the natchez trace parkway

The Natchez Trace, a 440-mile-long path extending from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee, linked the Cumberland, Tennessee and Mississippi rivers. It was a traditional Native Americans trail and was later also used by early European explorers as both a trade and transit route in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Today, the trail has been commemorated by the 444-mile-long Natchez Trace Parkway, which follows the approximate path of the trace. The trail itself has a long and rich history, filled with brave explorers, dastardly outlaws and daring settlers. Parts of the original trail are still accessible.

(courtesy: Wikipedia)

today's featured picture

The Justine McAllister, a tugboat, in New York Harbor. Tugboats are used to maneuver, primarily by towing or pushing, other vessels in harbors, over the open sea or through rivers and canals. Tugboats are also used to tow barges, disabled ships, or other equipment like towboats. Photo credit: Eric Baetscher Courtesy: Wikipedia, 23 Sep 08

piggly wiggly

Piggly Wiggly (first store above) is a supermarket chain operating in the Midwestern and Southern regions of the United States. The chain was founded in 1916, in Memphis, Tennessee, by the American entrepreneur Clarence Saunders. It was the first true self-service grocery store, a concept patented by Saunders in 1917. Because customers could choose their products directly, packaging and brand recognition became very important. Other grocers soon adopted the self-service format. At its peak, the company was operating 2,660 stores and posting sales of $180 million a year. (source: Wikipedia)

red tailed hawk

The red-tailed hawk makes a striking appearance with its large, stocky body and mottled brown feathers. The adult’s breast appears white with a brown belly band that looks like a wide belt. Its rust-colored tail, broad and short, distinguishes it from the smaller red-shouldered hawk. Red-tailed hawks grow to about 18 to 25 inches in length and have powerful legs and wings that span to 48 inches as they soar. In wind, it occasionally hovers on beating wings and remains stationary above the ground. When soaring or flapping its wings, it typically travels from 20 to 40 mph, but when diving may exceed 120 mph. Its hunting adaptations are formidable: a short, hooked bill that tears flesh and long, sharp claws to grasp its prey.

okefenokee swamp, georgia-florida

The Great Okefenokee Swamp, one of America’s most fascinating natural areas is the largest Swamp in North America. "Okefenokee" what Seminoles called "Land of Trembling Earth" is approximately 700 square miles located in the southeast corner of Georgia and extending into north Florida. Most of this Eco system has been officially protected since 1937 as the OKEFENOKEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE and in 1974 a portion was designated National Wilderness Area. Two rivers have headwaters in the Okefenokee, the Suwannee, flowing south through Florida to the Gulf of Mexico and the St. Mary's forming the eastern boundary of Georgia and Florida on it’s way to the Atlantic Ocean.

desert saguaros

Symbolic of the desert and all its mystery are these Giant Cacti whose grotesque silhouettes add character to the Southern Arizona landscape. They can attain heights of greater than 50 feet and the ages of some have been estimated at least 250 years. The blossom of the Saguaro is the State Flower of Arizona. Harming one in any manner (including cactus plugging) is illegal by state law in Arizona, and when houses or highways are built, special permits must be obtained to move or destroy any saguaro affected.

folsom, california

Folsom is a city in Sacramento County, California and is most commonly known by its famous Folsom Prison. Folsom started as a small town called Granite City, mostly occupied by gold miners seeking fortune in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Though few amassed a great deal of wealth, the city prospered and has preserved its historical frontier appearance along this "Mall on Sutter Street" in the old historic district, suggesting years of the Mother Lode.

florida scenic beauty

Further narrative not required.

arizona cliff dwellings

Montezuma Castle National Monument, located near Camp Verde, Arizona, in the Southwestern United States, features well-preserved cliff dwellings. They were built and used by the Pre-Columbian Sinagua people around 1400 AD. Several Hopi clans trace their roots to immigrants from the Montezuma Castle/Beaver Creek area. Clan members periodically return to their former homes for religious ceremonies. The last known Sinagua habitation of the sites was around 1425 AD and reasons for abandonment are the subject of much speculation.

name this tree

Time for quiz # 3 - The tree depicted above is located in The Petrified Forest, a sanctuary of ancient trees. In 1912 it was estimated by Luther Burbank to be "HOW OLD?" Also, what is the "NAME" of the tree? For the correct answer we will need both the estimated age of the tree and the name. We will accept "either" the age as given by Luther in 1912 or the present age as based on his estimate. Winner will receive another of our fabulous food gift certificates. Send answer to: jul8quiz@postcardfile.com.

independence day

Have a fun but safe Holiday!!!

vintage modern transport

A little early 20th Century humor. Don't know how old this one is but from the style, look, and condition, its gotta be from way back there.

cherokee, n.c. drama

This is the entrance to Mountainside Theatre, the 2900 capacity show place in Cherokee, N.C., where the great Cherokee Indian drama, "Unto These Hills," is shown each summer through Labor Day. It is the third oldest and the second- longest-running outdoor drama in the United States. The 59th season of Unto These Hills debuted on Friday, June 13, 2008 and will run through Saturday, August 30, 2008.

smokey bear

Did you know??? - The living symbol of Smokey Bear was an American black bear who in the spring of 1950 was caught in the Capitan Gap fire, a wildfire that burned 17,000 acres (69 km²) in the Capitan Mountains of New Mexico. Smokey had climbed a tree to escape the blaze, but his paws and hind legs had been burned. He was rescued by a Game Warden after the fire and given veterinary aid and loving care by the family of a local Dept. of Game and Fish Ranger.

The story was picked up by the national news services and Smokey became an instant celebrity. Soon after, Smokey was flown in a Piper Cub to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., where he lived for 26 years. Upon his death in November 1975, Smokey's remains were returned by the government to Capitan, New Mexico, and buried at what is now the Smokey Bear Historical Park.

churchill memorial

The Christopher Wren Church was moved from London, England, to the campus of Westminister College in Fulton, Missouri as part of a Memorial to Winston Churchill. He made his great "Iron Curtain" speech here in 1946. The famous address built a legacy, enticing such world leaders as Lech Walesa, Margaret Thatcher, Harry S Truman, Gerald R. Ford, Ronald W. Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Mikhail Gorbachev and NATO representatives to Westminster College.