New Best Friends

While in Huntsville, AL, we visited the Historic Slave Cemetery. There were no individual gravestones but it is a commemoration of the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of slaves buried there. "On September 3, 1818, the Huntsville City Commissioners purchased two acres of land from Leroy Pope for a "burying ground" for slaves. This cemetery was located within the NE quarter of Section 1, Township 4, Range 1 West of the Base of the Meridian. It was affectionately known as "Georgia" within the black community. The cemetery continued to be used from 1818 until 1870 when Glenwood Cemetery was designated as the city's burial ground for African Americans. No known records have survived" - Alabama Historical Association, 2001.


Across the field from there is the Glenwood Cemetery. 1,148 gravestones mark burial sites of slaves as well as prominent black citizens. It is estimated that as many as 9,000 or 10,000 unmarked burial sites remain to be identified. In 1993 students of the Academy of Science and Foreign Language began a project to uncover the cemetery's secrets. If you'd like to read more about this project click here.

Mom spent the afternoon at Glenwood uploading photos to findagrave.com before taking me to a dog park where I ran and ran and ran. I loved spending time with the other dogs. I even found a human who threw a ball for about an hour. I haven't quite figured out that I'm supposed to bring it back. It was much easier to train the human to come get it where I dropped it. He didn't quite understand what he was supposed to do at first, but when I brought the ball half way back and dropped it, I looked at him, then at the ball, then back at him, then at the ball. He finally figured out he was supposed to come get it and throw it again. After I had him trained we had great fun together.

Our next stop was in Rogersville, AL. Ron and Cindy were our hosts and were very welcoming and helpful. Ron has been an RVer for over 20 years and has been just about everywhere. Mom and Dad really connected with them, and their dog Champ. We were scheduled for a 2 day stay but they invited us to stay 4 days. They treated us like visiting family. Champ smelled the treats Mom always carries in her pocket for training me and he became her shadow. Those peanut butter dog biscuits could win anyone over. Well maybe not humans, but definitely dogs!

During one conversation Mom mentioned that she goes to cemeteries and photographs the grave sites for findagrave.com. Cindy was very interested in the why's and how's of this so Mom invited her to go with her the next day. They went to Anderson Cemetery in Anderson and photographed 73 grave stones. They even found a grave stone that had a different name than the listed one had but was clearly the same person. Another several had different dates than what was on the listing, and 2 of them had gravestones for the same person in 2 different locations, one the original and the other a newer one. Mom said doing this work is like being a detective. Sometimes you have to follow the clues to lead you to the correct person. Mom showed Cindy how to upload the photos to findagrave.com and set Cindy up with her own findagrave user name.

Cindy was also very interested in family history work so Mom set her up with an account on familysearch.org and showed her how to enter information on her ancestors. Cindy has a book of genealogy on her father's ancestors which will keep her busy for a long time. Mom told her that if she goes back far enough she will most likely tie in to someone else's research which will bring her back even further. Sure enough, she entered her grandfather, then Mom showed her how to find that person, and that connected to someone's else's family tree that went all the way back to the 1400s in France!

Our time there came to an end and we said goodbye to our new best friends as we moved on to our new site at Nachez Trace RV Park in Hohenwald, TN. This is about an hour from Nashville so I'm sure we'll be visiting there. It's also about an hour ride to visit some dear friends in Holladay, TN, who were Mom's mentor when she first got sheep. They're in the middle of lambing season so maybe Mom will get a chance to help deliver some lambs.

--Cruz

Leaving Arley, AL

Our 2 weeks at Hidden Cove RV Camp is at an end so it's time to pack up our traveling house and mosey on to the next location. The way our membership to Thousand Trails works is that we can spend up to 2 weeks at their campgrounds, then have to spend 7 days out of the system before spending another 2 weeks at another RV camp. So that 7 days we find people registered through boondockerswelcome.com. We're headed to Athens, AL for 3 days, Rogersville, AL for 2 days, Lawrenceville, TN for 2 days, then on to Nachez Trace RV Camp in Hohenwald, TN for 2 weeks.

Leaving the Arley area we saw this unique truck parked at what looked like an old service garage.






