"Sweet Home Alabama"

Before leaving Meridian, we wanted to visit the "Jimmie Rogers Memorial and Museum". This was his home town. You know, Tom will always be a country boy at heart, and, Jimmie Rogers is considered to be "the father of country music". It is a small, modest museum located in a lovely city park. It was obviously created with love and care by his friends and fans. He was a real "down home" kind of guy....had been a railroad brakeman (as had my grandfather). "His" railroad engine and one car stood outside the building (in the rain). The day really wasn't nice enough to enjoy the park although the resident ducks were elated! We did a quick peek at the Dentzel carousel which was built in 1896, and today is the oldest existing two-row, stationary menagerie carousel.

In no time, we crossed into Alabama. We had addressed a dilemma....we had no reservation for tonight (as we had expected to be in New Orleans for 2-3 nights)....so where would we hang our hats tonight??? Why not go to Birmingham? Yeah. Why not?!

On the way, we went through Tuscaloosa. Our plan was to visit the "Bear" Bryant museum at the University of Alabama. HOWEVER, today is Saturday and there is a HOME game! No way are we taking on that mess of traffic-crazy folks! It is obvious.... they take their football seriously.

On up the road to Birmingham...... We visited the Civil Rights Institute. They have done an incredible job of exhibiting the shameful history of racism in our country....from its beginning to the present. We learned a lot and were moved by the whole issue and particularly by the happenings in Alabama. About a year and a half ago we visited a similar museum in Memphis, Tennessee. They are both well done. Maybe it is because I never lived with racial tensions....but I just don't "get" the hatred and deliberate injustice. A dog is treated more humanely.

We also visited "The Vulcan"! Overlooking the city from atop Red Mountain, is the huge iron statue known as the Vulcan. It is a tribute to the Roman god of fire and inventor of metalwork. At 56 feet and 60 ton....it honors the city's iron industry. Quite a sight!

Onward to check in, edit pix, blog-blog-blog, and, eat at "The Full Moon BBQ". Did the Crimson Tide defeat the Georgia Bulldogs??????! We heard that State, Carolina, and Duke all lost their games today. Not a great season for the homefolk!