This is a Repeat post!
This was posted last year after our annual trip to Alabama.
( posted at Junie's Place blog)
Every year we have a family reunion there for my husband's family! We will be going again at the end of the month!
(from Aug, 2009 )
I always enjoy visiting the places of my husband's youth and hearing his stories! :)
I realized this story belonged on THIS blog so I'm re-posting it here!
Enjoy-if you missed it before! :)
Junie
~~~
This time I want to share some recent pictures from an Alabama trip!
This is Elk River and Elk River bridge in north Alabama.
My husband of 48 years has, through the years, told me stories of how he, his brothers and sisters, cousins and buddies, watched every bit of construction work on this bridge. This was in the mid 40s when my husband was about 11-12 years of age-with siblings both younger and older than he. They lived just a mile or so from this river and swam in the river and played on these river banks from a very early age, so they had a vested interest in the happenings here.
He says that, while the men were working on the bridge during the day, he and the others would keep a little distance between them; but when the workers went home for the evening the group of kids would converge on the bridge construction site and have some adventures!
My husband says that he and the others were the night crew who helped to build that bridge! :)
When the crew got the steel beams set across the span of the river they (the kids on the 2nd shift) would go from one side to the other. It started out in a crawl across-but advanced to a walk and then a run... 40 to 50 feet above the Elk River...on beams no more than 14 inches for the outside and 8 inches for the inside beams! He says they became expert on all of them.
(...if my husband's memory is accurate! ) :)
*However you look at it , though, I would have had a hard time being a mom in those times and that place!!*
When this bridge was completed, a huge , whole hog BBQ ( at least '10' -800 lb.hogs) was sponsored by the family who the bridge was named for and took place at the area beneath the bridge. This meat was prepared in dug pits and started to cook the day before!
Charles still talks of the wonderful aroma of the roasting meat! This was a huge event for these country kids of that time-adults too, I'm sure!
People from miles around came for this celebration and food and drinks! Sweet tea and RC colas and orange drinks were served!
The leftovers were offered to anyone who wanted them, as take homes! :) I can imagine there was food-a-plenty that day!
The bridge is named 'Maple'- in honor of a prominent doctor and land owner in the Athens/Mud Bottom area, Dr. Joe Maple.
~~~
JunieLabels: Alabama, Charles, Elk River, june, Mud Bottom
So many memories in those old run-down places. It is the same for me when I go back to the old home place in Miss. ec
Thanks ,ec, for keeping up with my blog! I do appreciate it! :)
Yes, time passing and so many changes in our lives can be sad!
However, I don't see the same nostalgic feelings in the younger folks...things don't seem to mean as much for some reason! For instance, I doubt that any of my 3 kids have read my writings here...and my blog is, mainly ,about our family-and our history! Oh well- I know they would say it's because they're so busy! That's true -they are! But they need to SLOW DOWN!
:( end of rant!! :(
June
I don't see the same nostalgic feelings in the younger folks...
I see it, at least in myself (being a 'younger folk' as it were) ... back when I was a child, 1964 or so, my family would go camping on a little acre of land upstate which had a creek running thru it and a mountain to climb right across the creek ... good adventures for a kid :) In the early years of that little camping ground, we all helped out to drag rocks from the creek up to the grounds and built a fireplace out of those rocks .. then would 'sing' around the campfire, with Dad playing guitar and stoking the fire:) Good Times :)
Eventually that little acre of land was transferred to my ownership and I've gotten several offers to sell it over the years ... which I have refused for some reason, and prolly the reason is because I still remember the 'fireplace' that we built there so many years ago and the sentimental value that the campsite and its surroundings hold for me ...
Meanwhile I pay taxes on the damn thing every year and haven't seen the place in some 35 years!!! I'd sell it, but before doing so would want to go up there and camp on it for a night or two ... explore the magic of the mountain once again, walk along the creek and its environs once again, maybe do a little bit of Trout fishing too :)
Mainly, I'd like to see if the fireplace still exists ....... /laughs
MM
Tall Tales and Truisms
MM,
Thanks for your comments here.
:)...and you give me hope and faith in the younger generation-in that you have held on to a piece of your past that mattered to you. It's important!
I bet you could still enjoy that fireplace/campfire! What could be better than sleeping next to a campfire and a trout stream? :) And remembering good times with your family!
Juniper
What could be better than sleeping next to a campfire and a trout stream? :) And remembering good times with your family!
It's been 35 frickin' years since I been there! The place is prolly a damn Jungle by now!!! LOL
Oh well ... if I do go up there and camp out for a night or two, will be sure to enter the 'jungle' in a gas-guzzling 4WD SUV, just to make sure that I can get outta there alive!
(Algore would be pissed off, but who cares what Algore thinks .... /grin)
Seriously though, that little plot of land is one of the most beautiful pieces of Earth that I've ever had the pleasure of inhabiting, however briefly in youth. That I still remember exploring its mysteries and charms along the creek and mountain to this day is a testament to its special place in my heart
Hello June ~~ What good stories and photos you post. It is wonderful to look back over the years and see places from our childhood. Glad you enjoyed the jokes. Take care, Merle.
MM,
Hope you WILL go back for a visit!
Imagine looking up at the stars from such a heavenly spot of God's earth!! :)
Yes, be sure to drive the 4WD SUV for a safe return home!
You should take pictures and post them on your blog!!
Juniper Rose
Merle,
Thanks for reading and looking! :)
I have just a few more posts and pics!
I wanted to be sure to include all the family up there!
June
I just saw that you said you think we don't read this,
BUT! I just got caught up, and I read all the travel stories.
I liked them alot, you could write a book with these old stories of Gabbo's. =)
love you!
-Alli
LOL!
Alli,
SO you DO read my blog! :) I knew you read it sometimes - and Thanks!!
Yah- I like writing Gabbo's stories! They are fun!! Did you read'Lessons Learned?' This features Gabbo and his brothers! :)
BTW- Still have a few more pics from the trip to post!
Love you,
Ginga