Coon Dog Cemetary --Colbert County, AL

If you live in North Alabama and have NEVER been to 

THE COON DOG CEMETERY... It is high time you make a 

visit..

It was established by Key Underwood who buried his dog Troop there in 1937 right before Labor Day in a location where he and his buddles loved to camp at a pine bluff called Sugar Creek.   

Key didnt really mean to, but he was actually establishing the World's only Coon Dog cemetery...He really just wanted to give his dog a proper burial...he was special.  

Years later, his brother buried one of his coon dogs at the same location, so the men decided they needed to protect the site. They leased the area named the cemetery the Key Underwood Memorial Graveyard.

This granite monument of two dogs barking up a tree marks the entrance to the cemetery.

It is one you are sure to never forget. 

Coon dogs are the only kind of dogs buried here...

Until the internet came along...word of mouth was the only way the

 location and existence of this place was known about...

It is a special place for Coon dog owners and 

memorials of their dogs.  

A granite monument of two dogs barking up a tree marks the entrance to the cemetery.

 The 2002 movie "Sweet Home Alabama" even included a scene featuring a recreated version of the graveyard. Several world champion coon dogs are at rest here, including Hunter's Famous Amos, Ralston Purina's Dog of the Year in 1984.

Each Labor Day, the Friends of the Coon Dog Cemetery host a celebration at the cemetery from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Entertainment includes music, dancing, food and a liar's contest. Official Coon Dog T-shirts, Cemetery Pins, and Camouflage Caps are available to purchase.

The cemetery is still open for interments, but the Coon Hunters' Association must verify that the dog is an authentic coon dog. A pedigree is not required, but the dog must have been a hunting dog and must have hunted raccoons exclusively.

You can find the Coon Dog Cemetery 7 miles west of Tuscumbia on U.S. Hwy 72. Turn left on Alabama Hwy 247, and travel approximately 12 miles. Then turn right, and follow the signs. 

The graveyard is open every day during daylight hours.

You can contact the Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau, 1-800-344-0783; (256) 383-0783.

For more photos of the Coon Dog Cemetery, visit Strange Alabama's Facebook Page. 

Falls Mill Visited in September 2011

FALLS MILLS - BELVIDERE, TN.

On this day in August, the Southern Day Trippers decided to take a road trip North.  We ventured outisde of the state on this expedition into the beautiful rolling hills of Tennessee. 

We ended up in Belvidere, TN at a wonderful place called FALLS MILL.  It is an operating water-powered grain mill and museum.

 

This is a wonderful place to take your family; WADING CREEK.  PICNIC AREA.  COUNTRY STORE.  MUSEUM.  LOG CABIN BED AND BREAKFAST.   




Beautiful waterfall

  

They have a century old 32 foot water wheel that is one of the largest in the country.

Nicklas and Chelsea in front of the waterfall that flows at Falls Mill. 

Pack up and head North on Hwy I 65.  Then take the exit onto Hwy 64.

If you stay on Hwy 64 it will take you right to
Falls Mill in Belvidere, TN.

They have guided tours, which are available with advance reservations. 

You can bring a lunch and have a picnic with your family by the beautiful cascading waterfalls. 

OPEN YEAR ROUND

MONDAY THRU SATURDAY 9-4

SUNDAY 12:30 - 4

CLOSED EACH WEDNESDAY, THANKSGIVING DAY, and DECEMBER 24th until the first Thursday in JANUARY 

The Nashville Central Railway Train Ride

Are you READY??? 

Do you want to relax...Enjoy a ride...

Well come on... These guys are ready to take you on a journey...

ALL ABOARD !!!!!

Sit back and relax and drink in the 

beautiful landscape 

of Tennessee...

They have several different types of cars to fit any of your needs. They are air conditioned with large sightseeing windows, and comfortable seats.  All of their seating is reserved at no extra charge.  

The trips include extra treats ranging from all the way from train robberies, music, civil war reenactments, and on-board murder mysteries to Watertown's famous mile long yard sale and seasonal visits from Santa and the Easter Bunny.  


