Chapter Twenty Two - A Traveler's Guide to Everything - Alabama

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO EVERYTHING

HELLO ALABAMA

If someone was to decide what they thought of Alabama as a travel destination by looking at the state's tourism website would decide that Alabama is a dull, lackluster of a state not worth a second look and I believe that assumption is a pack of horse poo!!

Alabama's travel guide cover shows a different side of Alabama that the website seemingly forgot to show on its dull cluster of a website.

THE OFFICIAL DULL ALABAMA TOURISM DEPARTMENT WEBSITE --- 

According to the official site, this is what Alabama is all about!!!

Welcome to the Alabama Tourism Department website, the industry professional’s source for the latest news and resources surrounding Alabama travel.

I don't know about you, but that just screams, "Don't go to Alabama, it so boring!! So dull!! You'll want to slit your wrists before going to Alabama!!!" And some people would agree, "Never ever go to Alabama!! You'll want to kill yourself!!!"

But lets dig deeper.

Come, join us on our trip to Alabama.

According to the Google Search, this is the real Alabama!!!

Lots of state there, stretching up from the Gulf Coast, up inland, there has to be something there more than just, "This is the Alabama Tourism Website, nothing to see her, frack off!!!"

According to the Google ----

Alabama is a southeastern U.S. state that’s home to significant landmarks from the American Civil Rights Movement. The city of Birmingham's 16th Street Baptist Church, now a museum, was a protest headquarters in the 1960s. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s church and the Rosa Parks Museum, dedicated to the activist, can be found in the capital of Montgomery.

And history too??? Sounds fun!!!

"No!!"

Come on, lets explore.

1. U.S. Space and Rocket Center - Huntsville, Alabama -- Space stuff!! Woo!! Go into space without even leaving Earth!

2. Gulf State Park - Shores, Alabama - 

Gulf State Park has two miles of beaches, a spacious campground and a brand new Lodge and Conference Center to greet you. Yes, we have gorgeous white sand,surging surf, seagulls and a variety of activities, but there is more than sand and surf to sink your toes into. 

3. Cheaha State Park - Delta, Alabama - 

Surrounded completely by the Talladega National Forest, Cheaha State Park is ideal for access to the Kentuck ORV-ATV Trail. Additionally, the park is home to the Cheaha Trailhead of the Pinhoti Trail, which connects with the Appalachian Trail and accesses the Odum Scout Trail, and the Chinnabee Silent Trail. Here hikers can experience tranquility, native wildlife, and beautiful waterfalls. Check our events page for nature programs! 

4. Oak Mountain State Park - Pelham, Alabama - 

From its humble beginning as a 940-acre park atop Double Oak Mountain established by the Alabama State Lands Act of 1927, Oak Mountain State Park has grown to 9,940 acres making it Alabama’s largest state park. With the largest land-area, one of the widest varieties of outdoor activities of any state park, and its proximity to Birmingham, Oak Mountain is a perfect stop while traveling to and from the state’s largest city. Topping it all off is the park’s stunning physical landscape, which alone makes for an unforgettable experience.

Oak Mountain State Park has once again been awarded the coveted "Certificate of Excellence" from Tripadvisor! 

5. Fort Morgan Historic Site - Mobile Point, Alabama - (Too many pictures to select just one, go check out there website!! Go look!! Go look!!!) - Located on Mobile Point, at the end of Scenic Fort Morgan Peninsula, Fort Morgan Historic Site has a diverse number of activities to make your vacation a memorable one.

Preceded by another fort, Fort Bowyer during the War of 1812, Fort Morgan is a Third System masonry fort built between 1819 and 1833. Standing guard where the bay meets the Gulf of Mexico, the fort played a significant role in the Battle of Mobile Bay in August 1864. Used intermittently through the Spanish American War, World War I and World War II, the site showcases the evolution of seacoast fortifications and adaptations made by the U.S. Army for the defense of the country. In 1946 the site was turned over to the State of Alabama as a historic site.

The grounds offer more than just history, the site also has nature areas,  a boat launch, picnic area, and beaches for visitors to enjoy. Whatever your reason for visiting,  make sure Fort Morgan State Historic Site  is a part of your visit to Alabama's beautiful Gulf Coast!  110 HWY 180 Gulf Shores AL

GOOGLE TRAVEL GUIDE --- lots of other stuff to see and do, we'll probably pull a few out for future entries in the travel guide.

Alabama seems to be filled with a lot of sites to explore and check out. See you on the road to Alabama!!

