials, but those items won’t taste anything like the ordinary versions you might normally expect. The website is beautiful.

Crisp fresh salad at Odette

Interior of Odette

4. Trowbridge’s. If you’re looking for something quick, easy, inexpensive — almost like fast food, but much better. Sandwiches, burgers, and ICE CREAM. Lots of ice cream. In the past, all the ice cream flavors were made in-house. The recipes are the same, but the production place is elsewhere now. You’ll be especially pleased with the low prices.

Trowbridge’s exterior

Stay tuned in upcoming posts for:

3 Artistic Names to Learn

2 Luxurious Places to Spend the Night

1 Long Wall That Will Inspire You

Countdown in The Shoals — 5 Places to Find Music

02/15/2016 By: CCPearsoncomment

I recently spent the day with Georgia Turner, who is the Media Relations Director at the Florence/Lauderdale Tourism and Visitors Center. She is a GREAT cheerleader for her part of the state and showed me so many things I’d never even heard of. And all of them are only about an hour from my house. Over the next few posts, I’ll share some of them with you — just in case you’re the curious type like I am.

Muscle Shoals has become synonymous with music, but actually all four towns that make up The Shoals (Florence, Sheffield, Tuscumbia, and Muscle Shoals) have their own special contributions in the area of music.

FAME Recording Studios – Muscle Shoals

FAME Recording Studios, sound board in Studio A

Inside FAME studio — where the major happened.

2. 3614 Jackson Highway – Sheffield “When a Man Loves a Woman” and “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” are only two of hundreds of records that were made using the talents, skills, and facilities of Rick Hall and a group of studio musicians he put together who later came to be known as The Swampers. The sounds they created became recognizable throughout the entire country. Watch the documentary “Muscle Shoals” and find time for a visit. It will make you proud AGAIN to be from North Alabama. www.fame2.com

3614 Jackson Highway, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, undergoing renovation

Muscle Shoals Sound t-shirt for sale in the gift shop.

3. The Alabama Music Hall of Fame – Tuscumbia This is a wonderful museum that houses costumes, instruments, recordings and personal effects from many music legends with connections to Alabama. It is a great place for school field trips — especially 4th graders learning Alabama History. www.alamhof.org

4. W.C. Handy Birthplace and Museum – Florence Handy, who became known as the “Father of the Blues” was born in this log cabin in 1873. The largest collection of items about him and his music are in this place. A yearly festival is held in his honor. www.wchandymusicfestival.org

W.C. Handy birthplace

Metal sculptures beside the Handy birthplace

FAME, the Hall of Fame, and the Handy birthplace are open regularly for tours. Both the Hall of Fame and the Handy birthplace charge admission. 3614 Jackson Highway is undergoing an extensive remodeling and rejuvenation but should be open again by late March or April of 2016.

5. Downtown Florence hosts First Fridays each month from March to December. Area musicians perform, shops and restaurants stay open late, and arts and crafts are on display. There is no admission charge for this fun time. Maybe I’ll see you there when the weather warms up.

Stay tuned for more of The Shoals Countdown:

4 Great Places to Eat on Court Street

3 Artistic Names to Learn

2 Luxurious Places to Spend the Night

1 Long Wall That Will Inspire You

A Few Days in Rival Territory Eating and Shopping

01/27/2016 By: CCPearson1 Comment

You know by now that I typically avoid chains — retail, dining, or hotel-wise — when it comes to my writing and recommending. Sure. I do go there, stay there, shop and eat there from time to time. But when I have a choice of something off the beaten path, locally-owned, with a unique vibe or menu, that’s where I want to go. After owning our own business (Pearson Animal Hospital in Hartselle) for almost 30 years, we understand how animated and enthusiastic folks can be when they talk about the places they have created with the “sweat of their own brows.” It’s pride, pure and simple, but in the unsinful sense of the word.

