A full day of "Wow!"

 Coming upon this far exceeds by expectations. My outburst: "Wow!" I hurriedly grab by camera, lock my door and gently slide down the leaf-covered hill to have a closer look. I am in awe at the beauty which surrounds this bridge. I sit for a brief moment, on the leaves, trying to take it all in.

The bridge was built in 1904 and was crossed regularly by farmers and travelers. It spans 270 feet crossing “Crooked Creek.” Today, it is only open for foot travel. I must experience it!

I cross the bridge four times, enjoying the experience so much. I stop several times on the wooden planks to enjoy the various views of the water below and the huge, silent trees gently swaying in the cool breeze. I follow a dirt path leading me down by the creek.

I decide to retrieve my packed lunch to spend the day here. The Dogtrot log cabin and working grist mill amplify the feeling of peace I am experiencing. This is a must when passing through Northern Alabama.

Feeling rested, I continue my travels. A mere eighteen minutes later, I pull into the parking lot with curiosity of this 4-acre park located at the St. Bernard Abbey. Passing through the large gift shop, I follow the signs finding myself with another outburst, "Wow!"

A young Benedictine monk, Joseph Zoetti, devoted fifty years constructing 125 miniature reproductions of religious structures located throughout the world.

Brother Joseph used rocks, bricks, marbles, costume jewelry and even cold cream jars in these beautiful creations. As I walk the weaving path, I admire the detail of each construction. He used photography and textual descriptions in constructing each site. In 1958, Brother Joseph finished his last work when he was 80 years old.

One of my favorite creations is hidden in a small cave entrance below the "Castle of the Fairies" which is in the story of Hansel and Gretel. As I bend down, my eyes meet up with a dragon's marble red eyes. I have nothing to worry about as I see he is chained to a rock, unable to harm me. I walk through the Maria Grotto twice, finding many details I missed the first time. It is an amazingly beautiful park to experience. What a day this turned out to be. "Wow!"