#alabama

WANDERERS WARMLY WELCOMED

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Welcome Centers are a wonderful place to get out of the car, find a clean restroom, and find great travel information.  Today I’m sharing info and photos of two of the most welcoming Welcome Centers which I frequent as a driver on Interstate 10. I’m including lots of reasons why you should see these two I-10 Welcome Centers and be among the wanderers warmly welcomed.

Alabama

Let’s say you have been driving East from the Mississippi Gulf Coast and need a stretch break with plenty to see and do. Set your GPS for 10226 Hall Road in Grand Bay, Alabama 36541. This beautiful and spacious Welcome Center was completed in 2016 and has been called the “Grandest of All, Like the Taj Mahal!” I kid you not, folks in Alabama really do say that!

Welcome Center in Grand Bay, Alabama.
Fabulous sculptures to appreciate.
Did Mardi Gras begin here?
Enjoy Sweet Home Alabama.

As you approach, notice the many sea creatures and coastal theme of the artwork inside and out. Once inside be sure to look at the intricate details on the floor and the ceiling. Not only can you pick up brochures, but you can also ask plenty of questions that will be kindly answered by the great staff. They can even explain some of the Mardi Gras items on display and the facts about when Mardi Gras really started in this area.

Your fabulous experience at the Grand Bay Welcome Center will get you excited to see so much more of “Sweet Home Alabama” and there is SO MUCH to see. https://alabama.travel/

Florida

After you drive from Alabama and cross into Florida, you will only need to go about 4 miles. Then you will find the Pensacola (Escambia County) Welcome Center. First you will see a Blue Angel aircraft and several other great photo ops that you will want to post on your Instagram.

Check out the great info about native bear, panther, and other animals. Then check out the adorable artwork of flamingos above the entrance. You will find wanderers warmly welcomed here as the friendly staff will offer you a free juice and excellent recommendations on whatever you may wish to do in Florida.

Florida welcomes photo ops.
Informative native animal facts.
Pink flamingos above you?
Welcoming facts all around you.

Pick up destination info on beaches, museums, parks, swamps, and so many other great attractions you may have never even thought of before. Read a few outside at the covered picnic tables, take a brief walk, then enjoy the remainder of your journey as you reflect on wanderers warmly welcomed. https://www.visitflorida.com/

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Did You Know … Tuscaloosa, Alabama

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I honestly had no idea that Tuscaloosa IS so full of unexpected sights and interesting stuff! Here are a few photos I hope you will enjoy…. and they are followed by a link to my latest article in Rovology .

Close up of a remnant of an old column.
A tank at the Veterans Park.
Unexpected sight, I had to go touch it ! You know, to prove I really saw it.
“Stonehenge” in Alabama… who knew? Just another unexpected sight.

So, now that you have taken a quick look at some of the photos that did NOT make it into this latest travel article… it seems only fair that you go to this link and see those that DID. But remember to come back HERE to leave me some nice and kind comments… because that’s what nice and kind folks should do, right?

Here’s the link: https://rovology.com/united-states/alabama/best-things-to-do-in-tuscaloosa-alabama/

Road Trip Delights & Dilemmas

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Snow! It makes colors POP…but can be treacherous!

My recent road trip in parts of Mississippi and Alabama was such a mixed bag of highs and lows, of expected and unexpected, of delights and dilemmas. I currently live in Florida, so y’all should certainly understand that I am NOT accustomed to driving (or walking) in snow.

TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI

Tupelo, MS had the worst snowfall in about 24 years, or so I was told. When it is fresh it is a joy to behold. Truth be told, I’d rather just see it on television or a travel website from here on out. I did manage to get nice photos, but sloshing around in the slush was cold, dirty, and probably more than a bit dangerous for an old broad like me who must sometimes use a cane. A cane, a purse, three cameras…I was quite the comical sight and so happy to escape unscathed.

While the snow and other complications of mixing Covid craziness with a writer’s conference did present brief moments of closures and confusion, our bunch braved weather together and managed to learn a lot and laugh a lot. Kudos to shuttle driver Chiquita Bobo who is a true road warrior! She earned my deepest admiration. Kudos to organizers Melody and Taylor who smiled through their tears and showed true determination. Their travel writing can be seen at Wherever I May Roam Blog.

Melody and I got to know one another at #STETupelo.

Although the Elvis birthplace was closed, I did slosh around and manage to get lots of pictures.

Can’t you see young Elvis learning to play guitar on this porch?

And less than a mile away I came upon this this most beautiful and breathtaking view that is simply too pretty to put into words.

Tranquility beyond words.

COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI

The next stop was the adorable small town of Columbus, Mississippi. Every single person there is a profusion of sweet Southern charm. Their accents and attitudes are alluring. Many of them are characters who deserve to be celebrated. “Mother Goose” has been advocating literacy for over 35 years. Her friend Barbara Bigelow heads Columbus Main Street and is the epitome of a Southern lady.

“Mother Goose” and Barbara Bigelow are keeping Columbus exciting and vibrant.

There is a very large historic district filled with lovely antebellum and Victorian homes that includes the birthplace of playwright Tennessee Williams.

Colorful details on the Tennessee Williams home.
This architecture abounds in Columbus, Mississippi.

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA

The next stop was Tuscaloosa, Alabama…where you should expect to hear “Roll Tide”, often. What you may not expect is the great variety of food and attractions. While there I enjoyed Mexican and Italian dishes.

Antipasto plate at DePalma’s in Tuscaloosa, Alabama…. yum.

Two of the biggest surprise discoveries that I happened upon were Hurricane Creek Park and Capitol Park.

Hurricane Creek Park.
Capitol Park (completed 1829, burned down 1923).

Driving back toward Florida I stopped many times to photograph old abandoned buildings and other roadside oddities.

The bizarre beauty of abandoned buildings.

This is what makes road trips so much fun. They combine the joy of going at your own pace, letting down the windows, and singing as loud as you like along with the radio. You just never know what wonderful sights and delights await you on your next road trip. This was a trip full of delights and dilemmas. Now my only dilemma is…when can I start my next adventure?!?!

Please follow along with me here at Embrace Southern States. I will keep you informed about upcoming travel articles, food, art, interviews, and so much more. Also you can find more on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/embracesouthernstates .

If you enjoyed any of these photos, please take a moment to let me know. Thank you.

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