All Things Southern

I fulfilled a longtime dream last weekend. I spent the Weekend in Alabama. I really have wanted to visit the South for a long time, and since my good friends Roz, Thad and Michael now live there, I thought it was the perfect time to go. The trip was wonderful from the time I left DC to the time I got back. Here is a quick recap:

On the Train to BWI I sat by a lawyer from the DOJ who told me there was a shooting right by the Ghetto Shoe store that morning, about an hour or two before I was there. An avid Science Fiction junkie and Roller Coaster enthusiast sat across from us and I learned that Babylon 5 (B5) is the best science fiction series because of the Spirits and the Rangers and that the Millennium Force roller coaster at Cedar Point is "not for the novice." I would ride the train again just to sit by her.

On the plane to Alabama I chatted with the nicest Southern man the whole ride. He told me many highlights of Tuscaloosa and Birmingham and this is where I decided that I would probably be eating my way through the state. Which I accomplished nicely.

Michael picked me up from the airport and we drove to the Gulf Shores. On the way, needing sunscreen, we stopped at... WALMART. I gave up shopping at Walmart around 7 years ago, and haven't gone back since. But, I figured since the theme of the weekend was "All Things Southern", it wouldn't be complete without a trip (and it was the easiest store to find). It was as dingy as I remember.

The beach was wonderful. The water was perfect and the white sand beach was beautiful. At this point I was ready to move to Alabama. I was really enjoying it there. After the beach we stopped at a Gulf Shores staple, Lambert's Cafe "Home of the Throwed Roll." The walk around with huge homemade rolls and if you want one, they toss it to you. Or they will throw it from across the room, you just catch and eat. They also serve unlimited side dishes such at collard greens (the only southern food I didn't like), friend okra (mmm!) and sweet potatoes. I happily tasted everything.

On our way back, we were driving at night. We were trying to be careful, but unfortunately after coming around a bend, we saw an armadillo in the road. Poor little guy, we tried to swerve around him, but...

Heading back to Tuscaloosa was great, especially great to see Roz and her new home sweet home. We also met up with Katie and Nikki and took a tour of town and the town's religious institution, the University of Alabama. Seriously, the football stadium is more like a shrine.

Katie and I decided to play a little football in front of the stadium. I don't know if we will be recruited anytime soon. We also got to hug our favorite (?) past Alabama football coach, Paul "the Bear" Bryant. He is kind of a big deal in Tuscaloosa. He also brought back houndstooth. Tuscaloosa is a great city with such southern charm. And good food. I also ate grits and Dreamland Barbecue where you dip wonder bread in the BBQ sauce. Luckily we also found a running path through the woods. While running, we heard a noise, looked down and there was a little family of armadillos hanging out just off the path.

This is a statue of Big Al, the Alabama mascot. He is fierce.