Although we intended to leave Georgia to begin our 2022 Adventure on February 28th, we had to delay for a couple days. Our RV Tech discovered our hydraulic pump was dead to the world & he had to replace it. We are SOOOO grateful that issue was discovered & fixed before we hit the road! Without the pump, we couldn’t raise the stabilizer feet or operate the slides. YIKES! We are so very thankful for Brandon, our trusted RV Tech in Georgia, as well as Julia, the Fort Yargo Park Manager. She quickly assured us we were fine to stay in place a couple more days & arranged for the replacement host to park at a lakefront site until we could move. The delay also gave us time to do a final wash of the RV, inside & out, & a few projects to be done that will afford us more comfort as we live in the rig full-time. Life is so good!
We did discover we had forgotten a LOT of stuff when it comes to moving down the road. One was pre-programing the GPS & looking at the route for familiarity as we got into the congested areas. Our destination was Montgomery – Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base specifically – & the roads off the interstate are crazy confusing! I remember the maze from last year but it was still challenging! We made it though & our assigned campsite was perfect! Before the NEXT move, I did take a good bit of time to update & add to our WRITTEN list of “to dos” when packing up to move & setting up on arrival. Many things we have simplified but new tricks have been implemented. We are happy with the reminder list now.
On our first full day in Alabama, we drove over to Tuskegee to visit the Tuskegee Airman’s Museum but found the museum was only open on Friday & Saturday. It used to be open Monday – Saturday – not sure if the change was a result of the COVID shut-down, budget cuts, or for reasons undetermined. We did walk around the grounds & decided another visit was necessary to see more. We drove into the city of Tuskegee & visited the Booker T. Washington home. It too, was closed with no indication of ever being opened again. It was STUNNING on the exterior & holds an incredible story about Mr Washington, his journey through life, his accomplishments & contributions to education & so much more.
An old Carnegie Library was directly across the street from The Oaks.And a clock tower was just beyond the library.
The following day we returned to Tuskegee & toured the grounds again & the museum.
The old entrance was still standing. A bust of Robert Moton was located at the entrance. He was the base commander at Tuskegee Training Grounds for many years.The original control tower was still standing. Actually, most of the original buildings from the 1940s were still standing & in great shape.The airfield is still in use. Small aircraft were taking off & landing all during the time we were there.There is a HUGE parking lot & parade area on a hill above the buildings. It was well groomed & neat. I’m not sure if special events or festivals use the space but it was impressive with lots of benches & walking paths.
We went in the hangers to see the history displays & read about the rich history of the black airmen who learned to fly there. They learned perseverance along with flight skills in their quest to fight for their country. They also learned patience & determination as they fought for equal rights as United States citizens.
This plane was hanging from the ceiling in Hanger #2.This plane was in the center of Hanger #1.I loved the phones located throughout the displays – you could pick them up & listen to the stories & explanations of specific displays. Just as a side note, these dial phones made me laugh – taking the headset off the cradle & setting it aside was the way we used to put callers on hold back in the day.
We then drove over to Wetumpka, just north of Montgomery, to have a nice drive about & walk around the town Hometown Makeovers worked on last year for their TV show. I LOVED the murals & funky statuary everywhere!
The Farmer’s Market was one of the main projects done during the show. It’s right on the river & so perfect for it’s purpose.From the Farmer’s Market you can see the backside of Coaches Corner Restaurant that was also a renovation done during the show.We had no idea the river was created by a meteor! Great historical information found on our walk on the path under the bridge!Some of the unique art pieces throughout the city were entertaining & weird at the same time.The Old Calaboose (jail) was in great shape given that it was built in 1820. Perched right on the edge of the Coosa River beside the bridge, it was a glaring reminder as to what happens if you broke the law. Another of the ”yard art” structures in town. Not Perry, the Coca-Cola bottle.This wall was painted by the high school students during the filming of the special.We drove up to Wetumpka for a very short visit last year when we camped in Alabama. The artist in residence at this little storefront was so friendly & told us much of what had happened during the Hometown Makeover filming – the special didn’t air until after we were there. We wanted to visit with him again this time but he was out when we stopped by. Later in the evening some local musicians set up an imprompto concert in front of his shop & we enjoyed it for just a few minutes.The movie ”Big Fish” was filmed in Wetumpka & surrounding areas. This was the main venue. It was very run-down & the show took it on to revamp. The woman who runs the Chamber of Commerce lives in the house with her family. She came out of her downtown office as we walked by but we didn’t stop to talk. The film industry appears to like Wetumpka. There were a few films made here.And yet another of the creative ”yard art” sculptures around town.The hubcap fish was my favorite.We had dinner at Coaches Corner before we returned to Montgomery. It was BUSY!Unfortunately, I didn’t get a picture of the front of the building. WAY too many cars!On the way back to the base, the sunset was spectacular!On Saturday, we got up early & had breakfast before heading to Selma. But first, we had to watch our favorite RV couple on their Saturday YouTube segment. You, Me & The RV.There were three campsites along Hwy 80 where the activists stayed for the night on their peaceful protest march to the Capital back in 1965.We parked on the main street in Selma & this lightpole was directly in front of our car. I’m not sure why the sign at the top said, No Murder/Murder. Any ideas?The crowd in town was heavy – a festival was in full swing. Apparently, it was the 57th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday & Vice President Kamala Harris was expected on Sunday to speak & walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in commemoration of the protestor’s sacrifices. We stayed in town for a short bit but we would have loved to have stayed for the march.The St. James Hotel was beautifully restored but other buildings around the city were very decayed. It was more of a sad sight than I’d have thought it would be.
