Blogs from Alabama, United States, North America - page 7

Auburn, AL Not a whole lot to report about yesterday. We slept in, then I wrote my blog and Joan did some drawing. Finally followed that with breakfast, or rather brunch, of pancakes, bacon, and eggs. It was overcast most of the morning, but the sun came out in the afternoon and we saw temperatures in the 80s. I pulled out my private casual shorts (shorts with a few holes in them, unfit for public viewing) and my sandals. Southern summer has suddenly arrived. We took the dogs for a walk around the RV park. Strangely, both of them actually seem to be a little uncertain about this environment. I don't know if they have smelled a frightening animal, or they are just overwhelmed by how different things are. Smooch doesn't want to be outside much ... read more

Russell Cave National Monument, Northeastern corner Alabama I think sometimes that, in their haste to create some of these monuments, Presidents don't consider the expectations they are setting up. I am sure that the preservation effort is worthwhile, and we definitely have to extend protective umbrellas to national treasures, or otherwise the natural impulses of greed will simply walk right through them and destroy our only chance at achieving scientific understanding. As I write this, there are all kinds of anti-science, anti-mind, forces stirring who, unwilling to move their minds towards illuminating and comprehending nature, are instead seeking to dismantle our Park system and put up these treasures for monetary sacrifice. I have to trust that these are one shot, brainless idiots and that they won't prevail. If they do, then maybe the human species is ... read more

November 8, 2016 Cruising the Tenn-Tom Waterway into the Tombigbee/Black Warrior River is one of the most scenic journeys…so far (I am putting that as a disclaimer, since I seem to keep saying that). Around every turn there are new vistas that can take your breath away and prove there is still vast, unspoiled beauty in this world. This part of the river is increasingly remote and wild, leaving for lots of natural spectacles and animal sightings. A few days ago, we passed some beautiful, white chalk cliffs. As we came around a bend in the river, a wall of white unfolded before us, framed by vivid green and deep red foliage. The contrast was startling and the magnificence of nature’s artistic display almost brought tears to my eyes. I would do more research ... read more

Geo: 31.6369, -86.7419This posting was NOT proof-read by Glenn, so please disregard any grammatical mistakes that I have posted.Although Linda really wanted us to stay a little longer, I just insisted that we needed to get on down the road because on Monday we were driving out of our way to see Wally and Barbara down south of Montgomery, AL, and then headed on over to Jackson, Mississippi.After a delicious breakfast, we got in the RAV 4 at 8:15 (once the school traffic had cleared out), and drove towards the Pouncys.We got there just before noon time and were able to spend a good 2 hours with them. They served us our lunch. Again, it was one of those things where we were talking a mile a minute. We first knew Barbara and Wally during our ... read more

Geo: 33.5203, -86.8115This posting was NOT proof-read by Glenn, so please disregard any grammatical mistakes that I have posted.After going to church on Sunday morning with the Cokers, we met more of their friends. All the Cheshiers were there and we chatted a bit with them. The Cheshiers were CAM missionaries several years ago in Mexico.We left after the first service at First Bible Church and headed towards Pinson, Alabama where the Selfs live.We got to the Selfs house just around lunch time and were able to visit most of the afternoon. Linda had put some "shrimp" into her gumbo soup, so we "Quickly" took that out since Glenn is allergic to Shrimp. Because it didn't soak up the juice very much, he didn't have any reaction. Good thing.We left the Selfs house at 4pm and ... read more