Old church, black doors, yellow flowers

Trinity Episcopal Church

Florence, Alabama, U. S. A.

The Shoals

Sharing with Rubbish by Roan

and

Inspired Sunday

My chinny-chin-chin

Una the Lion

University of North Alabama

Florence, Alabama, U. S. A.

See more of The Shoals here.

My best side

Una the Lion
Leo's partner.  She was sleeping when I walked up, but raised her head for a bit.

University of North Alabama

Florence, Alabama, U. S. A.

See more of The Shoals here.

Little ball of fur

Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur.

Happy kitty, sleepy kitty,

Purr, purr, purr.

(The Big Bang Theory)

Leo III

University of North Alabama

Florence, Alabama, U. S. A.

See more of The Shoals here.

Fountains, pillars, and lampposts

Reminds me of stalagmites.

University of North Alabama

Florence, Alabama, U. S. A.

See more of The Shoals here.

Flat land near the river (Rurality # 10)

Have I mentioned how pleased I am with my iPhone5 camera?

Ideally, this would be a wider shot in order to make the best of the landscape.

Using the iPhone is so easy . . . .  

Western Lauderdale County, Alabama

Father of the Blues

Childhood home of W. C. Handy in Florence, Alabama

William Christopher Handy was born in Florence, Alabama in 1873.  He was known as the "Father of the Blues".
The Shoals area has been hosting a music festival each year during summer for over 30 years.
It's a big party.

W. C. Handy - Biography.com

W. C. Handy Music Festival at www.wchandymusicfestival.org

W. C. Handy Home at www.florenceal.org

Joe Wheeler State Park Lodge

Joe Wheeler State Park Cottages

O'Neal Bridge

O'Neal Bridge from the south side of the Tennessee River in Sheffield, Alabama.

The view is of Florence, Alabama, to the north.
Yesterday's post was from the opposite side of the river, taken from the shoreline on the left of the bridge in this shot.

The dead vine on the left foreground I'm sure is kudzu.  It is said that it can grow one foot per day.

The Shoals

O'Neal Bridge connects Florence, Alabama to Sheffield, Alabama.  Florence and Sheffield, along with Tuscumbia and Muscle Shoals are known as the Quad Cities or "The Shoals" in north Alabama.  The Colbert County towns of Sheffield, Tuscumbia, and Muscle Shoals run together and in certain areas I would not be able to tell you which town I was in.  I imagine it is a gray area for even the residents.

You may have (or not) heard of "the Muscle Shoals Sound", "Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section", and/or the "Swampers".  Many music hits, including country, R&B, and rock and roll have been produced by music studios in the The Shoals.  Muscle Shoals was known as the Hit Recording Capitol of the World in the 1960s and 1970s.

Here's a link to the movie about Muscle Shoals music

http://muscleshoalsmovie.com/#about  

Shot taken from McFarland Park on a stormy day at the end of winter (iPhone5)

Florence, Alabama, U. S. A.

Standing (Rurality # 7)

The clouds look like smoke coming from these two silos still standing after surrounding homestead buildings are long gone.

Highway 20, western Lauderdale County, Alabama

Leo

Leo III

University of North Alabama

Florence, Alabama

Wilson

No, not a volleyball from the movies.

Wilson Dam, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA),

Tennessee River, Florence/Muscle Shoals, Alabama

For those in the area, this was taken from the playground near the conference center at the Marriott

I have never seen this much spilling before (not that I keep up with it)

This was made from my new iPhone.  It is the first phone I've ever had with a decent camera.  I am pleased with this shot, so you may be seeing more phone shots.  Or, the new will wear off and you'll never see another one.

three tee pees

McFarland Park, Florence, Alabama, U. S. A.

These teepees are near the "regular" camping facilities in the park and can be rented for primitive camping.


http://www.visitflorenceal.com/