Feb 23

Historic Cathedral of St. Paul- Sacred Solace in Inner City Birmingham

Click here as I explore Sacred Spaces in Inner City Birmingham, Alabama – Today it’s the Cathedral of St. Paul.

In today’s micro adventure I go urban hiking in the inner city of Birmingham, Alabama in search of the historic Cathedral of St. Paul.

I’m calling my latest short film – Historic Cathedral of St. Paul- Sacred Solace in Inner City Birmingham.

According to https://stpaulsbhm.org/about/history/ …..

History

The current majestic brick building replaces a small (30′ x 60′) wooden frame church first built in 1872 on a lot adjacent to the present site. The land for the current location was purchased in January 1880; by May of the same year, under the first resident pastor, the Rev. John Browne, a rectory was built and the church was moved on site and enlarged.

The present building was planned by the Rev. Patrick O’Reilly, the second pastor. The cornerstone was laid on June 11, 1890 and the building was dedicated on November 30, 1893, having cost approximately $90,000 to complete.

The church was extensively renovated in 1955, when, among other things, air conditioning was installed. In 1972, structural repairs were effected and the sanctuary was re-ordered. In 1992, additional work was done in preparation for the Cathedral’s centennial. Most recently, a complete renovation of the exterior was finished in 2015.

The Cathedral is widely considered to be a handsome example of the American variation on the neo-gothic style. Gothic architecture is philosophically Christian: in its determined verticality, the gothic structure pulls the eye to heaven and inspires the mind to lofty thoughts. The strong contrast of color on the Cathedral’s exterior, with the native red brick and white limestone of the walls, and the polychromatic banding in the slate roof, show the taste of the international gothic revival of the 1870s.

The main entrance has a central statue of Christ above the doors. Upon entering, one sees that the church is built in basilica form, having a semicircular domed apse at one end, with a center aisle and two side aisles. Ten solid granite columns support vaults and arches indicative of the neo-gothic style.

The baptismal font stands at the door of the church to remind those entering that Baptism is the doorway to faith and the life of the Church. Those who enter dip their hand in the Holy Water and mark themselves anew with the sign in which they were baptized – the sign of the Cross.

So I hope you enjoy Historic Cathedral of St. Paul- Sacred Solace in Inner City Birmingham

Feb 16

Finding Solitude on a Dreary Day – Solo Hike Short Film

Click here and join me as I Find Solitude on a Dreary Day Solo Hiking!

Finding Solitude on a Dreary Day – Solo Hike Short Film is my latest short film.

It’s all about a solo hike at Tannehill State Park outside of Birmingham, Alabama.

Just sit back and relax as you watch – Finding Solitude on a Dreary Day – Solo Hike Short Film

Feb 09

Urban Hiking Town with 1896 Origins – Over Delivered – Alabaster, AL.

Click here to see my latest Cinematic Short Film where I explore Alabaster, Alabama that has origins dating back to 1896!

Urban Hiking Alabaster, Alabama which was under promised but over delivered!

While Urban Hiking, Alabaster, Alabama I was invited into what’s believed to be the oldest building in the town. It’s now a business called Creactive and I was even shown one of the original walls! Great people gave me the VIP tour!

Urban Hiking Alabaster, Alabama was an interesting experience. What seemed to be the main street wasn’t really the main street. It’s my belief that it once was but no more. Still a quaint awesome street nonetheless!

The History of Alabaster, Alabama, has origins dating back as early as 1896 according to https://www.shelbyal.com/787/Alabaster:

History

In 1896, Thomas C. Thompson organized and built on the banks of Buck Creek in Siluria a textile manufacturing plant. Soon thereafter, a village to house employees was built. In 1902, Siluria Cotton Mill Co. was incorporated; and in 1954, the Town of Siluria was incorporated, with a population of approximately 600. In 1965, Buck Creek Industries, Inc. sold the village houses to the employees. In 1925, located next door to Siluria, the “growth potential” of the community became known as Alabaster. Alabaster was officially incorporated on February 23,1953 and in 1971, the people of Siluria voted to merge with Alabaster.

So I hope you enjoy my latest cinematic short film – Urban Hiking Town with 1896 Origins – Over Delivered – Alabaster, AL.

Feb 01

A Cinematic Film about a town Settled in 1813 – Northport, Alabama!

Click here to see my Cinematic Short film about a Town Called Northport which was settled in 1813!

In my latest Cinematic short film I explore Northport, Alabama, settled in 1813.

This urban exploration takes place in Northport, Alabama which sits on the Black Warrior river.

Exploring towns like Northport, Alabama has become a hobby of mine so that they might be documented for future use.

Northport, Alabama is known for the Kentuck Art Center and the Kentuck Art Festival. Typically known as the Kentuck Art Center and Festival.

Northport, Alabama is also known for the Van de Graaff Arboretum & Historic Bridge Park.

So I hope you enjoy A Cinematic Film about a town Settled in 1813 – Northport, Alabama!