The pictures below are some of the artistry from the people in Watertown..one in particular that I was mesmerized with.   

These are made from gourds..

I was totally amazed by the artwork of this lady..

They were amazing...A true artist..

As you can see..We went on the ride that went to a yard sale in Watertown...It was filled with awesome arts and crafts.  

 You never have a dull moment on these train rides...They are filled with fun. 

GO CHECK THEM OUT !!!

TELL THEM HAPPY FEET TRAVELIN 

and Lisa Giovino From Athens, AL sent you 

Click on the link below to get to the 2017 Excursion schedule

http://tcry.org/pass_ops.htm 

IVY GREEN - TUSCUMBIA, AL

If you have never been to Tuscumbia, AL

 

and strolled up to

 

IVY GREEN

 

you are missing a rich piece of history...

 

If you have children...You REALLY need to go

 

and take them to visit 

 

IVY GREEN:

 

 

THE BIRTH PLACE OF

 

HELEN KELLER

 

 

 

Ivy Green was built in 1820.  It is a design of Southern architecture.  The house survived the Civil War and is maintained in its original state.  It is now kept in a memorial to the blessed miracles in the life of Helen Keller, a 7-year-old blind girl.  Ivy Green is on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

 

 

The address is:

 

300 North Commons Street, West

Tuscumbia, AL 35674

(256) 3834066

 

 

These prices and times of operation were taken from the website.

 

Hours:

Monday through Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Last tour starts at 3:45 p.m. daily

Holiday closings: Easter, Labor Day, Thanksgiving day, Dec. 24, 25, 26th and New Years Day.

Home Tour Admission:Adults..........................................$6.00
Students ages 5 -18..................$3.00
Seniors & "AAA" members......$5.00
Military (Active and Retired).....$5.00
Group of 20 or more..................Adults $5 & Children $2.00 (Group reservations requested)

 

 

DESOTO FALLS STATE PARK

 

If you feel like going to a

 

 

 WONDERFUL SITE in ALABAMA...

 

 TREK ON UP TO 

 

DESOTO FALLS

 

 

This 3,502-acre park provides lodging facilities including: Mountain Chalets, Log and Rustic Cabins, Motel Rooms, and an Improved Campground with 94 full-hookup tent and RV sites. For the more adventurous, there are also Primitive Camping sites for tents as well as 2 backcountry campsites with shelters. No matter what type of lodging you might prefer or have need of, we have it!

 

DeSoto State Park is conveniently located only 8 miles northeast of Fort Payne, Alabama; and DeSoto Falls - also part of DeSoto State Park - is located about 7 miles north of the park heading towards Mentone, Alabama.

 

 

 

7104 DeSoto Parkway NE

Fort Payne, AL 35967

 

 

 

DeSoto State Park has plenty to do to keep you pleasantly entertained. You can kayak, fish, hike, rappel, picnic, and go exploring.  You will never get bored of enjoying what God has given us to see in Desoto Falls.  Spend the day with your family here.  :)

 

We loved going and enjoying the beauty of the falls. 

 

UNCLE MICKS

UNCLE MICK'S CAJUN MARKET AND CAFE'

UNCLE MICK'S CAJUN MARKET AND CAFE'

in
 

Prattville, AL

 

 

 

 

 

We went on this trip in November of 2012, but still today we  LOVE UNCLE MICK  <3 

 

If you are EVER headed south...You so NEED to STOP by and say HELLO To UNCLE MICK....

GO to this wonderful restaurant.....

 

It is WONDERFUL and It is truly worth your time.  

 

Traveling I-65 South and get off at Exit 179....Go straight into downtown Prattville...and there it was on the right hand side of the road.  It was VERY easy to find. 

It will take you three hours from Athens, AL., but let me tell you what it was well worth the drive..

 

 

UNCLE'S MICK'S CAJUN MARKET AND CAFE'

 

 

 

Uncle Mick

 

Mickey Thompson is the owner of this awesome Cajun restaurant and it is truly wonderful dining experience. It is nestled in beautiful

downtown Prattville, AL.

