Sweet Home Alabama

Doug and I were looking forward to our trip to Alabama. We were combining a little "Go and Be time" with a bit of "Go and Do activity". The weather forecast looked like we were going to have the most sun early in the week so we headed straight to Foley, Alabama to spend some time with mom and dad. We left our home in the wee morning hours knowing we had a 14 hour drive ahead of us. We enjoyed the journey, our time together and the views of the countryside rolling past our window. I smiled as we crossed the border from one state to another remembering the game we played with the kids when they were young. The words "State number one - Check", "State number two - In" rang in my mind bringing back memories of the many car trips we took together.

Absolutely wonderful!

The weather kept improving the farther south we traveled. I paid close attention to the landscape and the foliage. I love the first hint of spring; the tint of green in the grass and shrubs and the evidence of buds on the branches of the trees. It warms my soul knowing winter is losing its grip. As we entered Alabama, I saw the first flowering tree and knew it wouldn't be long now before the hillside would be in full bloom.

It was dusk as we pulled into the campground where mom and dad spend their winter. Doug and I had brought our tent to set up alongside the RV. In short order the tent was up and it was time to play cards. Mom and Dad invited a few friends to join us and we had a great time playing Hand and Foot, my mom's favorite game. Armed with Dad's fresh popped popcorn, we laughed, shared stories and celebrated victories. What great memories of close battles and near wins the girls had that night.

Operation Pelican Rescue

The next day Doug and I drove to Gulf Shores to spend the day at the beach. We brought our beach chairs, a good book, a picnic lunch and grabbed a spot near the pier. We soaked in the rays of the sun while we listened to the crash of the waves against the shore. The white sand, bright blue sky and warm sunshine welcomed us. With each inhaled breath we felt our spirits soar as feelings of peace filled us. As the morning gently rolled into afternoon we walked along the shore; looking for shells, watching for dolphins, and sharing our thoughts and dreams.

We noticed a pelican diving for fish near the shore but something didn't seem right. His angle was off and he was in really shallow water. It was then we noticed he was caught in a long fishing line. He looked at us as if imploring us to help him. We grabbed the fishing line which was just inches from the shore as the pelican waited patiently. I went looking for something to help set him free while Doug kept him near the shore. Thankfully I spotted the ranger who was equipped to free the pelican. As three rangers and Doug cut the line from his entangled wing and foot, onlookers gathered. We all cheered as the freed pelican rested for a moment and then took flight.

The beauty within the fort

Our border defense in 1834

The weather was still beautiful the next day so we headed to Fort Pickens in Pensacola, Florida with mom and dad. After the War of 1812, the United States realized it needed to strengthen all its major ports against enemy attacks. Forts were built all along the Eastern coast. Fort Pickens was finished in 1834; built in only 5 years by black slave labor. When Florida succeeded from the Union in 1861, Civil War fighting found its way to Fort Pickens. Ironically, this fort built by slaves was instrumental in setting them free. The Federals maintained control of this fort and Union soldiers eventually entered Florida ending the war. Even though the fort was an important military post until 1947 the only real battles fought there were during the Civil War. Now, the weapons have all been scrapped, the military has left and tourists walk among the empty passageways. We walked through the remains of this large fort and marveled at the bricked architecture, thought about the men and women who were stationed here, and appreciated the view of the harbor from the top of the fort. We imagined the sounds and sights of exploding cannons and heavy cannonballs soaring up to 8 miles away into the harbor.

Hiking through the Wildlife Refuge

 

Before leaving Gulf Shores Doug and I hiked in the Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge. This refuge was set up in 1980 to protect and preserve the coastal habitat. There are over 370 species of birds that call the 6000 acres in Bon Secour home. As we walked along the path we could hear many of them singing. Huge oak trees covered in Spanish Moss lined the entrance of the path. We walked past wetlands, climbed a tower overlooking the bay, and wandered along the shifting sand dunes until we reached the Gulf of Mexico. The salty smell of the air, the crash of the surf and the strong blowing wind filled our senses. We stopped to eat the snack we had brought in a sheltered spot along the trail before heading back to the car. The black snake lying across our warm sandy path was expertly avoided and left undisturbed by our carefully placed feet.

