Holiday Inn Birmingham-Airport, Al

... 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 ...

( ) JULY 3-4, 2002 <br>THIS IS A TIME OF GOODNESS FROM THE LORD...ALL IS WELL AND THE KIDS ARE FINE. AGAIN, JUST GETTING AWAY BY OURSELVES... AWAY FROM THE NORM. WE CHECKED IN THE HOTEL. THEN WENT TO THE U CHINA BUFFET TO EAT DINNER. THE FOOD WAS REALLY GOOD. THE WE HEADED BACK TO THE ROOM TO START OUR EVENING TOGETHER.THIS HOTEL IS REALLY LOVELY. WHAT WE DID NOT UNDERSTAND ...

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.

We rode with a local rider on the beautiful backroads of Alabama. we stopped in a town called Blountsville and met the local people at their fall festival- what a hoot. we looked at the old farm equipment and car show. one half of the town was in the parade that we participated in and the other half watched the parade. during the parade, I was run over by one of my co-riders and fell in front of the whole town on Main Street- we ...

... needed new experiences and new places to clear my head, and this is one of those times when I need to get away from home. So look out George Clooney, I'm on my way to the land of fruits and nuts (probably an appropriate place for me when you come to think of it! LOL)

... Sports are bigtime in Alabama, and legendary figures such as Paul "Bear" Bryant are showcased in the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Others so honored are Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan, and boxer Joe Louis; there are outstanding displays on football, baseball, archery, and marksmanship. Children and families can have fun learning at Discovery 2000. Most kids prefer hands-on learning, and there is plenty of it here; explore ...