WE'RE NOT SEEING RED................ BAY, THAT IS! (Bonus Added)

We're at Tiffin Motorhomes in Red Bay, AL for service on our coach.   While our door handle isn't being held together with duct tape (Alabama chrome) or bungee cords, it has to be replaced.  We accidentally locked ourselves out of the coach while getting ready to leave a campground in Michigan (cell phones inside, motor home engine running, etc.) Luckily, we were able to borrow a ladder and RV successfully made entry through a passenger side window.

Just follow the directions!

Main Street - Red Bay, AL

Many Tiffin Motorhome owners who make the pilgrimage to Red Bay usually aren't happy campers.  They are often frustrated because they are unable to obtain adequate service from Tiffin dealers in their local areas, and frequently wind up staying in the Red Bay area much longer than anticipated for a variety of reasons.  It isn't unusual to meet owners who have traveled from all over the U.S., Alaska, and Canada.   Many of the owners stop in Red Bay to have service work done while en route to warmer climates for the winter or vice versa.  Red Bay graciously welcomes all the money that is spent by the people who come to Red Bay.

Main Street - Red Bay, AL

Veterans Park - Downtown Red Bay, AL

Sometimes when people travel to this area of the country they have difficulty understanding the Southern English dialect of some of the people from northwest Alabama.  Northwest Alabamans have a beautiful dialect, but it may be a little difficult to understand if you are from another part of the country.  We were born and raised in the South and there have been times when we've asked for clarification, but we love the subtle nuances that make us all different, no matter where we travel.  

If you get this far, you've made it!

We arrived on Tuesday after Labor Day at the Tiffin Allegro Campground, and upon arriving we could see the place was jam-packed with coaches.  The campground host informed us we would be dry camping at least 2 days before we could expect a site.  If all the sites are taken (which is the way it is now), you are directed to a designated area to do what is called "dry camping".  That means you have no electric, sewer, or water hookups - you're on your own until a space is available, and if it gets too hot, just turn the generator on.  Yay, no cooking!  To get Express Service, which is all we need, will be a 4 day wait. 

Allegro Campground on old airport runway

Waiting for service

Tiffin Service Campground

 So, until we can have our issues resolved at the Tiffin service facility, we opted to stay about 10 miles out of Red Bay at our favorite off-site place, Custom RV, owned by Brannon Hutcheson, in Vina, Alabama.   We are comfortable, safe, and secure and staying in one of Brannon's  most luxurious 50 amp RV sites.  We are now genuine "squatters" and have told Brannon we'll be his nighttime security and we're sure he will rest a lot easier at night knowing that his place of business is protected.

Brannon Hutcheson - Custom RV - Vina, AL

 Bonus to this blog:  Anyone out there homesick for Red Bay?  Here's a couple of pictures that may make you feel better.

Downtown Mural - Red Bay, AL

Manufacturing Plant - Tiffin Motorhomes

Tour Entrance - Tiffin Motorhomes

Bruce Deaton's Paint Factory

Red Bay Paint Shop

Two old familiar faces

Sunshine Dog Food Factory - Red Bay, AL

Off-Site Campground - Red Bay, AL

THERE NOW, DON'T YOU FEEL BETTER that we're here and you're not?!

JESSE OWENS - Olympian and Humanitarian 1913-1980

After driving by the Jesse Owens Memorial off Highway 157 in Lawrence County, AL, many times, we decided to visit the museum and memorial dedicated to an outstanding athlete and humanitarian who died in 1980, but whose life and world records have continued to make a lasting impression on people all over the world.  The Visitor's Center, Museum, Memorial and Park were built with private donations, and are made within steps of where Jesse Owens, son of a sharecropper (grandson of slaves), and 9 siblings, lived in Oakville, AL until he was 9 years old.

Jesse Owens Museum - Oakville, AL

Olympian Statue of Jesse Owens

While attending Ohio State in 1935 Owens, also known as "The Buckeye Bullet", broke 3 world records and tied another.

Long Jump                  26', 8.25" (this record stood for over 20 years)
220 Yard Dash            20.3 seconds
220 Yard low hurdles   22.6 seconds
100 Yard Dash            A 9.4 second (tied the world record)

Olympic Record Jump - 26'5.25"

The Olympic Record Jump in perspective!

Jesse Owens participated in the 1936 Olympics in Germany and captured his first Olympic gold medal by winning the 100 meter dash in 10.3 seconds, on August 3, 1936.  His second Olympic gold medal of the Games was won by winning the long jump when he covered 26', 5.5", on August 4, 1936.  His third Olympic gold medal was won with a 20.7 second 200-meter sprint.   His 4th gold medal was attained when he ran the 100-meter lead in the 400 meter relay.

"When I came back to my native country, after all the stories about Hitler, I couldn't ride in the front of the bus. I had to go to the back door. I couldn't live where I wanted. I wasn't invited to shake hands with Hitler, but I wasn't invited to the White House to shake hands with the president, either."

– Jesse Owens

In 1988, President George H. Bush presented Ruth Owens (widow of Jesse Owens), the Congressional Gold Medal, recognizing his accomplishments in track, his sincere patriotism, and his humanitarian achievements.

Replica of Congressional Gold Medal

In 1976, President Gerald Ford presented Jesse Owens, the Medal of Freedom, the highest honor the U.S. bestows upon a civilian.

The Medal Of Freedom

A plaque at the life size statue of Jesse Owens outside the Museum says "Athelete and humanitarian whose inspiration personifies the spirit and promise of America."  The Memorial, which sits several miles off Highway 157, near Moulton, AL, is peaceful, beautiful and very impressive, and we're glad we took the time to learn more about this national hero and olympic champion.

Plaque on Statue of Olympian Jesse Owens

Scenic Road to Oakville, AL

Note:  In the first paragraph, the link to the Jesse Owens Museum is definitely worth opening if you are interested in learning more about the life of Jesse Owens.   If you are close to this area of northwest Alabama, we definitely think it is worth visiting.  There is no admission, but donations are appreciated.  A gift shop is located inside he museum.