Blogs from Birmingham, Alabama, United States, North America
Where Iron is Forged and Men Are Destroyed
Published: February 11th 2012North America » United States » Alabama » Birmingham
May 7th 2011
Today I visit one of the most important historic sites on the entire trip. It tells the history of iron smelting in the US. Iron smelting, as noted earlier, is the reason Birmingham exists. Before that, however, I wanted some culture. I found it at the Birmingham Art Museum. The museum is a relatively small encyclopedic museum. I enjoyed it more than the Speed Art museum in Louisville (see April 29th) even though they are close to the same size. Part of the reason was that they have more art that I like, and it was arranged better. Contemporary work in this museum gets an entire section, while at the Speed it was limited to one corridor. The other reason was the through explanations. The work i... read more
May 6th 2011
I woke up today near Birmingham, Alabama. This city was the place the civil rights movement exploded. The movement was born as a formal force in Montgomery, but it reached critical mass in Birmingham. I studied the history earlier (see March 20th) but that can’t compare to being here. For long months in 1963, the city was a vision of horror as Public Safety Commissioner Bull Conner and the Ku Klux Klan waged war against Martin Luther King and other civil rights organizers. Today, I explore that painful legacy. I started in Kelley Ingram Park. This park is the actual location where marchers were met with fire hoses and snarling police dogs. On one level, it’s hard to imagine that type of violence, because the current park is pret... read more
Business in Mobile. Day 16. Deep South Road Trip
Published: July 9th 2010North America » United States » Alabama » Birmingham
July 9th 2010
Culture Culture Everywhere.Wednesday, June 16. By 10 AM Sunny and I are wandering through the 70 acres of plants, flowers, and trees that comprise Birmingham’s Botanical gardens and that takes up most of the morning. In the afternoon we visit the Art Museum which houses floor after floor of wonderful artifacts, including a huge Wedgewood collection. By the time we get back to the house I’m a limp rag. It‘s a special treat that Michael has heated up the dinner that Sunny had prepared earlier. In the evening we watch a video of the Carlsbad caverns which they had visited that year. And then I’m ready for bed. Past ready really. Although I had planned to stay until Friday, once the Realtor calls to say the carpet still smells like smoke, I realize I have to ... read more
November 16th 2009
I had the craziest experience flying back to Dallas from Birmingham last night on Southwest. At first everything looked good - flight was ontime, boarding was smooth - but I noticed that we took a long time to push back from the gate. So happens that the long runway was shut down for maintenence, and the fully loaded 737 was too heavy to take off from the short runway. So - they ditched ALL of the bags (I thought Southwest liked bags) and about 15 passengers so that the plane could take off before reaching the end of the runway (yes - I stayed on like an idiot). LOL They said that they'd send the bags later that evening on another flight. The takeoff was very nerve racking - but we made it with about 50 ... read more
February 6th 2009
Hey Everyone, This will be my last post until we reach India. We have only two (2) days left before we leave. We are all packed and waiting now. I will try and post something when I get there to let everyone know that we made it alright. And I promise that I will right something almost every day. If for some reason I don't somethings wrong. Like I'm sick with the dreaded Delhi Belly or something. lol There have been some slight changes to the plans in India too. The day we get there, we will be heading to Jaipur to see the city and then towards the end of the day will head and stay in Agra. We will see the Taj Mahal and other things and then that evening head back to Delhi. ... read more
February 1st 2009
February 1 Sunday Up none too early, had some coffee at Shoney's. I took Bear alone for a test ride, as this was the first chance I had to try him out fully loaded. He still rode very stable, so I went back to Motel 6, picked up Deb and away down Interstate 65 we went on the way to Key West. I had hopes of making Montgomery AL, but we settled for Birmingham as it approached sundown. We had taken Wayne Garrison's advice and picked up a hotel/motel discount coupon magazine at the TN/AL border. Deb found a deal at La Quinta, exit 94 just north of Birmingham for $49 plus tax. Beautiful place, hot tub outside, and German and Canadian wheel chair rugby players in attendance for a tournament. We went across the road ... read more
January 30th 2009
Thats right! Only 9 more days until we leave for India. I am so excited that I cant sleep now. And I still have SOOOO much to get done before we leave. I don't know how much Todd has to do but I am sure it is substantial as well. I have been postponing things for the past 2 months thinking that I will get it all done. Well now I only have a week left and now I don't think I will get it all done. This is what happens when you procrastinate (Dad- wink wink). I will at least get most of it done. If not, whatever! I am not to bothered. Anyhow, I have to run to go do a bunch of things, will write later. CYA ;) Kevin... read more
To Varanasi I will go.
Published: January 24th 2009North America » United States » Alabama » BirminghamJanuary 24th 2009
Hey Everyone, I have finally decided to go to Varanasi/Sarnath/Boyd Gaya directly from Katmandu, Nepal. I will be there from the 16th - the 20th of February. This will give me a good 4 days to spend with Thrangu Rinpoche personally. I don't know why it has taken me so long to decide this. I was tossed up between going there or going straight to Dharamsala from Nepal. But i figured, I will be in Dharamsala for 2 1/2 months. Thats a long time. And I know if I would have done that, then I would have never made it back to Varanasi on this trip. And I HAVE to go see Bodh Gaya. For those that don't know what is so special about Bodh Gaya, it is the place where the Buddha attained his enlightenment. ... read more
Still in the country
Published: January 14th 2009North America » United States » Alabama » BirminghamJanuary 14th 2009
Ok, We are still here in the country, but I have a little bit more info for you all. Not much though. Todd and I arrive in Delhi on Feb 10th around 1:30am. From there we will go to our hotel. On the 10th we will see Delhi and go to all the places we can for that one day. Then on the 11th I think we will tr and head to Agra to see the Taj Mahal (and of course everything else there). The we head to Katmandu on the early morning of the 12th. Our plan is to be there for 5 days. We will try and visit with a great Lama named Chatral Sangye Dorje. Who is 96 years old. We will also go and see a bunch of monasteries their and visit ... read more
