DAY 117- Ashville & Great Smokey Mountains…

After getting settled in my hotel in Asheville, NC, I opted to stay close for dinner.  I went to a place nearby called Fatz.  It’s a local chain restaurant that was started in a renovated peach shed in 1988 by some friends and now is a southern chain that has 48 restaurants.  It was packed as it should be on a Friday night.  I sat at an open spot at the bar between two guys. 

It ended up being three guys and myself chatting and hanging out; one worked at a tire store, another worked for a utility company, and another was retired, I think.  The tire store guy was a regular and it was funny because I had a roll and silverware while he was being ignored.  The utility guy who we ended up calling Mr. Glitters, because he came in with glitter on his face from being in the toy section of Kmart (ahh-haa!), and myself were giving the tire guy all kinds of a hard time about the pitfalls and pluses of being a regular.  Meanwhile, the retired guy was talking about feeding his kids and grandkids, which happen to be living with him.  The retired guy was buying all of us rounds of drinks and they were all telling me about the Asheville area and North Carolina.  They were also all razing me about if Utah would allowed plural husbands for me because they wouldn’t mind be a candidate.  It was a fun time.  Mr. Tire guy told me to come back and spend more than just one day.  He would be here for me to find when I came back this way.

Photo- Biltmore Village.

The next morning, I was on my way to the Biltmore Village and hoping to take a peek at the Biltmore.  The Biltmore was the largest privately owned home and was built by the George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895.  It’s still owned by the Vanderbilt family and is quite the tourist attraction in the area.  It’s also about a $50 fee just to walk in the door and then you can shop or walk through parts of the gilded house and HUGE garden area.  It sounded like it could take hours and sounded very expensive which wasn’t on my agenda for the day.  I put this on my list of come back and see later.

I did however take a bit of time to visit the nearby Biltmore Village which is a quaint little shopping upscale shopping village near the Biltmore.  In fact, the village was built by the Vanderbilt’s for the employees of the Biltmore Estate.  The village covers about a five block city area.  There’s little cottage like houses which contain various shops and restaurants.  There are cute little street lamps, brick sidewalks, trolley tourist cars, and horse drawn carriages too.  There’s also a Catholic Church that takes up a large corner area.  I wandered around the area with plenty of free parking (something Helen, GA could learn here).  The place was packed with all kinds of holiday shoppers. 

Photo- The outside of the glass art shop in Biltmore Village.

There were some wonderful shops.  My favorite was a shop that had blown glass art.  Some of the round glass balls looked like they had flower blossoms inside.  Another shop that I thought was fun was a Christmas Store with all kinds of thing Christmas.  In fact, I got a kick out of a tree that was self-flocking  with little white pebble-like beads that would shoot out from the top of the tree and be caught on the tree or by a round green saucer at the bottom of the tree.  Sorry, I didn’t venture a look on the price tag on this one.  I know all of you want one of these for Christmas. J     

Photo- In the River Arts Area of Asheville, NC.

Next, I drove over to the River Arts area in Asheville and on the way I tried to take a peek at the Biltmore but the trees surrounding it are like a full forest.  I drove along the river and down by the railroad tracks for a bit.  Then off to the side there is an area that has old brick warehouse buildings.  This is the river Arts area of Asheville.  I guess I was hoping for more.  It was just one large warehouse row with artists’ studios inside and a large graveled parking lot out front.  I explored a few studio areas and there was some wonderful art but there wasn’t much else out that way.  They needed a restaurant or a coffee shop or something out there.  At one end of the warehouse row, there was a large antique store.  I drove back to the interstate and headed west towards the Great Smokey Mountains National Park which I had planned to visit for most of the day.

Photo- The Blue Ridge Parkway.

From Asheville I headed west and then south to Maggie Valley.  I stopped for a quick lunch at a fast food chain restaurant called Bojangles which is a bit like a KFC but very southern type touches.  You could order dirty rice as a side and it appeared that everything on the menu had a Cajun version to it.  Next, I headed west to Soco Gap and turned onto the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The Blue Ridge Parkway runs along the spine of the Smokey Mountains and there are some amazing views but I will warn you there are some steep and curvy areas of road.  But with these views it very worth it.  Thankfully, there was no snow yet or this section would have been closed.  The elevation of the road runs between 5000 to 6000 ft. and closes in the winter quite often.

Photo- One of several views along the Blue Ridge Highway.