Mom noticed these red As all over the place. Apparently it's the logo for the University of Alabama. However, before Mom knew this she mused that Nathaniel Hawthorne must be popular in this area. The Scarlet Letter was one of her favorites.

Camilias blooming

Spring is coming in AL. Camelias are blooming, bushes are starting to get leaves and we hear peepers every night.

"Helping" Dad eat breakfast

Will keep you posted when we reach our next 2 week stay in TN.

--Cruz

Arley, AL, Library

While at Hidden Cove RV Park in Arley, AL Mom decided to do some family history work by photographing gravestones for findagrave.com which has the largest gravesite collection in the world with over 180 million memorials documented. Many of these records don't have actual photos of the gravesite. Sometimes a person doing genealogical research will request a photo. Other times memorials just need a documenting photo so it's there when someone is doing research. Mom said this would give her something to do.

During her research she visited Arley Public Library. Upon entering she noticed a tile floor and walls in the foyer that had people's names on them. She found this interesting and inquired what it was for. She was told that the old library was just a small trailer. Then Arley decided to build a real library and did a fundraiser where people could purchase a tile for a donation. The effect is quite unique.

Tiles on one wall at Arley, AL Public Library

This is the history of the Arley Library: "When a tornado destroyed the Carl Elliot Library in Jasper [AL] in April, 1974, they offered to set up a branch library in Arley if the town would furnish a librarian and a house for it. The Town Council was involved in getting the water system set up and asked the Women's Club about making the provision for the library. They decided to try to make the arrangements even though a great deal of financing was needed. Since there was no building available, the decision was made to have a trailer built that would be suitable. A plant at Addison agreed to build one for $2900 without the lights. Dolphus Smith said he would give the lights. Since the plant requested cash, the women had bake sales, road blocks, donation request and other fund raising activities. We had only $800, so about a dozen women signed a note and borrowed $2100. Dorthen Wadsworth allowed us to set the trailer up on his lot indefinitely or until he needed the lot. A trucker brought the shelves and books from Jasper and the Club got William Knight to install the shelves. The books were catalogued and shelved. The Club hired Peggy Hyatt to work six hours a week as librarian. Later, they were able to get free help from two ladies who were on Federal Work programs. After their time expired, the Club was given the services of Beulah Fincher who was also on a Federal Work program. She is now paid by the town council. The council has also paid the utility bills and the per capita fee all along, but the Club has paid the insurance, repair bills, and the expenses of any added equipment. The library is an asset to the community. Since the library was opened for public use in September, 1974, it has served hundreds of people throughout the local area as well as the surrounding areas."

A 2nd wall

The library floor in the entryway

Thought you'd like to know a little about the lake we were at in Arley. Hidden Cove RV Campground is on the shore of Lewis Smith Lake which is actually a reservoir created by the Lewis Smith Dam. One of the largest earthen dams in the eastern US, it stretches 2200 feet in length and reaches a height of 300 feet. The lake is located on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River and covers 21,000 acres. Being the deepest lake in Alabama it has a depth of 264 feet. It has over 500 miles of shoreline. It was a bit on the cool side for the 2 weeks we were at Hidden Cove and rained much of the time so we didn't get to enjoy any water activities, which is fine with Mom since she's very much a landlubber. But I've heard that the temperature of the lake in the summer averages 80 degrees. I would have surely liked to take a dip in that!

Till next time,

--Cruz

Arley, AL

Traveling the open road is fun, but sometimes it's nice to be in one place for a while. We were at Hidden Cove RV Camp in Arley, AL for 2 weeks. Mom and Dad chose a site w-a-y down at the end right near a big field so they could let me run off leash for a bit every day. Of course I went crazy out there and didn't want to come when Mom called. At first I would come for a treat but then I figured that measly little dog treat just wasn't worth losing my freedom over. Mom had to find better treats. She discovered I really like pepperoni. So now instead of calling "come" she yells out "pepperoni". Didn't take me long to learn what that word means but now I think the neighbors think my name is pepperoni.



A trip to Winston County seat brought us past the jail at Houston, which is the only surviving log jail in north Alabama. If you click on the picture you can read about its history.

