Restaurant - Angie's - Decatur, Tennessee /  by Dave Hileman

A friend of mine, Steve, and I were off for a short adventure on Wednesday that included finding lunch. In the few square block town of Decatur Tennessee that is a limited search. So when we spied the brick building with Diner on it, we stopped. Angie’s turned out to exceed out expectations. A lot. It was a neat, three small room diner with friendly staff and very good food. There was a special that Steve had, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, beans and corn bread for the “not break the bank” price of $7.79. Course it was one of the day’s specials. I had a nice, two patty burger, well cooked and just perfect for the day when aided by unlimited sweet tea. The restaurant was super clean and we chatted with Angie who has owned the place for two years. Do yourself a favor on your next trip between Knoxville and Chattanooga and get off at Decatur, it might be two miles to the diner but you will enjoy your meal and find a new friend too. Definitely recommend.

Angie’s is on facebook under ANGIES DECATUR DINER, daily specials listed there, pick one you like and head out.

Southwestern Birds .3 /  by Dave Hileman

Two birds today, the first a Mexican Jay, not a shy bird especially if you are eating a picnic lunch. The other a Gilded Flicker. I was directly under this bird with the sunlight rapidly disappearing in the evening. .Not the best shot but if you look closely you can see the golden fringe of feathers on the top of his head.

Southwestern Birds .2 /  by Dave Hileman

I was able to photograph several California Towhees but this is the only Green-tailed Towhee I saw and that one for a very brief stop in this tree. It was a new bird for me on that trip as well as yesterday’s Painted Whitestart.

Southwestern Birds /  by Dave Hileman

I was preparing for overlooked parks, west, for the week but when I was working on the first one, i found several bird photos that I never processed. They were mostly dark and I recall not being able to bring them out too well. Moving forward some time and two updates with the processing program and I have some bird photos to share. It has been a while but welcome to Bird Week!

And first up, the elusive Painted Whitestart

Overlooked NPS Sites, East .3 /  by Dave Hileman

Morristown. Most everyone recognizes Valley Forge, a winter encampment of the Colonial Army under Geo Washington and recognized for the harsh conditions and the raid into Trenton on Christmas that changed the dynamics of the war. But Morristown, where the army spent three winters was equally challenging. Cold winters, lack of food and supplies, and enlistments running out were also mirrored what happened in Valley Forge just that it is not well known. It is also, as far as I can tell that my direct ancestor, Peter Hileman, spent at least one winter here following the battle of Monmouth that occurred in New Jersey near the coast. The site looks much the same as before the troops arrived as much of the woodland was cleared then to make huts (12 men to a hut) and for fuel.

Overlooked NPS Sites, East .2 /  by Dave Hileman

Maggie Walker’s home in the Jackson Ward of Richmond is just a short distance from downtown. She was an amazing woman of great accomplishments and it is a treat to tour her home restored by the NPS. Her story needs to be known as she serves as an inspiration to many people. A bit of her story is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maggie_L._Walker. But the experience of visiting her home and hearing the stories told by the rangers, seeing the impact the first African-American woman to charter a bank and the first African-American woman to serve as a bank president had on her community is special. She was a force for education, financial management, independent thinking, race relations and so much more. Come visit her home someday.

Overlooked NPS Sites, East .1 /  by Dave Hileman

Cowpens is located in SC a very short distance from the NC line close to Gaffney, South Carolina. This battlefield - in addition to its importance to the ending of the Revolutionary War is maintained largely as it looked in January of 1781 when it was fought. Here General Morgan defeated the larger British force under Banastre Tarleton. Morgan arrayed his forces in a clever three line approach and lured the British into each line when they thought they had routed the whole of the Colonial army. The real value for the American forces besides a significant moral boost - one of the few times the Americans defeated a larger force, was the fact that Cornwallis lost 800 men out of a force of 1100 and reduced the forces that Washington would face at Yorktown.

This photo is taken in the direction of the British advance with the second line of the American troops just beyond the trees in the middle of the photo.

If you have visited Charleston, SC and noticed a beautiful old building with the sign, Charleston Light Infantry, this is their monument that was placed here in 1856.

The Colors of Mardi Gras .2 /  by Dave Hileman

While other colors can be used, purple, for royalty, gold, for a king’s crown and green - one of the colors permitted a coat of arms are the primary colors of Mardi Gras. So the tri-colors like the flags of the US, France and GB for the King of the Parades, Rex, are purple, gold and green.

WMBG - .3 /  by Dave Hileman

Signs of the times - in Colonial Williamsburg where many people could not read so there were often pictures to represent the seller. I have no idea what the Rhino stood for!

WMBG - .2 /  by Dave Hileman

At this open air workshop area many different tasks are accomplished. They make and fire bricks, a spectacle in the fall, shingles, split logs into rough boards and lots more. This man has driven a chisel into the log but then goes off in search of a heavier mall. In the background of the third photo you can see the outdoor kiln where the summer’s brick work is fired. The bricks are used for repairs, new projects and for sidewalks in CW.

Cindy /  by Dave Hileman

Cindy would have been 75 today. Missed greatly but we know that in Christ we have the certainty of the promises of Scripture. “But those who die in the Lord will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For your life-giving light will fall like dew on your people in the place of the dead!” Isaiah 26:19 NLT

The photo is from Cape Lookout National Seashore.

WMBG Decor /  by Dave Hileman

In the one day we had in Williamsburg to visit with family, Jill and I managed a one hour walk in Colonial Williamsburg. The Christmas decorations were well past peak but we enjoyed seeing several, these being among our favorites.