Next, I took a right hand turn onto Hwy 441 and was at the Oconaluftee Visitor’s Center for the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.  I turned in and went into the center.  It was packed and there were tons of people sitting listening to some live Christmas music being played by local people.  People were singing along with the music.  I talked to a parks employee and every Saturday before Christmas they have this event.  All of the musicians are locals and it’s like what they call a “front porch” session.  They all just show up and they go around and have each musician pick a Christmas song that they would like to play.  One of the guys on a banjo played “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” which had everyone laughing by the end of the tune.  I sat down and enjoyed singing along for a while.  It was a very festive atmosphere.  People and musicians would come and go. 

Photo- Some southern Christmas FUN at the visitor's center.

After a while, I got up to go see the park but first I went through the museum part of the visitor’s center.  It told the history of the park and how it was finally made a national park in 1934.  The museum told the story of how the roads were built for the park with the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp.) during the Great Depression.  The museum talked about the culture and the life in the area but what got me most was there was a HUGE fake pig hanging in an area.  It was a strange site to see at a National Park Visitor’s Center.   

Photos- The Great Smokey Mountains!

Next, I drove through the park and stopped here and there to take pictures.  It was rather cold and very windy day.  I was a bit disappointed that the road to Clingman’s Dome was closed for the season. At 6643 ft., Clingman’s Dome is the highest point east of the Mississippi.  There were quite a few roads to trail heads that were closed in the park.  I just stopped here and there; deciding not to do any hiking today.  Eventually, I got to the other side of the park and the Sugarlands Visitor’s Center where I stopped to use the restrooms.  I also got a bumper sticker and a couple of postcards too.

Then, I was off heading north through the crowded town of Gatlinburg.  It was stop and go traffic coming out of the park and I was so glad that I decided to drive into the park from the south.  From there, I took some back roads and worked my way up to I-40.  On I-40, I headed west to Knoxville, TN where I would stay the night.  The sun was going down and it was starting to rain so I slowed down and took my time.  It was dark when I finally got checked into my hotel for the night.

DAY 116- Helen, Anna Ruby Falls, & the Appalachian Mountains…

It was dark when I arrived in Helen, GA last night.  Helen is a cute small German town on the south end of the Appalachian Mountains.  About all I could see were these cute German-like hamlets decorated with Christmas lights as I drove through.  My hotel recommended a German restaurant in the middle of town called Bodensee.  I had a wonderful pork dish that came on a skewer served up with a sauce and a side of cold German potato salad.  It was delightful and the German potato salad was better than I had in years. Yum!

Photos- Helen at night with Christmas Lights.

The next morning I could see the town much more clearly.  It was adorably cute with all of the German touches.  I jumped in my car and headed over to the visitor’s center.  I got directions to a trial head of a local waterfall called Anna Ruby.  I then decided that I would explore some of Helen before I headed north out of town to the waterfalls.  Well, long story short-- I ended up going back to the hotel to ask if I could park there because everywhere else in town it was a $4 to $6 fee for parking in lot that was 90% empty.  The gal at the desk said that would be fine and apologized for not telling me about the parking situation. 

Photos- Helen, GA during the day.

There’s plenty of parking but they charge and to me it doesn’t seem conducive to encouraging people to stop and visit.  However, when I talked with a coffee shop owner he said that on some weekends it gets packed with people; especially during Spring Break and the Christmas Season.  Well, maybe that’s the reason but it seemed ridiculous to me during a week day when the lots were empty.

I explored around Helen, GA going into several different gift shops and cute clothing stores.  There was a nice selection of items for a smaller community.  I also saw signs leading to a tubing area north of town where during the warmer months for $3 you could float on an intertube down the nice river past and through the town area and be picked up just south of town.  That sounded like fun and it also would explain all of the signs in the shops saying no shirts, no shoes, and no service.  There were also quite a few little hotels with cottages that you could stay in that would be romantic for a weekend getaway.  I stopped for coffee and talked with the guy for a bit while he made my coffee.

I headed north out of town about 3 miles and took a paved road to a local state park.  I drove through the park to National Forest Land where the Anna Ruby Falls Trail head starts.  There’s a National Forest Land Visitor’s Center right next to it.  I went in, paid $3 fee and then headed over to the start of the .4 mile paved trail.  I ended up talking just before I started the hike with a forest ranger.  He found out that I was from Utah and started to gab with me.  He was a nice older man who had visited Zion’s National Park and asked me what brought me to their neck of the woods.  I was beginning to wonder if I was ever going to get to the hike.  He sure did like to talk.  Eventually, another couple came up and side tracked him.  He invited me to come back and he would give me directions to where I wanted to go later in the day.