Jan 25

Whispers of the Past – Abandoned between Hueytown and Jasper – Cinematic Short Film

Click here and join me on another adventure as I explore the rural countryside and find some strange things!

In my latest cinematic short film, Whispers of the Past – Abandoned between Hueytown and Jasper, I go rural exploring in Alabama.

My latest cinematic short film, Whispers of the Past – Abandoned between Hueytown and Jasper, was inspired by my childhood. Long Sunday rides in rural areas of Alabama, looking at abandoned places.

So, in this short film I find myself between Hueytown and Jasper, Alabama. Often just taking random roads in this area to see what we can find. I’ll spend most of the time travelling Highway 267 through Concord, Sylvan Springs and Walker County.

According to Wikipedia:

Hueytown is a city in western Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Birmingham metropolitan area, and was part of the heavy industry development in this area in the 20th century. At the 2020 census, the population was 16,776.

Hueytown was the home of the Alabama Gang, famous in NASCAR stock car racing. In 1992 the city became known for the unexplained “Hueytown Hum”, a mysterious noise later thought to be caused by large underground ventilation fans used in a nearby coal mine.

Its nearby residential and business communities were damaged by an F5 tornado on April 8, 1998 and by an EF4 tornado on April 27, 2011.

Jan 18

A Town Called Eutaw – Founded 1838 – Town Square and Antebellum Homes!

Click here as I explore the 1838 Town of Eutaw, Alabama, Gateway to the Black Belt – Town Square and Antebellum homes!

This week’s micro adventure takes us to the 1838 town of Eutaw, Alabama, Gateway to the Black Belt.

As I explore Eutaw, Alabama the Gateway to the Black Belt, we’ll discover a beautiful town square and antebellum homes. Simply a great example of a Southern City as it should be.

According the the National Historic Database:

In 1838, Greene County citizens voted to change the town seat from Erie to Eutaw. The City of Eutaw, Alabama was incorporated as a town by an act of the State Legislature on January 2, 1841. Greene County had been named for General Nathaniel Greene. The name, Eutaw, was chosen to commemorate the Battle of Eutaw Springs fought in South Carolina in 1781, the battle in which General Greene defeated the British. Since the county had been named for him, the people chose to name the town after his famous victory. The word, “Eutaw,” comes from the aborigines’ language, characterizing the South Carolina Indians as the “Highlanders” or “The Hill Dwellers.” The proposed town was surveyed and laid out by Robert G. Quarles in December 1838. In August 2000, Raymond Steele was elected as the first African American Mayor of Eutaw.

Jan 11

A Bridge Called Swann – Cinematic Short Film on a 1933 Covered Bridge

Click here as I explore Alabama’s longest covered in a cinematic short film form.

Swann Bridge is the longest Covered Bridge in the state of Alabama. It was built in 1933 in the Locus Fork area if the state in Blount County.

Swann Covered Bridge spans 324 feet over the Black Warrior River.

Wikipidia has this to say about the bridge:

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Swann Covered Bridge, also called the Joy Covered Bridge[1] or Swann-Joy Covered Bridge, is a county-owned, wood-and-metal combination style covered bridge that spans the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River in Blount County, Alabama, United States. It is located on Swann Bridge Road off State Route 79, just west of the town of Cleveland,[1] about 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Oneonta.

Built in 1933,[1] the 324-foot-long (99 m) bridge is a Town lattice truss with three spans. Its WGCB number is 01-05-05. The Swann Covered Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 20, 1981. It is currently the longest existing historic covered bridge in Alabama and second longest in the state overall after the 334-foot-long (102 m) Twin Creek Covered Bridge in Midway, Alabama, which was built in 2000.[3] The Swann Covered Bridge is maintained by the Blount County Commission and the Alabama Department of Transportation.
History

The Swann Covered Bridge was built by a crew led by Zelma C. Tidwell[4] over a scenic gorge of the Locust Fork on property owned by the Swann Farm. It was originally dubbed the ‘Joy Covered Bridge’, as the bridge connected Cleveland with the nearby community of Joy.[1] The bridge was restored by the Blount County Commission in 1979. After the 385-foot-long (117 m) Nectar Covered Bridge (also located in Blount County) burned down in 1993,[4] the Swann Covered Bridge became the longest covered bridge existing in Alabama. It is one of three historic covered bridges remaining in Blount County.[4]

After a routine inspection, the Swann Covered Bridge was closed in 2009 due to unsafe conditions along with nearby Easley Covered Bridge. The Horton Mill Covered Bridge was already closed as a result of vandalism which occurred in 2007. Restoration of all three bridges began in late 2011. Money for these projects primarily came from the federal National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Program as well as transportation enhancement funds. The $469,110 construction contract was awarded to Bob Smith Construction of Trussville, Alabama. The Swann Covered Bridge would be the first of the three to be restored. Wooden structural pieces were repaired or replaced as needed and new tin roofs were put on all three bridges in order to keep the weather off vital supporting timbers. Total restoration costs for the covered bridges was approximately $540,000. The difference was covered by county expenditures.