The decor of the place is really COOL!!Uncle Mick has a place for you to sit inside or a back porch for you to sit and relax on and dine.

He is a super friendly guy and it was wonderful to meet him. We hope to get to opportunity to go back again sometime.   

 

 

I love this place, and feel right at home every time we go.  We have been several times since we went back in November 2012, and are overdue now.   Uncle Mick is behind the counter  serving the food with a smile.  He is so very polite to everyone and is always giving samples, and allowing his customers to try items before they got their meal.



 

 

I ordered on my first trip:

 

1/2 Crawfish Etoufee and 1/2  Shrimp A La Creme, Cajun Potato Salad and Fruit 

Garlic Bread

 

 

Charlie ordered: 

 

Grilled Tilapia with Lemon Butter Sauce

Crawfish Etoufee, Tomato Salad/Feta Cheese and Blackeye peas  Garlic Bread

 

For dessert:

Bread Pudding w/ Bourbon Sauce

 

 

 

 

THE BREAD PUDDING IS SOOOOOO  GOOD !!!!

 

 

EVERYTHING WAS SO WONDERFUL!!!!

 

 

    

He has a great selection of Entrees:

 

Crawfish Etoufee

Seafood Gumbo

Chicken and Sauage

Chicken and Sausage Piquante

Alligator and Sausage Sauce Piquante

Red Beans and Sausage

Crab Meat Au Gratin

Grilled Tilapia with Lemon Butter Sauce

 

and tons of sides 

 

He has lots of desserts --of course I suggest the

BREAD PUDDING !!! haha

 

It is WONDERFUL!!!

 

 

GO SEE HIM!!!

 

IT IS WORTH YOUR TRIP...

 

IF YOU LOVE CAJUN FOOD

 

YOU WILL LOVE

 

UNCLE MICK!!!

 

 

               Tell him that Lisa Giovino from Athens, AL and 
                        Happy Feet Travelin Said HELLO (Used to be SouthernDayTrippers)

 

LOVE YA UNCLE MICK !!!!   

Check out Uncle Mick's Cajun Market out on Facebook at

 

http://www.facebook.com/UncleMicksCajun?ref=ts&fref=ts#!/UncleMicksCajun/info

Guntersville State Park --Check it out.

GUNTERSVILLE STATE PARK

 

Today Charlie and I traveled to Guntersville State Park to see the eagles.

 

We had a great time as we headed out about 8:30 AM and headed north on Hwy 72 towards Huntsville, AL..

We went 231/431 from Huntsville towards Guntersville.  On our first stop...We turned right at the sign that said Guntersville Dam. 

We went about 3-4 miles and take a fork to the right (towards the boat launch) ...then look on the right for a small gravel pull off.  Walk out the little open area...there is a eagles nest high in a pine tree on the right.  There is a picture of this nest  below. 

Eagles Nest


 

 After we visited the nest site, we went to the boat launch and seen the bird

 

nested in the tree. 

 



We have been there on numerous occasions and saw different eagles fly overhead.  Below are a few photographs I made of one flying. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





The Guntersville Lodge is an awesome place to stay also and has some cool displays.    



There is a bear loose in the foyer..








 



 





























ITS A OWL!!!!!















Excuse me?
 

 

 



DEER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!







 

 We saw quite a few deer while we were out on road

This one acted like she wanted to go home with us. 

I decided to name her Lola.   She was adorable :)

Lola the Diva Deer :)

 

 

 

Big Daddy Buck
 

 We had a good time together today exploring the many wonderful animals that God has put on this earth.  I did the driving and Charlie and I took time about doing the photography. 

 

 This is a great trip to take for the entire family.  If you have children this is a VERY educational trip. 

 

 Each year Lake Guntersville has Eagle Awareness Tours....Check out the best time of year to go for EAGLE AWARENESS.....(256)571-5440

 

 

It is truly awesome to see these awesome birds.  :)