AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY

After visiting and staying in Florence, AL, during the past 8 years and thinking I was familiar with most of the historical sites, I was surprised when my friend, Kathy Page, insisted she wanted to show me an unmarked and unpublicised area off the Natchez Trace Parkway (the original 444 mile Indian pathway from Natchez, MS, to Nashville, TN) near milepost 338.

Natchez Trace Parkway - near Florence, AL

The road to The Wall

I'm glad we were able to hear the documented story of Te-lah-nay, a Yuchi Indian from Lauderdale County, AL.

Myself and Tom Hendrix, Builder of the
Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall
near Florence, AL  May, 2015

Tom Hendrix, builder of the site of the Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall, a larger than life memorial that he built over the past 30 years, to honor the life of his great-great-grandmother
Te-lah-nay, along with her sister, who was sent westward to Muskogee, OK, during the forced relocation of Native Americans from the southeast following the Indian Removal Act of 1830, via the Trail Of Tears.

Stone Pathway

My friend, Kathy, and I were invited to sit by Mr. Hendrix' truck in lawn chairs, surrounded by the giant rock and limestone arrangements and in the next 45 minutes heard the amazing story of his journey to honor his great-great-grandmother and the amazing life she lived.

Stone Pathway Representing The Journey

Mr. Hendrix, an author as well, was very knowledgeable of Indian folklore, culture and customs.  The Yuchi tribe of Alabama believed that the beautiful Tennessee River was home to a young woman who sang beautiful songs.  The tribe called the river "nunnuhsae", meaning the singing river.  Te-lah-nay never heard songs from the rivers in Oklahoma and yearned to hear the songs from her past.  In 1839 she began a singular 5 year pilgrimage to return home to Alabama.

Area For Prayer and Meditation

For almost 4 decades Mr. Hendrix has brought over 8 million pounds of sandstone and limestone to honor a woman he never knew.  The amazing stone walls captivate her perilous journey.  "One step at a time, one stone at a time.  Lay a stone for every step she made...We shall pass this earth.  Only the stones will remain.  We honor our ancestors with stones."

An Area For Meditation and Prayer

Tom Hendrix is also referred to as the The Stone Talker, because of his belief and commitment to pass on the unbelievable and amazing story of  Te-lah-nay's life (and also respecting her herbal and natural healing knowledge passed down through generations).

Stone Pathway

The Wall has many different parts that represent the past - her journey from Lauderdale County to Oklahoma, and another section representing her five year journey back to Alabama.

Ancient Indian Symbol of the Woodpecker

Stone Gifts From All Over The World

 Tom Hendrix selflessly shares stories to everyone who enters, all day, every day of the week.  He has received gift stones presented by visitors from over 127 countries, territories, and islands.  This is the largest monument to a woman in the United States.  The Wall is listed as one of Alabama's Top Spiritual Places.

DO YOU NEED TO ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE?

This is a blog about my creative interests.  I admit it....like a lot of you I have hundreds of interests that keep me entertained and busy.  We also have a travel blog devoted to our RV adventures for the past 8 years), but this blog will be about my art projects, my creative side and ideas that I want and need to explore.  Our lifestyle of adventuring into the unknown usually gives us ample time to explore different communities in our beautiful country, and what they offer - whether it is cultural, historical or just plain ridiculous.  Sometimes a good sense of humor is very therapeutic (and necessary) in this lifestyle.

Coming to a town near you - got to love it!

We see lots of informative signs!

Yes, sometimes, we need to adjust our attitude.  Eight years ago, my husband and I started out on an adventure of travelling full time in our 40' diesel pusher motorhome.

Our 2007 Tiffin Allegro Bus

When we get to our winter domicile in central Florida I offer an art class called ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT for interested people who stay at our resort, whether they are here one night or six months at a time.  These classes have been offered since 2009.

Florida Grande Motor Coach Resort - Webster, FL

Florida Grande Motor Coach Resort - Webster, FL

Florida Grande Motor Coach Resort - Webster, FL

I usually offer one or two painting classes each month, and it gives us an opportunity to make new friends as well as get in touch with our inner artist/creative person.  Although we never considered ourselves snowbirds, since we are both from northern Florida, we stay at Florida Grande Motor Coach Resort in Webster, FL at least six months, arriving in October or November and leaving around Mother's Day.

This class offered a canvas which was made into a pillow top.

Class made Canvas Shopping Bag

Silk Scarf Painting for Gifts at Christmas

There are excellent facilities to paint at Florida Grande, and when we leave I miss my frequent creative binges.  To facilitate my craft binging there are storage areas in the back of our tow car filled with project supplies and that spills over to the storage bays underneath the coach.  After leaving I sometimes paint murals in offices, teach jewelry making, gather materials for the next painting classes, talk to other artists and creative people.  I call it my six month shopping trip..and I guess it is.

Table painted for client

This sign was painted in a chiropractor's office,

Painted wall mural in small half bath for client

I feel fortunate to know this is a part of ME....as in my "essence", and I feel blessed to be able to enjoy this time.  I enjoy the creative process, start to finish. I am grateful for the opportunity to teach friends who are very proud of completed projects, and at the same time get to know new friends from all over the world.

This is my new blog and I look forward to hearing comments from you and perhaps meeting up with you on the road.  God bless you and yours.