Decatur | Alley-bama

After a long Thanksgiving day we were all pretty tired and had a relaxing morning. However me being me I got restless and had to get out and see something. Besides I was off on my picture taking, only took a couple of hundred so far… So out we went for a drive around town.

Decatur, Alabama was founded in 1810 and with its position on the Tennessee River made it an important transportation hub. This brought attention both bad and good. it was the sight of several encounters during the American Civil War and thus was destroyed. The access has also attracted industry with GE, Del Monte Foods and United Launch Alliance (ULA) amongst the companies having a major presence here. So if you bought a GE Refrigerator or Freezer, Meow Mix (Del Monte Foods) or a Delta IV launch vehicle (ULA) it came from Decatur.

The town is typical of what I have seen in other parts of the southern USA, beautiful downtown’s that tend to the quiet side. This is really too bad, these places have buildings with lots of personality and a feast for the eyes but have an empty feeling to them. Perhaps it is me with the problem, I am so used to being in large cities that when I go to small towns I get the vibe all wrong. I guess I will have to keep visiting until I figure it out…

After dragging Kim, Patrick and Syd around greater Decatur for several (cold) hours it was beer time and back to (Decatur) home for one last meat before going home. A.D. (Kim’s Dad) was smoking a turkey and I was asked to make garlic bread. The results should be interesting…

The Old State Bank Building in Decatur, AL.

Bank Street in Decatur, Alabama.

Picking up some Pecans.

Inside a local antique store. Like being in a museum.

Some Confederate currency.

Local industry.

Two Princesses meet.

Elvis ordered burgers from C.F. Penn.

Sunset view in Delano Park.

Captain William J. Hudson "Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridges spaning one of the widest sections of the Tennessee River.

Captain William J. Hudson “Steamboat Bill” Memorial Bridges spanning one of the widest sections of the Tennessee River.

A fisherman on the Tennessee River.

Caught one! But it went back, too small…

A view across the Tennessee to Decatur.

Sydney and her Grand Uncle Patrick.

Well we had a good meal and a wonderful time. We first met many of Debbie’s family nine years ago at Craig (Debbie’s son) and Rachel’s wedding and although we have been back to Alabama several times since had seen many of them since. So it was nice to catch up after all this time. Weather around these parts can be unpredictable this time of year so Debbie scheduled the meal early in case of inclement conditions but we were blessed with cloudy, cool (or cold) but no rain. Perfect weather for Kim and my post turkey Golf Cart ride around the neighborhood… Alas the cart’s battery is dead so we will have to live with the happy memories of past rides.

Off to enjoy my food coma and watch the Niner’s “play” the Seahawks… Game thoughts… Having the players say where they went to college in the player intro strikes me like they are stating their SATs… Santa Clara looks good, the Niners on the other hand… Do we really need another “Jurassic Park” style movie??

Happy Thanksgiving to all and our best to your families.