When my friend Beth Long and I were together last week, she took me to lunch at a great place called Sweet Home Food Bar at 2218 University Blvd. My first thought was, “Oh no. Not a buffet.” But, my worries quickly dissipated when we walked in the door and were handed our menus. I loved the old brick walls and the exposed ceilings. The owners, George Harsch and his wife Debra, are friends of Beth’s and were delightful to meet. The food was SO, SO good. Beth recommended the BLT with pesto mayo, and she was right. The “T,” by the way means fried green tomatoes. Oh my! Beth’s daughter Maggie ordered a buffalo chicken sandwich, and it looked yummy, too. There is a room in the back that is perfect for small meetings or parties. We visited on a Monday when several dozen businessmen and retirees gather. Back in Hartselle, that would probably have been called “The Liars’ Table.” I’m sure they were swapping tall tales. Sweet Home Food Bar is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday through Saturday and for brunch on Sundays. Give them a try.

Sweet Home Food Bar owner, Debra Rubino

Sweet Home Food Bar in Downtown Tuscaloosa.

Colorful salads at Sweet Home Food Bar.

A couple of doors down from Sweet Home, at 2228 University Blvd,, is an interesting shop called Olive Tree. Owner Chris Roycroft loves to interact with his customers. Olive Tree has a large mix of furniture, accessories, and antiques. Much of the merchandise is sold on consignment. Chris is confident that your first visit won’t be your last. He knows his folks come in, spot an item or two, mull it over for awhile, and then come back in to make their purchase, and he’s okay with that.

Inside Olive Tree.

Beyond Southern Furnishings is an enjoyable store featuring furniture pieces with wood trim from India and Indonesia. The decor definitely fits the shabby chic style. There are plenty of gift items and artwork by Emily G. I was particularly drawn to Emily G’s designs and color. A percentage of her sales is used to assist Christian orphanages and missions around the world. Good for her. Check out her website — www.emilygcollection.com

Beyond Southern Furnishings on 20th Ave.

Art by Emily G.

Take 5 minutes and cross the Black Warrior River to Main St. in Northport, as close as a town can get to Tuscaloosa. This happy block will remind you of downtown Rogersville or even Main St. in Franklin, TN — without all of Franklin’s traffic. Many hungry folks — students and locals alike — flock to City Cafe. I didn’t get to try it, but the homecooking is said to be worth every calorie. I also wanted to try Mary’s Bakery, which is officially licensed to put University of Alabama logos on their products, but it was closed on Mondays. In fact, don’t plan to visit Northport on Mondays because many of the stores close that day. We DID, however, find the gorgeous shops of Rhubarb’s and Gracefully Done open. Rhubarb’s has a large selection of Vera Bradley merchandise and plenty of national championship clothing. Gracefully Done will tempt you to redecorate your entire house. So beautiful. You can also find a large toy store and an old-timey hardware store on Main Street. Definitely worth a few hours of your time.

Displays in Gracefully Done.

Shirts in Rhubarb’s.

Toys in the hardware store.

As suppertime approached, Beth took me to see Archibald’s and Catfish Heaven. Both were closed, but we did find Archibald and Woodrow’s open. Not fancy in any way. Just good barbecue, soul food, and fixins’. I understand that they even deliver to tailgate locations on game days. Considering all of the hassle of doing that, I couldn’t help being impressed.

Catfish Heaven.

Archibald’s.

Just for fun, Beth took me to Rama Jama’s, a hamburger place plastered with Bama memorabilia, and I got to pose with the owner, Gary Lewis, who many say bears a striking resemblance to Nick Saban. What do you think?

Rama Jama t-shirt.

Many people think the owner of Rama Jama looks a lot like Nick Saban.

If you enjoy art galleries, museums, indoor and outdoor concerts, water sports or parks, Tuscaloosa has plenty to offer.

Let me just state one more time for the record: I LOVE AUBURN. But, there is much to appreciate about Tuscaloosa, too, especially if you’re willing to overlook all the Bama stuff. War Eagle!