A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO STATES YOU WOULDN'T THINK OF VACATIONING TO CHAPTER TWELVE KEARNEY NEBRASKA

A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO STATES YOU WOULDN'T THINK OF VACATIONING TO

- CHAPTER TWELVE-

KEARNEY NEBRASKA - CAUSE WHY THE HECK NOT!

So another travel brochure made its way into my mail box so I decided HI TRAVELERS, WELCOME TO MY BLOG! COME ON IN AND ENJOY!

So what is the big deal about Kearney?

It's the midpoint between San Francisco, California and Boston, Massachusetts at 1733 miles from each place to the mecca of whatever!!

Isn't that exciting?

"You bet!!"

What else about Kearney?

LETS GO TO GOOGLE!!

Kearney is a city in and the county seat of Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 30,787 at the 2010 census. It is home to the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The westward push of the railroad as the Civil War ended gave birth to the community 

Can you feel the excitement? 

"Like watching paint dry without the paint!"

That's the key!!!

You have the Classic Car Collection with over hundreds of cars! (Website can be found here ---- http://www.ccckearney.com/ 

There's the Archway!

"The what? Tell me more!!"

The Archway is a museum of and monument to Nebraska's and the Platte River valley's role in westward expansion. The Archway is directly over Interstate 80 three miles east of Kearney, Nebraska. 

There's Yanney Heritage Park -the finest family park between Omaha and Denver, Colorado!!  

FREE WIFI even!!! 

Life is good with free wifi!

"Isn't it though? What else is there to do in Kearney?? It sounds fun!!"

There's the Museum of Nebraska Art!!

The Museum of Nebraska Art is the official art museum of the state of Nebraska. The museum is located in Kearney, Nebraska, and is administratively affiliated with the University of Nebraska at Kearney. 

"Oh my!! So much better than watching paint dry!! Why wasn't I told about Kearney before now? Everybody is like LETS GO TO PARIS, FRANCE!!! when we have Kearney right here, in the good ole United States of America!!!"

I know!! What the hell!!

Visit Kearney, Nebraska, the sandhill crane capital of  THE WORLD!! (Offical website can be found here --- https://visitkearney.org/  Tell them we sent you and they'll chase you out of town with a broom, so maybe don't do that!!!)

A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO STATES YOU WOULDN'T THINK OF VACATIONING TO OR A PIRATE'S LIFE Chapter Nine Jean Lafitte

- A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO LIFE AND EVERYTHING -

A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO STATES YOU WOULDN'T THINK OF VACATIONING TO OR A PIRATE'S LIFE

- CHAPTER NINE-

JEAN LAFITTE

*singing*

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for meWe pillage, we plunder, we rifle, and lootDrink up, me 'earties, yo hoWe kidnap and ravage and don't give a hootDrink up me 'earties, yo hoYo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for meWe extort, we pilfer, we filch, and sackDrink up, me 'earties, yo hoMaraud and embezzle, and even high-jackDrink up, me 'earties, yo hoYo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for meWe kindle and char, inflame and igniteDrink up, me 'earties, yo hoWe burn up the city, we're really a frightDrink up, me 'earties, yo hoWe're rascals, scoundrels, villans, and knavesDrink up, me 'earties, yo hoWe're devils and black sheep, really bad eggsDrink up, me 'earties, yo hoYo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for meWe're beggars and blighters, ne'er-do-well cadsDrink up, me 'earties, yo hoAye, but we're loved by our mommies and dadsDrink up, me 'earties, yo ho

Tis a pirate's life here at the GUIDE and as part of our STATES WE WOULDN'T THINK WOULD BE A TOURIST DESTINATION, we present PIRATES!!!

I turned on the TV and there, as if by magic, was the story of the pirate Jean Lafitte and I decided, SWEET!! 

New chapter for the guide!!!!

WHO WAS JEAN LAFITTE?