Photo- The stream along the hike on the way to the Anna Ruby Falls.

Photo- The Anna Ruby Falls.

The Anna Ruby Falls Trail is a pretty hike that goes along a stream area.  There are a couple of bridge areas where you go over the stream.  There are also bench areas to sit down as you go along, and it’s a bit of an incline to get to the Falls.  But it well worth the short little hike and drive.  It was like a triple waterfall, with two starts off the top; one started lower to one side and the other one where it ran into another waterfall area enjoyed the quiet for a while but then others with kids started to arrive and it wasn’t so quiet.  I headed back down to the visitor’s center.  The forest ranger took me to a map area and he gave me several different ways that would be a pretty drive over to Ashville, NC where I would be staying the night.

Photo- The view from Popcorn Overlook.

Next thing I found myself zooming this way and that way down some curvy two lane highway roads with some wonderful views of the Appalachian Mountains off in the distance.  But eventually I needed to get on an interstate and into Asheville before it got dark outside.  I pulled up to my hotel just as the sun was going down.

DAY114, 115- Atlanta, GA….

I’m watching the Sunday morning news as I write this.  Yes, I’m a bit behind on the blogging 4 days to be exact.  I’m watching the news about the tragedy in Connecticut.  I see these photos across the TV of young lives taken SO early in life; too early.  My heart goes out to those parents and that community.  I can’t help but wonder what’s going on with our country.  A mall shooting in a Portland Mall, a shooting in an elementary school in Connecticut , and I just heard on the news of another man firing outside of an outdoor mall in Newport, CA(thankfully no one hurt) but it saddens me that places that should be safe are for us to go are not really safe anymore.  Something needs to be done but what; I’m unsure.  I just pray that something positive comes out of it.

DAY 114, 115 –

Well, here are the high lights from my two days in Atlanta, GA…


Photo- The low profile front of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Center.

The Jimmy Carter Museum and Library with the Carter Center…This was within a four block walk of my hotel room; I walked over on a bike/walk path near it to the complex.  It was a low profile type of place with a landscaped stairs leading down to a door area with a reflection pond in front of the doors.  It was understated and humble.  I walked in and went to the gift shop to purchase a ticket.  Unlike the Ronald Regan Library that I was at earlier on my trip; the Carter Complex didn’t check your bags and you didn’t have to pre-purchase your tickets with times.  This was much more laid back atmosphere.  It was also a bit smaller than the Regan Library too; but then, there wasn’t an Air Force One retired in the building either. 

It all started with a 10 minute movie about Jimmy Carter that kind of just hit the highlights of his career and then went on to show what he did after he left the presidency.  It showed him accepting the Noble Peace Prize.  From there you went through to a hallway like area where you went through his life as he grew and came into politics.  It was very interesting watching the films that they had of his speeches and others in his life talking about parts of his life that they were involved with.  The most interesting part for me was reading and watching film of the time frame when his family and friends were helping him to campaign for the presidency.  It had never really been done like that before and it was ground breaking.  Now it has become standard political fare for almost every politician. 

Photos- A interesting piece of Presidential artwork done.  Look at the close up below...

The museum showed what the oval office looked like when he was there.  There was also a section that showed an average working day was like when he was president.  He started early and didn’t stop until late in the night.  He has an amazing work ethic and it just amazes me on how much he has done in his life to affect the world.  The last third of the museum shows the what, how, and why of the Carter Center which is a wonderful place where they are trying to eradicate diseases, promote democracy through fair voting practices, and enabling people equal rights to fundamentals such as access to clean water, food, and to homes.  It’s wonderful to know that there are people out there doing these things.

Photo- Yummy! A grilled cheese and a bowl of chili!

The Majestic Diner… I visited the last one of the chain which is about 3 blocks from where I was staying in Atlanta, GA.  The first of this chain was started about a mile away in 1929 and they were a thriving chain of diners that offered good food that pleases.  The last one that remains was built in the early 1930’s as part of a Plaza Shopping Center some of which stands next door.  The outside of it almost looks like an old theater marquee with rows of lights and the neon like signs announcing its presence to the street.  I had a wonderful bowl of chili with a kick and a grilled cheese on marbled rye.  It was comfort food at its best and rather a treat to sit in a booth behind a row of chairs along a counter area.  I could just imagine people in years past coming in for lunch or a cup of coffee and sitting here just like me watching the traffic go by on the street outside while enjoying the food.  It just has such a history when a place has been open that long.  Now I will say that it has been refurbished but it has the same layout as when it originally opened up in the 1930’s.

