Entries by Steve Jones

Back to Camp McDowell

February 6, 2020 in , , /by

I returned to Camp McDowell and Conference Center December 19-20, 2019 following a year’s absence and two prior Posts: https://stevejonesgbh.com/2018/11/27/mid-november-camp-mcdowell-land-legacy-orientation/ https://stevejonesgbh.com/2019/01/08/mid-november-skies-at-camp-mcdowell/ On the recent December trip I focused on completing plans for conducting a comprehensive Land Legacy Story for McDowell. Published books and internal documents already chronicle the Human History of the Camp since its […]

A Sacred Natural Setting at Cullman, Alabama’s Ave Maria Grotto

January 29, 2020 in , , /by

December 27, 2019 Judy and I visited Ave Maria Grotto, St. Bernard Abbey, Cullman, Alabama, just 55 miles from where we live. The self-guided tour brochure describes this attraction: The Ave Maria Grotto is located on the grounds of St. Bernard Abbey, the only Benedictine monastery of men in the State of Alabama. The Abbey […]

Winter is a Relative Term

January 15, 2020 in , , /by

A Nomad’s Perspective Judy and I have lived in the US South for a total of nearly a quarter of a century (about half of my adult life), punctuated by shifts northward totaling 27 years: Syracuse, New York — 2 years Southeastern Virginia — 7 years Savannah, Georgia — 2 years Prattville, Alabama — 3 […]

Revisiting Alabama’s 4-H Center After 20 Years

January 7, 2020 in , /by

An AL Youth Development and Environmental Education Treasure As ACES (Alabama Cooperative Extension System) Director (1996-2001) I held broad responsibility for Cooperative Extension statewide across all 67 Alabama counties and at both Alabama A&M and Auburn universities. We also conducted education and outreach operations at several regional Extension Centers and the C. Beatty Hannah Horticultural […]

Revisiting Harvest Square Nature Preserve

December 17, 2019 in , , /by

Natural Treasures Are Always Close at Hand I posted an essay in February 2017 on a trip I made to the North Alabama Land Trust’s 70-acre Harvest Square Nature Preserve: https://stevejonesgbh.com/2017/02/09/the-simple-things-become-our-ultimate-pleasure/ My then nine-year-old Alabama grandson Jack accompanied me. Nearly three years ago, at that time I did not always include photos as I do […]

Healing from Landscape Devastation and Human Tragedy: Flight 93 National Memorial

December 9, 2019 in , , /by

Flight 93 National Memorial Few of us alive September 11, 2001 will forget that day of terrifying destruction — a country literally under attack by ruthless human monsters… a horrid sub species intent upon violence and terror. One of the four hijacked planes fell to Earth some forty air miles from my birth home. Traveling […]

Memory and Legacy for a Sailor and Hero

December 4, 2019 in , , /by

The Making of a Legacy — A Hero Enters Adulthood September 2018 I posted my photos and reflections from hiking the William Arthur Wells Trail at Monte Sano State Park: https://stevejonesgbh.com/2018/09/17/monte-sano-state-park-exploring-an-addition/ I snapped a few of the photos below on that 2018 hike. I vowed then to meet the gentleman responsible for the memorial trail. […]