The Logo

As the idea for this website began to develop, I knew a logo was needed. My early thoughts involved trying to alter the “C” in Cahaba to flow like a river under the other letters. This was too simple; not intriguing enough. This would require more creativity.

Many things captivate me about rivers, whether the experience is up close or at a distance. I never tire of seeing rivers from the air. The serpentine paths they take across the land speaks quietly, but firmly- “I am not man-made; I am not searching for the shortest distance from here to there.” Their courses result from the ongoing clash of significant forces- moving water and geology and geography. Truly “physics in action” - a phrase I thought of during my college days, and have repeated many times as I observe our world.

So, as my brain sifted through ideas, I quickly focused on the view of a soaring eagle and how that might work. But instead of merely a generic drawing of a meandering river, I wanted this to specifically represent the Cahaba. So, after determining the position I liked for the words "Cahaba Proud", I searched the map for a section of the Cahaba which would fit. The result is my son Ben’s creativity applied to my ideas.

Which bends out of thousands on the river are part of the Cahaba Proud logo? You will have to look for yourself. But I will give you some hints:

1. It is above the “fall line”.
2. It isn’t within a metropolitan area.
3. A crow flying between communities X and Y would almost cross it.
X was just west of a town named after a one ton block of coal mined by the Cahaba Mining Company;
Y was named after Thomas Brantley, who became an influential citizen despite losing his legs in a train accident as a child.

I admit there are similar sections of the Cahaba, and that it isn’t an exact replica, but I think you will know it when you find the area from which it was inspired.

VB