Alabama

We've just gotten back from a family (my side) beach vacation to the beautiful white sands of the Gulf Coast in Florida.  We left a day before everyone else so that we could visit Alabama (checked it off and now we only have 6 more to go!).  We flew into Atlanta, on a very early flight, and drove straight to Birmingham, Alabama- but first we found some breakfast.  We stopped at a Chick-Fil-A and were delighted to discover that it was the original one!

Once we got to Birmingham, we tried to hit the highlights as best we could.  This day seemed to stretch out forever due to our early, early flight and the time change.  We joked all day that it was the longest day ever!  We started by visiting the Vulcan statue, which is the worlds largest cast iron statue.  Birmingham began as an industrial town with its roots in the iron and steel industry and the Vulcan statue is a symbol of Birmingham's past.  There's also a great view of the skyline!

After we checked into our hotel, we set out on foot to tour some of downtown.  We found the town to be so interesting and.... hot!  We forgot just how hot and humid the south is.

We ended up at the Civil Rights Institute which we all found incredibly interesting.  Right across the street from the institute was the 16th Street Baptist Church which was an active and critical point for the movement and where four little girls were killed by a bomb.

Afterward, we walked over to the Railroad Park where we sat and watched the world go by (and also tried to cool off!).  The next morning, after a delicious biscuit and egg sandwich, we checked out of the hotel and headed for the beach.

On our way through Montgomery, we stopped at The National Memorial for Peace and Justice.  I really wanted to see this Memorial and though it was hard and heartbreaking, I'm so glad we stopped.  The Memorial doesn't sugar coat the atrocities that happened to people of color and the full weight of our history is a hard one to bear.  It's such a shameful part of our history but one that I think we must acknowledge and learn about in order to heal and move forward as one.

A Camp in the Adirondacks

While we were in the Adirondacks we were lucky enough to get invited by our dear friends to visit their camp for the day (we ended up going 2 days!).  The camp has been in their family since 1918 and the fifth generation is now enjoying it!

Our first day was overcast and chilly and therefore we spent the day hiking, playing and eating!  We were also witness to one incredible sunset!

Our second day (who can resist time on the lake and with friends?) was spent on the lake!  It was sunny and warm and a perfect day to sit on a dock or play in the water!

A highlight of the day was being offered a ride in this boat.  Neighbors across the lake own this 1920's boat and were kind enough to take us around the lake in her.  It is the most beautiful boat I've ever seen.  

Also?  There were doughnuts involved.  The doughnuts were available to purchase inside the local laundromat, naturally.  Of course, we couldn't resist.

Airstream Adventure #6- The Adirondacks

Last week, we took an end of the summer Airstream trip to the Adirondacks.  It was a truly wonderful trip that was full of all the best of what summer offers.  Here are some snapshots...

Our campsite, at Fish Creek Pond Campground, was amazing.  We were right on the lake and were able to open up The SilverFrog to enjoy terrific views everyday.  Also, the children were able to play and swim in the lake right from our site which kept everyone happy and occupied.

At the site next to ours, which happened to be empty, there was a rope swing that was amazing and so, so fun for the children.  I can't think of a more quintessential summer activity!

 The most darling ice-cream truck would make its way around the campground offering up scooped ice cream cones!  It had bells on its wheels to let you know it was coming and was utterly charming.

We had fires each night and I tried my hand at cooking in a dutch oven for the first time (it went well, but I need a bigger one).

We went kayaking for a full 7 hours one day- at the end of which I was fairly sure that I had lost the use of my arms.  We paddled through beautiful creeks and open water, we paddled to an island to have lunch amidst tall pines, we swam in the lake and warmed ourselves on the rocks, we even dubbed one rock a mini Rainier...