Edwards FreeLance Photography

The Smoky Mountain Pilgrimage

Every year around this time, people from around the region flock to the Smoky Mountains. Here are just a few images of the seasonal changes occurring this year in the Smoky Mountains.

Smoky Mountains - Images by Murray Edwards

The 2009 Trail of Tears Motorcycle Ride

They started rolling in on Friday morning. There are doctors, lawyers, business folk's, husbands and wives, people from every walk of life. Chattanooga is abuzz, since 1994 every 3^rd Saturday in September, thousands of avid motorcycle enthusiast have come together to make the ride from Chattanooga Tennessee tracing the path taken by the Cherokee Indians resulting from the 1830 Indian Removal Act.

Though the forecast for rain may have reduced the number of attendees at this year's event, spirits were high. During the early morning of the 19^th, diehard bikers from across the country began to line up two abreast at the corner of Broad and 20th and meandered nearly back to the riverfront park. On this day, it doesn't matter what you ride, be it a Harley or Honda. All that matters today is that everyone is here to honor the Native Americans that were forced from their homes and marched to Oklahoma.

At 8:00 AM, Mayor Ron Littlefield and candidate for Governor Zach Wamp gave the command, and in seconds the roar of engines began to echo throughout the downtown area and the caravan began to pull out. For the next twenty minutes, riders rolled by the waving spectators turned right on Broad and headed toward Monteagle Tennessee.

The ride headed north passing through neighborhoods and small communities, all along the way well-wishers also fighting the rain, stood with umbrellas in hand - waved, held signs and cheered the riders on their journey that would take them some 200 miles across the Tennessee Mountains to Florence Alabama.

The Trail of Tears Motorcycle Ride - Images by Murray Edwards

Approaching Fayetteville Tennessee the rain began to subside and the sun began to shine, the temperature started to rise and the rain gear came off. The hour long stop in Fayetteville provided a fuel stop for both riders and motorcycles. Around 1:00 PM the riders climbed back aboard the motorcycles, turned west onto to highway 64 and headed toward Florence Alabama.

All along the final leg, the Tennessee law enforcement officers cleared the way for the procession. As the motorcade crossed over the Alabama state line, the Alabama Highway patrol took the reins and escorted the columns into Florence.

After arrival into Florence, the final destination for the majority of these riders, they headed to McFarland Park where they dismounted, shook off the mud and joined in the celebration.

Roadside Memorials – Honoring a Lost Loved One

This might be a rather unusual topic to discuss, however, for some reason I've found myself a little fascinated by these memorials to a lost loved one. While traveling back from a recent road trip, I passed by, what might be considered a shrine of sorts. Along with the standard cross, marking the spot of this tragic accident, were bouquets of flowers, tee-shirts hanging from limbs of trees and a couple gallons of water. Not real sure what the water was for, if anyone that reads this post knows the significance of this, please leave a comment. 

After paying my respects to this person I've never met, I headed back to my truck to continue my ride home. During the remainder of my 3 hour trip, I started to wonder, do these places of remembrance bring some form of closure to family members and friends? What if you lived near where this unfortunate event occurred, wouldn't passing this reminder on a continuous basis just re-hash already painful memories?

My guess was a little of both until I got a chance to speak with a couple of folks who had lost a family member and were kind enough to discuss the matter. About once a month, this son and daughter stop by and pick up trash and trim the weeds away from their father's accident site. Why? According to both, it makes them feel closer to their dad. In their words "This is where his spirit left". What about the grave site? They said that they visited there also, mainly on his birthday or father's day, but by passing this memorial nearly every day they can say "Hi dad, we miss you". So, in their own way, as many I suspect, are trying to say to the rest of us passersby, slow down and pay a little respect.

Unfortunately, it seems as though not everyone feels the same way, there have been several occasions where this site along as many others, I discovered, have been vandalized. This is shameful, you might not agree with placing markers or think that they are a distraction, but destroying a place of homage just isn't right and anyone doing so should be completely ashamed of themselves.

On a secondary note, 22 states across the country have some type of law that regulates roadside memorials from how long the memorial can remain in place to what type of memorial is allowed, example being, Montana and California allow memorials but only if alcohol was involved to being completely prohibited by Maryland and Utah. Presently, the Federal Government has no regulations in place.

 

 

Sweetwater Creek State Park – Georgia

Looking for somewhere to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon with the family or friends? If you live in Atlanta or surrounding area, take a short ride to Sweetwater Creek, a little piece of wilderness just few minutes from the hustle and bustle from downtown Atlanta. Spend the day relaxing along the banks of the George Sparks Reservoir or if you are feeling a little more adventurous put on your hiking shoes and explore the numerous trails that meander throughout the park.

The four trails of Sweetwater Creek State Park are well maintained, and vary from smooth and easy, to rugged and technical.

