Happy New Year

   A quick post to say Happy New Year to everyone(all 12 of you) who read my blog!

   I would love ideas on what sort of photos to post in the coming year. I have been focusing on a "on this date in history", but eventually I'll have all the days covered and will want to post something new on those dates. I hope to get out more, see more of Middle Tennessee, and will continue to post photos from this area. I wish we had more interesting "tourist" sites that were more photogenic(I don't really get up to Nashville as often as I would like-I want to try to change that this year).
   So, more cemeteries? County courthouses? Abandoned buildings? Billboards? Trips to the flea market? Cat pictures? Lego? What shall 2016 bring?

My Most Popular Photos on Flickr

   This photo, taken at the Old Burial Hill in Marblehead, Massachusetts, was my most popular photo taken in 2015. At the time of this post, it has 768 views and 19 favorites. It is now my most "favorited" photo on Flickr. I don't get too many page views, so these numbers are outstanding to me. I see some photos with 100s of 'faves' and I can't imagine any of my photos ever gaining that many. Of course, it is my hope in the new year that I will visit many interesting places and take even better photos.

Holiday Travel Reading

   These are the books I got for Christmas. I can't wait to get into them and start looking for new and interesting places to visit!
   The books are:

• Route 66 Adventure Handbook by Drew Knowles
• Travel Route 66 by Jim Hinckley
• 1,000 Places to See in the United States & Canada Before You Die by Patricia Schultz
• Road Trip USA Pacific Coast Highway by Jamie Jensen
• Road Trip USA by Jamie Jensen
• Tennessee's Dixie Highway by Lisa Ramsay & Tammy Vaughn

2015 Year In Review

   In January, we took an extremely impromptu trip to Atlanta. Drove through downtown, visited Stone Mountain and historic Oakland Cemetery.

   In March, we went with Mom to visit family in North Carolina. Visited Wilmington, the Outer Banks-Kitty Hawk and Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and eventually to Mt Airy, the real life Mayberry RFD.

   On May 10, Mother's Day, we took a little day trip down to Lynchburg, Tennessee. Didn't see the distillery, but stopped for photos in small towns along the way.

   On May 27 we left on one of our biggest trips as a family. We spent a week on a lightning tour of New York, Boston, Philadelphia and all over New England.

   Finally in October, we went to Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. It was rainy, but we were visiting Mom so it didn't really matter.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Lights

Opryland Christmas Lights

Kingston Fossil Plant in Tennessee

   On December 22, 2008, just north of these smokestacks at the Kingston Clinch River Fossil Plant, a coal fly ash dam of theirs broke. Over a billion gallons of coal fly ash slurry broke free, wiping out houses and flooding the Emory and Clinch Rivers.

   The Kingston Fossil Plant is located near Kingston, Tennessee, on the Clinch River and beside Interstate 40. It was built in the early 1950's to supply the nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory with power, and was the largest coal-fired power plant at that time. The row of smaller towers are the old chimney stacks. They were taken from service in 1976 when replaced with the pair of 1,000 ft tall towers. 

Korean War Memorial, Washington DC

Millions Have Seen Rock City Have You?

   One of the famous "See Rock City" barns, this one is along Interstate 40 at Buttermilk rd in Roane County, Tennessee.

Dec 19, 1862 Battle of Jackson, Tennessee

   Southeast of Jackson, Tennessee, skirmishes between December 11, 1862 and January 1, 1863 between Nathan Bedford Forrest's cavalry and Union forces took place around this area.

I Was a Star Wars Fan

   In May of 1977, my family was on one of our annual trips to California to visit family. As we drove down Hollywood Boulevard, seeing the sights, we saw that a new movie was showing at Grauman's Chinese Theater, Star Wars. I recall being excited about it, I also recall being told by my dad that 'it looks stupid, you don't need to see that'. Got back home to Texas, started school a few months later still not having seen the film. A friend told me that I shouldn't see the film because 'it has kissing in it!'(the Luke & Leia scene, really?). But this ten year old still wanted desperately to see the movie.

Wright Brothers National Memorial

   On December 17, 1903, the Wright Brothers, Orville and Wilbur, made the first successful controlled flight of an airplane. The first flight was made by Orville and the plane traveled only 120 feet. Wilbur took a second flight 175ft, and Orville took the third flight 200ft. Wilbur made the longest flight of the day on the fourth attempt, going 852ft in nearly a minute of airtime. The accomplishment barely made the news.

Battle of Nashville Dec 16, 1864

   December 16, 1862 was the second day of the Battle of Nashville. The Confederate troops were entrenched on what would be called Shy's Hill and east to the Peach Orchard Hill. The attack began in earnest late in the afternoon. Eventually, the Union forces overtook Shy's Hill and Hood would be forced to retreat south along the Franklin Pike and Granny White Pike. Union cavalry would pursue, but lacking supplies, and being bested in numerous skirmishes along the Franklin Pike, would slow the pursuit. Eventually they were confronted by Confederate Cavalry General Nathan Bedford Forrest just north of Columbia, the pursuit was halted. They attempted to send troops on trains to Chattanooga but they arrived too late and Hood was able to escape to Mississippi.

