Macho got to pick the adventure this week. I had been tied up every day with one thing and another...garden club, girlfriend lunch, bible study...Friday was open. I asked him to pick something fairly local. His choice was a not-too-far-away Indian site, Moundville.
He had been as a child. I had never been. But, liking the native American culture I was a willing adventurer!
A walk in the forest.
The tallest mound is 65 feet tall. The steps don't look so bad unless you are doing it. On the hottest day. With a sinus "thang" going on. I had to stop twice just to breath.
We enjoyed the view. There are about 29 mounds in the area but you don't see them all. Some are tucked away in the woods. The original people that lived here pre-dated tribe names and for this time period these people are known as the Mississippians. Mississippians populated the eastern United States. Eventually they became known as Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Seminole...and on and on.
Moundville was a well designed, walled city. The walls were waddle and daub - made from logs, and woven branches, and mud. With a large population (about 1000). It is thought that the mounds were built for the elite of the tribe to live atop. By about the 1400's this place was uninhabited. Natives came back to bury their dead here thinking this place was the portal to the next world.
Looking down the backside of the high mound.
Moundville is located beside the Black Warrior River.
We spent about 2 1/2 hours looking and learning.
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This is one of the last Cherokee purple heirloom tomatoes. I will plant this variety again. It is sweet and delicious. Meaty with fewer seeds.
I brought a yellow meat watermelon at the farmer's market this morning. It was pretty green when I cut into it so now it is outside in the butterfly garden. I hope the hummingbirds and butterflies will enjoy it.
Also bought butter beans that are cooling to go in the freezer.
Another mini adventure is slated for next week.
Stay tuned.
Shalom.
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