Houston jail

Main room inside jail

Smaller prisoner room

Nails in walls to discouraged sawing

Mom found the nails peppering the walls interesting. They were to make it very difficult to escape by sawing your way through the 2" thick walls.

Doorway for much shorter people than Dad

I'll update you more about Arley, AL in my next post.

--Cruz

Fried Green Tomatoes, Uncle Remus, and the tornado

Whistle Stop Cafe, Juliette, GA

If anyone has seen the movie Fried Green Tomatoes you must be kindred spirits to my Mom. She loves that movie. Our next boondocking location was in Carrollton, GA, about an hour southwest of Atlanta. We had an opportunity to visit the Whistle Stop Cafe in Juliette, GA. This is the cafe that was in that movie. In preparation for visiting there, Mom and Dad watched the movie again. It had been years since Mom had seen it and there were many parts she didn't remember. I sometimes watch TV and enjoyed parts of this one.

The section of town where the cafe is located is pretty much the way it's depicted in the movie. The buildings looked like they did when filmed. Mom did wonder how they get away with all the old clapboards and peeling paint with their insurance companies. Ours insisted on keeping up with repairs at our house and got upset when the paint started peeling. Only Mom would think of things like that.

Inside the Whistle Stop Cafe, Juliette, Ga

Old shoe shine stand inside Whistle Stop Cafe

Here's some photos of that section of the town so you can see that it has been kept the same as it would have been in that era.

Opry House, Juliette, GA

Court House & Sheriff's office, Juliette, GA

Juliette, GA

After leaving Juliette, we ventured over to Eatonton, GA to visit the Uncle Remus Museum. Mom used to read Uncle Remus stories to her kids when they were young and I understand she was quite good with the accents. Ask her to read you the story about the Laughing Place if you ever get a chance.

Uncle Remus Museum, Eatonton, GA

Wild roses scented the air at the Uncle Remus Museum

While we were at our RV site a tremendous storm rolled through with thunder and lightening, high winds and a tornado watch. Our hosts were quite concerned about the wind and offered for us to go to their house to ride out the storm. Fortunately we were parked on the leeward side of their barn and hardly noticed the wind. At one point, however, the sky to the north became pitch dark and the wind began to roar. Mom got a little nervous and seriously considered heading for the house. She's often joked that tornadoes are God's answer to trailer parks. I assume that would also apply to RVs. Of course, if a tornado had touched down we wouldn't have been any safer in the house. 

The place we stayed was a small hobby farm with goats, chickens, and a donkey. The people were very nice and gave Mom a big scoop of feed to feed the animals. While Mom really enjoys this snow birding thing, I know she misses her goats. It was good that she got to enjoy them while we were here.

Jonquils along the roadside in Carrollton, GA

After the storm we saw beautiful jonquils that were dotting the roadsides and fields, greeting the rainy morning with a splash of cheerful sunshine color.
















We were at the farm for 5 days, then headed to Arley, AL to spend 2 weeks at Hidden Cove RV park. Will update date you next time about our adventures there.

Waiting to begin the next adventure

--Cruz

Redecorating

Whenever Mom moves she always likes to redecorate to make the place more “her”. Our traveling house is no exception.

First, she took out the dinette that she said only skinny people could sit at, and replaced it with a table that you can eat at, and

that doubles as a piano table if you move the keyboard forward. It has storage underneath, which is really needed when you live in such a small place.

The old love seat had a center console with drink holders. There wasn't enough room for Mom, Dad, Sammy and me to all sit at the same time without someone being in the wrong lap. So that got replaced with a regular size sofa. Now we all have room to sit. Of course, both Sammy and I still like to sit in laps but at least we all have room to move around.

Next, she removed the cornices and covered the top part with fabric to match the new curtains. Then she replaced the dark blinds with pull down shades that roll up completely out of the way during the day. More sunlight now comes in and the whole place is more colorful and cheerful. Of course, Dad helped at lot. 

So the redecorating of the slide-out section is now complete. Mom says she has plans for other areas. We'll see what she comes up with. (I've heard rumors that the bedroom is next.) I'll keep you posted.

