Blowing Rock, Blowing Rock NC

At the entrance of Blowing Rock

The Blue Ridge with Grandfather Mountain in the background. Ever wonder why they are called the "BLUE" Ridge?

With Blowing Rock in the bacground. Located 4000 feet above sea level. Legend has it that a Chickasaw chieftan, fearful of a white man's admiration for his lovely daughter brought his daughter to the Blowing Rock. One day she spied a Cherokee brave and soon the 2 were inseperable. The brave received a sign of trouble in his homeland and had to return. He leaped from the rock to the wilderness below.The maiden prayed everyday for his return until one day a gust of wind brought him back to the rock from the valley below. This is the explanation for the strange winds that blow here even causing snow to fall upside down

Mast General Store

Mast General Store - been in business in this location since 1883. Located outside of Boone, NCMom shopping in the general store

Inside the general store --- we got to go shopping. If we had credit cards we could have bought the store out

Lake Lure, North Carolina

By the shores of Lake Lure in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina

Looking to the mountains. Can you spot the waterfall way up there?

Chimney Rock North Carolina

Along a stream looking up towards Chimney Rock

Mom wanted us to pose but there were lots of good smells we had to get to. Posing just had to wait

Sunset Rock, Highlands, NC

we hiked a mile round trip to Sunset Rock. On the trail to the top.

We made it to the top of Sunset Rock overlooking Highlands NC. What a magnificent view.

waterflls of NC-Blue Ridge

Bridal Falls in the heart of the Blue Ridge.

Waterfalls all along the road

Alabama Wineries

Vizzini winery north of Montgomery. Good wines. Mom had to have a taste and we got a chance to stretch our legs.

The tasting room

Another winery, Wills Creek, this one NE of Birmingham. We have hit 3 Alabama wineries so have this state covered.

Court Square Fountain and White House of Confederacy

The first White House of the Confederacy. Presdent Jefferson Davis and his family lived here for 3 months before the capitol was moved to Richomond, VA. It was build in 1832-1835.

Court Squaqre Fountain built in 1885 and constructed over an exisying artesian basin and was the site of the trading post for the buying and selling of slaves before and during the Civil War. Two views of it. This one lookingat the Winter Building from where the telegram was sent from the Confederate Secretary of War authorizing the Confederate General (GEN Beauregard)to fire on Ft Sumter and the Civil War began.

The fountain with the Montgomery State Captiol in teh background.

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Hank Williams landmarks around Montgomery

Hank Williams Museum-contains lots of goodies including the 1952 baby blue cadillac that he died in on 1 Jan 1953 in West Virginia on his way to perform in Canton, Ohio. There is also lots of suits, cowboy hats and boots, autographed record albums and furnsishing of his home.

THe burial place of Hank and Audrey Williams. Hank is on the right and Audrey on the left. She died in 1975

Chris - a famous hot dog eatry. This is one of Hank Williams favorite places to eat. He would come in for one of thier famous hot dogs and a coke. They were good. Mom bought us each one but we didn't get the special sauce that goes with it. Mom says that is what makes it special.

Hank Williams statue looking across the street to the Montgomery Auditorium. His funeral was held here. 2500 inside the auditorium and another 28,000 in the park where his statue is now located. Stars of the Grand Old Opery were all in attendance and sank special songs.

Hank Williams statue in the park across the street from where his funeral took place. Hank Williams JR, his son, was the driving force behind obtaining the statue and placing it.

Alabama Capitol Building

On the steps of the front of the capitol building. One of the few state capitol to be designated a National Historical Landmark.

The Alabama state captiol is a Greek revival structure with a 90 foot white dome. Constructed in 1851served as the ccapitol of the Confederacy during the first 3 months of the CIvil War. Jefferson Davis took the oath of office as President of the Confederacy on the front step. The articles of secession and the Constitution of the Confederacy were drafted in the old senate chamber. On these same steps is where Civil Rights March ended (Selma to Mongomery) and Dr Martin Luther King delivered a stirring speech.

The Confederate Memorial on the captiol grounds. Jefferson Davis returned to Montgomery for the last time in 1886 to lay the cornerstone of the monment.

Hank Williams home in Georginia AL

We had to stop and visit the boyhood home of one of the all time great country western singers, Hank Williams

Margaret was our hostess and let us in the home. Mom even let us off the leash for a bit. We had the run of the place. Margaret was so nice to us.

With a statue of Hank Williams. The spotlight is an origional from the Louisiana Hayride

Some furnishings from Hank's home in Nashville, TN. We wanted to jump on the bed to try it out but Mom wouldn't let us.

To Kill A Mockingbird

We stopped in Monroeville., AL home of Harper Lee and Truman Capote. To Kill a Mockingbird was based on composites in and around Monroeville. The character, Dill, was based on Truman Capote who lived with his cousin during the summers next door to the Harper Lee family

The courthouse. Hollywood made a reproduction of the outside and inside for the movie. Does it look familarInside the courthouse from the upstairs balcony. Now have to watch the movie again and reread the book.

Perdido Winery

Allie made a new friend, Lulu at the winery. Greys and Maltese's, a friendship made in heaven. So while Mom talked and drank wine, we bonded.

Perdido winery in Alabama. Of course we had to stop and sample some of the good stuffWe had a place to relax and rest while Mom tasted the wine. Lots of folks came by and stopped by to pet us.. They asked so many questions about us and Mom answered all the inquiries. She sure likes to brag on us - how good we are and how we love to travel. As Mom says, wine and greyhounds, it just doesn't get any better than that. Don't we look cute

Outside the main building of the winery

Fairhope, AL

The purple Martin

On the boardwalk at Fairhope. Home to Purple Martins, a large swallow who winters over here on their long flights between South America and North America

Scenes of Daphine Island

On one of the cannons at FT Gaines, A Confederate fort built at the entrance to Mobile Bay to protect Mobile from Union forces. This is where ADM Farragut uttered the famous words, Dam the torpedoes, Full speed ahead. Farragut with his 18 ships were steaming forward when the lead ship, Tecumsah hit a torpedo, today a mine, and sank with 2 minutes killing 90 sailors. The ships behind were faltering when Farragut shouted his famous words. His ships rallied and the forts were forced to surrender thus giving the North the Confederate Fort. The sea behind us is where ADM Farragut ships were steaming from

Bellingrath Gardens - beautiful spot for mother and daughter, Jean and Jen, The owners of the garden were instrumental in the bottling and distribution of Coca Cola

Grandfather, my brother Dale, and grandson, Chad fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.

Daphine Island

On the ferry going across Mobile Bay from Daphine Island to Gulf Shores. Fun ride. From the top is great nieces and nephews, David, Chad, Jen, Sister in law-Susan, Brother Dale and me.

Outside the beach house - what a nice place.