Tennessee and Alabama, Notable Places

I have been slacking as usual;) Must wrap up our past couple of weeks though as I am flying out to see grandchildren for about a month!

Just outside of Paris, Tennessee we visited Fort Donelson NB.  A former battlefield of the Civil War, it is now a beautiful parklike area on the Cumberland River.  A pair of eagles has a nest in the park to which they make annual returns and we were fortunate enough to see a parent and the 2 juveniles they produced this year!

Fort Donelson National Battlefield

The fall of Fort Donelson
in February 1862 was
the North's first major
victory of the
Civil War

the Cumberland River

Fort Donelson's
semi-permanent
resident

You can see the bald eagles white head against the tree trunk on the very left and the 2 juveniles on the far right

Good IPAs
at a nearby brewery

Of course, Paris must have an Eiffel Tower!

A must see area in Alabama!  We spoke with
a visitor to the preserve who lives in
Alabama and he said "Who knew there
was something this beautiful in Alabama!"

A short but very steep trail down to
Little River.

 After the hike we did the 11 mile scenic drive and stopped at all the points along the way:

Grace's High Falls

Crow Point Overlook

Canyon View Overlook

Mushroom Rock

Little River Falls

Little River Falls up canyon near the bridge

Little River Falls

 DeSoto State Park is located in the boundaries of Little River National Preserve.

Lower DeSoto Falls

Upper DeSoto Falls

 Last week, we stayed just outside of Chattanooga, TN.  Our first and only real hike there was on top of Raccoon Mountain.  The mosquitoes were/are horrific and after that first hike we confined our walking to the campground area.  Too bad because it is beautiful.

reservoir on raccoon mtn

I will have to finish Chattanooga after my trip to see grandchildren!!!  Back in about a month!