Here I am with my War Eagle sign standing in front of Bryant-Denny Stadium

P.S. Just one more note. I understand that there are many great churches in and around Tuscaloosa, but my friend Beth attends Church of the Highlands, which has just moved (debt-free) into an amazing new campus. They launched a 21-Day Prayer and Fasting effort to start the New Year. On the Monday morning when Beth met me to begin our day of touring, she had been at the church at 6:00 a.m. with ONE THOUSAND other people for an hour of prayer!!!! Just think about that. Hundreds of college students, along with people of all ages and backgrounds, caring enough to come out that early to pray . . . and on a holiday, no less. That church must be “doing something right.”

A Few Days in Rival Territory

01/25/2016 By: CCPearson2 Comments

Why on earth, you must be asking, would a degree-waving, orange-and-blue-wearing, War-Eagle-yelling Auburn fan deliberately CHOOSE to spend two whole days in Tuscaloosa, where the campus of arch-rival University of Alabama sits? Because I am enjoying my new role as a travel writer is only a minuscule part of the answer. After all, I could “travel write” anywhere. No, the big reason for me to spend time in “enemy territory” was to visit two great friends. One I’ve known practically all her life, and the other I first met when we began our missionary journey.

Beth Newman was a perky, cute, fun-loving, smart, talkative young girl in Hartselle, AL, who Steve and I taught in Sunday School. Her mother and I shared many conversations while our kids were growing up. Beth graduated a year ahead of my oldest daughter, and I lost touch with her UNTIL we reconnected via Facebook. Hurray for Facebook!! Beth was asking for prayer for her daughter Maggie who was undergoing very extensive and painful surgeries at Vanderbilt to correct severe scoliosis. Then, I watched via computer as Beth became Dr. Elizabeth Long, took on a very important job in special education with the Tuscaloosa City Schools, and moved with her husband and two daughters to Tuscaloosa. When Beth read that I was travel writing, she sent me a sweet invitation to let her show me her newly-adopted city. And, knowing of my Auburn loyalty, she even said we could steer clear of “Alabama stuff” if we needed to. Now, that, my friends, is a thoughtful person indeed!

Beth, her younger daughter Maggie, and me.

So, last week, Beth met me at the Bama B & B where I would be spending the night and gave me her entire day off showing me many, many sights and treasures of Tuscaloosa, AL and its sister city, Northport. I will be sharing some gems we unearthed in the next several blogs. I will say, though, that crimson, houndstooth, elephants, and number 16s (to signify the most recent national championship of the football team) are EVERYWHERE. There was no avoiding them.

An elephant-themed shirt.

16. Auburn fans aren’t sure that there really ARE 16.

A stuffed Big Al was waiting on my pillow.

If you only get off the interstate and follow the beaten path to Bryant-Denny Stadium for football games, eat at chain restaurants, and stay in chain hotels, you will miss the sights we saw. I wanted to visit places that “the locals” know about, and Beth did a great job of sharing them with me.

Barbecue place proclaims its allegiance.

Cookies with the distinctive A.

My mind was spinning when our day ended, and I got back to my room. I have to admit that I was impressed with Tuscaloosa. Both the rebuilding after the 2011 tornado AND the massive infusion of revenue stemming from the success of the football program has produced a gleaming, pulsating, dynamic city that is growing, drawing new businesses by the dozens and showing no signs of slowing down. You have to admire the vision of the city leaders.

The next morning I woke up in my historic bedroom and had a delightful breakfast with the B & B hosts (much more about that later). Then, I headed to the Tuscaloosa Visitors Center for additional information, did a little more exploring, and met another great friend for a long lunch.

Evelyn Sexton and me stopped chatting long enough to pose for this quick photo.

Evelyn Sexton and I stopped chatting long enough to pose for this quick photo.

