Research Trip Part 1: Alabama
Now that I'm querying the story that inspired this trip, I figure it's time to actually share some of my activities in northeastern Alabama and beyond.
With our pouting dog dropped off at her grandparents’ home, and everything we needed for a week packed tightly into carry-on bags, Ryan and I embarked on a trip that we would never forget.
There isn’t much I enjoy more than pretending I have an iron stomach, and actually getting away with it. Sadly, I didn’t get away with it on the plane ride from my home state to Dallas, Texas. Dramamine saved me from certain disaster between Dallas and Birmingham!
The difference between Sacramento and Birmingham airport was stark—like opening a curtain to another, calmer reality. It could have been the day, arrival time, or being happy to land, but the few people we saw were not in such a hurry as the place we left. The very air was more relaxed.
The rental car was “a small SUV”. I think that’s code for “Hamster Car”, but that little thing sure got great gas mileage! We piled in and naturally, the first thing we did was find a place to eat. I didn’t quite catch Author Joi Miner for a quick visit, but she suggested a great food place. Juke on Crestline was fantastic! My eyes wanted it all, and my stomach sure tried to keep up.
Birmingham is simply amazing, and I wish I had more time there. I for sure need to go back and see Joi, too.
Never having been to the South during early spring, we spent the entire drive to Fort Payne enamored with what Ryan calls toothpick forests. Tall, thin, leafless trees packed together so tight that they really appeared to have toothpick qualities. Even the pine trees had no needles until their very tops jutted out from the rest of the forest and got enough room to support such an endeavor. Ground cover, too, was just as surprisingly thick with leaves, in contrast to the grass, pine, and oak around our home.
We arrived at the Bird House—our very first Air BnB experience! My favorite parts about it were the electric fireplace, hot tub, and a place in the back to have a fire outside. Set off the road, but not too far from town, it backed up to a forested area with a small waterfall. I had a great time exploring this before remembering I brought nothing to keep the ticks off me. Those bastards enjoy a good taste no matter what state they find me in, often latching onto my back where I can’t reach them. I somehow made it through this trip unscathed.
The thing that struck me the most about all of the places we went was the birds. At home during spring we have a truckload of birds in constant song—so many that it’s impossible to pick out individual sounds. But in that area of Fort Payne, Alabama, it was like the birds took turns. I could figure what kind of bird called from where. They were not on any kind of mission to belt out as much as they could. They just lived. Life seemed to slow down just a bit. The rain did not slow that day though, and we got thoroughly drenched. But it’s OK because I got to write about that in of the most vivid scenes!
We had some time to kill, so we ventured back into Fort Payne to see what looked explorable for the next day. The sock museum, railroad museum, and a few other places looked enticing. I made a note to stop at a coffee shop another friend recommended.
I was determined to make this trip as laid back as possible because I’m a nervous planner. If I finally make a plan, and something disrupts it, I get all flustered. So… no plan. Just places to check off my list and people to meet! That’s quite enough for this introvert.
My list for the Alabama/Tennessee/Georgia triangle
Willstown Mission site
Buck’s Pocket State Park
Bellefonte—the most interesting cemetery we saw!
Guntersville
Ross’s Landing
Red Clay State Historic Park
Cherokee Rock Village
Little River Canyon
New Echota State Historic Park
As I make new posts about these places, I’ll link them to the above list. The separate list in my head—you know, the one we don’t write but remind ourselves of every few hours—held the people I wanted to see! Vee, one of my beta readers, was most gracious to let us tag along for a bit. Ranger Greenwood of Bucks Pocket drove (or I should say carried) us around and talked about the history and landscape of Bucks Pocket. I am incredibly thankful to have met these wonderful people.
Next up will be Willstown and the Fort Payne historic site. For now, here are some photos of the town. I was too dazzled by the experience to take as many photos as I should have, but here we are!
