🎉🥳 Happy 6th Birthday to our grandson Tanner!

73* with cool breeze at 8am. Hit the open road by 8:10am. As we crossed into Alabama we had a time change so it’s 7:50! 🤔 Stopped at my favorite place….yup McDonald’s for my Diet Coke 🥤 & coffee ☕️ for Tim. Saw a lot of chipmunks in this area. 🐿 Along the morning we passed the large KIA Plant on what else…KIA Blvd! Out of nowhere along the side of the road was a large display of cars & large metal chickens. WTH! “ Haunted Chicken House”. So I had to look it up and LMAO! 🤣 Warning….you can’t make this shit up. Check it out. Passed Talladega International Speedway in Lincoln. 🏎 The longest NASCAR oval, with a length of 2.66 miles, compared to Daytona International Speedway which is 2.5 miles long.

We stopped in Leeds, Al at a Buc-ees! 😂 Fueled up truck, spare tank & DEF fluid then bathroom break and a bit of shopping 🛍 (to see if different merchandise then Florida ones)… logical decision! 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ Came upon a lot of traffic going through Birmingham. Unexpected adventure was about to occur as I looked up Huntsville! The US Space & Rocket Center looks cool and as I read about it, in the distance you could see huge rockets off the highway! Earth’s largest space museum. Awesome let’s go! Until I read more and to scratch the surface … it’s suggests 4 hours! 👎🙅🏻‍♀️😟 So we went to Huntsville Botanical Gardens. We were not disappointed. Open year-round, the Huntsville Botanical Garden contains diverse ecosystems to explore within its 118 acres. From grassy meadows to woodland paths, aquatic habitats to stunning floral collections of Alabama’s native plants. Stroll along the nature trails while admiring collections of Alabama’s native plants. Of course we had to check out the nation’s largest open-air butterfly house. Variety of butterflies & plants with a beautiful waterfall inside. When was the last time you were on a swing? It’s newest exhibit is an invitation to kick up your feet, let time slow down, and rediscover one of the simple joys of summer: swings! In Full Swing features over 40 swings in nine areas throughout the Garden. From porch swings to hammocks to swings the size of a twin bed, each area offers a new way to experience some of the Garden’s best views. And yet another exhibit we saw was Stickwork by Patrick Dougherty. Tucked away in the Garden and built from locally sourced sapling branches with the support of over 100 community volunteers, the giant sculpture twists and turns to create an interactive installation for visitors to explore freely. What an amazing unexpected adventure! 💞

🌟Crossed Tennessee line @ 2:25pm. We arrived at Harpeth River Bridge Campground (COE) is located about 10 miles northwest of Ashland City, TN and is a 30 minute drive to Nashville. Harpeth River Bridge Campground is located on the right bank of the Harpeth River. The water wraps almost all the way around the campground so that every site can be considered a water site. Beautiful old trees surround the entire area.

*****Ashland City is a town in Tennessee with a population was 4,767 as of the 2020 census. The largest manufacturing operation in Ashland City is A.O.Smith which fabricates water heaters until 2001. Sydney’s Bluff, located on the opposite bank of the Cumberland River, is visible from most parts of the city, especially from the residential districts which are built on hills rising to the north of the river flood plain. This jagged cliff system, which was carved by the Cumberland River, is popular with local rock climbers and hikers. The bluff was supposedly named after a girl who fell from the bluff while trying to escape hostile Native Americans In the early 19th century. Cheatham Lake is a large recreational area that extends up the Cumberland River past Ashland City and is operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The lake area, formed by Cheatham Lock and Dam 11 miles to the northwest of the town, offers many outdoor experiences such as camping, fishing, wildlife viewing, water sports, swimming, and multiple children’s play areas.

😴 After 375 miles, 7 hours & 25 minutes of traveling it was time to unwind. First in order….Happy Hour 🍾🥂, then a walk around the campground (14 sites) we sat on a bench gazing at the water & reflecting the day. Another night on the water helps relax the soul! It’s off to bed. 😴 🛌

Ahhhh Diet Coke time 🥤😂
Crossing the border
KIA assembly plant in West Point, Al
New Cars from factory
The Haunted Chicken House …look it up! Craziest thing!
Drove right by the speedway of I-78 east
When you see one in Alabama you’ve gotta check it out
Time to go in
Exactly
Yup
One of many building of space museum
Entrance to Gardens
Entrance, classrooms, gift shop, restaurant, beautiful lobby
Gardens and exhibits map
Greeted by beautiful lake with walkways in every direction
Beautiful wine bottle tree 🍷
“We’re just a swinging” 🎶
Relaxing
Really cool owl clock. When you pulled down on rope door up top opened & small little bird came out.
Black-eyed Susan Coneflowers
Beautiful Hydrangeas
Chilean Myrtle
White Water arose water lillies
Entrance to Butterfly area 🦋
Butterfly benches all throughout
Beautiful stone waterfall inside
Looking down from top of waterfall
Gulf fritillary on Butterfly bush
Monarch on Pentax’s
Zebra long wing
Buck-eye on Dog Rose
Orange Day Lilly
Our campsite for the night on the river
So peaceful at this COE Park

Happy Hour relaxing on a bench gazing at the water!

View from inside