Blogs from Alabama, United States, North America - page 35

Ah, Sweet Home Alabama - our journey into the deep South. As we crossed the state border from Georgia it seemed as though time had stood still about 60 years ago and not in a good way. There are an interesting number of trailers and run-down houses dotted around with some hungry-looking horses hanging about but no real towns. We were beginning to be glad that we were only staying for 2 nights...... Our hotel was nice enough though and had a fridge (to keep the necessary alcohol) and a shower with a massaging head which is nice after lots of hours on the Greyhound bus. We ventured into Montgomery town to check out the sights - the bible that is our Lonely Planet guide had said you could do it all in an afternoon and ... read more

Went strawberry picking this morning with Matt, Tammi and Alex out at a local farm. It is the end of the season and slim pickin’s! The farmer did not charge us for the bucket (about 2 lbs worth) as he said it was nice to see three generations doing things together. We also bought some fresh blueberries and peaches. Fresh fruit is one thing we can't get much of on the trail. We toured the area of the Enterprise, AL tornado strike. The tornado that hit the high school was in the city where our son's family lives. The school is across the street from their church. Our son was two of the boys who died there’s Sunday School teacher. The selectiveness of this type of storm is baffling. We saw one house that used to ... read more

So, yes….back to ticks and scorpions. While packing up the tent the next morning, guess what just happened to crawl out?? A SCORPION! Yikes! We were sleeping with it! So we took some pictures of it, thanked the baby Jesus that it didn’t hurt us and went on our way. We drove on out of the Lake Euphala Campground and made our way to Arkansas… The Natural State. We had heard on TV that somewhere in Arkansas you can mine your own quartz, diamonds and other gems. We were all over that idea so we looked it up and headed to the Mt. Ida area for the booty. . We pulled over to road side rock shop and went around back where the running water and sand sifters were. We paid 8 bucks for a ... read more

With two days to go until I leave, I am still finishing up getting stuff. I am trying to pack my duffle bag. I am finding out that I may have to leave some stuff here cause it is already full. I am so excited to get over there and start seeing new places. Well that's all for now. Can't wait to let everyone know how my first day goes. If you want to comment on a post I have made or receive emails when I make a new post, then from my website click on journal. Then click subscribe (on the right side of the screen). Enter your name and email address. ... read more

The drive west across Georgia is uneventful—the corridor of trees can be monotonous, but I slept a good part of the way as Cathy drove. Satellite radio has been our salvation except when 88.1 is a local Christian station that messes with the reception. We’ve also been listening to Harry Potter on CD. Thank you Kris and Tom for letting me borrow your entire collection of books one through six (all 87 CDs). Both C and I have read all the books but the CDs were recorded by this amazing British actor who does all the voices. As soon as we hit Alabama the topography and landscape become more interesting—it’s hillier and greener. Nice surprise. I look at the road atlas and notice there’s a Talladega National Forest, a town called Talladega, and then, OMG—Talladega ... read more