Following necessary repairs and upgrades, the Swann Covered Bridge was reopened to motor vehicle traffic on October 22, 2012. Photos of restoration to the bridge can be viewed via The Birmingham New

Jan 04

Pizza and Urban Hiking Town Founded in 1815 – Jasper, Alabama

Click here and join me on another micro adventure to the beautiful Southern City of Jasper, Alabama, founded in 1815!

In today’s micro adventure I find myself in the Southern City of Jasper, Alabama, founded in 1815.

Jasper, Alabama is a quaint Southern Town in Alabama with beautiful architecture. Many of the old southern buildings of Jasper, Alabama date back to the 1800’s.

The Southern City of Jasper is best known for according to jaspercity.com:

History
The BankheadsHistory of Jasper

Lorenzo Dow established the first trading post in the area now containing the City of Jasper in the early 1800s. In 1822, Dr. Gordon Musgrove donated the land for the town and built a log cabin that served as the courthouse, school, and church. The town was named by Hugh Lollar in memory of the Revolutionary War hero Sgt. William Jasper who distinguished himself at the Battle of Fort Moultrie, South Carolina.

The City of Jasper was incorporated in 1887 with G. H. “Jake” Guttery serving as its first Mayor. Jasper serves as the county seat of Walker County and is located in the middle of the Warrior Coal Fields, the second largest in the nation. Jasper sits on or near the Bankhead Highway and Interstate 22.

Jasper has been home to many famous families such as the Bankhead’s which include United States Congressmen, United States Senators, and a Speaker of the House of Representatives during the administration of Franklin Roosevelt. This family along with Carl Elliott of Jasper, whose home here has been turned into a historical museum, Tom Bevill of Jasper & Carter Manasco of Townley make up more than a century (110 years 1887 – 1997) of continuous service by Walker Countians in the United States Congress.

Jasper was once the home of Alabama Central Railroad, transportation for lumber and coal during the years of the steam engine train.

While exploring the Southern City of Jasper, Alabama we decided to take a break for lunch. We found a fantastic Pizza restaurant called Johnny Brusco’s. The service was excellent as was the pizza. A must stop if you’re in the Southern City of Jasper, Alabama. We have since come to find it’s actually a chain with one in the area in which I live. Win, Win!

Dec 29

Horse Pens 40 – Solo Hiking the Southeast’s Premiere BOULDER Gardens

Click here as I go Solo Hiking in the Southeast’s Premiere Bouldering (Rock Climbing) Garden – Horse Pens 40!

Today’s micro adventure is a Solo Hike in the Southeast’s Premiere BOULDER Garden known as Horse Pens 40.

Horse Pens 40 is a draw for rock climbers from all over the world seeking pristine bouldering problems.

Horse Pens 40 Bouldering (Rock Climbing) is described by mountainproject.com this way:

A great Bouldering spot/ one of the best in perhaps the world!! Fall and winter are the best times to visit HP40, and has three bouldering competition’s a year/- Chandler Mountain Challenge, HP40 Rocks, Triple Crown Bouldering series!! The rock is sand rock and is some of the best sloper’s in bouldering!! Say thank you to the Schultz family for saving this pristine area for pebble wrestlers to enjoy.
PLEASE CHECK IN WITH THE CAMP STORE AND SIGN A WAIVER AND PAY YER FEE. IF YOU TRY TO SNEAK IN, YOU WILL GET CAUGHT AND PROBABLY ASK TO LEAVE.

A guidebook has been published, rockerypress.com/store-2/Ho…; This guide lists topos and descriptions for all HP40 boulder problems.
This book is a must have for bouldering in the south!! Got mine, get yours!

Hope you enjoy the chill vibes of my latest micro adventure short film I’m calling – Horse Pens 40 – Solo Hiking the Southeast’s Premiere BOULDER Gardens

In my short film on Horse Pens 40, the first climbers are from Atlanta and the second were from Chattanooga. Awesome folks! But that’ what you usually get with the climbing community.

Dec 19

Birmingham’s Best Kept Secret? Urban Hiking The Preserve at NIGHT!

Click here to join me on another micro adventure as I go Urban Hiking at Night in the Preserve – Maybe Birmingham, Alabama’s best kept secrets!

In this micro-adventure I go Urban Hiking in one of Birmingham Alabama’s best kept secret, The Preserve.

The Preserve is located in Hoover, Alabama and they go all out at Christmas.

In fact, that’s why I decided to go Urban Hiking at night at Birmingham, Alabama’s best kept secret!

If you’re ever in the Birmingham, Alabama, the Preserve is a must see destination at night – especially in December.

It may very well be one of Birmingham’s best Kept Secrets!

So I hope you enjoy my latest short film – Birmingham’s Best Kept Secret? Urban Hiking The Preserve at NIGHT!