We were traveling to Memphis a few years back…minding our own business…when Bertha started to yelp and shout…pointing to the side of the road…and there it was…in all its glory…The Celebrated Tennis Shoe Tree of Cherokee, Alabama…
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| Click on the picture for a better view. |
As you can imagine…nothing could be more exciting for a couple of confirmed shoe freaks…than finding a tree sporting dozens of pairs…right out in the middle of the country…
Bertha says it’s the shoe lover’s equivalent of Mecca…she actually gets misty-eyed when we drive by…and…yes…we usually have to stop so she can pay reverence to the latest pumps, brogans, moccasins, high-tops…low-tops…and baby booties…
There’s even one pair of purple high-heels whose origins I have my suspicions about…but I’m not asking…and she’s not telling…
Now…this isn’t going to be one of those heavy blogs…the only contemplation needed here is…how did that first pair of sneakers get in that tree…did the tree suddenly sprout them…did someone throw their shoes out the window of a speeding car…was it an initiation prank…and why that particular tree…there are thousands of trees along that stretch of road…
In searching for answers…enquiring minds and all that stuff…I still love Google...I found that there are similar trees all across the country…most of them are considered to be landmarks…some are even tourist attractions…who knew…but mostly their origins were just as mysterious as ours…
Well…Bertha says…some questions are best unanswered anyway…let everyone form their own opinion…hers is…drumroll…please…they fell out of Santa’s sleigh…and the elves are busy making more for this year...
Jane
Roberta,
ReplyDeleteOne article I read about it said that it was a 'sharing' tree...and that sometimes people would put good shoes there for someone who needed them...if so...those tennies may have found a good home by now!
Overall...I'm with you...I'm always disappointed if I miss the tree on my trip!