AS STOLEN BY WIKIPEDIA -
Jean Lafitte (c. 1780 – c. 1823) was a French pirate and privateer in the Gulf of Mexico in the early 19th century. He and his elder brother, Pierre, spelled their last name Laffite, but English-language documents of the time used "Lafitte". The latter has become the common spelling in the United States, including for places named after him.^[1]Lafitte is believed to have been born either in Basque-France or the French colony of Saint-Domingue. By 1805, he operated a warehouse in New Orleans to help disperse the goods smuggled by his brother Pierre Lafitte. After the United States government passed the Embargo Act of 1807, the Lafittes moved their operations to an island in Barataria Bay, Louisiana. By 1810, their new portwas very successful; the Lafittes had a profitable smuggling operation and also started to engage in piracy.
Though Lafitte warned the other Baratarians of a possible military attack on their base of operations, a United States naval force successfully invaded in September 1814 and captured most of Lafitte's fleet. Later, in return for a legal pardon for the smugglers, Lafitte and his comrades helped General Andrew Jackson defend New Orleans from the British in the final battle of the War of 1812.
The Lafittes became spies for the Spanish during the Mexican War of Independence and moved to Galveston Island, Texas, where they developed a pirate colony they called Campeche. Lafitte continued attacking merchant ships as a pirate around Central American ports until he died circa 1823, trying to capture Spanish vessels. Speculation about his life and death continues among historians. 

He died doing what he loved to do; breathing!!

I think we can all learn something from this;

Breathing is good.

Or be a pirate!!!!

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

Till next time; be a traveler!! 

A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO ROUTES, HIGHWAYS AND WHATEVER ELSE FLOATS THE BOAT - CHAPTER FIVE- ROUTE 66

- A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO LIFE AND EVERYTHING -

A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO ROUTES, HIGHWAYS AND WHATEVER ELSE FLOATS THE BOAT

- CHAPTER FIVE-

ROUTE 66

I know what you're thinking!

"What the hell? Route 66??? That's not a state!!! That's a highway!!"

And welcome to the guide you didn't realize you needed till right now.

"The hell!!! But okay, we'll listen, you got us with the Nat King Cole song --- Route 66!!!" your wife says, settling down into the nice soft chair.

"So, what the hell is Route 66 and should I care?" Hubby asks.

"Give us the Wikipedia answer!!" Wifey says, knowing full well now the procedures of this travel guide.

And we are here not to disappoint!

AS STOLEN FROM THE WIKIPEDIA

U.S. Route 66 (US 66 or Route 66), also known as the Will Rogers Highway, the Main Street of America or the Mother Road, was one of the original highways within the U.S. Highway System. US 66 was established on November 11, 1926, with road signs erected the following year.^[4] The highway, which became one of the most famous roads in the United States, originally ran from Chicago, Illinois, through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona before ending in Santa Monica, California, near Los Angeles, covering a total of 2,448 miles (3,940 km).^[5] It was recognized in popular culture by both the hit song "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" and the Route 66 television show in the 1960s.
US 66 served as a primary route for those who migrated west, especially during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, and the road supported the economies of the communities through which it passed. People doing business along the route became prosperous due to the growing popularity of the highway, and those same people later fought to keep the highway alive in the face of the growing threat of being bypassed by the new Interstate Highway System.
US 66 underwent many improvements and realignments over its lifetime, and it was officially removed from the United States Highway System in 1985,^[2] after it had been replaced in its entirety by segments of the Interstate Highway System. Portions of the road that passed through Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, and Arizona have been designated a National Scenic Byway of the name "Historic Route 66", which is returning to some maps.^[6][7] Several states have adopted significant bypassed sections of the former US 66 into the state road network as State Route 66.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66

STATES THAT ROUTE 66 MADE ITS WAY THROUGH (and some of it can still be traveled nowadays all the way, including some states (as noted with links) already covered by this wonderful and grand guide!!) Some notes are stolen from the Wikipedia entry about Route 66 and can be found above at the link provided!

I've used the famous 'Quote' function of Blogger to note these stolen sections.  ENJOY!!!

California

(The sign of US 66's western terminus at the Santa Monica Pier)

California probably will not make THE GUIDE as a separate entry but that may change or individual tourist spots that some people do not know about maybe entered as case by case (aka The Blogger discovers that Fresno, California has a sub sandwich shop that just makes you want to travel to Fresno, California for a sub!!

US 66 had its western terminus in California, and covered 315 miles (507 km) in the state.^[55] The terminus was located at the Pacific Coast Highway, then US 101 Alternate and now SR 1, in Santa Monica, California. The highway ran through major cities such as Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino. San Bernardino also contains one of the two surviving Wigwam Motels along US 66. The highway had major intersections with US 101 in Hollywood, I-5 in Los Angeles, I-15, and I-40 in Barstow, and US 95 in Needles. It also ran concurrent to I-40 at California's very eastern end.^[56]

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66_in_California

 Arizona

(US 66 marker on the corner of Navajo Boulevard and Hopi Drive in Holbrook, AZ)

Another possible entry into THE GUIDE unless The Blogger decides not to because his ADD made him spend the lot of his time in New Jersey which as we all know, is highly possible!!

