A wrap on Montgomery

This post will put a wrap on Montgomery. While we will be here 8 more days, our reporting will focus on other areas.

 While Montgomery served as the capital of the Confederacy and that is recognized, it is overwhelmed with Civil Rights history. Let us start this photo journalism post from Civil War era.

 First White house of the Confederacy

This is known as the "gunboat quilt". It was auctioned off, returned and auctioned off repeatedly to raise funds to build gunboats. Supposedly it raised enough for two. You know Mary is a quilter so this caught her eye.

 A nice museum dedicated to Civil Rights. Had very high security like you would expect to see at air port.

 Historic churches associated with civil rights movement.

 And just pretty church buildings, First Baptist Montgomery

 A nice capitol complex that even in these times of high security we were able to walk right up to.

 This sign we found in the FREE history museum probably best signifies Alabama.

 Montgomery has had a troubled past and is still troubled. High crime, many, many abandoned and decaying buildings. Not the sort of city you would expect to find as a capitol city.

Connected!

Well we have completed our move,all of 10 miles or so. Hated to leave the trees and lake. We are now at a commercial RV park. That means fewer trees,more neighbors. But the trade off is cable TV and high speed internet. Our Mifi struggled in the river bottom.

An ant is about 1/32 of an inch in height. How does it detect a box of Cherrios not closed tightly, in a cabinet at top of RV about 11 feet above it? How does it know to climb whatever it climbed and the whole route to said Cherrios? Any super smart readers out there? And for all of you who think Mary is a sweet Angel, well just ask the ants she found...

More history later.

Praise the Lord I saw the light...

Thanks to Google Earth a overhead view...

Why a view of cemetery you ask....well focus on the center plot, just inside road on right side.


Still confused?

 Ground view of that plot. No, not a relative of mine other than being a fellow human.


 A little closer view perhaps

 You probably know by now but if not you are looking at grave of Hank Williams and wife Audrey.

 Nice resting spot on hill overlooking the Alabama river.

 To each their own but a little ostentatious for a 30 year old man who abused alcohol. Been to several grave sites of presidents and medal of honor winners, none even close to this.


 Praise the Lord, I saw the light...

Quick tourist opportunity

Combine the delayed opening of store, with a mandatory trip downtown to bank,throw in perfect weather and you have tourist time. Montgomery sits on the Alabama river so naturally you should have this:

 They have a nice area that includes an amphitheater,minor league ball field and play areas.

They also converted the old central train station into a very nice visitor center

Part of the area is called the "Alley" filled with restaurants and clubs. Dreamland Bar b que had rave reviews, unfortunately it was not as good as it looks

This weekend there is an LPGA tournament in Pratville, (more on that town later), drag boat races on the river and car races at dirt track near the campground. Also Sunday is moving day as we get evicted from Gunter Hill. Have enjoyed our stay there. We have obligations thru next Wednesday with college then some free time here till the 7th when we head to Florida.

A little history

Our route from Texas to Montgomery took us thru Selma. If you remember, from life or American history if on the young side, a lot of things happened there. As it is not easy to park 50 ft of rv we decided to return yesterday rather than stop on way in.

 As this is the 50th anniversary you might also remember news broadcast from earlier in the year. 50 years ago this happened.

here

 The route that the marchers took was the same route we had driven on Tuesday and again today. They have a very nice interpretive center at about the halfway mark. Also marked along the way were the various campsites setup for the four nights of the march. They walked about 11 miles per day, and the route is not with out some rather steep inclines.

We learned a lot that we did not know about this event. Having grown up in this time frame i was not ignorant of differences in racial treatment. I can tell you that life in Texas was very different than that of the deep south.

Delay...

Love this campground but data service is s-l-o-w...will share some things from school or later when data connection is better.

Warning!

Do not try to turn an empty classroom into a bookstore in one day. Unloading 5 pallets of books and supplys, setting up computers with more issues than time allows, is hard on us "young " people. And no, Mary was not allowed to move boxes of books. History tour lesson for you tomorrow hopefully. Today is first day for store to be open.

Roll Tide!

Did the title give you any clues? (helps if college football fan)

How about this video...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwWUOmk7wO0

Well how about this photo

Yes, we have reached Montgomery as planned. We are at Gunter Hill for next 12 days before we are forced to move. (14 day limit but day 14 would be on long work day). On the 30th we move to Capital City RV where we will be till September 7.

 It is only about 5 miles from here to campus and only 10 or so from Capital City, Montgomery not that big. Late change in plans so instead of a history lesson, a few looks at our home for next 12 days. A very nice corp of engineer's park, glad i found it.

Your table is ready at Chez Gunter Hill...

Catching up

Well we are just south of Morton, Mississippi. Very nice state park we are staying in, just us and 3 other campers. We left Alvord Sunday morning and drove to Shreveport, arriving about 3:30 or so. It is about 750 miles from home to Montgomery, via auto a day and half trip at best. We are taking 3 days to just relax and enjoy. Mary did get to go to Ralph and Kacoo's, a seafood/cajun restaurant in Bossier City. They make a stuffed bell pepper, peppers stuffed with shrimp and crab, that Mary loves. Rule #1 always try and keep the boss happy!

 Nice easy 260 miles today from Bossier to Morton and Roosevelt state park. Morton is about midway between Jackson and Meridian. Very nice park.

A little explanation

It occurred to me that if someone clicked on the the screen capture to view larger version, or if their eyes were better than mine, they might wonder about all the cemeteries flagged. I flagged them as we intend to stop at each and everyone. Flagging them on the map like that helps us decide best route to take and from which stop to make that day trip. I will try and not bore you as it is strictly personal but will provide a little background when time is right.

 I can promise you a healthy dose of history on this tour of the deep south. Photos convey way more than I can type so expect an abundance. Said history lesson/tour will start in the 1960's, move into the 1500's then probably culminate in the 1980's

 In 10 days the deep south/low country tour begins. Ever stood looking in your closet trying to decide what to wear on a given day (more a girl than guy thing)? Try looking at your closet when it is 104 with heat index around 110 and decide what you want to be wearing in early November when it is in 50's and rainy!

 Next post from Roosevelt state park, Morton Mississippi.