Take a stroll down the historic or red trail to the remains of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company. The trail runs along Sweetwater Creek to the ruins, which consist of the three-story walls of the mill building which was destroyed during the Civil War.

The blue non-game wildlife trail follows the bluff above the river and meets the historic trail and the new white non-game wildlife trail at the falls. The white trail completes a loop that runs 6 miles and may test your endurance. The recently added yellow trail crosses Sweetwater Creek and follows the river south before looping deep into the watershed.

If you enjoy climbing around on rocks, then you will feel like a kid again.  The creek bed is full of opportunities to climb, jump over and wade in the water that flows through the park. Stop along the way to the falls, take a seat and cool off in one of the small pools that form along the clusters of rock formations.

Got a kayak or canoe? The reservoir provides calm smooth waters to paddle or do some fishing. Stop by the interpretive center for supplies, maps or bait.

So plan on getting away next weekend, head west on I-20 towards Birmingham – take exit 44 and follow the signs. There is a $3 dollar per vehicle parking fee, but that’s a small price to pay to for an enjoyable day

Elvis' Graceland Mansion - Memphis Tennessee

Graceland - Memphis Tennessee

Located just south of downtown Memphis Tennessee about a mile off Interstate 55 south, Elvis Presley’s Graceland Mansion draws thousands of tourists, fans and people of all works of life. Each wishing to pay their respects to a music legend who has been gone since the late 70’s.

Shell out $28.00 a head and you’ll have access to view the downstairs, basement, office and racquetball court. It’s still amazing that mourners still leave flowers, plaques and other memorabilia at the gravesite. Pay a few dollars more and you can tour the car museum or walk through Elvis’ or Lisa Marie’s airplanes which are also on site.

It takes about 90 minutes to take the tour, so if you are or were a fan of the “King of Rock and Roll”, a visit to Graceland is a must see.

Murray

For more images of the Gracelance Mansion visit the Gallery at Edwards FreeLance Photography

 

St. Patrick's Day in Savannah Georgia

What the Mardi Gras celebration is to New Orleans, St. Patrick’s Day is to Savannah. Thousands and thousands of people from around the world head to Savannah for a weeks long celebration ending ultimately in a day long celebration on March 17^th, best known as St. Patrick’s Day. The streets are blocked, traffic comes to a stand-still and for hours on end a parade full of bagpipers, floats and military bands meanders throughout the historic and mid-town district of Savannah. 

Once the parade comes to an end, everyone heads to River Street. Be sure to pick up your orange wristband, that way you can carry the adult beverage of choice in the streets without being bothered by local law enforcement.

Almost anything you want to do is down on River Street. The kids get to ride and bounce on air slides, get flung into the air by giant slingshots and can test their climbing skills on the wall of rocks.

And for the adults and oh those adults, dressed in bazaar outfits, dance, drink and party long into the morning hours.   

If you ever get the chance, head for Savannah Georgia and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at one of the country’s best locations.

     

Top ten annoying things to say to wildlife photographer | Paul Burwell Photography

Great post from Wildshots. As a fellow nature and wildlife photographer, the number of times I've been asked some of the same questions are amazing. My favorite was after a day of hiking and photography in the Smoky Mountains, I came out onto a trail to find a family looking out and taking some snapshots of the views. The mother asked would I please take a family picture so they remember that moment in time when they were in the mountains of Tennessee. Sure I said, not to be rude, and she proceeded to hand me some off-brand point and shoot camera, to which I asked, "How do you use this?" Her comment "Well, you turn it on here and look here, we'll stand real still, while you hold down this button for a few seconds." On and on she went until she finally said, "I thought you were a photographer?"

Now, after a day of trouncing through woods, covering about 8 miles with nearly 30 pounds of camera gear on my back, let's just say I was a little tired and sweaty, and before I realized what I was about to say, I blurted out "Well, if you had a real camera!" With that, she snatched the camera from my hands and stomped off.

Top ten annoying things to say to wildlife photographer | Paul Burwell Photography.

Yosemite Photo Contest for Yosemite Visitors - Yosemite Pines Family Lodging | Photo News Today

GROVELAND, Calif., Feb. 25, 2009 — Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging has launched an online photo contest for vacationers to the Yosemite National Park area, with free lodging being offered as prizes each month. The family-oriented property is located in Groveland, California, just a few miles from the park’s West entrance on Highway 120.

Now you can engage in a friendly photo competition with family and friends with Yosemite photographs or photographs of your stay at Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging. Imagine having all or part of your Yosemite vacation lodging paid for because of the Yosemite Park or Yosemite Pines photos you took!

Upcoming Travel - Savannah, Georgia

I'll be heading down to one of my favorite Southern city next week, Savannah Georgia. Completing  a article about street musicians and Savannah has a great number that call the River Street area their stage.