Photo- The Majestic from outside.

The Home of the Braves… Turner Field…  This was one thing I was REALLY looking forward.  I grew up watching the Braves games on TBS and I guess you could say I ended up being a fan of them by default.  You see there really are not any major baseball teams in Iowa when I was growing up.  Chicago was as close as you would get but it was much easier watching the Braves games on TBS.  At least it was until; Turner Broadcast took the Braves games off the air in 1996.  After that you had to settle for checking the scores in the newspaper or on-line.  I took a tour of the stadium; they give tours year round. 

Photo- I'm just behind home plate at Turner Field.

We started by going to the top of the stadium to the Sky Field Area where you could look over the field but you could also overlook the city skyline of Atlanta; along overlook the parking lot area where the old stadium used to be.  This stadium was opened up in the 1997 season.  It was a wonderful view of the city and I bet that on a clear Summer evening game it would be a beautiful scene of lights of Atlanta.  The Sky Field Area is open to any ticket holder but it is a standing only area.

We worked our way down into the “club” level of the stadium.  This is where the season ticket holders would be and they would have to show their ticket to get into the air-conditioned level; otherwise you would have to make do with a trip to the water misters on the Sky Filed area.  We went into a private box and saw what they looked like; couches, chairs, bar areas with serving food areas.  All of the food allowed into this area had to be catered through the Aramark Company that handles all of the food in the stadium.

Next, we went into the press boxes and got to see where they worked during a game.  The live organists, which Turner Field is one of few that has one, is placed among the press box area where the writers are.  The score keeper is also in there too.  Then, we went into the locker room area where the players had their gear.  It was roped off because some of the players keep their gear there year round; but that was neat to take a peek.  

Our tour guide took us to what I would refer to as the “high rollers” lounge.  It was a nice restaurant area with tables and chairs.  These “high rollers” got whatever food they wanted and even got it served to their cushioned seats which just happened to be right behind home plate.  In fact, the only other people that had a better view of the action at home plate would be the umpire and the catcher.  These seats were about 10 to 15ft. away from the action and I guess there was a waiting list for them but at $20,000 per seat per season that’s too rich for my blood.  Oh, and they require it to be a set of two at minimum.  From there we walked over to the dug out for a quick look around.  Then, it was up through the stands to the baseball museum which was where we started from.  I noticed on the way up that all of the seats are angled to home plate and our tour guide said that was how this stadium was designed.  I thought that was cool. 

I then took the time to go through the baseball museum which is very impressive.  There is even a copy of a contract signed by Babe Ruth who ended his career with this ball club.  It was interesting going through the museum and seeing how the game has changed over the years.

The High Museum of Art…  This museum is in the heart of the east side of the downtown area but it is a gem.  But what I was even more fascinated with was the amazing building.  It was a series of open areas with walk ways and had a large open atrium that went from the top to the ground floor.  The ceiling on the upper floor was like a series of fluted skylights.  I started with the top floor after paying the $19 entrance fee which I thought was high.  The current exhibition on the top floor is called “Fast Forward: Modern Moments- 1913 to 2013” and featured 100 years of modern artworks.  There were originals from Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Rothko, Lichtenstein, and Jeff Coons.  The show took the artworks by sections of time frames and it was very interesting looking at what was going on politically while they were doing their art.  It was an interesting perspective. 

Photo- The outside of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.

Next, I went through another section of the museum that featured works by Thornton Dial called “Hard Truths” this was a mixed media large paneled works with a great deal of texture and bold colors.  Some of these I liked but some of them I must admit I really hated.  But I think that’s the thing with art, it’s really very subjective.  I wandered around and around from floor to floor.  There were sculptures, paintings, and furniture all throughout.  I ended up having to pick up my pace.  I had only planned about a two hour time frame and could have used days to see everything.  I grabbed a quick bowl of soup and coffee in the downstairs café before I headed out of the place.

DAY 113- Hay, Harriet, & Molly’s…

It was still raining when I got up in Macon, GA.  I was a bit disappointed because I had hoped to visit the Ocmulgee National Monument which is a preservation of southeastern Native American culture.  I guess it has an earth lodge and burial mounds on site but with the rainy weather some of it would be closed.  I also was considering stopping by Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary in Locust, GA which would have been on my way to Atlanta but that was open only when weather was permitting.   Rainy weather in this case was not a good thing and I needed to find stuff I could do inside.  I got my computer on-line after grabbing breakfast and did some searching.

