October 2024
We just returned from a 10-day road trip to Alabama and Georgia. We had planned for a few days in Nantahala National Forest in western North Carolina, but Hurricane Helene made that impossible. It is heartbreaking to hear about the destruction and loss of life in that beautiful part of the country. We happened upon a donation truck in northern Alabama and gladly contributed bottled water.
We combined attendance at a large geocaching event in Rome, Georgia with other areas of interest to us - national historic sites, tours of state capitols, presidential libraries, and scenic points of interest. Some of the stops were planned, others just unfolded as opportunities - just the way we like it.
A few quirky sights to start with...
Rayne, Louisiana - Frog Capital of the World
A business in town supplied frogs for dissection to schools.
Quite a handsome fellow
Alabama rest stop
Civil Rights historical sites along our route
Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail,
tour of the capitol building in Montgomery,
and a visit to the Civil Rights Memorial Center nearby.
Selma, Alabama
crosswalk in front of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
pointing to the Capitol in Montgomery
(We will see this quote again near MLK's gravesite in Atlanta.)
Because our camping reservation in North Carolina was canceled, we settled into Talladega National Forest and explored northeastern Alabama, including the high point of the state in Cheaha State Park.
Along the trail to the Bald Rock lookout on Mount Cheaha, we encountered a U.S, flag retirement vault.
A beautiful view of Alabama from 2400 feet elevation
Anniston, Alabama where the Freedom Riders bus was set on fire in 1961
Then it was on to Georgia . . .
The Carter Center and Presidential Library in Atlanta
First thing, signing the 100th birthday book for President Carter.
"Sightless Among Miracles" on the grounds of the Carter Center -
tribute to the contributions made by the Carters to help eradicate preventable
diseases around the world
While in downtown Atlanta . . .
sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi in front of MLK Historial Park Visitor Center
Gravesite
Civil Rights Walk of Fame
Congressman John Lewis
Back to Alabama . . .
Our route took us through Birmingham so we stopped at Vulcan Park overlooking the city to see the largest cast iron statue in the world -- Vulcan, the god of fire and forge. It was created for the 1904 World's Fair.
My foot compared to a model of Vulcan's big toe
As we stepped off the elevator on the observation deck, we got a good view of Vulcan's bum.
As we drove across Mississippi through Jackson, we decided to tour another state capitol building. Now we have visited 10 capitols so far.
When we were approaching our last campground on this trip, we detoured for a visit to Poverty Point World Heritage Site (also a national monument) to learn about the 3,500 year-old prehistoric mounds and earthworks. We climbed the steps to the top of the tallest one on the site (second tallest in North America).
How small our white van looks from the top!
After arriving home after 2,200 miles in 10 days, we made short work of a session of Physical Therapy and a doctor appointment, washed clothes, then headed to our favorite campground - Double Lake in Sam Houston National Forest. We were joined by my sister, brother-in-law, and daughter Kim. Too bad a burn ban went into effect just as we arrived. Our visit brought back wonderful memories of our previous visits!