Battle of Nashville Dec 15, 1864

   On December 15, 1864, Confederate General John Bell Hood's forces were lined up in an arc around the south end of Nashville. The battle began with an attempt to launch a diversion on the far right of the Confederate's line at Granberry's Lunette and then attack full on the left flank. The diversion did not work as the Confederates were ready. However the Union forces were able to overrun most of the positions on the left and capture the redoubts of the Confederates. The South pulled back and reinforced their line of battle along current Harding Place/Battery Lane at Peach Orchard and Shy's Hills, between the Hillsboro Pike and the railroad.

Battle of Nashville-Kelley's Point

   After the horrific losses in Franklin, Tennessee, Confederate General John Bell Hood followed the Union troops north towards Nashville. A line was established south of Nashville, from the Cumberland River on the west for 12 miles around to the Chattanooga Railroad tracks. This was the largest battlefield geographically in the Civil War. On December 2, 1864, the Confederates set up two artillery batteries at this point, now known as Kelley's Point, as well as a string of mines under the river in order to blockade the Cumberland and keep Union ships from reaching Nashville.

Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia

   Over the days of December 11th to the 15th in 1862, the Battle of Fredericksburg was fought in Virginia. The Confederate Army led by General Robert E Lee were entrenched along a sunken road upon Marye's Heights above the town. In the first days, the Union Army, led by General Ambrose Burnside, made their way across the Rappahanock River on pontoons and in boats. Once they arrived in the small town they were met with building by building skirmishing.

Pennsylvania Statehood Dec 12th

   Pennsylvania officially became a state on December 12, 1787, becoming the second state to do so, five days after Delaware was the first. European settlers came here in the early 1630s. King Charles II granted a huge tract of land to William Penn in 1681 and named the new colony in honor of him. Harrisburg, centrally located, is the capital of the state. Philadelphia is the largest city in the state. Pennsylvania also saw a major battle of the Civil War fought in Gettysburg. Today, Pennsylvania is the 6th most populous state in the country.

Town of Smyrna, Tennessee

   A charter was granted on December 11, 1845 to connect this area along the railroad to seaports in the south and east. The first railroad depot was built here in 1851, and replaced with the current one in 1873. The town was originally incorporated in 1869, but that was rescinded by the state and the town had to incorporate again in 1915. They had their 100th anniversary celebration recently on June 12, 2015. In the 1940s, the town was home to Sewart Air Force Base, but that closed in 1971 and it is now Smyrna Airport. Smyrna was the home of Confederate Hero Sam Davis. His home is still an tourist attraction.

Hump Day

Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day

   Maybe I already am a time traveler. Or perhaps my "past lives" are too prominent in my current life. Why else would I be so magnetically drawn to a different time? I just don't feel like I belong here. Surely I'm not the only person out there like this. Or maybe I'm just crazy and should be committed?

December 7th Pearl Harbor Day

   On December 7, 1941, the naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii was attacked by surprise by Japanese bombers, fighters, and torpedo planes. Four United States battleships were sunk, two more damaged. There were 2,403 Americans killed-68 of which were civilians. Nearly half, 1,177 of those killed were on the USS Arizona. The sunken Arizona is now the base of the Pearl Harbor Memorial.

   I saw the Pearl Harbor Memorial when I was a kid back in the 70s, but I don't have any photos from that trip. Shown on this page at two battleships that are on display here in the United States. Above is the USS Texas. She was commissioned in 1914 and served during World War I. As World War II broke out, she began patrols in the Atlantic. On December 7th she was on rest in Maine. The Texas now is moored next to the San Jacinto Monument near Houston, Texas.
   Below is the USS North Carolina, moored across the Cape Fear River from downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. The NC was commissioned in 1940. She was still in training when Pearl Harbor happened. During World War II she spent time in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. She was decommissioned in 1947 and brought to Wilmington in the 1960s. She is a memorial to all those from North Carolina who were killed in World War II.

National Miner's Day

   Today, December 6th, is National Miner's Day. It is meant to reflect and honor those who have sacrificed so much. Mining is one of the most dangerous jobs and yet vitally important to every day life. Thank you to everyone who has ever worked in a mine and continue to do so.

Dec 5, 1933 Repeal of Prohibition in the United States

   On this date in history, December 5, 1933, the Twenty-First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States officially repealed prohibition. Prohibition was voted into law to begin January 16, 1920. It outlawed the production, sale, importation and transportation of any and all alcoholic beverages. There was some hypocrisy in the law because it did not prevent consumption. Wealthy citizens simply stocked up before the law took effect, including Presidents Wilson and Harding.

How We Travel On The Cheap

   We try to go on one big road trip each summer. It hasn't always been possible but we at least go somewhere, even if it's only to the Smoky Mountains(three hours away). I thought I would answer some questions about the basics of how we do this as cheaply as possible. I have always been a penny-pincher and there was no way I was going to let my love of road trips take up too much of our budget. 