Photo- Hay House from the front street area.

That’s where I found a place called the Hay House.  It had some good reviews.  I googled the address for it and also got the address and directions for a Harriet Tubman Museum nearby too.  I figured between those two, I could fill a few hours before I needed to drive on to Atlanta, GA for the night.

I pulled up to the house and I have to admit that the on-line pictures didn’t do it justice.  It was a beautiful old Italian Renaissance house on a well sculptured landscaped corner lot.  I parked across the street and saw a sign that said for tours enter through the back entrance.  I walked around to the back door.  I walked in and told them I was interested in a tour.  I got a bit of a discount with my AAA and I was introduced to my lovely tour guide.  She had a good friend that moved to Utah recently and we started talking.  It was more like taking a tour with a good friend and it was rather fun; it was just myself and the tour guide.

My tour guide took me into a room in the basement where she told me the history of the Hay House.  The house was built by Mr. William Butler Johnston who was a wealthy retired man in his 40’s and his new bride in her 20’s.  They had gone on a 3 year honeymoon trip in Europe and came back to Macon inspired to build a house.   The building of the house started in 1855 and was finished up in 1859; this occurred during the Civil War.  It took a bit longer because there weren’t many craftsmen available to build houses; most of them had volunteered to go off to war.  But when it was finished it was referred to as the “Palace of the South”. 

The house passed on through to further generations of the family until it became too large and expensive to up keep.  Then, it was sold in 1926 to the wealthy Mr. Hay who was a founder of a bank and life insurance company.  In 1977, it was donated by Hay family descendants to the Georgia Trust Historic Preservation where eventually it was designated as a National Historic Landmark.   Which all I can say is that’s a very good thing because this house was amazing!

Photo- The front door area of the Hay House.

From the basement, I went out a side door and my tour guide let me in from the front door where the porch had an amazing design that I didn’t see when I went around to the back.  The front doors were 12 ft. tall and 5 inches thick carved wood.  I walked in through them and my breath was taken away!  Carved painted wood, molded plaster, faux bois (painted wood graining), and hand painted friezes, etched glass, and painted areas that looked amazingly like marble.  I was in awe!  The tour guide kind of chuckled at me but I was speechless.  It amazed me that all this high level of craftsmanship took place in a time when it was done with hand tools; I could really understand why it was called “The Palace of the South” because it was and still maybe is. 

We went from room to room; while my tour guide pointed out different aspects and nuances of the house.  There was a Christmas luncheon being served in a large downstairs room and we jumped ahead a bit to get those areas before they were filled.  She talked and showed things that were restored or made to look like the original.  She explained some of the ventilation and planning behind the house’s layout.  I got to see one of the first ever elevators that were installed into a house in the US.  Though, this one was more designed with the idea transporting kohl and ash between the floors than people. 

Then, we went upstairs and I got to see where efforts were still being made on the second for restoration.  It was a little rougher up here and simpler but even then I saw the possibilities of it all.  We went through the second floor and then down the backstairs to the basement into the kitchen area.  She showed me the speaker tubes that were used to call servants and explained how they worked.  There was a drawing and an open floor area that showed some of the heating and cooling that were used for the house.  That was the end of the tour but I ended up chatting with the tour guide for a while until another group showed up for a tour.  Unfortunately, they do not allow photography to be taken inside of the home.  However, I did take a few of the outside afterwards.

Photo- The wall murals in the first room at the Tubman African American Museum.

Next, I drove over to the Tubman African American Museum.  I paid the entrance fee and then the layout of the museum was explained to me.  This museum has been in existence since 1981 and since then it has been preserving, collecting, and exhibiting works of art and historical artifacts of the African American culture.  It is the largest museum in the southeast dedicated to African American history, art, and culture in the US.  It was named in honor of Harriet Tubman who is described as a “Black Moses” for leading slaves to freedom and serving as a Union spy, nurse, during the Civil War.

The museum starts with a room full of colorful painted wall murals which feature Africans throughout history.  Harriet Tubman is featured prominently in one of them.  As you turn the corner there’s an area dedicated to Harriet Tubman with photos, documents, newspaper articles, and even a wanted posted stating a reward for her capture during the Civil War.  Next you enter into an exhibit hall area.  At current they were exhibiting Mr. Imagination’s artwork.  He was born in Chicago under the name of Gregory Warmack and he uses cast off objects in his art.  He is best known for using bottle caps in his artwork.  I guess you could almost say he was the father of now what we call recycled art.