I met Evelyn Sexton near the end of our training weeks in Richmond, VA before moving to Ecuador. We bonded immediately. Both of us from Alabama, both mothers of three children, and both piano performance majors in our college years! Evelyn and her husband Jim had been serving as missionaries in South America since 1988. They were willing and capable of answering my many questions, and very importantly, they “spoke our heart language” because they knew exactly where we were coming from both geographically AND emotionally. When we arrived on the field, we were in Cuenca while they were eight hours through the Andes Mountains in Quito, but we still saw each other at meetings and conferences. Evelyn and I even got to play some two-piano selections together at one of our big meetings and had a ball sharing with each other in that way.

Evelyn and Jim retired from the International Mission Board last summer after serving for 26 1/2 years. They are some of my heroes and did some wonderful work in Paraguay, Ecuador and Chile. Their seven grandchildren are thrilled to have them closer, and so am I. Evelyn and I talked for 2 1/2 hours and just scratched the surface of catching up. I would gladly go back to Tuscaloosa to spend more time with her.

Come back Wednesday for shopping and dining suggestions in Tuscaloosa, and next Monday I’ll tell you all about the Bama B & B.

Burritt on the Mountain — Huntsville Gem on Monte Sano

01/20/2016 By: CCPearson2 Comments

Perched on the top of Monte Sano Mountain overlooking Huntsville, AL, sits a true treasure for those of us who live in North Alabama — Burritt on the Mountain. So many different individuals and groups can benefit from this site. Given to the City of Huntsville in 1955, the land and mansion are named for the benefactor, Dr. William Burritt. The mansion is used for exhibits and tours, and an adjacent Historic Park consists of six restored 19th century homes and outbuildings, along with a barnyard full of animals. School groups come for field trips to learn about rural farm life between 1800 and 1900, plus there are other educational experiences and camps hosted in partnership with EarthScope and a series of lessons targeting homeschoolers. Burritt also hosts outdoor concerts, Candlelight Christmas, Holiday Magic, Easter festivities, theatrical events, Burritt Bash, and outdoor activities for adults, such as bird watching and hiking. The restrooms and vending machines are useful for the hikers, and Josie’s Gift Shop is fun for visitors of all ages. I hope you’ll have an opportunity to visit in the future.

Burritt sign at the entrance to the property.

Baron Bluff, wedding venue with panoramic windows.

A glimpse from the outside porch.

The reason for our recent visit, though, was the beautiful wedding of our friends’ daughter. What a gorgeous venue for a wedding!!! The view from Baron Bluff is inspiring no matter the season. We walked into a building full of panoramic windows and the sounds of The Blossomwood Strings. Ahhhh. Elegance and impeccable taste. Here are some glimpses from that lovely afternoon.

Elegant wedding cake adorned with fresh red roses.

Table decorations.

Reception table.

Humorous groom’s cake from a deer-hunting groom.

A very welcome sight on a cold January day.

The Unity Cross used in the ceremony.

What a sweet idea! Guests were invited to take bags of candy as they left.

Let the Men Fish While the Ladies Shop IN ROGERSVILLE, AL

01/18/2016 By: CCPearsoncomment

Folks in the Tennessee Valley, particularly those who live in the Wheeler Lake or Elk River sections of the Tennessee River or in the vicinity of Joe Wheeler State Park, will happily tell you about a very pretty town on Highway 72, just about halfway between Athens and Florence, AL. When I was a little girl growing up in Athens, my momma often took my siblings and me to Rogersville to buy shoes. Back then, the downtown area was lined with discount and outlet shoe stores. Now, though, it has evolved into something more attractive and appealing.

Fountain at Heritage Park in Rogersville.

The sunny side of the street.

