Sometimes we look at sights in nature but don't really see. While hiking in the woods the other day, it became a realization that we need to open our heart and eyes to see the beauty of the simple things in nature with each season. There is so much order and purpose in His creation. God has given us awesome beauty in this world to see and enjoy... if we would but stop to see and feel it. Join us as this blog is about stopping to see the real beauty around us...to touch and feel it... "Through the Lens".

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Saturday, October 14, 2017

Birthplace of Helen Keller

           
After visiting the Wichahpi Stone Wall, we made our way to an area called Rock Springs.   Rock Springs is about a 20 minute walk along the Colbert Creek.  Here you have to walk on stone stepping blocks in the creek in order to get to the other side.  I was a little hesitant on the first step but once I realized they were sturdy everything was good.  We crossed over to the other side and immediately saw a fairly large beaver dam.  I know I have lived a sheltered life because Mike couldn't believe I had never seen a real beaver dam before!!  I just wish the little beavers had shown up to say hi!!  This is a nicely marked path with signage along the way telling about native birds in the area, the beaver dam and the effects of such a dam and native plants we might see along the way.  We did see my favorite, the hummingbird!!   There was even a bench to sit and watch for the wildlife or take a rest.
 

The Beaver Dam, notice the bench under the trees in the background        


After visiting Wichahpi and then this very nice and serene hike along Colbert Creek, we decided to call it a day and make our way back to the campground.

There were lots of other things we could have seen and toured in the area but we were only going to be here two days and one thing high on my list to see was the birthplace of Helen Keller.  It is located in Tuscumbia, Alabama.

We drove up to a beautiful home situated on a lovely yard and garden!!  Helen Keller was actually born in the cottage next door to this main house.  The main home was built in 1820 and originally sat on 640 acres.  There were enormous amounts of ivy growing in and around the house and cottage and thus the home became known as Ivy Green.
   
               
The famous well pump is located between the cottage and the main house.  Anne Sullivan who became Helen's teacher tried to teach Helen the word water by slowly pumping cool water over her hand and spelling the word  w-a-t-e-r  in alphabet code  Suddenly Helen got it and by the end of the day Helen had learned 30 words.  An incredible achievement for what was actually a wild child!!

The Original Well Pump that springboard her learning words
The grounds at Ivy Green consist of buildings surrounded by 150 year old English boxwood, magnolia trees, mimosa and other trees.  One called the "moon tree" because the seeds that it grew from actually went to the moon.  There are lots of manicured ivy, roses, honeysuckle and smilax.  The grounds are just beautiful.
             


Helen Keller grew to be a most incredible woman!!  She spent her life trying to improve  the conditions of the blind and deafblind around the world.  Her teacher, Anne Sullivan is remembered as "The Miracle Worker."   Together they became known around the world.
       
Helen with Alexander Graham Bell.  He convinced her parents that she needed a teacher.
This is the Cottage where Helen was born.  It is next to the house.
Helen Keller passed away June 1,1968 at the age of 87.  She is buried with her two teachers, Anne Sullivan and Polly Thomson at The Washington Cathedral.
         
Tomorrow we will begin our travels back to Auburn and our "home" base at Chewacla State Park.  We will work on getting the tag for our truck and a few other things along with visiting our son before heading to Rainbow Plantation, an Escapees Park in Summerdale, Alabama!!  It's been awhile since we have been there so we look forward to returning and enjoying the many places we fell in love with several years ago.  We are feeling excited!!

14 comments:

  1. Your RV adventures sound so exciting. I have never visited Helen Keller's home... I have such vivid memories of reading about her and Anne Sullivan. Thanks for sharing more about them....

    The Rainbow Plantation sounds neat.... We've never done much traveling in Alabama (other than going through it while headed somewhere else). We do love the Fort Payne area... Have you all ever been there? So much to see there around DeSoto State Park...

    Have a great day.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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    1. Betsy, we have not been to Fort Payne but we have driven through the area twice. Despot state Park is on our list of places we want to visit. Rainbow Plantation is so very nice and there is so much to see around that area.
      Thanks for your comments. It looks like your trip to the Smokies area was awesome.

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  2. What a wonderful area to explore and great that you got to visit Helen Keller's birthplace. Now have fun visiting with your son.

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    1. It was a great experience learning more about Helen Keller and visiting the other areas. We will enjoy visiting our son for a bit and then on to the Gulf Shores area.

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  3. Will have to add the Helen Keller site to our list! It is an amazing story.

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    1. It was an incredible story and she was quite a woman. She had an IQ of 160 and had a very strong personality.

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  4. Helen Keller's home/birthplace looks lovely.It must be wonderful to travel like you do and you get to share that with your husband.

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    1. Ruth thank you for your comments, we are very blessed to be able to share this travel and scenery together.

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  5. This post makes me want to re-watch "The Miracle Worker." I loved that movie. I wish some of the creek crossings in the Smokies had a path of nice sturdy and flat rocks like the ones in this creek. Your travels are making me wish I had an RV.

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    1. Linda, thank you for your comments. We really love the rv lifestyle and are blessed to see so many wonderful sites. We have not yet seen The Miracle Worker, but are very anxious to see it.

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  6. Visiting Helen Keller's birthplace is one of the highlights of our travels for me. I loved the experience. I spent so much time in the museum that Paul went to the car...hehe. She was definitely one amazing lady! Glad you made the stop.

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    1. Marsha, she was a very remarkable lady and had an I Q of 160. She was very strong spirited and a very determined woman. We really enjoyed our time there.
      Thanks for your comments.

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  7. Helen Keller's story was brought to life when we visited her birth place. Thanks for taking us along for a re-visit. Looking forward to visiting your favorite places in Lower Alabama with you! Travel safe!

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    1. Margery, than,s for your comments. She was a very remarkable woman and very strong willed. We are excited about re-visiting some special to us places in Lower Alabama.
      You guys take care.

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