In the next room, the museum shows more current art African American art from local Georgia artists.  There was one piece I liked in particular called I’d Rather Two-Step Than Waltz, Step Three.  The mixed media features two figures of a young girl and boy in a dancing pose with other object surrounding them.  It was just a fascinating piece.  Then, the museum went on to show Folk Art and explained what it is and why it is important to a culture.  Next was the Inventors Gallery and had a sampling of what inventions came from the minds of African Americans.  It was amazing to see the inventions; some of which get used in our everyday life.   

Photo- The Inventors Gallery.

 

From there, I climbed upstairs to a second floor where there more African American art and a film that’s playing.  The film is based on the true life story of two slaves that escaped the Macon, GA during the Civil War.  From that area you went into a larger area that had pottery and other pieces of art on the walls.  I was amazed at how large the place was because it doesn’t appear to be that large from the outside.  I walked down the stairs and checked out the gift shop area before I left.  I found a bumper sticker and purchased it.

As I was getting ready to leave, I asked the women where a good place would be to have lunch.  She mentioned a couple of places but then said that I would probably like Molly’s on Cherry Street and gave me directions.  Molly’s on Cherry Street was a simple little place on the corner that does new specials every day.  I had the gumbo-like soup that the gal mentioned was the soup of the day.  She said it was very hearty and I will admit that it was.  I would have called it more a stew than a soup.  I had a chicken salad sandwich on a croissant with it.  This was a hearty sandwich too.  I had a mud brownie with a bit of ice-cream for dessert.  But more than the food or the place itself; it was one of those places were you were made to feel welcomed and at home.  The server and the host made you feel like part of the family and they quite often were hugging regular people as they came in through the door.  This was a very local place and one filled with all kinds of warmth.  Next with a happy tummy, I found myself on my way driving to Atlanta, GA.

DAY 112- Civil Rights and a Confederate Capital…

Early the next morning I went to downtown Montgomery to the Rosa Parks Museum that is run by Troy University.  Rosa Park has been referred to as the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement.  It was a wonderful experience visiting the museum.  I started in a room the showed a film of Montgomery now and then it showed how the city was prior to the arrest of Rosa Parks.  There were local citizens of the community that spoke on film of their memories of how it was with the Jim Crowe Laws in effect.  The film showed photos of signs of white only and black only.  Next, the doors opened up into a room where there was a old bus in the middle of it.  It was like a step into the past.  Through the windows of the bus played out the scene of Rosa Parks’ arrest.  Rosa was firm but passive during the whole event.  She maintained her dignity too.  It was fascinating to watch.

Photo- Just inside of the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, AL.

Next, a set of church doors opened and I learned about what happened within the community after that.  It was very interesting to learn about the influence that Rosa Parks had on Martin Luther King too.  It was also amazing the level of planning and community involvement that it took to keep the boycott going.  There was a great deal of organizing that went into the carpooling that managed to get people to their jobs over the 13 month boycott.

Photo- The home Martin Luther King lived in Montgomery, AL
which is now a museum and was closed for the day.

Next, I found I had to laugh a bit and found it rather ironic that I ended up following a Montgomery City Bus on the way to Martin Luther King Jr’s house.  The home had been turned into a museum but had been bombed when the Kings lived there.  Well, the MLK House was closed.  Darn it!  So I just ended up driving by and taking a photo.

Photo- The front of the Alabama State Capital.

Then, I parked my car a few blocks away in front of the Alabama State Capital which happened to be the same Capital that was used by the Confederates as a base for government.  I really found it interesting that all of this history was within a few blocks.  I put money in the parking meter and then walked up the front steps of the Capital.  Meanwhile, a group of elegantly clad high school kids were coming down.  It looked like a choir with the boys in suits and the girls in long blue taffeta skirts.  I felt a bit under dressed and wondered if something special was going on in the Capital.

Photo- The foyer area just inside the front door of the Alabama State Capital.

The state capital of Alabama is like a mini replica of our nation’s capital.  It’s white with the columns down the front and a dome up top.  It’s placed on a hill that I found out was called “Goat’s Hill” which accounts for the gift shop’s name in the basement.  I took a picture of the outside.  They have a statue in the front that’s Mr. Confederate President himself, Mr. Jefferson Davis.  I’m always fascinated that they like to brag about their confederate history here in the south.  I would’ve been embarrassed to be a part of this but here they almost brag about it; which makes it even more interesting that a few blocks away is a museum dedicated to the mother of civil rights.  The south is such a quandary.

