Dutton Alabama Moochdocking with Nick & Ginger

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Alabaster, AL – Dutton AL

Nick & Ginger – Moochdocking!!!!!
Days 19 – 24



The run from Alabaster AL to Dutton was beautiful, but a word of advice. If you ever have to travel Interstate 59 in Alabama, DON’T, find another route. It is the worse road I have ever been on!!!! There were so many cracks and potholes, the RV did nothing but rattle the entire time we were on it.

The trip was only about 2.5 hours drive time that took us 7 hours to complete, we made a few of stops on our way. The first was Bass Pro Shop, we timed leaving Alabaster to arrive at 9am, right as they opened. We spent an hour browsing and shopping while we waited for our next stop the Barber Motorsport Museum.

The Barber Motorsport Museum is the world’s largest and best collection of motorcycles, but they also have a large collection of cars and outboard motors. It was a very enjoyable time.

Leaving the museum, Angel and I headed to Roberston’s Auto Repair and Tire Center. Our Jeep was no longer usable, and we needed to get it repaired. I had made arrangements for them to order the parts, so we could get it repaired as quick as possible. In addition to quick service they also gave us the best price. We already had to quotes from tow Firestone Centers, ranging from $1100 to $1500 to replace the AC compressor. Roberston’s gave us an estimate of around $400. They also promised us they would have it done by Friday. It is cool being able to tow your own disabled vehicle.

After dropping of the Jeep, we headed to Nick & Ginger’s, they live at the top of Sand Mountain at the top of a bluff overlooking the Tennesee River. Niether words or pictures can capture or describe the voew. Getting into our “parking spot was very very very interesting. Nick wanted us behind the house overlooking the bluff. We had to back in with very little room in front of us. once into our spot, we found out it was too much of a slope to get the RV level. I decided we would be ok there. (Not my best decision.) All I can say, is the incredible view out of our front window may have clouded my judgement. While I knew there was rain in the forecast, I did not realize how much wind and rain was heading our way.

We also found out that Loopers, Tom & Celeste from Penalty Box were also coming to visit. They live in Michigan and drove down to spend the weekend also.

Thursday morning as we were deciding what to do for the day, all of our phones started shrieking with alarms. There were severe tornado warnings for our area. When you are in an RV and you get a Emergency Alert stating if you are Outdoors, In a mobile home, or a vehicle, Seek Shelter. It scares the …. out of you. We spent a good part of the day watching weather reports of tornados striking within miles of us. It made for a very tense day. Thankfully we had no issues what so ever.

Friday was a much better day the weather cleared up, and best of all around 9:30 Robertson’s called the Jeep was done. To make the day even better Nick & Ginger’s friend Teresa and her sister came from Georgia to spend the day with us. We met Teresa when we first met Nick & Ginger. She also visited multiple times while they were on the loop. After picking up the Jeep we visited the Alabama Museum. Both Angel & I thought it was a museum about the state of Alabama instead it was a Museum and Fan Club for the Band Alabama. The band is from Fort Payne and all of them members still live in the area. There were enough of us visiting the museum, that they gave us a group rate.

After the museum we headed to Sallies Smoking Butts, for delicious BBQ, with homemade banana pudding for desert.

While talking about our travel plans, Ginger asked why we did not include Memphis TN, in our plans. The only reason we could come up with, was that we had not thought about it. Much like doing the Loop, our plans are very fluid. A couple of phone calls later, our upcoming reservations were modified and Memphis and Graceland were in our travel plans. Right after changing our plans, we heard that Lisa Marie Presley died, and will be buried in Graceland. We will have to see how it effects our time there.

Saturday morning we decided to move the RV from the back yard, to the roadway in front of their property. Ever since the heavy rain on Thursday I have been very concerned about moving the RV. As it was, the front wheels and the blocks they were in had sunk into the mud. Thursday night into Friday morning the temperature had dropped below freezing, and the winds had dried the ground out. This helped firm up the ground, and made it a little less risky moving the RV. With everyone guiding and watching very carefully the RV made it way out. As I was pulling up the hill to the front yard I could feel the wheels slipping but it did make it out. Watch the video here :

Sunday Nick & Ginger had a music event planned at their house. Several of their friends came and we were treated to an afternoon of music and singing. It was a great way to spend our last day with our friends.

Leaving Dutton, Al; we are heading to Red Bay, AL. Red Bay is the home of Tiffin Motorhomes. Both Mark & Karen’s and our’s are Tiffins. We have some work we would like done on our RV. Many of the Tiffin employees have after hours business working on Tiffins. This makes it a great place to get repairs and upgrades done.

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