Sweet Alabama

I was in Alabama for a week back in the seventh grade for Space Camp but that didn't portray this friendly state as well as these past few days.

Yesterday morning in Canoe I met a group of locals who filled me in about the one earthquake they had a few years back and the current unseasonable weather patterns. "Have you ever heard of Burlingame," one man asked. "Because I was there once." Small world.

In Elba, I was awoken by the police in the middle of the night because of my unorthodox campsite (behind a restaurant). However, after learning what my endeavor is they became quite chatty asking how many tires I had gone through and why I didn't choose a Harley instead. Eventually they let me return to my slumber.

Today in Eufaula, I ate stromboli at a local shop. The owner turned out to be younger than I and her older cousin and I really hit it off. He informed me about the nearby Shorter Mansion (as seen in the flick Sweet Home Alabama) and after insisting I didn't need any provisions for the road I grabbed a drink at a local tavern on their historic main boulevard.

Crossing the border into Georgia on the MLK Causeway, clear skies and warm weather were a welcome change. After setting my clock ahead for the final time, the only concern I have as I lay near Lake Eufaula is if an alligator wakes me up this evening. Hopefully not.