Photos- Of the rotunda of the Alabama State Capital.

I walk into the front door of the capital expecting security like most state capitals with roped off areas, a scanner and a gate that I would walk through; after I empty my pockets of change and keys.  Nope!  There’s a large Christmas tree in a foyer with stairs wrapping up on each side as I walk in.  Off to one side and back, there’s a security guard sitting at a table with an older lady at an information table.  There’s a table and detection gate way back and off to the side.  I say hi and the guard asks to check my purse and then after a bit has me walk through the gate.  It was a very laid back type of thing.  I was really surprised. 

I got a map of the capital from the lady and she asked where I was from.  She was rather proud that someone as far away as Utah wanted to see her state capital.  She asked me to sign the visitor’s book and welcomed me.  From there I just walked around on the main level which was mostly all white walls with elaborate molding.  Down the center hall, they must have had some event going on there were men in military outfits and dressed up people.  I walked around them; getting the eye from some state policeman with a wide brimmed flat hat.  I took out my camera, took pictures, and read signage about the building.   The state policeman is really keeping an eye on me and standing next to another man that other people are shaking his hand and wanting to talk with.  It turns out later that I was actually in the same room as the Alabama governor.  Their security is very laid back; it was mind boggling.

Photo- The first floor area, all very white.

I walked up to the next level where I could see in the dome area which was lovely but smaller than other capitals I have been in.  I was also amazed at how many doors were open and I could see Capital workers and statesman at work at their desks.  It was a very much open door policy.  In fact, there were only a couple of hallway areas that were roped off from visitors.  Otherwise it was a free for all. 

I walked down the back stairs to the gift shop which the information lady had recommended I visit.  There was another lax set of security guards by the back door with a table off to the side and the detection gate.  I walked by them saying hi and walked into the gift shop just across the hall from them.  Wow!  I will say that this was the nicest gift shop I have seen in any of the state capitals.  It was well presented and had a lot of items made in Alabama which I was amazed at the variety; from pottery to Alabama mud stained t-shirts to scented candles handmade tiled angel ornaments to cheese sticks (??) to candies.  I got a couple of postcards and could help but laugh about the Alabama mud stained t-shirts.

Next, I was fueled up and heading out of town heading east through Alabama back country towards Macon, GA.  I was about 30 miles out and it’s raining with dark clouds in the sky when the car radio announces a thunderstorm warning until 2pm and a tornado watch until 3pm.  It was strange because I haven’t had to worry about tornadoes for years since I moved away from Iowa and here I was driving on a back road in Alabama with a tornado watch.  I was almost out of the county that had this watch but it made me keep an eye on those dark clouds a little more closely and be aware of what shelter may be in the area as I drove along.

Photo- A Hillbilly Mall along a back road in Alabama?  Now that wasn't surprising!

It was pouring rain when I got to Macon, GA.  I managed to drive right to the hotel; only to find I had made the reservation for the next night.  Ooopps!  We got that rectified and I got settled in.  Then, I proceeded to try to locate a pizza place in the area but there was none; even though there was no shortage of restaurants nearby.  I finally gave up because driving in the area was near impossible with all the accidents.  They really don’t know how to drive in Macon when it rains.  I found a Sammy’s BBQ place about a block from my hotel and went in.

It was a rustic little BBQ place where a majority of the clientele was local southern middle class whites.  I seemed to fit right in except for having no accent.  I ordered a half slab of ribs with coleslaw and fries.  The ribs came hidden under the fries and a piece of garlic bread.  There were 4 different sauces to choose from on the table; I went with sweet and spicy.  It was good stuff!

DAY111- Mobile to Montgomery with a Florida Pit Stop…

I woke up to pure fog this morning and I was being to wonder if that was all they got along the coast during the winter time.  I took my time before checking out because I didn’t want to be driving and trying to find my way in the fog.  About 10am, it had finally lifted.  I headed south through the downtown area of Mobile.  It was quite the skyline to look at and it was rather cool to drive through a tunnel under part of the city area.  But I didn’t stop.  I wanted to check out some of the coastal communities and make a quick drive through Pensacola, FL before heading north to Montgomery, AL.   On the way out of Mobile, I passed a HUGE naval warship, the USS Alabama.  I thought better of trying the inside of another warship after my panic attack I had inside the last one.  But I did get to admire the bay as I drove along.

