WE DID THE TENNESSEE WALTZ IN ALABAMA

Scenic Alabama US Highway 24 

McFarland Park - on the Tennessee River
Florence AL

Like so many of our RV friends, we have our favorite places, favorite cities, and favorite foods at favorite places.  In many instances we go out of our way to try new experiences, sample new foods, and attend annual regional cultural events.

Scenic Drive into McFarland Park
Florence, AL

That's why every year we look forward to spending time in northwest Alabama and parts of Mississippi, not only because of the friendly and hospitable people, but we choose to have our annual RV maintenance service done on our motorhome in Red Bay, AL.

Entrance - McFarland Park
Florence, AL

Picnic Tables and Shelters located throughout
McFarland Park

Fishing Pier at McFarland Park
Tennessee River

One of our favorites is in beautiful Florence, Alabama - on the Tennessee River, across from Muscle Shoals, AL.  There's nothing better than a couple of weeks of downtime at McFarland Park and Marina after we leave Red Bay.  McFarland Park, a full service campground with 60 sites, is conveniently located to downtown shopping and restaurants, and if we have an opportunity we enjoy going to the University of North Alabama to visit with their live lion mascots, Leo and Una, in their beautiful natural habitat.

Leo and Una - Mascots
University of North Alabama

The University of Northern Alabama has been a well-respected State university since 1830.

Campus of University of North Alabama
Florence, AL

In the past we enjoyed the character of the McFarland Park teepees along the edge of the Tennessee River,  but in the last couple of years these had to be removed after several storms and hard rains made them uninhabitable....yes, people rented these fun places!  While I never had the opportunity to sleep in one, it was on my bucket list.

McFarland Park Teepees - Florence, AL

McFarland Park - Florence AL

Unfortunately, maintenance on the bridge from Muscle Shoals to Florence made it extremely difficult for us to visit the McFarland Park for over a year.

View from Muscle Shoals, AL to
Bridge over Tennessee River at Marina at
McFarland Park - Florence, AL

 Recently we enjoyed returning to McFarland Park to do what we call a "reconnaissance visit".   A short visit told us the park was still a nice place to visit and enjoy the campground facilities, and locals and travelers like ourselves still enjoy the well kept and secure natural park setting as well as beautiful sunsets on the river.   It is also commonplace to see huge barges that continue on down the Tennessee River to other river destinations.

Barge on Tennessee River - Florence, AL

We enjoy the fact that there is so much history in this area since the area was originally occupied by Native American Indians for hundreds of years, and they left historical artifacts before they were forced on The Trail Of Tears to be forcefully re-settled in Oklahoma.  Also of note is that Florence is the home of  the recognized founder of blues, W.C. Handy.

Florence is the home of the world famous FAME Recording Studios.  Such recording artists as The Tams, Joe Tex, Etta James, Clarence Carter, Wilson Pickett, Paul Anka, Jerry Reed, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Pam Tillis, Aretha Franklin, Mac Davis and Otis Redding were just a few of the famous performers and singers with FAME Publishing.

Cherohala Skyway/ Tail Of The Dragon 120 Mile Loop

Just when you think you've heard it all, we were introduced to the "Tail of the Dragon" and the Cherohala Skyway, two of the best touring roads in America. The Cherohala Skyway (a designated National Scenic Byway)connects the Cherokee National Forest in Tellico Plains, TN, with the Nantahala National Forest in Robbinsville, NC. While we were enjoying the scenic ride it seemed that most of America was also enjoying "where the mountains kiss the sky..." Tee shirts advertise "Ride me if you dare" in most of the shops along the route. While I heard locals say there have been 9 motorcycle deaths on the 11 mile road in 2009, there are exactly 318 curves in the 11 mile road that begins at Deals Gap along U.S. Highway 129. There is a 120 mile loop which can be traveled in one day allowing time for scenic stops, meals and fuel; however you can add another 15 miles to include Hellbender 28, near scenic Twenty-mile Falls. The roads are nice with plenty of places to stop (in the event you get motion sickness). Did I fail to mention we were NOT on motorcycles...but everyone else seemed to be.

Graham County is North Carolina's last frontier. Inhabited by Cherokee Indians well into the 1800s it was one of the most remote areas of the state until it became a county in 1872. In 1838 the Cherokee were driven off their land by the U.S.Army and forced to travel the infamous "Trail of Tears" to reservations in Oklahoma. Gold mining changed the face of the land the Cherokee had conserved and lived with in harmony for over 300 years. When we traveled to the Indian Boundary Recreation Area in the Cherokee National Park I could just imagine what a unique life the Cherokee's must have enjoyed with the abundant lakes, creeks, and pristine forests.

