Alabama

Mobile-Alabama-Airstream

Travel dates :: February 8 – 11, 2016

We had a wonderful 10 days in Montgomery but with a deadline of getting to Phoenix by March 20 we needed to keep on moving down the road west. After Montgomery we headed south back to the coast to Mobile, Alabama for a few days.

Mobile-Alabama-camping-meaher

We had a wonderful spot at Meaher State Park right on the water with beautiful views. I think knowing that this was one of the last places camping on the coast for awhile made us appreciate it even more. There were signs by the water that said something like “watching for alligators. . .” so we didn’t play much near the shoreline. 🙂

The first day that we got to Meaher State Park we got a tip from an Instagram follower that the nearby town of Fairhope was having a Mardi Gras parade that night. I was a little hesitant at first because I assumed all Mardi Gras parades were filled with debauchery, flashing and drinking. I also didn’t realize that Mardi Gras is a multi-week celebration across many communities – not just New Orleans. I was assured that the Fairhope Mardi Gras parade was very family-friendly and a lot of fun. . . so we ended up going that first night in town!

Liam-Reading-Bookstore-Fairhope Liam reading at the bookstore in downtown Fairhope

We got to downtown Fairhope a few hours early and scored a great parking spot near the parade loop. We spent a couple hours walking around and browsing the charming businesses located downtown. We especially liked the bookstore the Page and Palette – definitely look it up if you make it to Fairhope.

We settled into spots along the parade loop about an hour before the parade was set to start, enjoying hot chocolate and popcorn, and trying to stay warm – it was a cold and windy day!

Mardi-Gras-Parade-Fairhope-AL-kids

The parade started around 7 p.m. and it was SO MUCH FUN! The floats were all family-friendly, the music was wonderful and they tossed out SO MUCH STUFF.

None of my photos turned out, but I’m sharing them anyway, because I think they really show just how much fun we were having.

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Selma-To-Montgomery-March

Travel dates :: January 29 – February 9, 2016

After wrapping up our time in Florida (see Florida panhandle post here) we jetted north to Montgomery, Alabama. This was on our list for a LONG time and it was a bit of a relief to roll into town. We had 10 days scheduled in Montgomery while we spent time with Jeremy’s brother and sister-in-law and their two adorable kids who are close to our kids ages. Jeremy’s brother is in the Air Force and he was able to sponsor our stay in the Family Campground on the Air Force Base. The sites were clean, well-maintained and included FULL hook-ups for $180 for 10 days – a steal at $18/day. We are so grateful to stay here during our visit.

Cousins-Alabama-fun

While in Montgomery we spent a LOT of time just playing with our sweet cousins. We have a small extended family – just 3 cousins and two of them are in Montgomery, so this is a big deal. It was a special time to bond and hang out. We went to our nephew’s basketball games, bought girl scout cookies from my niece – and watched the Super Bowl over at their place.

Playing-With-Cousins-Montgomery

The kids spent a lot of time playing outside in the sunshine. Riding bikes, playing Nerf guns and playing with the neighbor kids. It was so much fun.

But during the work week – while they were at work and going to school – we spent a lot of time exploring the local area. Most especially we spent a lot of time exploring places of historical importance.

Edmund-Pettus-Bridge

Selma to Montgomery National Historical Trail – We took a full day and drove the hour from Montgomery to Selma, Alabama along the general route of the Selma to Montgomery National Historical Trail. The 54-mile trail symbolizes so much about the Civil Rights movement and has three interpretive centers along the route. Our first stop was at the Selma Interpretive Center – right on the corner in downtown Selma after you cross over the famous Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Part of the National Parks system it is a small visitor’s center, but has some important displays . . .

and it was here that our kids completed the Junior Ranger badge (the same badge is available along the whole route).

Bloody-Sunday-Edmund-Pettus

You can walk across the street to the site of “Bloody Sunday” attack at the Edmund Pettus Bridge. On March 7, 1965 a group of 600 African Americans peacefully marching were attacked on this bridge by local law enforcement. 50 people were hospitalized. Two weeks later another group would start their march here and ultimately make it to Montgomery.

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Our first Mardi Gras parade, eating crawfish and King Cake, and touring a battleship {Mobile, Alabama}

Montgomery, Alabama – Visiting family and learning about the Civil Rights Movement

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