Birmingham-Days Inn Fultondale

... I guess by being realistic I should succumb to the fact that I WILL be homesick at some point so it might as well be right in the beginning. I think I've found some really cool people to stay with my first two weeks abroad, so I think they will aid in distracting me from feeling alone and scared so far away from home. Well, that's all I have to say for now. My next post will be from London! 'Till then...

xo,
jenna p.

... see something new. And almost every morning I am disappointed. I see the same spread, regardless of hotel brand. There's the selection of dry cereal. Often only two kinds, and usually that's one of the following: Raisin Bran, Frosted Flakes, Corn Flakes, or Fruit Loops. Next to this is the instant oatmeal, usually plain, occasionally someone will spice it up with a variety pack, but not often. This is followed by the bin of carbs ...

We had a one night stop over in Moody. We passed Talladega raceway on the way there but as it was a longer drive we didn't stop off along the way. We also got held up in our first traffic jam. A truck had gone off the interstate and crashed. Delayed us by about 40 minutes. The Super 8 wasn't the worst or the best motel but we both slept well after dinner at Cracker Barrell.

... otherwise I’d still be at the train station. Soon after arriving I took a headache tablet and immediately felt like I was going to throw up. I was then unable to get up out of bed. So I slept from about 1pm to 7pm and then again from 11.30pm to 8.30am. I am feeling much better this morning and now just have normal cold like symptoms. I think I will just stay in the hotel and do some washing, basically taking it easy and saving my energy for the trip to Memphis in the morning.

A few days ago we realized that the day we leave, marked in our brains as Memorial Day, comes a week earlier than we'd been thinking. Oops. At least we saw the light soon enough so we won't miss the flight. (Memorial Day this early in May feels very odd.) This trip is no big deal but will serve well as a test travel blog. Something to play with between meetings and meals.

... inside the camper, a pair of camp chairs, our walking sticks, a few guidebooks, and some basic kitchen supplies (electric teakettle, French press and Melitta one-cupper for his coffee, Mountain Research pot and lid). We'll take basics like tea, coffee, peanut butter and other sandwich-makings, and then pick up fresh fruit and vegetables at farmers' markets and ...

... WAS THE 4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY AND THE HOTEL WAS VIRTUALLY EMPTY (NOT THAT I MINDED, ALMOST, JUST THE TWO OF US). THE GROUNDS WERE VERY WELL KEPT. THE ROOM VERY CLEAN. ANYWAY WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME. WE WALKED THE GROUNDS. THIS HOTEL WAS ON A HILL SO IT WAS HIGH UP. AT THE END OF OUR CORRIDOR WAS A LARGE PICTURE WINDOW. WE SAW SOME GOOD FIREWORKS FROM THERE. WE PLAYED GIN RUMMY ...

Here we are in Alabama, the birthplace of Marty. She found a map at the visitors center that actually shows the town where she was born. Yesterday was good. After the trip down the Natches we had a drive on I-20 with a lot of trucks. Why don't they put all that freight on the train? We are planning a stop on Huntsville to visit Martys cousin and to see the old family home; then on to Chattanooga.

... on the town square to totally disinterested townsfolk. We then rode to Birmingham which is a beautiful city. The local chapter of the Lifesouth treated us to a picnic at a park for dinner- we had burgers and all the fixings. I am so overwhelmed by the LifeSouth community that is treating us all like stars. We are all getting pretty tired by the meet and greets after a long day of cycling. hopefully, we a making a difference.

... will get you." Watch out kids.... scary stuff here. (We remained inconspicuous in our car for most of that stretch). Unfortunately, no evidence of this life lesson was obtained...... A couple (namely 5) hours later, we arrived in Birmingham, stuffed our faces and started on this sweet little blog. Tune in tomorrow. We should have some pretty good stories from Memphis :)