A Day Trip (or Two) to Alabama ...

I started out the day by driving south to Huntsville, AL to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.  This is well worth a stop.  Some of the exhibits and plaques are a bit worn, but they are in the process of updating everything so it should be even better.

The Saturn V Hall was especially interesting.  I took the tour (included in admission) and learned much more than I did at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  FYI  this Saturn rocket is all original, where the "others" on display at other facilities are made from parts.

And did you know the Lunar Rover actually folded up and was attached to the outside of Stage 4 of the rocket?

I also paid for an IMAX movie called Dream Big about various engineering feats around the world; mostly bridges and earthquake-proofing tall buildings, but the movie did go into some detail about the construction of the Shanghai Tower. With 127 floors, it is the tallest building in the world "with a 90 degree twist."  The typhoon season was a big reason for the twisted construction.

Just FYI - Shanghai is the most populated city in the world.



First Railroad Marker - The first railroad to be built in Alabama was created in 1833, however, after some time it was absorbed by another railway in 1898, marking a short, but useful existence.

Country Lane Discount Statue - Although the huge statue in front of the Country Lane Discount store may look like a cartoon character, the fact of the matter is, he's so cool, you have to check him out! With an American flag in one hand and his other hand fisted in the pocket of his overalls, there's no way you'd want to miss this giant Southerner.





And, of course, another cool bridge ....

Ghost Bridge - There lies a bridge near the University of North Alabama with many terrible tales attached to it. From slave hangings, to animal killings and KKK meetings, there are many who believe the bridge is haunted and definitely spooky.  They are actually tearing down the bridge because of vandalism.  Personally, I didn't get a "spooky" vibe ....







Frank Lloyd Wright - Rosenbaum House - The Rosenbaum House was built for the Rosenbaum family in 1939. "The house is the only structure designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the state of Alabama, and the only such house in the southeast that is opened to the public."

 

The Palace Ice Cream & Sandwich Shop - Enjoy milkshakes, chocolate malts, sundaes, and huge banana splits at the lovingly restored Palace Ice Cream & Sandwich Shop. The original Palace Drug Store was built in 1906 and the original soda fountain was removed in the 1960s, but new owners (a couple that met here and married) restored the fountain a few years back and although the drug store's gone, a meal and dessert here is a step into an older era of old-fashioned ice cream treats.

After lunch, as I was driving down Main Street to my next stop, I happened upon Spring Park.  What a great park!

Absolutely gorgious day .... sunny, clear, warm with a perfect breeze.

This part of Tennessee/Alabama seems to have quite a bit of cold wind, but today it's just a pleasant breeze.









 I was going to stop at Helen Keller's birthplace, but there was road construction and the street was blocked off.  The officer didn't think it was necessary to let me through.  ha. 

I thought this water tower was cool ... it actually says "Toscumbia Birthplace of Helen Keller" on it.  Maybe I should have cropped the picture to enlarge the tower, but I liked the flags flying in the foreground.

Rattlesnake Saloon - It is actually in a cave!

Coon Dog Cemetery - No trip through northwest Alabama history is complete without a stop at Coon Dog Cemetery, which holds more than 185 coon dogs interred among unique headstones and epitaphs. Annually on Labor Day, the cemetery hosts a celebration that includes buck dancing, singing, liars' contest, and barbecue.  To say that the Key Underwood Coon Dog graveyard is a pet cemetery would be an incorrect assumption. The cemetery is only for Coon Hounds and no other type of animal. So no, you can't bury your Husky here or your Pug; it ain't gonna happen. Coon Dogs only!



I only gave myself 11 days in this area and I really needed more time to do it justice.  There is more to see the next time I stop here.