Weather: low 37 degrees, high 50 degrees, cloudy, rain, windy
It was another miserable weather day here in north Alabama. We didn't let that slow us down, however, as I felt good enough to suggest we go somewhere for lunch. Since I didn't have an idea for where to go, we decided to just play it by ear.
We decided to take a ride east on Brown's Ferry Road from Tanner to see how the area has changed. When we lived here back in the 1980s, we used that road often to go to Madison or Huntsville. Well, I have to tell you it is not the same now as it was then. Oh, sure, there's still plenty of vacant farm land, but there are also housing developments with prices to the $400,000 range on the road. It is really building up, especially within the Madison area.
As we were driving, we noticed a Mexican restaurant. A closer look showed it to be another El Olmeca, which we ate at in Ardmore about three weeks ago. Since our experience in Ardmore was pretty good, we decided to try this one out.
This particular El Olmeca is out in the boondocks, with nothing around except for a cotton gin and a farm supply store. It must be tough on them to have a profitable store in this location. Anyway, we stopped and had lunch, and it wasn't bad. I think the biggest negative was not the food or service, but the temperature of the restaurant. It felt like it was about 60 degrees. But, the food was good, as was the service. And the prices were reasonable. Looks like we have found another local restaurant that we'll be using. That is if the location doesn't kill them.
While on our little trip, we saw this old house. Looks like it has been overcome by events.
Before we went home, we decided to check out the Belle Mina area. Belle Mina was a famous plantation that was developed in the early 1800s when the government sold land to whoever had the money to buy. The area was perfect for growing cotton, and still grows it. The second governor of Alabama, Thomas Bibb, owned the plantation. The plantation home is still being used as a residence, and looks much like it did 150 years ago. Here's the best picture I could get.
A small business area was established near the plantation, but that has degraded to mostly a farm supply area. There is still one old building there that was probably the train depot at one time.
The surprising thing about the old plantation homes up here is that more of them were not destroyed during the War of Northern Aggression. That gives present folks a chance to see something that was accomplished back then.
By the time we saw Belle Mina and looked around a little, the post-lunch stupor was setting in. We decided to go home so we could stay warm and dry the rest of the day.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - Austin, Texas: Keep Austin Weird
Not all who wander are lost.
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