The Tunnel, Revisited

Being the end of the year, I've thinking back of what I would have liked to have done this past year.  Loving the Tunnel as much as I do, I would like to document the changes throughout the year.  So, I decided (loftily, albeit) that I should take a picture either entering or leaving the Tunnel each Sunday that I go to Oak Mountain.  I was on my way to the Park this past Sunday and got to the turn in the tunnel and noticed 3 HUGE BULLDOZERS!  They were sitting about 30 or so yards from the road up on the hill and were surrounded by downed trees.  "WHAT ARE YOU DOING????"  I heard myself yell.  I couldn't believe it.  The trees are coming down.  What could possibly be going on?  My shift supervisor at the Center theorizes that there could be apartments in the Tunnel's future.  This, however, would mean grading the hill way down and even widening the cozy 2-lane.  My heart broke.  I have no problems trimming trees and shrubbery from the road side to keep things safe and visible, but apartments?  Really?  I'm further befuddled because I thought this land belonged to the State Park.  Mostly because there are "STATE PARK LAND" signs affixed to several trees on both sides of the Tunnel. 

I still plan to try to take my pictures.  Hopefully, enough people will be as enlivened as I am and we can stop whatever development this is to become, and enjoy the Tunnel that much longer.  Or, I can watch as one of my favorite places is destroyed and document more of Shelby County's "progress".

:(

Cuteness abounds at our house!

Cell Phone Pictures from Moab

This is only a small, pitiful excuse for a vacation blog, but I'm lazy and busy. Sorry. I haven't even looked at the real photos I took with my camera! I went out to Utah to see Jenny, the Man, and Munkey Belle. We spent the weekend at an amazing cabin outside of Moab and spent time at Arches NP and Canyonlands NP. More to come later {I hope :)}.

The Tunnel

Most Sundays, I drive south to Oak Mountain State Park. Before I even get there, I pass through one of my favorite places this close to home. Just turning off the main road and passing a service station, I enter the Tunnel. This time of year, everything is lush and green. Soon it will begin to turn with the season with several beautiful shades of brown, red, orange and gold. As we move into winter, the leaves disappear and the Tunnel becomes gray and still. Just when it seems that the world won't come out of the cold, the trees start squeezing out tiny green buds. Spring is beginning. Each week, I watch the forest here wake up from it's winter sleep. The trees get greener and greener, and the Tunnel becomes alive again. The trees almost seem to reach down to say hello. Greeting you as you enter a calmer, quieter place. As the heat of summer moves in, the leaf-full trees offer shade and a brief, cool respite from the heat. Even though I've been watching the Tunnel change for several years and know what comes next, each time I drive through I take a deeper breath and smile. As I leave the park a few hours later, the Tunnel amazes me again to carry me to the next trip.

Been a little too busy

For evidence, check out One Stitch Wonders and Bees Lees

Hopefully, normal programming will return soon!

New stuff over there

Ha! I have been working!

Look down there >>-----
/
/
/
/
<<-----/ for One Stitch Wonders.

Testing-Testing-1-2-3

I'm working on some stuff, promise. In no particular order.

Stay tuned.

Please :)