NO SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH BLING!

Sometimes our travel plans don't go exactly as planned, but we've learned that if you can't be  flexible, then maybe the full time RV lifestyle isn't for you.  Complaining or whining isn't going to help so you need to make the best of any situation and you will be happier and so will those around you.

So here we are, in the middle of hurricane season, 2 weeks past our plans to depart Alabama.  We departed Florida last April and we're anxious to return.   However, on the positive side, we are in our home on wheels, safe and sound, and sleeping in our own bed every night....Life is good.

Rain and wind are not what we are looking for!

We are about as northwest in Alabama as you can be... Red Bay, Alabama, where we schedule our annual RV maintenance as well as usually adding a few upgrades to our coach.  Red Bay is located very close to Belmont, MS, slightly west of Red Bay.  Belmont is known as the home to several thriving industries and the birthplace of well known country musician, Mac McAnally.

Welcome to the State of Mississippi!

This is us "Roughing It Smoothly" as Tiffin says

Red Bay is the location of Tiffin Motorhomes, and over the past 10 years of owning our motorhome we look forward to seeing our Red Bay friends every year (and many have become extensions of our family), as well as numerous private contractors that take care of any issues we may have to keep our coach in good condition.  

Fun and Fellowship at the Downtown Red Bay RV Park
Red Bay, AL

These independent contractors do beautiful woodwork, painting, diesel maintenance, general maintenance, and specialized installations.  (If you would be interested in seeing some of our coach upgrades, they are located on the UPGRADES tab of this blog).  

We learn something new every time we visit the area, and a lot of what we have picked up along the way is the importance of Alabama and Mississippi music history, i.e., the "Muscle Shoals Sound".  Within a few miles of us are several Mississippi Music Trail historical markers of country music stars from this area which have influenced all our country music, like Tammy Wynette, known as the "First Lady Of Country Music", from nearby Tremont, MS, and Mac McAnally, from Belmont, MS.  Remember one of his hits, "Where I Come From"?  

"First Lady of Country Music"
Tammy Wynette

Mississippi Country Music Trail Historical Marker

Mississippi Country Music Trail Historical Marker
Mac McAnally

Mississippi Country Music Trail Historical Marker
Mac McAnally

We will be leaving Red Bay (1) when it is safe to return to Florida and (2) as soon as a few electronic component parts on order arrive.  An item you might notice as we pass you going down the road is the new stainless accent trim on our engine compartment doors.  As RV says, "You just can't have too much bling on classic cars, motorcycles, or RVs!"

Rear Engine Doors

THE FIRST LADY OF COUNTRY MUSIC

 After reading about an upcoming festival in the Red Bay, AL area, my friend, Kathy Page, and I decided we could make our Labor Day weekend more exciting by attending a festival in Tremont, MS, on September 1, at the intersection of Highway 178 and Highway 23 North.  Upon arriving, we were pleasantly surprised to a classic car show, silent auction, food, live music, and planned activities.  If you brought your lawn chair you were definitely going to be entertained all day long!

Labor Day Festival - Tremont, MS

Lots of preparation to feed all the people

Car Show

Car Show

Car Show

Car Show - I want it!

Tremont, MS, founded in 1852, is in Itawamba County, MS, and the 2014 population is close to 500, give or take a few.  Virginia Wynette Pugh, also known as Tammy Wynette, grew up between Tremont and Red Bay in the Bounds Community.  We arrived in Tremont by driving from Red Bay on the "Tammy Wynette Highway", which connects MS Highway 23 from the Alabama State Line to Tremont.  

Rural Mississippi

 This small, sweet town has one grocery store, 1 restaurant, 5 very large churches, and the appearance of very few homes.  As it was explained to us, most of the homes are spread out on land from 500 acres to 1800 acres, obviously an important agricultural part of the state.

We were pleasantly surprised to find out what the Labor Day Festival was about through Mrs. Holly Ford, an original promoter, 24/7 marketing director, and who, is also on the Board of Directors of Tremont Village - Home of Tammy Wynette.   This festival was held on the future site of Tremont Village, and has been in the planning stages for about the last 3 years with numerous fans and people involved.  Mrs. Ford's best friend in school was, you guessed it, Tammy Wynette.  

Holly Ford - Citizen of Tremont
Kathy Page - my friend

Tee Shirt - Yes, we  have one!

Tremont Village, when completed, will be a world class attraction and a beautiful tribute to the first lady of country music, Tammy Wynette (5/5/42 - 4/6/98).   Tammy Wynette, one of the most acclaimed performers in the history of country music, had 20 era-defining Number 1 records, such as "Take Me To Your World", D-I-V-O-R-C-E, and "Stand By Your Man".  Country music fans will soon include Tremont as a part of the Mississippi Country Music Trail, a very popular circuit for fans who travel from Nashville, Muscle Shoals, Tupelo, and now, Tremont, MS.

A "Tammy" Fan!

From the Tammy Wynette collection
Red Bay, AL Museum

Tammy Wynette

From Tammy Wynette Collection
Red Bay, AL Museum

From Tammy Wynette Collection
Red Bay, AL Museum

The Itawamba County and Mississippi State Tourism Board seem to be very serious in their vision for "Tremont Village" by making a $2.5 million grant available with matching funds, and that's where this festival, corporate sponsors, devoted fans, and other fund raisers will come into play to make this dream come true.  Artist renderings of the Village are at the Buster Davis Ford Dealership in Fulton, Mississippi.

One of the most impressive tourism and welcome centers in the state is located closeby on major US Highway 78, which will help draw tourists both nationally and internationally.  Tremont Village will include a small recording studio, an auditorium where world-class entertainers will perform, a chapel where weddings or other events will take place, and a 24/7 restaurant/tourism store.

On another note, but related, make sure you buy a Tammy Wynette postage stamp when the U.S. Post Office begins selling them.