Tinker and Tanker's Adventures

In conjuction with Von's 50th birthday, we took a trip down to Alabama to visit Andrew and Kelly Marie. It was so interesting to see that part of the country - here is a short daily travelog-Thanks Andrew and Kelly for being such great hosts - we had a WONDERFUL time!

Day 1 Our first full day in Tuscaloosa, Andrew and Kelly showed us around the U of Alabama campus - it has a lot of interestin history founded in 1831. Then later that night we had a candlelight picnic at nearby Lake Lurleen (isn't that a Southern sounding name?) - It was so beautiful and perfect weather - straight out of the movies.

Day 2 - Kelly had class so Andrew, Von and I took a little road trip to Moundville, AL (about 15 miles away) to see the mounds. These are small hills built by early Indian tribes before 1000 AD. There are 29 mounds that originall had a huge log fence built around the entire complex. The University has done several archilogical digs there - very interesting! That evening we ate at Full Moon BBQ - which happened to be on one of the main highways into town, we watched hundereds of RV's roll in for the game the next day.

We had never seen anything like it- all there to tailgate all night! Then we had the chance to go to the Uiversity of Alabama women's volleyball game- it was amazing, very good!

Day 3 - GAME DAY- Alabama vs. Kentucky

Going to an SEC game, and especially one at Alabama is an amazing site to behold. First Bryant Denney (holds 92,000+) stadium doesn't have it's own parking lot or even a large one nearby, so for a mile all around the central part of the University, all the large parking lots are reserved for the thousands of RV's that people bring in for the home games. All other parking lots and open grassy areas around the university are covered with pop-up tents for tailgate parties including the Quad -about 10 acres in the middle of campus. Luckily Andrew and Kelly only live about 8 blocks from the stadium, so we easily walked. Andrew has a job during home games supervising a portion of the skyboxes, making sure things are taken care of - so Kelly Marie, Von and I sat in the student section, which surprizingly was much tamer that at U of Oregon! We were 3rd row right in front of the cheerleaders - so it's not a surprize that we have memorized all their cheers - "It's great to be from Alabam-" and of course what would a home game be without 92,000 fans rocking out to Lynard Skynard "Sweet Home Alabama"! The game was awesome - they won 17 - 14.

Day 4 - Sunday morning we got up and drove down to Orange Beach, Alabama. The coast is absolutely beautiful - just like Florida beaches, white sand, mid 80's -mild water. We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn right on the beach and it had a great pool and jucuzzi with an ocean view. The pictures tell the story! Then later that night we had dinner at Lambert's - home of the flying rolls! What a place this was- good Southern cooking. You ordered your dinner off the menu, then during dinner people would walk around with big pots or bowls of black eyed peas, fried potatoes and onions, fried okra, etc. and would dish you up right to your plate - we all left stuffed, but all agreed it was the BEST restaurant we'd ever eaten at-