Thanks for sharing in my yardsale finds! You all sure loved that yellow tiered iron basket! I can’t believe all the comments on that one thing.
Vulcan statue is a nostalgic icon here in Birmingham and Vulcan Park is a fun place to visit. I posted about my first time there last year. On Sunday, they celebrated Vulcan’s 104th birthday, so the hubby and I decided to go and take a peek. He had not been back since he was a kid, so he really enjoyed going through the museum and reading all about Birmingham’s beginnings in the steel and iron industry, which is what put them on the map.
This is a shot I took last year of the Vulcan tower and you can see the Vulcan proudly standing tall, at almost 60′. The iron statue was built originally for the 1904 St. Louis World’s fair, to advertise Birmingham’s steel industry to the world. This area used to be a big mining city.
The tower was built in the 1930’s and Vulcan has been standing watch over Birmingham ever since. Birminghamians are very proud of the Vulcan and it’s truly a landmark in this city and rightly so.
This is part of the museum exhibit, showing all the minerals that are mined in the area.
A replica of Vulcan’s huge leg and foot, you can see how large it is.
Vulcan memorabilia.
The Birmingham Zoo was on hand with a few animals to share. This is a screech owl, I was told. He sure is a cute little thing, but my hubby says they sure are loud.
A groundhog trying to get away.
And a buzzard. There was also a snake, but I don’t think I’ll be putting snake pics on my blog. You don’t mind, do you?
Downtown Birmingham.
Birmingham is also known for its sandstone rock and there are many beautiful buildings and homes in the city made from this very colorful rock. I thought this bench was really cool. I’d love to have this in my garden.
View from the top of the tower to downtown. Isn’t it pretty?
This is the perfect sized city, not too big and not too small.
Hi Rhoda, I will also be at the Deeper Still conference. I am excited that it is so close to time for it. I really feel the need for it just now. I have been to two other conferences several years back featuring Kay and Beth, and they were awesome. I am really looking forward to hearing Travis in person, though (also Mandisa). Priscilla will be totally new to me, so that will be fun.
God’s blessings on you today!
Christi
Thanks for the tour of the city! We plan to get to Atlanta before the heat sets in to take in a Braves game…meeting up with the Sister (IL) from GulfPort…hope you have fun when you get there, too!
Hugs
Sandi
I’ve never been to Birmingham, so I really enjoyed reading some of the history.
There are a lot of buildings around here built of local stone, too.
You did not answer the burning question I have about that statue. Why does he not have any pants on?????? :o)
I am so jealous – Beth Moore AND Kay Arthur at the same time – I think I have every book either has written – I LOVE them!!! Take lotz of pictures and notes and let us know how WONDERFUL it was!!!
Thanks for the lovely tour of Vulcan Park and the Museum – I have never been to B’ham – need to make a trip!!!!
Bless….
Donna
Hello Rhoda,
I’ve never been to Birmingham so thanks for the tour. If we ever make it that way we’ll have to check out the Vulcan.
Brandee 🙂
Hi Ms. Rhoda…Thanks for answering my question from yesterday. From ’98-2000 we lived in Gadsden, Ala. atop Lookout Mountain…I’m sure you are aware of the “World’s Longest Garage Sale”…It starts there in Gadsden. We went to B’ham anytime we had to go to the airport…It is a nice city…As always I enjoy checking your blog…Your photos are GREAT! 🙂 Brown-Eyes
Hi Rhoda,
Just checking in. Great photos of the city. Very cute animals.
I agree on the post below, the yellow tiered basket is really great!!
Rosemary
I love Birmingham and if I can’t live there then I am sooooooooo happy my sweet friend can!
((hugs))
Kim
Rhoda
I so enjoyed the trip I just took with you!
Hi Rhoda! Enjoyed the walk down memory lane. Despite all of my visits to Birmingham, I have not been to the Vulcan since I was a little girl and spending time with my “Pap”. He used to work at Sloss furnaces and then moved up into US Steel in later years. Your bit of history really brought back fabulous memories of a special man in my life! Thank you.
Jen
I grew up visiting grandparents in B’ham and there were sooooo many trips to ‘the big iron man’ and to the Botanical Gardens. Such wonderful heart memories were made during those years 🙂
It’s even more beautiful in the evening, right around sunset. They do weddings there, too!
Very nice pics…thanks for the lovely tour, Rhoda! I’ve never been to B’ham…looks like a great place to visit 🙂
Awwww… I love ground hogs. I know they’re bad to have in the yard, but they’re so cute I wouldn’t mind. I spied some at the farmhouse when we were looking around the other day 🙂
I would love to go to Birmingham some day. My mom has been there and said it was beautiful and one of the cleanest places she had ever seen.
Have a beautiful day Rhoda!
hugs,
rue
Hey friend! Long time, no see!
I just wanted to stop by and see what’s been going on with you! Can you believe that as many times as we scoot over to Birmingham, we’ve NEVER been to the Vulcan?! We’ve talked about it…but just never went.
How fun that you got to see Kat when you were at the beach! I’m loving checking out your pictures!
Hope all is well with you. Next time we are headed your way, I will give you a call!
HEY! It’s so funny you’ve posted about Vulcan!!! I’m reading a book right now and the story takes place in B’ham…Vulcan is mentioned and I just cracked up (maybe a poor choice of words there!) when I saw this picture!!!
I’m not going to Deeper Still here in Atlanta, but I’m going to San Antonio for Siesta Fiesta!!! I would love to hear Kay and Priscilla one day!
Hey Rhoda,
That’s one big Vulcan foot! From your picture of B’ham, I think it’s grown a bit since I was there many, many years ago. But I don’t remember much about it.
Have a good weekend,
Donna
Rhoda, Dont think I have forgoteen you. I will respond to your email. Forgive me! I loved looking at your Vulcan Trip. I took my fmaily last summer (it was HOT). You can search it on my blog if you are interested. A terrible little thing happened while I was there. SOmething that grossed me out.
But I do love Vulcan. It is one of the things I think of when I think of my hometown. I have a little vulcan snowglobe that I cherish…
This is my first visit here and oh my! I love it!
I live a little north of Ft. Payne so we are practically neighbors…Loved your tour of B’ham! 😉