On one end of this fun block, you’ll find Heritage Park acknowledging the war veterans from Rogersville. At the other end, you’ll find a bank, a pharmacy, Stanfield’s Steakhouse and a sign pointing to First Baptist Church. But, in between, you’ll see a dozen or more delightful shops with antiques, clothes, jewelry and gift items from chic to shabby, from quirky to elegant. Ya gotta love the names of these businesses — Gracie Bee’s, Mochadoodles, Too Peas, and The Lemon Tree, to name a few. Don’t they make you want to check them out?

Gracie Bee’s – children’s clothing.

Mochadoodles.

Lemon Tree.

A favorite place for sandwiches, soups and salads has been Cafe Savanna, right in the middle of the block. However, the owner closed on Christmas Eve, and everyone is eagerly waiting for a new proprietor to emerge. Stay tuned for a new name and an announcement, hopefully to come soon. I wonder if the Rooftop Rooster will get to stay??

Rooftop Rooster over Cafe Savanna.

When my Silver Fox and I visited recently, the town was gaily decorated for Christmas. But any time you visit, you’ll find attractive window displays and lots of things to make your credit cards quiver. Here’s a suggestion for my soul sisters — while hubby fishes nearby, shop and eat in Rogersville. But let that be our little secret. Oh, and one more very important tidbit. Rogersville is the hometown of Christy Jordan, who is the author of a very popular cookbook Southern Plate. Be sure to check out her website here. It’s chocked full of deliciousness.

Village Interiors and Specialty Gifts

Too Peas

Quirky items along the sidewalk.

War Eagle! Surely you’re not surprised that this awesome cake would catch my attention.

Sugar Creek candy store.

Pond Spring at Christmas Time

12/28/2015 By: CCPearson4 Comments

On December 19th, 2015, the Friends of Joe Wheeler, at least three area garden clubs, Site Director Kara Long, and other avid students of Wheeler family history, pulled out all the stops for a festive and well-attended celebration in the home and on the grounds of Pond Spring in Hillsboro, AL. You may remember that I have written about Pond Spring here, here, and here, so Steve and I couldn’t wait to go back to see this place decked out for the holidays. The more we go, the more we learn and continue our fascination with Fightin’ Joe Wheeler and his illustrious family.

The front of Pond Spring decorated with garlands.

Live greenery and fresh fruit.

This time I was given permission to make pictures inside Pond Spring, so I wanted to share some of them with you. Remember that one of the things that makes Pond Spring extra-special is the fact that 99.9% of the furnishings, clothing, decor items, books, portraits, and artifacts are original to the Wheeler family. Because of the dedicated efforts of General Joe’s daughter Annie, EVERYTHING POSSIBLE was kept.

Christmas tree in one of the family parlors.

An upstairs bedroom.

The weather was perfect for this celebration. Only one thing put a slight damper on the festivities. The event began at 10:00 a.m. and was to end at 3:00 p.m. At 11:15, just as things were getting cranked up and eager visitors approached the property, a train came through and STOPPED on the tracks, blocking the road leading to Pond Spring. Ms. Long and many others started making phone calls, but it was still an entire HOUR before that train moved out of the way. Arghhhhh! I found myself chuckling over the thought that Miss Annie Wheeler — tiny but audacious woman that she was — would have gone straight to the front of that train, yelling and shaking her fist at the conductor until she got results. When the train tracks were originally laid on her property, a thick line of trees were going to be cut down. Miss Annie got on the phone to the Governor, and those trees remain today. Feisty. Very feisty. And influential for sure.

Sweet child dressed for the celebration.

Refreshments provided by the Friends of Joe Wheeler.

I asked one of the docents about the current owners of all those thousands of acres. He told me that Miss Annie had been uneasy about the nephews who stood to inherit the property, so she designated a bank nearby to hold the land in a trust and only a year ago did those nephews (or their heirs) finally get to divide the property. Bear in mind that she died in 1955, so those folks had been waiting for 60 years!!

Complimentary carriage rides for guests.

Make your plans to visit Pond Spring in 2016 and start your own discovery of this excellent source of pride for every Alabamian.

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