Sweet Home Alabama

Did you know you can surf in Alabama?



Mr. Fix-It.  Gulf Shores, AL

We didn't either.  But you can.

The kids enjoyed playing on the big waves with the paddle board.  In their clothes.

We stayed at a state park in Gulf Shores, AL.  They had a super neat Nature Center.  The kids enjoyed riding the bike trails to the Nature Center every day to check on the bearded dragon that sat on the park ranger's desk, and Homer, the free range turtle.

LAR fishing Homer out from his hiding spot.

CER with Homer.

The park held a Mardi Gras parade.  A kid-friendly version.  They tossed beads, candy, and stuffed animals.

Even Billie Jean got swept up in the excitement.

Our Mardi Gras King Cake!

As we worked our way through Alabama, we stopped in Birmingham at the Civil Rights Institute.  It was a really well done display of civil and human rights in America and throughout the world.  It was extremely educational -- and not just for the kids.  I feel like I'm doing school all over again, only this time I appreciate it.

We also made some time to visit a camp I attended when I was young.  It was so strange to be back on the campus -- it was just as I'd remembered it nearly 30 years ago -- except not as huge.  Everything seems bigger when you're smaller, I guess.



We crossed the border into TN, to enjoy Rock City.  Rock City is the beautiful botanical and rock garden that was (and in some cases still is) advertised on nearly 900 barn roofs from Michigan to Texas. 

View from the top of Rock City, overlooking one of the familiar "SEE ROCK CITY" painted barns.

The couple that lived on the property in the early 1900's was completely enchanted by the breathtaking views and unique rock formations, and wanted to share their appreciation for their land with others.  They advertised in a unique way, and it worked!  Rock City is still a major tourist attraction atop the Lookout Mountain in Georgia (six miles from TN).

Hiking through the rock formations -- Rock City.

We just realized we're the closest we've been to our home state since June of last year!

Riding the Incline down Lookout Mountain -- steepest passenger railway in the world!

In Alabama, we also made an interesting discovery -- browsing through a thrift store is terrific family fun.  We just randomly wandered in, but ended up staying a while.  We laughed and laughed at the silly things the kids begged to buy. 

LAR begged me to buy this wig for Mr. Fix-It's bald head.  I wondered if the wig was made of some sort of arsenic chemical that momentarily impaired her judgement.