RV and I were in Tellico Plains to attend our first Tiffin RV Network Rally at the KOA Campground. However, our side trips were something we'll never forget. Hopefully, we'll return another year about this time. We always enjoyed the natural beauty of Coastal Georgia when we lived in St. Simons Island, GA, and never wanted to take the natural beauty for granted....well, that is exactly how we felt in the Cherahala Skyway. Every turn is an "ooh" and an "ah" moment, and pictures definitely don't do justice to God's handiwork.

LITTLE ROCK, AR - Downtown Riverside RV Park

We decided to stay several days at the new (since October 2008) Downtown Riverside RV Park, a city owned and managed riverfront park on the Arkansas River, directly across from the downtown Little Rock area and the William J. Clinton Presidential Center. The park, located off Interstate 30, is extremely easy to access, and once you are inside, security is 24/7, always a nice feeling.

RV and I have not had an opportunity to visit any of the 12 existing presidential libraries, and since Little Rock is where Clinton's Presidential Center is located, we were anxious to see the 3-level contemporary-styled library, located on a 28-acre city park. We found it extremely interesting and enjoyed seeing full-scale replicas of the White House Cabinet Room and the Oval Office, a presidential limousine, and an exhibit on the work of the United States Secret Service. A special traveling exhibit of gifts many U.S. presidents had received while in office was spectacular. The Clinton Center anchors the city's bustling River Market District, a premier destination for art, culture, live music, dining and nightlife. Next to the Center is the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service in the renovated 1899 Choctaw Station.

From our riverfront campsite in North Little Rock we had a spectacular view of the Library as well as the Little Rock skyline. Some people jokingly refer to the architectural style of the Center and say it resembles a double-wide mobile home. You be the judge.


North Little Rock and Little Rock are very interesting from many historical perspectives; like the Trail Of Tears Historical Markers, Little Rock Central High, the Old State House Museum (the oldest standing state capitol west of the Mississippi River). The Arsenal Building, a National Historic Landmark and one of Little Rock's oldest surviving structures, was built in 1840 to protect Arkansas from Indian attack. It later became the birthplace of Army General Douglas MacArthur. There is just too much to see in a couple of days, so we will return one day, probably on our way to some other landmark.

From some of our past blogs, you may know how we love to find those local out-of-the-way restaurants that are packed every day, especially at lunchtime. You have to look for these little gems, talk to local people, and this time we found Kierre's Kountry Kitchen in Maumelle, AR. Inside what appeared to be a huge industrial warehouse we had one of the best blue plates we've had in awhile, and we both won the "clean your plate" award. We ordered from the blackboard situated on the side of the room. By the time we left, you couldn't get a parking space in their huge parking lot. Since it was RV's birthday, he splurged and had a huge piece of homemade chocolate pie. The restaurant we originally were searching for (Cock O'The Walk) was closed for lunch - (voted best Arkansas catfish restaurant for the last 16 years).

RV enjoyed his birthday, getting to do everything he wanted that day. We had planned a special steak dinner that night, but we were too full from lunch so we had a light dinner and we'll be having the steak tonight - on the banks of the Mississippi River. Did I mention we went to Flying Fish in Memphis for lunch for another bowl of their delicious seafood gumbo?

Once again, we are enjoying Tom Sawyer's RV Park in West Memphis, AR. We're still enjoying the barges going up and down the Mississippi River - and what beautiful weather!

Shiloh National Military Battlefield - Pittsburg Landing, TN

RV and I are firmly planted on the airstrip in Red Bay, AL for the next 3 weeks, but while we are calling this home with about 150 other RVer's getting service, maintenance, etc., we have to get away for some fresh air. We had been told about Shiloh being close (we covered about 200 miles today) and I had no idea of the significance of this battle of April 1962 in the Civil War. This battle cost both sides a combined total of 23,746 men killed, wounded, or missing - more casualties than America had suffered in previous wars. Shiloh is considered America's best preserved battlefield and features 156 monuments, 217 cannons and over 650 historic tablets. The Confederate Commander, General Albert Sidney Johnston was mortally wounded, the highest ranking Southern officer killed during the war.

The families of the soldiers from Tennessee who were killed at Shiloh (who had the most to lose in this battle) petitioned to gather their dead for a proper burial.
Union Commander General U.S. Grant ordered all Confederate soldiers (1,728 Confederates) to be mass buried in a series of 5 trenches, believed to be the largest of the five known mass burial trenches, and the Union soldiers were removed to be buried in the National Cemetery on site. Although the hallowed grounds are preserved and kept by the National Park Service, there is still such a sense of sadness. The day we visited the flags were also flown at half mast in honor of Senator Edward Kennedy's death.

After visiting Shiloh, we visited Savannah, TN, a short distance down the river, which was U.S. Grant's headquarters during this battle. This town is so beautiful and has preserved many victorian houses built in the beginning of the 1800's.

Also, this area played a part in Indian history - the Shiloh Indian Mounds (a National Historic Landmark) as well as the path of the Cherokee's "Trail of Tears", followed by the Lt. Bell Treaty Party on their trek westward to Oklahoma.