Happy 4th Of July

Coker, Alabama

Weather: low 70 degrees, high 94 degrees, mostly clear early, mostly cloudy late in the afternoon

Happy 4th of July. Let's take a moment to reflect on those brave people who risked everything to start this great country of ours.

As I mentioned yesterday, we went up to the Natural Bridge, located in Bankhead National Forest. The route up is located in thinly settled countryside, with rolling hills covered with trees of all types. Traffic was very light. If a person finds his way to the Natural Bridge, it is because he planned to go there. It is not near any towns of significant size.

The area around the Natural Bridge is owned by private individuals. The attraction was opened about 50 years ago, and it doesn't look as though any improvements have been made since then. We paid our admission fee, which was very reasonable, at an old store that was filled with tourist stuff. Following directions we were given in the store, we walked down a path about 100 yards. At that point, we turned around and saw a natural rock formation on the side of the hill that resembled the profile of an Indian man. Uncanny.

Walking about 50 yards farther, we caught our first view of the Natural Bridge. It was created about 200 million years ago when the sandstone under it was washed away. It stays in the air because it is supported by iron ore veins running through it. The bridge is said to be the longest natural bridge east of the Rocky Mountains.

As we moved closer to the Natural Bridge, we saw that there was another smaller bridge on the other side. This was an unexpected surprise, since we had not heard about it.

After tromping around and under the bridge, Carolyn was ready to head back.

The rest of us looked around a little more, then went back to the car, where we pulled out the picnic lunch we had brought with us. Chicken strip rollups, carrot sticks, tomatoes, cucumbers, chips, blueberries. Boy, oh, boy. It doesn't get any better.

As we headed back home, we decided to take a different route. We went through the little crossroads of Natural Bridge, the towns of Double Springs and Arley, and the larger town of Jasper. Eventually, we made our way home, and were glad to get back. I'm wore out.

More later, be safe.

Today's Town - Arley, Alabama: Surrounded By Beautiful Lake Smith

Not all who wander are lost.