August 2, 2006 - Hohenwald, TN (Last of Hot Springs, AR)

Ah, the serenity of gardens.  We both really enjoy poking around in stuff like this, have you noticed?  These gardens are an interesting combination of private donations through "members" as well as University input.  Sort of an eclectic garden with some Asian influence (didn't include any pictures of the Bonsai garden, darn it) some "typical" European flavor, and some plain old American parts as well.

Nice rock of crystals hiding in the shade and some kind of small parrot riding on that gentleman's shoulder.  I was unable to identify it, so if any of you know what it is, I'd sure like to know.

At the bottom of this little stream is a koi pond sort of hiding there in the trees.  All the water in this garden is pumped up from the lake it borders, and then allowed to run back into the lake.

One of the volunteers we talked to said that the lady who built the gardens walked through the woods with the bulldozer behind her putting in the paths.  She'd stop and put a stick in the ground, telling the assistants what was to be planted there or what was to be built there, etc.  Her father had been a timber man, and when the dam was put in that formed this lake, this part of his land wasn't good for much, and she decided to put in this garden.

You can see the Asian influence in this "full moon" bridge.

When we first got to the edge of the koi pond, I tossed in a handful of tiny pebbles, hoping to draw the fish closer to us so I could take their picture.  Turned out to be unnecessary, as they came from way across the pond to say hello anyway.  Quite friendly, and very healthy looking.  Pretty (to us) falls from that little stream we saw earlier, and then some pretty falls back out of the pond.

A quick turn around and I got a shot of some of the boat houses and docks on the lake that gives water to the gardens, and then the pretty falls got even prettier!  (Is he sweet or what!)

Well, didn't take much to persuade her to pose under the falls for me (must have been the heat), but she did fuss a bit about getting all wet.  Probably didn't help when I said something about her being all wet most the time anyway (actually, just her legs & feet got wet).  We both wondered where these rocks with these interesting patterns came from.  Well, we knew where they came from, we just wondered why they had these interesting patterns on them.

A closer look at the interesting pattern, and then a quick shot at a .... well, at a bug (fooled ya, you thought I was going to say flower, didn't you?).

We liked how they'd put little "springs" like this around the place.  It's not really a spring, of course, as the only source for water has to be pumped up from the lake, but it's sure nice anyway.

One of the businesses owned by the father of the woman who built the gardens was a brick company.  She took the bricks, had them broken, and used in this path.

And of course, Barb had her camera working, so we have shots of flowers we don't know the names of but that are pretty anyway.

Remember I said that this place was supported in part by private donations?  Well, there sure is money in these parts, because this bridge is not an inexpensive piece of work!  Those boards are 2"X12" bent and laminated together to form this beauty.  And no, we didn't climb those stairs, and yes, that's another little "spring" we enjoyed.

Spotted some nice naked ladies.  Well, most of them were.  Barb retained her modesty.  And if you look carefully, you can see the bug in that lower flower.  I was using Barb's little point-n-shoot camera, and as I was zeroing in on a close-up, she admonished me to get the whole flower, not just another bug.  We had some of these growing in a garden when I was just a kid, and not only did I like the name, but I really liked the colors.

Beautiful pavilion was rented out for a wedding, so we couldn't get any closer without getting involved.  And then another one of those high-dollar bridges.  It was about here that some folks came walking by with red stickers on their shirts rather than the green ones we had, and I asked them why.  Turned out it was because they're some of those "members" I mentioned earlier.  Sure was nice to walk with them for a bit and learn more about the gardens, and what the future plans are.  For example, this bridge will be taking guests to a children's playground area.  If you look carefully in the lower left corner of the picture, you can see the pathway going under the bridge.  Big cloverleaf in the path.

Nice big rocks, and one of them wasn't going to move because I was busily keeping it right where it was.

Ever seen drunken flower pots before?  At a flea market someplace, we saw them for sale.  Well, there's rod in the bottom pot with "fins" that anchor the weight of the pots in place, then the other pots just slide down over the rod.  Real clever idea, and if Barb has her way (doesn't she always?) we'll have some like that when we get our house.

I'm on the pathway to the chapel.  The members we chatted with told us to make sure to not leave without seeing it.  Good thing they mentioned it or we'd have missed it.

Naw, that's not it.  That's a tower being built to house the carillon (bell tower)--will be electronic as opposed to manual, but will probably sound like a real one.  Like I said before, this place isn't hurting for money.  Isn't that a beautiful walkway?  Perfectly level and smooth too.  And look at the beautiful "Anthony Chapel" below (can't find anything that tells me who Anthony is/was).

I liked the way the grate for the drain complimented the angular structure of the chapel.  Superb craftsmanship in the place.  The fellow sitting in there with the red shirt on is a volunteer and had all the information on the place.

The doors on each side up at the front give the building the "footprint" of the cross.  Inspiring interior, isn't it.

When Barb asked the volunteer if they'd had Sunday services in here yet (the place is brand new), he responded that since the University was a public institution that services would not routinely be held here.  I laughed out loud and told him I thought it was ironic that a university that teaches evolution as fact has a chapel with a cross reflective of the Creator of all things.  He laughed with me, and we both agreed that things were a bit messed up politically.  The plans are to use the chapel for "special" functions like weddings.  Cost for renting is $1,200, two hour minimum, and $200 for each additional hour (rate includes use of a bridal hall and groom's quarters as dressing areas for the bride, groom, and their attendants).   Hummmm.  Sure is a unique and beautiful building, and we silently praised Him as we left.

And speaking of praising Him, here's where we went to church that Sunday.  I was all for going to the computer to find a brand of church we'd enjoy, when Barb announced we were going to go to church in a barn.  I knew better than to offer any resistance, particularly when she uses that tone of voice.  Besides, I'd done a lot in a barn, but never have been to church in one.  Turned out to be a community church and we got both Sunday school as well as a service.  And had such a good time of it all that we went back for the evening service.  Great fun.

Right near the RV park was the rock shop, and on a shopping trip Barb had to stop to admire the pretty rocks.  As well as the molten glass there on the ground.  A shop worth browsing through according to Barb--contains some unique displays and beautiful rocks and, yes, shells too.

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