This is Fun Friday and I thought I'd do a post on some of the attractions in my neck of the woods. I live 4 miles from the Tennessee line and 20 miles from the Alabama line, and while Tennessee has a lot of interesting attractions, so far, I haven't seen a Shoe Tree, at least not around here. And Alabama does. It's about 35 miles from me on the side of Highway 72.
You may be wondering what a Shoe Tree is. Or, like me, why in the world would anyone throw a perfectly good pair of shoes up in a tree.
I suspect the tree in Northern Alabama that is 1 mile west of the Natchez Trace Parkway, was started by bored high school students. When I first saw it, there were about 50 pairs of shoes on it. Now there are well over a hundred. If you look closely, you'll see a pair of purple heels.
The first time I saw the tree, I had to turn around and go back to make sure I wasn't seeing things. I've since learned that some people actually take vacations for the sole purpose of throwing a pair of shoes up in one of these trees.
So far I haven't succumbed to the temptation of joining the shoe throwers. But I might the next time I travel Highway 72 on my way to Chattanooga. You see, I have this pair of pink tennis shoes that I hate to throw away, so...
Leave a comment and let me know if you would leave a pair of shoes in a tree.
For the next two months on the 3rd Friday I'll be bringing a couple of more stories about places just off Highway 72 in Northern Alabama...first the Coon Dog Cemetery in September, then the Rattlesnake Saloon in October.
Patricia Bradley
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Thanks for the post! I must admit I've never seen a shoe tree. How fun is that. I have a pair of shoes right now I'd be willing to "contribute" to a tree - now if I could just find one in my neck of the woods...
ReplyDeleteWell...Linda, you could always start one. Just find a tree that overhangs the highway...Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteHahaha, I personally find this hilarious. A shoe tree! LOL I've seen shoes hanging from electrical lines.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would ever throw a pair of shoes to a tree. Trees don't have feet, so they don't need them. To me this seems like littering.
I wonder what people in the future would think if they found out about the shoe trees. Would they think it had something to do with our religion? Interesting to think about.
Amber Schamel
Bringing HIStory to Life
www.AmberSchamel.com
That's a thought, Amber...I think a photo of a Shoe Tree should be put in a time vault to be opened in a hundred years. So glad you enjoyed the post.
DeleteThis is such a fun post! Thank you for sharing the "Shoe Tree". My husband has a pair of old ripped tennis shoes that I'd love to toss up on the tree. lol And I'm sure I have a pair or two of my own that need to be tossed, also. :) I can't wait for Coon Dog Cemetery and Rattlesnake Saloon!
ReplyDeleteYes, Michele, I think you have the perfect pair to start your own Shoe Tree! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteLoved this post. What fun, and yes, I would do it. Not sure if I could throw a new, fav pair in the tree, but something past using . . . yeah! Thanks for reminding us of this!
ReplyDeleteCaroline, so agree with you. Some of the shoes, no a LOT of the shoes on the tree on Highway 72 look brand new.
DeleteLove this! I lived in Alabama for many years (12) and this post brought me home. Never saw a shoe tree but for some reason, I'm not surprised. Love the south!
ReplyDeleteLove the south, too, Marian. It's the only place I've ever lived. So glad you stopped by!
DeleteHi Pat. I loved reading about the shoe tree. I've known for a long time that we think alike, but this post proves it. I have posted about bottle tree art, a Southern folk art, on my blog. I love the South, too, and its many traditions.
ReplyDeleteYes, Sandra, I couldn't believe it when I saw your post on bottle trees! You'll have to come down sometimes and we'll go see the shoe tree.
ReplyDelete