Photo- The city skyline of Mobile, AL.

Photo- The tunnel under part of downtown Mobile, AL.

I drove along the scenic highway route to the small township of Fairhope that I had heard was a small artistic community.  It was a cute little town.  I saw bicyclists and runners along a path that ran parallel to the road.  There were three square blocks of businesses for the downtown with a marina off in the distance.  There were quite a few artistic looking shops and a cute garden shop with metal armadillos walking across the front lawn area.  But it being Sunday, mostly everything was closed up and the only areas packed with cars were the churches; especially the Catholic Church as I went by.  I wasn’t dressed for church at all and so I continued on.

Photo- Bicyclists along the street near Fairhope.

Photo- Armadillos for Christmas anyone?

Next, there was the town of Foley which had a few more people out and about.  Pickup trucks and trailers were more common and I was driving away from the coastline over towards the Florida state line.  After that, there were several other communities that I drove through very similar to Foley with most of the businesses housed in metal warehouse like buildings off to the side of the road.  The land was very flat.  There were a lot of fields that looked like they were fallow cotton fields and other crops that I wasn’t sure what they were.  I drove over a bridge into Florida.  Here the landscape changed a bit and became more hilly.  There were also a lot of Naval Base areas.  I drove by a large Naval Medical area.  I followed the signs to the historic downtown Pensacola. 

Photo- Andrew Jackson Statue in a Plaza Square in Pensacola, FL.

I stopped at a town plaza square that had a statue of Andrew Jackson.  In July of 1821, General Jackson received West Florida from Spain and raised a flag in this very square to claim it as part of the US.  But as I read the inscription on the back of the statue, it sounds like this square got a lot of use as they listed other dates that other countries were raising flags over this part of Florida.  In fact, there had been ten times that the flag had been “turned” over prior to General Jackson earning the flag the last time.  This was a career boost to Andrew Jackson who ended up being a military governor and then ended up in the position of President shortly after that.

Photo- A statue of Ponce de Leon near the shore in Pensacola. 

Next, I walked down through the historic downtown area towards the shoreline.  The only places that seemed to be open were restaurants.  There were a fair amount of people down by the shoreline; some sitting on benches and enjoying the view with friends and family, while others were fishing.  It was an overcast cloudy and rather windy day along the coast.  I could see sailboats out on the water.  Here there was a statue of Ponce de Leon standing in a circle with fountains spraying behind him.  The fountains were accessible to play in, but with the cooler temps there weren’t any takers.  I slowly worked my way back to the car.

Photo- Fishing and watching the sailboats.

I still needed to work my way north towards Montgomery where I was staying the night.  I drove north through some forested land where there was new growth and old growth.  This land was being used for logging.  I had noticed seeing some logging trucks and I now knew where some of them were coming from.  The more north I went the more hilly the landscape became.  There wasn’t many small towns just off the road in this area and gas stations were sparse I’m glad I filled up before leaving Pensacola.

I came to one small town just after crossing the border to Alabama and stopped for a late lunch at a Hardee’s.  I didn’t know any of these existed anymore.  I used to work the graveyard shift during my college years at one in Iowa.  I stopped.  The menu was quite a bit different but it looks like they still made their biscuits for breakfast.  I asked one of the girls behind the counter if they still made their biscuits from scratch every morning.  Yes, she said there were two different people trained to do that and they would take turns coming in at 4am.  I told her I used to do that in my college years and that they didn’t have Hardee’s up in the mid-west anymore.  She didn’t find that very interesting; I guess because I got the doe in the headlights look.  I sat down and waited for my food.

It was just starting to get dark when I drove up to my motel in Montgomery and I have to say that my hotel was a bit of a dive.  In fact, right next door there was an abandoned dilapidated old motel but it was easy to find and relatively cheap.  The room was clean but was in poor need of updating.  I had been looking at the money situation of late and it was starting to dwindle faster than what I had planned.  I needed to find cheaper places.  I may only have about another 30 days before I may have to stop and do some work. 

Photo- Downtown Montgomery, AL.

But enough of this, I drove around and explored some of the downtown area of Montgomery.  There was a whole street area where there were Christmas lights along both sides of the streets.  It was a rather nice little downtown but was a bit annoying to get around because they sure do like their one way streets here.  On the way back to the hotel I had quick and cheap dinner at a Captain D’s which was like a different version of a Long John Silvers.