Alabama....

We crossed into Alabama

First stop was Dothan...mural capital of Alabama. 

Dothans other claim to fame is being the Peanut Capital of the World and is where the National Peanut Festival is held each year

and hence the reason for this Large Gold Peanut being displayed. One-fourth of the US peanut crop is produced in this area.

We did a drive through Union Springs where they have some beautiful historic homes,

then made our way to Birmingham which is probably famous for being the centre for Civil Rights movements in the US in the 1950's and 60's. When we arrived at our hotel (always very cheap accommodation) this was the scene we were met with...4 police cars, 2 fire engines and a paramedic.  We immediately questioned our decision to stay in this part of the city, but check in anyway.  Turns out it was the wrong hotel...so they all ran back out of the building as we walked in! It was like a comedy sketch!

We also drove past this house, where a guy called Joe's been following the Divine Road Map since 1989, when he started packing the lawn and yard around his house with shrines and totems. He called it African Village in America, and its theme is African-American history, with occasional diversions. Joe's used whatever he could get his hands on to build it: old sports equipment, baking pans, footwear, Christmas lawn decorations, hubcaps, lots of toys and dolls. "God said, 'Pick up what's thrown away and put it together,' Joe said. "Whatever God gives me, that's what I work with."

We had planned on attending a church service at the 16th St Baptist Church, which was the target of a racially motivated bombing in September 1963, where 4 young girls were killed. The church is predominately attended by African Americans and we were made to feel really welcome.

 As for the service...WOW! It was EVERYTHING you could possibly imagine and more.  Amazing gospel singers, a preacher who would whip himself into a frenzy, and a congregation who would call out, raise their hands, stand up and dance and verbally acknowledge everything the preacher said...."Preach it preacher!!"  and lots of "Amens". The women in particular looked so glamorous, men in suits and children dressed impeccably.  It was such a sense of community and was a great experience. We both said we'd go every week if church was like that!!!! Here is a short video of the service....CHURCH and here is a longer version...CHURCH
Across the road from the church was the Civil Rights Institute, which we spent a few hours visiting.

This was a thought provoking, sobering, and profound experience. Images we had seen on our TV's back in Australia were brought to life.....and in some cases were very confronting. It was really interesting and I think the thing that bothered me the most was the KKK, which still exists today.
Across the road from the Institute is Kelly Ingram Park...it was a central place for staging large demonstrations during the Civil Rights Movement.  It was also the site for a large demonstration in 1963, with many of the demonstrators being young children and high school students, who were arrested,

set upon by police dogs

and water hoses. Again,  very confronting.

 After leaving Birmingham, we made our way to Montgomery, the capital of Alabama, but not before stopping at the highest point in Alabama, in Talladega State Forest

and we got to see our first US turtles...

We have tried to visit a few of the Capitol buildings in each state...sometimes you get a free tour and the buildings are always grand....Montgomery was no exception.

After visiting Montgomery, we were heading down to Mobile, Alabama to stay with a guy called Robert....this was to be our first couchsurfing experience.  But sometimes finding places in the US can be a little confusing...this sign is an indication of that, and unfortunately our GPS reads out EVERY road!

We did find Robert's place, arriving in the evening and were greeted by Robert, a pig (Oliver) and a dog (Beauregard)! Oliver was so entertaining..doing all sorts of tricks and obviously really fond of Robert...following him everywhere.  Both animals were very affectionate, but totally devoted to Robert!

Robert immediately made us feel at home and we enjoyed a few beers and delicious meal with him.  The next day he took us for a tour of Mobile, and we were able to feed the park squirrels, which are really cute looking animals.

visited a lovely old church...Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

a grand old hotel...The Battle House Hotel

a delicious chocolate shop...Three Georges..

..then across the bay to see Mobile from the other side

A great day....but all good things must come to an end and this is what we were greeted with when we got back to the trailer...bloody hilarious..absolutely no shame from Oliver....and Beau kind of giving it away!

The next morning we were treated to a southern style brekky....which included biscuits and gravy (kind of like our scones) and it was delicious!

Our first couchsurfing experience was fantastic.  Robert was so hospitable, welcoming and generous.  We loved listening to him talking about his various businesses, plans and goals and wish him well with those.  We are looking forward to a visit from him to WA in the near future.  Thanks Robert, Beau and Oliver, you made our Alabama experience exceptional!

Check out a short video of our time in Mobile, Alabama...MOBILE, ALABAMA