Chloe and I are still in the Central Time Zone but now on our northern trek.  We are presently in Oxford, AL.  As I was leaving this morning, I admit that I was not looking forward to this drive.  When plotting my route, I was to head up to the Blue Ridge Parkway from Navarre, but, since the distance was greater than I was willing to drive in one day, I knew I needed a stopping point.  I had quite a bit of trouble figuring out where exactly to take a rest but finally decided to trade a long drive today for a short one tomorrow.  My expectation was that the drive would be somewhat boring, yet, surprisingly, it turned out to be quite challenging and very interesting.

Before I get to today’s trip, I completely forgot to mention something yesterday.  Kevin showed me pictures of BEARS roaming in his neighborhood.  I was a bit skeptical, but he showed me video.  As further proof, you can click on this article from the June 5, 2018 WKRG News 5!  Can you imagine?

Ok, back to the trip today.  It turned out that most of the route was somewhat winding and hilly, truly a fun driving experience.  It was not busy at all, most of it 55 mph or 65 mph, and very nicely maintained with good signage.  Northwestern Florida is picturesque with forests and rolling hills through the Blackwater Wildlife Management Area.  There may not be mountains in Florida, but I drove near the highest elevation point in Florida—Britton Hill, 345 feet above sea level, located near the town of Lakewood, FL.

Then, following the “Sweet Home Alabama” sign, we drove through a charming little town featuring homes sporting wraparound porches, perfectly manicured lawns, with almost all of them proudly displaying American flags.  Fittingly, at the time, I was listening to a country music station playing the best patriotic songs ever…made me proud to be an American.  I managed to keep that station for over two hours and didn’t even realize so much time had gone by since I was so busy singing and driving.

I’ve driven across or around this vast country several times and I am always amazed at how beautiful and lush it is.  Alabama did not disappoint—farms stretching out as far as the eye could see, twisting and meandering roads snaking through the Talladega National Forest, majestic mountains, glistening lakes, and gurgling rivers.

I lost my country music station but found one re-enacting the founders voting to approve our Declaration of Independence as well as a complete reading of the Declaration.  It was riveting!  Did you know that the Declaration was originally presented to Congress on June 28, 1776.  Debate began on July 1 but because Congress thought it of the utmost importance that independence be unanimously proclaimed, they delayed the final vote until July 2, when 12 colonial delegations voted in favor of it, with the New York delegates abstaining, unsure of how their constituents would wish them to vote.  John Adams wrote that July 2 would be celebrated as the most memorable epoch in the history of America. Instead, the day has been largely forgotten in favor of July 4 which is when Thomas Jefferson’s edited Declaration of Independence was adopted.  Interesting.

Back to Alabama…I did see some amusing things during my drive.  There was a store advertising “Drugs, Guns & Gifts” and another “Boiled Peanuts and Fine Wines”.  I saw lots of flags, several signs with the message “Honk if you support the military”,

Oxford is pretty much centrally located between Atlanta and Birmingham, lying among the foothills at the southern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Nearby is Cheaha Mountain, Alabama’s highest point which offers expansive views of the surrounding wilderness and the city below. Much of the city’s southern border is shared with the Talladega National Forest.

Interesting facts:  Kwon Alexander, linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was born and raised here and he attended high school with Miami cornerback, Robert Marcellus McCain. Gas is averaging $2.45 today here in Oxford which is $ .14 less than in St. Pete and $ .26 less than in Navarre.

So, I did a bit of research and apparently, “Lick Skillet”, as Oxford was originally known, was settled about 1830, soon after the Indians left the area.  Old timers say the name “Lick Skillet” came about when a traveler stopped at a store in the little hamlet and asked where he could get a meal.  He was directed to a shoemaker named Edge who, in addition to making shoes, furnished meals to travelers.  When the man again returned to the store, he was asked whether he had found anything to eat.  He replied that he had, but that he had to “lick the skillet.”

This is one of the best hotel rooms I have ever had–it is so nice that I could live here!  Huge, comfortable king-sized bed with five pillows, living area with sofa and table, huge and efficient office area including many visible outlets for devices, 54 inch tv, full kitchen, and a window low enough that Chloe can take up her stance to observe the world outside.

So, in conclusion… it was a fascinating and challenging drive, history learned, patriotic songs sung, hot dog eaten (had to have one–got it at Sonic), it started raining at about 8 PM here so watched “Fourth of July at the White House” on television (now that was a display), and drank a glass of wine.  Apparently the rain wasn’t much more than a drizzle so Oxford fireworks are going off as I write.  I can hear them but can’t see them.  Doesn’t matter.  It was a good day.  Happy 4th of July everyone!