see the world, do some good
The family is hitting the road! I’m sure many of you are on vacation right now. The Fourth of July holiday falls on a Wednesday this year, so it makes perfect sense to take the entire week off. Which is what many of my coworkers did, so we’re going the following week. Plus the band is off for two weekends in a row, so it works out well all the way around.
Earlier this summer we asked the six year old what she wanted to do on vacation. She said she wanted to see a different state. “What state?” she was asked, and her immediate response was “Alabama.”
Alabama.
Heh.
It’s not exactly Six Flags, is it?
And how is it that of the 49 other states in the union, the first she considers is Alabama?
I can think of a million other places to visit besides Alabama. But I really couldn’t come up with a decent reason NOT to take her to Alabama. So that is where we are headed. The whole family - wifey, the High School Senior, the 2nd grader, and myself.
What the six year old doesn’t know, is that daddy figured out a way to turn this request into a dreaded “learning experience.” A double learning experience, really. And for daddy, a bit of time at the casino.
First, there is the geography lesson. Not only will she see Alabama, but she will also see Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and that strangest of states, Tallahassee. Wifey and the teen have plans to lay on the beach in most of those states.
Second, we’re going to bring up some school supplies for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. As you know, the gulf coast has still not fully recovered from the Hurricane season of 2005. They still need all sorts of help, and this trip will give us a chance to help directly (donations), and indirectly (spending some money there).
On the way over, we’ll visit brother Mike in Tallahassee, but plan to base operations on the beach in Biloxi. Day trips are planned to Mobile, Gulfport, and New Orleans. The trip back includes a stop in southern Georgia.
So, why am I telling you all of this? Well, I just think “Alabama” is funny (not as funny as, say, “Arkansas,” though). Plus wifey suggested I let you folks know what’s going on, in case you have some school supplies you want delivered to the gulf coast. We plan to take anything we get directly to a non-profit up there for use this school year. We will take anything you have lying around, but could really use a couple more backpacks. Contact me if you are interested.
And listen - I don’t want you to think that wifey and I are boring people. We have plenty of fun stuff planned for the kids, too. We just want to make a big deal out of the “helping others” part.
PS: There is something in the works for local students, too. More info on that is coming soon.
Tags: hurricanes, travel
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July 2nd, 2007 at 10:34 am
Mobile might be my favorite place in the country. It’s like a clean New Orleans.
July 2nd, 2007 at 11:50 am
Im a huge history buff, and there is lots of Civil War stuff around those parts…have fun! Its time away from home with the kids the most important…
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Anybody who says they don’t like Alabama has obviously never been there. It’s got a little bit of everything, but most people don’t see it beyond filling up their tanks on the way to whatever other state they need to go. In other words, it’s a lot like Polk County.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Alabama is beautiful! I went hiking in the northern part of the state and it was clear and breezy and had lots of cool animals.
July 2nd, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Bellingrath Gardens just south of Mobile is a must-see attraction. Stennis Space Centerto the west of Biloxi is kinda cool too. There’s lots to see and do around that whole part of the Gulf Coast, but I haven’t been there since before Katrina.
July 2nd, 2007 at 8:56 pm
Check out Alabama’s Gulf Coast (Gulf Shores and Orange Beach). The beaches have sugar-white sand. And for a history lesson, drive over to Fort Morgan.
July 3rd, 2007 at 9:12 am
Don’t sell Alabama short. The beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast are as beautiful as any in the country with sparkling blue water and sugar-white sand.
July 4th, 2007 at 12:22 am
I wonder what’s left of Fort Morgan after the hurricanes? Growing up in New Orleans, I spent many a summer visiting Gulf Shores. The beaches in Destin, Gulf Shores etc are as good as any on the west coast of Florida IMO.
July 4th, 2007 at 12:29 am
also..Fairhope, on eastern shore of Mobile Bay: http://www.cofairhope.com/
breaks the AL stereotype
July 5th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Does your daughter watch Animal Planet? Maybe she has seen the ongoing story of “The Little Zoo that Could”. The series covers the small zoo during all of it’s evacuations for hurricanes.
The Alabama Gulf Coast has beautiful beaches, wonderful hospitality and accomodations that suit any budget and lifestyle. I hope that while visiting Alabama you take with you the desire to return and stay with us a while. Wishing your family a safe and wonderful trip through several great Southern states and that you make memories that last a lifetime.
July 5th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Thanks for all the great hints, everyone!
Lorri - I really appreciate your kind words - I love that you love your home!
July 8th, 2007 at 9:37 am
[...] has been light recently, and we’re heading out of town this week, so it may be even more sparse. We’ll future-post a couple of items, and check in [...]
July 15th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
alabama dudes blow