We headed north to visit Orr Park near Montevallo, AL. Most of the uniquely carved trees in this park were sculptures done by Tim Tingle. He began carving on the dead cedar trees in the park back in 1993 – such an amazing mix of subjects. It was fanciful! Below are random tree carvings but certainly not all of them!
This pond/waterfall was near the bridge entrance into the park.This one was only a day or two old & I suspect it was created to honor Ukraine where sunflowers as their country’s pride.Above is the front of one of the carvings but the backside (below) was very detailed, too.A fish eating a snake.This building was across from the park. Kinda cool!And there was even an ice-cream truck at the park. How Americana is that?
We like to visit Capital cities on Sunday’s whenever we can. It’s less peopley, virtually no traffic, & we can wander around unhindered. Downtown Montgomery didn’t disappoint! The capital building was gorgeous as were the grounds & statuary!
The Alabama Capital building in Montgomery.Perry stood at the exact spot so many leaders gave speeches from over the last 200+ years.Even Beth had her picture taken at the main entrance.And the doors! GORGEOUS!The spot where Jefferson Davis stood when inagurated as President of the Confederacy in 1861.The First White House of the Confederacy was still standing across the side street from the Capital.
There was a flag courtyard on the side of the capital building that was most impressive. Here’s some pictures from that area.
The tribute statue to the Peace Officers was huge & poignant.This gigantic statue was on the other side of the Capital building, in remembrance of the Confederate Army in 1865.The statue of Jefferson Davis was located at the front of the building by the steps.
Additional signage at the front of the Capital building gave some great information about the March from Selma to Montgomery on March 25th, 1965.
In front of the annex buildings at the foot of the Capital steps were some stunning bronze relief monuments with plaques that told the story of Alabama. This “story” progressed from the creation of earth to current day. It was amazing!
Finally, as we walked back to our car we were able to take pictures of a church at which Dr Martin Luther King, Jr pastored. Great history!
And another day begins with breakfast! Perry LOVES the strawberry jelly our friend Debbie made!
On our way up to Prattsville, we came across the VERY odd structure below. We found it on our Roadside America app but it was not sure what it was. The land around it was super weedy & creepy. I wouldn’t get too close or go around it to take more pictures. I’m including a second picture someone else took & put on Roadside America. Oh, the things we see in this crazy world!
While at various military bases, which we are fortunate to have the privilege to use because of Perry’s status, we like to investigate the cool stuff that makes them unique. There are usually statues & monuments. Here are some things we found on Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama …
The officers have some very nice looking accomodations!The center statue in the housing area. An awesome monument honoring POWs & MIAs.Some of the signs tell us stories we never heard before.This plane was flown during WWII.I thought this interesting thing deserved a picture.This very large sign was located at the end of the runway.This sign & the full size replica of the Wright Brother’s plane was awesome!This large statue was in honor of the pilots who lost their lives in Vietnam.This plane served in combat in Korea.And then there were buildings housing offices of the United States “newest” branch of service “Space Force.”This must be their logo.More Space Force office buildings
We happened upon the statue & signs honoring Rosa Parks when we drove near the Elementary School on base. I did not know about her connection to the base nor her husband’s. We learn so much history as we traverse this great country!
And that’s a wrap! Off we go, headed to Mississippi to see all the cool stuff in & around Laurel! Hoping to see Ben & Erin of Hometown Makeover while we are there!
