I thought I'd share some photos from our trip to Birmingham a couple of weeks ago. We had a delightful time. When we arrived, we dropped off our stuff at the hotel and then took a walk into Five Points South in downtown Birmingham (our hotel was smack dab in between north downtown and south downtown).
Then we ate at a BBQ joint called Jim 'n Nick's. We thought it was local until we got back to Atlanta and Trent saw one down by his surgeon's office. Oh well, the food was yummy -- pulled pork and brisket -- and our server was very nice.
We also walked all around the University of Alabama--Birmingham campus.
Did you know that Birmingham is home to the world's largest statue made of steel? It's also the second largest statue in the U.S. behind the Statue of Liberty.
His name: Vulcan, Roman god of Iron.
We also toured the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, which was phenomenal -- very multimodal with images, texts, audio, etc. from the 1950s and 60s. It was also very moving.
Here's the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church which the Klan bombed in 1963, killing 4 young black girls.
The church was also the stage for planning many civil rights protests.
We had a great time in Alabama -- learned a lot. Tonight we're heading to a free swing dance at KSU. There will be a live band and free dance lessons. Woo woo!
In three weeks, after I get back from the NCTE Convention in Philadelphia, we're planning another short weekend trip to Savannah. Carol, didn't you and Tom go to Savannah recently? What do you recommend?
7 comments:
Relaxing, educational trip! I am glad you took some time together as a couple! Several years ago we spent a day or two in Savannah...loved the old part of the city. A paid tour (carriage could be fun) is worthwhile...their is a large Welcome Center downtown with lots of info to help you make the most of the trip. Enjoy! love, mom
Yikes....their...or there....must be getting senile.
love ya,
mom
You will be the last person on earth to become senile, Ellen!!!!! You are tooo on top of everything.
Katie, what a wonderful trip you and Trent took!! It sounds like your hotel was located in a central location, so that you could easily see the sights. Thanks for all the photos you shared with us.
The picture of the Baptist Church gives me goosebumps. Who, in their right mind, could devise that kind of evil? I imagine the exhibits at the civil rights institute were awe inspiring. A lot of brave people in the civil rights movement made the world a better place. I am glad that you made time to travel, enjoy the scenery, and learn from the past.
Hays has some good restaurants, but we do not have a good BBQ place. BBQ is tricky. Too much or too little sauce can ruin it.
How did the swing dance lesson go?
Good luck in Philly. Enjoy Savannah. Thanks for sharing the highlights of your trip.
Thanks, Mom and Honor! I actually visited with some of my students over dinner on Thursday evening, and they also gave me some tips for getting the most out of Savannah:
1. Read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (you've read that book, right, Mom?). I've seen the movie and loved it, but she says the book is WAY better. Plus, the events and places are real.
2. Visit the Mercer House where the murder took place.
3. Take a haunted hearse tour.
4. Go to the pirate restaurant ... I guess pirates used to actually eat there.
5. Visit Tybee Island.
Not sure if we'll do all that. Love you both!
k
I have read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. It is excellent. The descriptions of Savannah are seductive. They make you want to visit Savannah.
It sounds like you have a well planned trip coming up. I would like to eat where the pirates ate and visit Mercer House.
Have fun visiting historical Savannah. Don't forget, Paula Deen's restaurant is located there. She is a very popular television celebrity cook. She has her own show, magazine, and line of cookware. I wish I could remember the name of her restaurant.
The Lady and Sons is the name of Paula Deen's Restaurant. It is on Congress Street. On the Lady and Sons blog, it states that a server will take names at a podium in front of the restaurant starting at 9:30 in the morning. This is done to make sure patrons get a table. You have to show up in person; you cannot phone in a reservation. Carol says staff rings a bell on the street to get your attention. I don't know if Lady and Sons appeals to you or not. It features southern cooking. Just thought I would tell you about it.
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