Yesterday, I drove down a road that never rushes me. I enjoy this drive every time I travel on it. This road never fails to whisper calmness.
As the road stretched out in front of me, I so enjoyed seeing the bare branches that reached way overhead, creating a tunnel effect. This isn't just any back road. This is a road where something historic once happened. There isn't a sign of any kind flashing details, but the weight of time certainly lingers here.
I drove slowly. Not because I had to, but because when Winter is here and the leaves are all gone, you can see through the woods so clearly. I stopped and took a picture of a weathered gate that has clearly stood season after season. It was bent just enough to show its age, but yet it was still standing strong. Its things like this that excite me....I have a love for the old and a bit of rust makes me love it even more.
And then.....there was a sheep!!
It was just resting like it had nowhere else to be and had all the time in the world. It was completely unbothered. Not one concern of a schedule or notification. Just a sheep doing what sheep do. I couldn't help but smile.
Nearby, is where the quiet creek slips through the woods and its water was moving gently, catching sunlight in patches. The trees along the banks of the creek stood like witnesses....silent, steady, rooted in stories older than all of us.
The Story of the road and and the creek!! ↓↓↓↓↓
Battle creek runs underneath this road. This creek is where BATTLE OF THE NECHES took place. This was a turning point in East Texas history. In 1839, forces of the Republic of Texas clashed with the Cherokee people led by Chief Bowles.
The Cherokee were resisting removal from the land they had long called home. The battle ended with devastating consequences....the Cherokee were defeated, Chief Bowles was killed, and the tribe was forced to leave East Texas.
It's hard for me to imagine that kind of turmoil that took place in this area. Many local residents have found arrow heads as well as all kinds of clay pots and such, as they explored the creek.
My husband (Sam) used to play in this creek as a young boy, not even realizing the history or the battle that took place on these grounds.
Sure makes me sad to know that these people were once living their lives in peace and that this battle took it all away from them.
Hope you enjoyed learning this bit of history that happened right here in my home town. As for this old road....it is only about a mile from our home and every time I get a chance, I take this drive.
Shug...
Thank you for taking us on a drive with you. I find it is always nice to see sheep grazing and being peaceful without a care in the world. I wonder what they say to each other?
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your family.
It is interesting study history. Sad, too. It is a lovely peaceful spot now. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteThe view is nice but your perspective and information brings it to life!
ReplyDeleteI love roads like that and I also love old things with a little rust. The sheep is an added bonus.
ReplyDeleteHistory is so interesting. It really is hard to imagine what happened around that peaceful country area.
Thank you for this glimpse of history, Shug.
ReplyDeleteLove this, Shug. Works so well with your goal of stillness. Very, very pretty road. I'd love to walk it and snap picture after picture after picture.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the old country roads, too. The history is bothersome and I'm surprised that there isn't a marker there. Very sad. Thanks for sharing this. God bless.
ReplyDeleteIt is a gorgeous road and I would drive it often if I lived close to it. The history of the area is hard to read about but everywhere in the world has some difficult history stories.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place for a peaceful drive, Shug. It does hold a sad history, too, when things weren't so quiet and people's lives were upended. Living in Kennesaw, GA, there is no end to places that evoke echoes of the Civil War. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting story, Shug. Thank you for sharing. I love hearing stories about that, especially when the Indian tribes were involved. It seems that land was always taken away from them, right? That road sure does have a lot of history behind it, and even more so that Sam used to play in the creek as a young boy. Wouldn't it be something to find an arrowhead or clay pot in that area? That sheep was so precious that you saw, and I really think that it was there just for you. : )
ReplyDeleteMy sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
~John 10:27-28
I'm so glad that you got a chance to drive down this unrushed road again. It seems that many time we have wonderful experiences taking the road less traveled.
Oh, I would take that drive too. What a sad story of such a beautiful place. To be moved off your own land is a travesty.
ReplyDeleteLove the sheep and especially the old rusty gate. I have a passion for rust and weathered things too.
Sue
Oh, Shug, I never cease to be amazed at how much we are alike. I would have loved that ride...the gate, the sheep, the water in the creek nearby. History is hard to understand at times, but I love it that Sam grew up playing in that very creek! xx
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