FLORENCE, AL - SEEING "THE SHOALS"

Thursday, September 18th, 2014

Day 45
Miles Traveled: 0
Total Miles Traveled: 1136


  Early on, this area of the Tennessee River was shallow with treacherous rapids making it virtually impossible to navigate.  Muscles were also found in abundance among the river rocks.  Thus came the name, Muscle Shoals.  "The Shoals" now consists of four cities - Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, Sheffield, and Florence.


  It was a day of "birth places":

  In Muscle Shoals, AL and Sheffield, AL we saw the birthplace of the Muscle Shoals Sound and "The Swampers".  We saw 3614 Jackson Highway music studio in Sheffield and FAME Recording Studio in Muscle Shoals.  From the outside the buildings are not much to look at, but the music that has come from these two studios is amazing.  From Percy Sledge and Clarence Carter to Tim McGraw and LeeAnn Rimes.   For some history about Muscle Shoals Music go to: http://www.msmusicfoundation.org/history/  and for FAME history go to: http://www.msmusicfoundation.org/history/



  In Tuscumbia, AL we saw the birthplace of Helen Keller called Ivy Green. It was built in 1820 by her grandparents.  Helen Keller, known as "America's First Lady of Courage", became blind and deaf at age 19 months after a severe illness.  She learned to read, write, and speak with the help of her teacher, Anne Sullivan, who is known as "The Miracle Worker".  Helen dedicated her life to improving the conditions of the blind and deaf around the world and lectured in more than 25 countries.  In 2009, Alabama replaced it's statue in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol with one honoring Helen Keller.  It was the first statue in Statuary Hall of a child, the first of a female, and the first of a disabled individual.  For more about Ivy Green - http://www.helenkellerbirthplace.org/  

Ivy Green - Helen Keller Home

Helen Keller statue that was in Statuary Hall

In Florence, we saw the birthplace of W.C. Handy known as the "Father of the Blues".  There we saw the actual piano on which he composed his hit "Saint Louis Blues".

W.C. Handy piano used to compose "Saint Louis Blues"

  We continued to find sites to see in "The Shoals" area.  
For more tourist information about the area go to: http://www.visitshoalsal.com/

  There was a beautiful park, Spring Park, in Tuscumbia, AL.  It is the location of the world's largest man-made natural stone waterfall, Cold Water Falls.  At 80 feet wide and 48 feet tall, 4,320,000 gallons of water pass over the falls per day. 

Cold Water Falls

  Nearby was a carving of an indian in a large tree. 

Indian carved in a tree

  


  Pope's Tavern, one of the oldest structures in downtown Florence, used to be a tavern and an inn.  It later served as a hospital for both Confederate and Union soldiers, and, after that a private home to the Lambeth family.  It is now a museum full of local history and artifacts.

Tavern room at Pope's Tavern museum

  The day was completed by listening to a band play during dinner at a local restaurant, FloBama.