Alabama

Photo of Dectur AL found on google

      Oh Alabama, how I wish I could remember all the wonderful places we visited when we lived there back in 1995. Me and Robert were newly married(only married three months). He had just joined the Army full time. Robert was stationed at Fort Benning Georgia. Then only a week after moving we found out I was going to have our oldest son Ethan. 

    We were able to get a great duplexe outside of Phenix City. Our landlord was Bug and Lulu England. Yes that was her real name, but I think his was a nickname. I remember she would sometimes take me to the store or the doctor when Robert was working. Our neighbors were Byan and Amy. She was a nurse and would alway come cheek on me when Robert was in the field doing training. After Ethan was born both Lulu and Amy became my support when Robert was working. I miss them both dearly. 

 Phenix City is On the Alabama/Georgia state line. I hate to admit it but I can not really recall alot about the places we visited in the year and a half of living there. I remember the people but not really a lot more than that. The people are the best part though. Some of Robert’s army bubbies.. I can really recall most of their names but a few stand out like Joe… can’t recall the last name but I do know he was a big fan of my lasagna. Then there was Reid (last name). I think that is right but I could be wrong. Anyways He was American Samoa. So sweet I believe that whomever he chooses to have in his life is very lucky. Don’t tell Robert but I had a bit of a crush on him back then. I remember one of the guys used to say "How is your sole" all the time, but I can't recall his name. 

   Now for some fact that you readers may care about. Alabama is the 22nd state. The capital is in Montgomery. And fun fact if you get caught with ice cream in your back pocket you may just get in trouble with the law. 

   There is so much to see and do in Alabama I recommend you go to https://alabama.travel/ and order a free map and guide. 
  There are too many places I want to go to give you a list but I can share my trip I have planned to Decatur AL. I also recommend going to https://www.northalabama.org/ to get a passport for winerys, golf courses, BBQ, waterfalls and murals.

  Decatur AL  (oddities trip)

Museums/History

 Cook Museum of Natural Science

Historic Decatur Union Depot

Carnegie Visual Arts Center

Old state bank

Jesse owens museum

Oakville indian mounds

Courthouse and veterans memorial

National/ State parks

Bankhead national forest

COE/City/Private Parks

Point Mallard Campground (city)

Roadside Oddities

Cook Museum of Natural Science

Downtown Turtle Trail

As seen in Books/TV

Civil war walking tour

Old decatur 

Gofar USApark

Scenic Drives/ Nature/ Waterfalls

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

Wilson Morgan Park

Rhodes Ferry Park

Frazier Park

Etta Freeman Park

Wheeler NWR - Dancy Bottoms Nature Trail

Wheeler lake

Restaurants/Foodie Stops

Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q

Donut Express

The Mallard Coffee Company

Small towns 

Basham

Burningtree Mountain

Moulton Heights

Neel

Lacon

Trinity

Wolftown

Danville

Shopping 

Lacon flea market

Pineapples gift shop

Events

Hot air balloon jubilee

Festival of cranes

Stay

Jay landing rv park

Something different

Lacon ghost town

Delano Park art pak

Old Decatur Historic District

Moco mural trail

     I guess I should explain why I call it a Roadside Odditites trip. Then I plan a trip I start by picking one thing I really want to see or do and then research on that area.  For this trip it was Cook Museum of Natural Science. 

      I hope you enjoyed this blog. Thank you for reading.