Fort Morgan's entrance

We drove to the end of the road and entered Fort Morgan. It was built to prevent our enemies from entering the harbor but proved ineffective during the Civil War when Union forces entered the bay after suffering the loss of only one ship. During the Spanish-American War, WWI and WWII the fort had new weapons installed and it played a role in our country's defense. Now as a historical landmark it plays a role in helping us remember our past.
This fort has suffered from the effects of Hurricanes Frederic and Ivan forever changing the landscape of the area. We returned to the campground to the smell of grilled pork chops and sweet potatoes and had a delicious dinner compliments of dad and mom. After a bit more time playing cards we said goodbye to this part of our adventure.

In the morning we packed up the tent, loaded the truck and drove 4 hours to Birmingham. It was a rainy day so we relaxed at the hotel after a nice BBQ dinner. 

16th Street Baptist Church

We headed to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in the morning. The doors opened in 1992 to enlighten every generation about human and civil rights of America's past and to foster a better future through dialogue and understanding. Interactive exhibits helped us put ourselves into this part of America's history. Birmingham was the nation's most segregated city in America in the 1960's. I have visited a few places in the world where I was overcome with remorse and felt the need to ask for God's forgiveness on behalf of this nation; this was one such place. The powerful exhibits challenged me to continue to explore how I might be an agent of change.

We climbed the steps of the 16th Street Baptist Church, the site where many nonviolent marches started in 1963 and where a KKK bomb exploded killing four young girls on their way to hear a message called "A Love that Forgives." 

Across the street we entered Kelly Ingram Park and began the Freedom Walk; we walked past sculptures of children behind bars, vicious dogs with barred teeth straining at the leash held by policemen and pastors on their knees praying. The statue of Martin Luther King, Jr. tells the story of reconciliation, "his dream liberated Birmingham from itself and set in motion a new day of love, mutual respect and cooperation." 

Powerful reminders of our recent past

One of the marches that captured the attention of the nation occurred in April of 1963. Children walked from this park to City Hall in a peaceful demonstration but were met by police, dogs and high powered fire houses. One thousand students marched, 600 were arrested. The next day another thousand marched, more were arrested until the jails could hold no more. Media broadcasted the marches across America and the tide turned to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 enforcing the 14th amendment enacted almost 100 years previously. Doug and I walked the path of these students conscious of their bravery and determination for change.                                             

Race to Space 

On our final day in Alabama we drove to Huntsville to see the Space and Rocket Center. We spent a few hours learning more about our race to space; JFK's declaration to be the first to land on the moon, the scientists who used the technology available to them and invented so much to make this happen and the astronauts who were willing to sacrifice everything for this goal. I appreciated the timelines that showed the space race alongside the things happening in our country at the time. Communism advancement, Cuba missile crisis, Vietnam, Civil rights marches, and assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr. and JFK are a few of the troubles during this turbulent time. The memorial to those who lost their lives in space was a stanch reminder of the cost in achieving this mission. 

Our hotel was in downtown Huntsville which allowed us time to explore this old town. It was incorporated in 1805 and was Alabama's capital for the first year of statehood. Initially Huntsville opposed succession from the Union but Alabama joined the Confederate's in 1861. For much of the Civil War Huntsville was held by the Union and used as a base of operations. Because the Union Army was located here the town was not destroyed. After the war the textile industry was centered here creating its own company towns. In 1941, the U.S. Army built munitions factories nearby and then after WWII with the new rocket and missile program the city received the nickname "Rocket City". 

Old brick buildings with colorful hanging flower baskets, brick paved sidewalks along quiet streets and houses with wide front porches beckoned us to walk slowly hand in hand appreciating the history these streets had seen. We visited an old textile mill now reclaimed as an art studio filled with many area artists. My favorite was the studio of a man who constructed beautiful guitars and had a small stage for musicians to perform. The three story mill was filled with creative artists finding a way to express themselves with paint, ceramics, paper and textiles. 

We left Alabama more aware of the history of America, more intrigued with our country and ready for more adventure.