--Cruz

Moving Days

Most people move only a few times in their lives. Some move much more frequently. We move every few days. And today is moving day from a campsite we've been at for 2 weeks to a place we're staying for 5 days. On the plus side, we move our house with us so there's no packing and unpacking. Sort of. Instead of packing individual things like dishes and clothes, we pack the whole RV. Everything has to be secured so that nothing flies around during travel. Starting at the far end of the RV, here's the checklist:

Strap securing bedroom door

Make sure everything in bedroom is secure and stowed away properly.
Secure bedroom door with tie-back strap.

Wash, dry and put away all dishes.

Give kitchen a general cleaning, putting away anything that doesn't belong on the counter.

Put anything that does belong on the counter in the sink to secure it.

Counter stuff in sink

Put dog treats in drawer of dog stuff. (Wait, Mom, just put those in the truck so we can have snacks along the way!)

Close glass stove cover.

Turn refrigerator off electric and on gas. (It's supposed to be automatic but that hasn't been our experience.)

Make sure there's nothing in the fridge that can tip over and spill.

Make sure fridge doors are snapped closed.

Keyboard stored under table

Put music books in cabinets under table.

Put keyboard on floor under table.

Tip over bar stools.

Secure TV straps.

Bathroom items stored in shower

Take everything off bathroom sink area and shower shelves. Put them into basket.

Put basket, garbage can, water jugs and dog dishes into shower.

Hook shower door closed.

Leave bathroom door open. (It will swing around during travel but the leveling/unleveling of the trailer makes the latch off kilter so door gets stuck. That's a story for another time.)

Make sure everything in cupboards throughout is secure so you don't get an avalanche on your head next time you open the door. (Ask Mom how she knows this!)

Make sure all cupboard doors throughout are securely latched.

Turn off heat and water heater.

Make sure all windows and roof vents are completely closed.

Shake out area rugs.

Sweep floor.

Pull in slide out and awning.

Turn off lights.

Put up steps.

Close and latch entry door.

While Mom is busy doing this, Dad is busy getting the outside ready:

Put dogs in truck so we're out of everyone's way.

Flush black water (aka poop) tank if we're at a site that has a sewer dump.

Flush gray water tanks, again if available at the site we're at.

Store sewer hose.

Unhook fresh water hookup up if available and store hose (not near black/gray water drain hose).

Unhook shore power if we have it or generator if there's no electric available at the site, and store power cord.

Make sure all tools and equipment are properly stored.

Pick up door mat and patio mat and put in back of truck.

Unhook dog tie-out and put in back of truck.

Pull up levelers.

Put ground pads that levelers sit on and chuck blocks away.

Hook up trailer to truck.

Properly affix stabilizer sway bars.

Retract tongue jack and put block it sits on in back of truck.

Secure bedroom door from outside so it doesn't swing open during travel.

Make sure Mom's bicycle is properly secured on back ladder of trailer.

Look around campsite and pick up any doggy poop that might have been missed.

If there wasn't a black/gray water dump at the site we were at, we have to search out a dump site somewhere on the trip. Most RV dealers have dumps available but it requires us to travel there to use their facilities. It's really nice if there's one available at our campsite because water sloshing around in those tanks while driving makes the trailer bounce and sway more.

This sounds like a lot of work, but in reality, it goes pretty quickly, especially once you get used to the routine. Of course, when we get to the new campsite, this process has to be reversed, with a few exceptions, the main one being emptying the tanks. If we aren't at a site that has water hookup, we would have had to put some water in the fresh water tank somewhere along the way. Most places that have an RV dump also have fresh water hookup. But we look for sites that have fresh water available so we don't have to travel with a full tank. Since water weighs about 8 lbs per gallon, and our fresh water tank holds 60 gallons, you can imagine the travel strain with water on board. Add to that the 30 gal black water tank, and 30 gal gray water tank, and you're talking some serious sloshing!

I'm kinda bored till we get to our new site.

The RV life has been a learning curve but more about our mishaps in another post. For now we're on the road again heading to our next camp site where there are new people to meet and new things to sniff out. Ahhh, the life of a dog! Always a new adventure!

--Cruz