Christmas Lights

This was at the late great George Jones' home in Williamson County, Tennessee, a few years ago. George's home had some of the best Christmas displays and it was a family tradition to go out and see them each year. George- and his lights- are both greatly missed.

Dec 2, 1864 Captain Theodrick Carter of Franklin

   Captain Theodrick (Tod) Carter

 20th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry Smith's Brigade

Bate's Division Cheatham's Corps, 

Army of Tennessee C.S.A.

   Born at the Carter House March 24, 1840 and educated at Harpeth Academy. He was an attorney-at-law and a Master Mason. Tod enlisted in Co H, 20th Tenn. Infantry May 1, 1862. Appointed Assistant Quarter Master on Oct 24, 1862 and served as a war correspondent for the Chattanooga "Daily Rebel" using the name "Mint Julep".

Aftermath of the Battle of Franklin

   Six Confederate generals were dead. The Union army had left Franklin and were headed to join the regiments who were already situated in Nashville, about 20 miles north. The Federals had not lost as many men, but those wounded were left behind. Confederate General John Bell Hood would foolishly pursue them to Nashville where his Army of Tennessee would be devastated on December 15th and 16th.

November 30, 1864 Battle of Franklin

   After the Union troops slipped past General John Bell Hood's Confederate forces camped at Spring Hill, Tennessee the night before, they began building entrenchments at Franklin. Their main line of defense was built across the Columbia Pike and at the home of Fountain Branch Carter. As Hood watched from Winstead Hill south of Franklin, he ordered his men at nearly dusk to charge into the Federal earthworks repeatedly.

Nov 29, 1864 Battle of Spring Hill

   On November 29, 1864, Union and Confederate forces skirmished at the small town of Spring Hill, Tennessee. Spring Hill is located on the border of Maury and Williamson Counties, about halfway between Columbia and Franklin. Confederate General John Bell Hood set up his forces to attempt to stop the Federals as they left Columbia, heading north. There were minor skirmishes along the Columbia Pike, and the Federals lined up west of the pike in order to protect the railroad. Casualties numbered only in the few hundred.

Small Business Saturday

   Small businesses, slowly vanishing. Find them today and give them business. Where would our country today be without them.
   Will you visit a small business in your town today?

Sam Davis, Boy Hero of the Confederacy

Sam Davis was a member of Coleman's Scouts, of the Confederate Army. While on a scouting mission, he was captured in southern Tennessee. He was held in Pulaski, TN for 7 days. He would not tell the name of his officers or who had given him the Union information that he was captured with, supposedly saying "I would rather die a thousand deaths than betray a friend." He would be hanged in Pulaski on November 27, 1863. He was buried in a cemetery there, but someone from his family came and retrieved his body and took him to his home in Smyrna, Tennessee.

The Real First Thanksgiving-in Virginia

   Despite what most people think or are taught, there was a feast to give thanks before the Pilgrims up in Plymouth had their infamous gathering. Of course, most people also think that Plymouth was the first English settlement in America-more people should learn about Jamestown and Virginia. The plantation just north of Jamestown, known as Berkeley, was the place where the first official Thanksgiving was held.

Graves in Snow at Stones River

   I wish this were current, but it is not. Photo taken in February 2010.
   Both graves are located just outside the Hazen's Brigade Monument at Stones River Battlefield in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The back one is William Harlan, Cpl US Army, World War I. The closer one is Sgt William Holland, Co I 111 Regt US Colored Infantry, 1834-1909.

Gettysburg Address November 19, 1863

   On this day in 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg Address. The speech was given at a dedication of the National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle was just a few months before, in July of 1863. The monument above is marked as the site of the speech, though it was likely not given at this spot. This marker is just inside the cemetery and was placed in 1912. The photo below is the Soldiers National Monument, another site often thought of as the site of the speech, but it was not. The actual site was more likely inside Evergreen Cemetery, which is just over a fence to the east. The Soldiers monument was dedicated in 1869.

Where would we be without maps?

   The week of November 15-21 is Geography Awareness Week. You can read more about it at this National Geographic website. The theme is "Explore! The Power of Maps!".

National Take A Hike Day

A quiet trail in the Great Smoky Mountains.

National Fast Food Day

   It's National Fast Food Day on November 16th, so go out to your favorite fast food restaurant and celebrate!

Pikes Peak

   On this day in 1806, Zebulon Pike first spotted the mountain that would later carry his name, Pikes Peak.
   In June of 1806, Pike lead an expedition to map some of the lower areas of the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase. They started from near St Louis, just as Lewis and Clark had done, following the Missouri River. The group trekked across what would be Nebraska and then Colorado. On this day, November 15, they spotted this high peak which Pike called "Grand Peak". They wanted to scale the mountain, but with winter setting in they found they could not and wound up getting somewhat lost in southwest Colorado. They were eventually captured by Spanish soldiers and escorted back east all the way to Louisiana.
   Pikes Peak, located near Colorado Springs, Colorado, is the highest peak in the southern Rocky Mountains at 14,115ft. It also carries numerous Native American names, including "Tava" meaning "sun" by the Utes. The first (non-native) American to climb to its summit was Edwin James in 1820. It is a National Historic Landmark.