In Arizona, the highway originally covered 401 miles (645 km) in the state. Along much of the way, US 66 paralleled I-40. It entered across the Topock Gorge, passing through the ghost town of Oatman along the way to Kingman.^[57] Between Kingman and Seligman, the route is still signed as SR 66. Notably, just between Seligman and Flagstaff, Williams was the last point on US 66 to be bypassed by an Interstate. Holbrook also contains one of the two surviving Wigwam Motels on the route.^[58]

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66_in_Arizona

New Mexico

(Old Route 66 westbound near I-40 exit 104)

Added to the possible states to be included in full details of future entries to THE GUIDE.  Highly probably as a state entry on its own because well, it's New Mexico and I feel it needs an entry!! 

US 66 covered 380 miles (610 km) in the state and passed through many Indian reservations in the western half of New Mexico.^[59] East of those reservations, the highway passed through Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Vegas. As in Arizona, in New Mexico, U.S. 66 paralleled I-40.^[60]

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66_in_New_Mexico 

Texas

(The Midpoint Café in Adrian, TX, at the midpoint of the route)

Probably will not be added to THE GUIDE except as a mention here. Everyone knows Texas is a whole different country even though it's a state. This refusal to give Texas its own entry in the guide may be reversed by future council meetings of The Great Guide Council of Fort Wayne, Indiana!

Okay, we may do an entry for such wonders as Paris, Texas as well as any other cities and spots we discover on our travels through time and space known as the Internet!!

US 66 covered 178 miles (286 km) in the Texas Panhandle, travelling in an east–west line between Glenrio, New Mexico and Texas and Texola, Oklahoma.^[61] Adrian, in the western Panhandle, was notable as the midpoint of the route. East of there, the highway passed through Amarillo, famous for the Cadillac Ranch, Conway, Groom, and Shamrock.

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66_in_Texas

Oklahoma

(Pavement markings indicating the historic alignment of Route 66)

Entry already scheduled to be published on September 2nd, 2018. Oklahoma definitely rocks!!

(Note - Wikipedia puts Oklahoma and Kansas together as Kansas only had three cities on the Route!)

The highway covered 267 miles (430 km) in Oklahoma. Today, it is marked by I-40 west of Oklahoma City, and SH-66 east of there. After entering at Texola, US 66 passed through Sayre, and Elk City before entering Oklahoma City.^[62] Beyond Oklahoma City, the highway passed through Edmond on its way to Tulsa. Past there, US 66 passed through northeastern Oklahoma before entering Kansas where it covered only 13.2 miles (21.2 km).^[63] Only three towns are located on the route in Kansas: Galena, Riverton and Baxter Springs.

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66_in_Oklahoma 

 Kansas

(Brush Creek rainbow bridge)

Entry already scheduled to be published on September 1st, 2018. Another rocking state!

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66_in_Kansas

Missouri

(A 1949 drive-in cinema entertained viewers before the 1953 arrival of local TV stations to Joplin-Springfield)

We sooooooo want to add this state to THE GUIDE in probably all likelihood we will. Why?

Because we can!!

US 66 covered 292 miles (470 km) in Missouri. Upon entering from Galena, Kansas, the highway passed through Joplin. From there, it passed through Carthage, Springfield, where Red's Giant Hamburg, the world's first drive-thru stands, Waynesville, Devils Elbow, and Rolla before passing through St. Louis.^[64]

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66_in_Missouri 

Illinois

(US 66 sign, Adams Street, Chicago)

Everyone knows Chicago but Illinois is more than just that so it definitely will be entered into THE GUILD.  Because well, it just seems like a rocking place to go and hide a body, oops, I mean, travel to for a tourist destination.

US 66 covered 301 miles (484 km) in Illinois. It entered Illinois in East St. Louis after crossing the Mississippi River. Near there, it passed by Cahokia Mounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The highway then passed through Hamel, Springfield, passing by the Illinois State Capitol, Bloomington-Normal, Pontiac, and Gardner.^[65] It then entered the Chicago area. After passing through the suburbs, U.S. 66 entered Chicago itself, where it terminated at Lake Shore Drive.^[66]

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66_in_Illinois 

So we made it through the Mother Road, and you know what, WE FEEL FINE!!!

So until next time, keep traveling and we'll keep a light on!!!