March 27th and 28th and 29th Alabama - Louisianna

Stayed in Gunter Hill Army Corp of Engineers Park last night just outside of Montgomery, Alabama. We walked the dogs along the river banks and the reflections of the trees in the river were very striking but not easily  photographed with darkness approaching.  The river was high and we were told to expect severe thunder storms and possible tornados.  The campground host promised to wake us if he heard any tornado alerts.  Some time in the early hours of the morning we had heavy rains and  thunder/lightening. Both Sam and Luna jumped into bed with us - needless to say not a restful night.  There was flooding throughout the area we were in but nothing that impacted our travels.

Next morning we traveled a short distance to Montgomery to see the Civil Rights Memorial and Museum and the Baptist Church where MLKing delivered some of his well know sermons. The Civil Rights memorial is black granite or similar stone, circular in design with water flowing across the top. Forty names of those who fought and died for the Civil Rights movement were carved into the stone, just beneath the clear flowing water. These were ordinary people who used non violence to change our nation. Unfortunately, non-violence was frequently met with violence.  Behind it on a black granite wall was a quote from Martin Luther King.

The museum was created by the Southern Poverty Law Center and was simple and powerful.   We were both moved by what we saw and  made a commitment to fight for justice, equality and human rights. From there we walked half a block to the Dexter Street Baptist Church where King delivered many powerful sermons.  We missed the last tour of the day but the tour guide said she was waiting for a private group and would be glad to give us a tour.   She did a great job describing the mural on the wall of the church which portrayed significant events and people in King's life.

What was striking about Montgomery, the capitol city, was that the streets were empty -no cars and no people.   It felt like a ghost town.  All the government buildings were there but no hustle bustle, not even a little.   It was Saturday.  No one coming to visit the capitol building.   Only a few were at the memorial and museum.  A group of African American students arrived for a private tour of the Dexter Street Baptist Church.  That was about it.  

When we were on the outskirts of town it was surprising how many large malls were shuttered.  Car dealerships - closed. Widespread poverty was evident in the parts of town we traveled through.

We headed for Selma where civil right protesters marched in the mid 60's to Montgomery 's State Capitol. It was the result of these marches that led to the passage of the voting rights act in 1965.  I remember the bus station bathrooms and drinking fountains being segregated. Very glad that changes have been made although I think there is still much work to be done.

Planned to stay at Demopolis Lake - Foscue Creek Park.  Arrived in the dark but couldn't help but notice how nicely laid out the park was and how beautiful it would look in the daylight. .   As we were driving to our campsite I noticed and industrial complex just to the right of the woods bordering the park.  It looked rather large and I had an ominous feeling that we would be camping on the "Love Canal." In the morning I took a walk around this expansive and beautiful campground.  Apparently they had also had the big storm and the lake was about 4 feet from reaching our campsite a few other campsites were underwater.  They had many trails for hiking and biking.   The trees were beautiful and some of the wildflowers were just beginning to bloom.   When I asked the camp host about the plant next door - she thought it was a concrete plant but as we were leaving I noticed the sign Hexion Chemical.   If you don't mind being adjacent to a Chemical plant - it's a great park. Just don't hook up to water, be sure and wear your respirator, and all should be good.

Tonight we found another lovely park just east and a little south of Shreveport, LA. Lake Bistineau State Park. We may have to stay her for a night or two - we'll wait to see how it looks in the morning. Temperatures tonight 47.

More later,
Barb and Mike