Robertsdale, Alabama, October 1, 2009
It’s Friday!! At least that’s what the computer says. We’ve had a busy 3 days. Lots of driving, which is tiring and lots of partying, which is fun. We got into Vicksburg about 2:30 and just wanted to rest. Unfortunately BC had to help the hotel fix its internet connection.
Thursday we had lunch in Alpharetta, Georgia with our friends from the Kenya Project, Gideon Robi, Tiffany Nichols and her mom, Liz Nichols and Joan Munoz. It was so nice to see the Kenya Project friends. Last time we saw each other it was in Nakuru, Kenya! Great lunch, fun conversation and lots of laughs. We want to go back to Atlanta and spend more time with Joan and Patrick. We had so much fun and too short of a time. Next time we’ll plan better! We also discussed the return to Nakuru for Geneva to visit her Wonderful Women!
Gideon Robi, Liz Nichols, BC, GC, Joan Munoz, Tiffany Nichols
Then we drove! We had a 5 ½ hour drive (at least that’s what Bart said) to Robertsdale, Alabama to visit my long ago (not old!) roommate Dianne Lovdal. The trip was long and we got bored. Here’s a picture of Bart and us reflected in a Bison trailer. Oh yea, a truck jacknifed on the way and we sat on the freeway for an hour so they could "fix it." Here's a picture of our friends.
Georgia has lots of major companies. We saw one million Kias at the Kia factory in West Point, GA. Fireworks are big in the south. One place had a “buy one get three free” sale. Another place had a huge warning “No Smoking!” Duh! (Check the small sign on the bottom right.)
We stopped at the Tuskegee Airmen National Monument. It is in a trailer now as they are still refurbishing the original buildings. We saw a video which we enjoyed and it explained that black men can be fighter pilots as well as white men. Duh, again…. It was a nice break from the road. We also learned that Lou/Dad/Grandad landed at Anzio Beach in North Africa in WWII at the same time the Tuskegee Airmen were there.
We noticed quite a bit of economic blight in Montgomery AL. Sad. AL drivers have a problem with staying in their own lane. They just seem to sway from lane to lane. Here is a picture of a guy that hung his hand out the window of his mangled mini van. I suspect he got his hand caught too many times while swaying from lane to lane! Yikes!
BC noted that the dead skunk smell is greatly diminished. Maybe they were Mason/Dixon skunks?
We were very pleased to get an hour “back” after we crossed into Alabama. Unfortunately we spent that “extra” hour sitting on I65 due to a jack knifed semi. An hour is a long time to sit and wait and not know when you can go again. Especially if you’ve been drinking lots of water. I was envious of this guy!
We finally got to Dianne’s place and she was waiting for us in the driveway. Dianne and Gregg had chicken to BBQ and delicious pesto pasta for dinner. Their home is a nice brick home filled with memories and good times. Dianne wins for the best shower curtain. I loved the orange stripes and cool hangers.
We left Dianne’s this morning as she left for work. (Boo-hoo!). We must go back as we passed a diner near her home that advertised “14 Hamburgers and a New Deep Fried Menu!” I’ve never had a deep fried menu, new or otherwise!
We drove through Mobile which is a pretty southern town. Alabama is very pretty with small towns and lots of green. Sometimes I wish we recorded some of our conversations. This morning I did. Here goes. gc: This is Wilmer. bc: Oh, that means we are near Louisiana. gc: Mississippi. bc: oh right, what are we in? gc: Alabama. bc: oh yeah, right. (Note that the only reason I knew where we were and where we were going was because I was on map/camera duty.)
We continued into Mississippi and are now at the far west side of Mississippi. While going through Jackson, Mississippi at lunch time bc saw a drive in hamburger place. Because we don’t spend enough time sitting in Bart, we pulled in and ordered lunch. Here’s a picture of Bart at the drive in. (We are easily amused!) Our IPod got to the end if it’s shuffle. We have gone through 584 songs. We’ll start over now. Oh, and we are at about 5100 miles.
BART in Blue!!!
Here are some pictures of random unusual sights. Some we understand, some explain our purpose and some we don't get at all...but all are intriguing.
It's nice to see the First Amendment is still alive in the United States.
This gas station was closed. I can't imagine why?????
What do you serve with baked cats?!?!?
We noticed that the roads in Mississippi are “wavy”. Rather like riding waves. Tonight we are road weary so bc found a BBQ place, picked up some food while I am writing this and we will enjoy a quiet dinner at the Best Western on the Hill in Vicksburg, MS.
Love to you all…. bc and gc
“We’re still having fun. You’re the one I want to take along, you’re still the one.” Orleans.
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