Alabama

 Florence, AL 

Again this year we visited Tom Hendrix and his Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall.  A memorial he built for his great-great grandmother, a Yuchi Indian who was part of the American Indian removal to Oklahoma. The wall is the largest, un-mortared stone wall in the United States.
 For more pictures see our  Nov 2013 post.



This time we had something for him to add to his wall.

Back in March while camping in the Anza Borrego Desert we took a jeeping adventure to the abandoned Dolomite Mine.  Dave had picked up a piece of Dolomite with Tom Hendrix in mind.  Tom has one section where he places all the different rocks given to him.  His wife photographs and keeps a log of all these rocks.  He has many rocks from all over the world, but this was his first piece of Dolomite.  He told us that most people just mail him their rock.

Tom and his dogs

Tom is quite a talker and has lots of facts and stories to tell about the wall.

These are a couple of my favorites...

“I have worn out 3 trucks, 22 wheelbarrows, 3,700 pairs of gloves, 3 dogs and 1 old man."
 “I love it when Master Stonemasons visit and ask me how many helpers I've had.”

He also has a special section for all the rocks with faces.

We were shocked to see such a large Mexican Restaurant in Alabama.  Our first Mexican food in months.

Dave figured out he has been away from San Diego too long.  He read the restroom signs and chose Damas.


Red Bay, AL

No trip to Alabama would be complete without swinging through Red Bay, home to the Tiffin Motorhome Factory and Service Center. 
We had a warranty item and a small list of maintenance items plus the toilet.

Knowing the service wait was around 2 weeks we checked in and pulled a service number on our way to Corinth, Mississippi.

We arrived Sunday afternoon after Thanksgiving.  We were surprised at how empty the service campground was.  The Rigs continued to file in all afternoon and by bed time the campground was 80 percent full.


 Our new toilet :)

New wet bay floor.

They finished all our items today.  Now it's time for us to start heading West.

In the laundry room there is a book exchange shelf.  While checking it out, I noticed a book on tape that I thought sounded interesting.  With a closer look I found that it had come from the Ocean Beach library in San Diego.