TUESDAY
The road trip continues with a big chicken, an even bigger rocket, and 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous historic buildings and shrines of the world. The latter—the Ave Maria Grotto—is our favorite (although Karl was a pretty big fan of the rocket). Magical, creative, and built with found and donated objects, Brother Joe spent a lifetime creating these little masterpieces.
A new podcast—S Town—is a spinoff of This American Life and has made the perfect backdrop for our drive. We even pass Woodstock, AL, the town where the wild, small town story takes place. It’s nuts. You should check it out. (https://stownpodcast.org/)
Oh hey there, Huntsville, Alabama. Aren’t you adorable.
Harrison’s hardware store resides in the quaint downtown. It’s charming and full of boutique gift items but maintains shelves stocked with old inventory—saw blades, oil cans, and farm equipment from years past. Plus, there are marbles. A whole mess of `em. This was the only part Karl enjoys. But I love the original hardwood floors, shelving, counter, and that crazy elevator thingy in the back.
There’s a lawyer standing outside a local lunch spot. We didn’t get a photo but picture a sleazy, ponytail having, cowboy hat wearing, head-to-toe black polyester clad man in his 60s with transitional lens and what I think was trying to be a mustache of sorts. A character straight out of a movie. I can’t imagine what he’s defending other than his wardrobe.
Something I’ve noticed the farther south we go is how polite and respectful the children seem to be. Every young man is clammering to hold the door open for us and I can’t help but smile. I even let one of them call me ma’am.
WE’RE FINALLY HERE!
Our hotel is just off of Bourbon Street so we dive right in. Even on a Tuesday night, there’s plenty of action. Street performers, groups of businessmen, managers waving you into their bars with a promise of cheap drinks and FREE music. We stop for a $7 Miller Light (that’s not cheap) and a 7-piece band. Then we snack on shrimp po-boys, oysters, and end the evening with a frozen daiquiri and a slice of pizza. Because, that’s what you do on Bourbon Street.
Places & Things & Pictures & Words 
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