I had heard about the Selma to Montgomery trail repetitively over the year leading up to the trip, but didn't have much of an idea about the trail. Our first stop in Alabama was in Selma. We had no idea where to park, so we found street parking and walked. The first door that looked promising was a visitor center (which turned out to not be the National Parks visitor center). We were welcomed by one of the most enthusiastic women I have ever met! She was ecstatic that we had come to see Selma. She told us about her experience on Bloody Sunday which was the day that Martin Luther King, Jr and many others began their march for civil rights. However, there was great resistance which led to loss of life. I love hearing personal experiences from history events!! She then proceeded to tell us about the huge breakfasts she loved to cook and about her family and just about everything else...until we edge our way to the door and found our way to the National Parks visitor center that she had directed us to. :) I will never forget this woman!!
The park rangers who welcomed us to the National Parks visitor center was enthusiastic too and LOVED telling us about the history of that day. She shared with us what had happened leading up to the march, the march itself, and the after effects of it. I wish I could remember all of the details to share them with all of you, but unfortunately I don't remember as much as I'd like. You should look it up if you're interested. ;) She made it come even more alive to us. We then proceeded to look at the exhibits in the visitor center before driving to the next visitor center. Honestly, the second visitor center was not as interesting to us, so we proceeded to Montgomery and our hotel!
(It was sobering and not a place to take a lot of pictures.)
At dinner that night we had the most amazing server! We had a long conversation about how he remembers orders and the way different people's brains work. It was so much fun! He also did a fantastic job at making interacting with each of his tables differently. He was efficient, friendly, and took the time for everyone. Truly an incredible experience.
Our next day in Alabama was a Sunday. We were all so so tired from traveling...and it had been a few weeks since we had been able to go to church. So after asking the front desk person about her recommendations, we picked one. Mom, Alyssa, and I are all thankful that we chose as we did. The sermon was perfect for the time (although I am forgetting what it was about) and the worship was uplifting. It was a much needed spiritual oasis.
Monday we tackled the last two places we had planned for Alabama: Tuskegee Airmen and Tuskegee Institute. Up until now I haven't mentioned that a huge snowstorm was hitting the northeast at this point in time. We were very grateful to have planned our route the way that we did. :) However, the cold front had blown south. So it was cold. Like 30 degrees cold. Most of the time it didn't impact us too much. Visiting the Tuskegee Airmen site was different. It consisted of 2 airplane hangers which you had to walk outside to reach. And we couldn't find the entrance anywhere at first. The first hanger's doors were all locked. Have I mentioned that it was cold? The second hanger appeared to have no open doors either...until we reached the far side of it. By the time we got inside, we were freezing!!!
The volunteers/park rangers were not very friendly, but the museum was well put together and informative. I had never before understood what a struggle it was for people who were black to gain equality in the military. The Tuskegee airmen were the first all black airmen for the military. They fought and fought for equality. When they were in combat zones, they were respected and valued. Back in the United States, on base, they were treated as less important and forbidden from entering certain areas on base. Consequently tension was common on base. They continued to advocate for themselves...and eventually a commander was stationed at the base who cared about everyone there and worked to build unity. Our time there was extremely eye opening! My empathy definitely expanded.
I had been excited for Tuskegee Institute since we had briefly visited George Washington Carver's birth place earlier in the trip. He is one of my heroes; I wanted to see the university that the he helped to shape.We learned a lot about his life by walking through the museum. We then took a tour of Booker T. Washington's house that was across the road. Booker T. Washington was the founder of Tuskegee Institute which was the first higher education place for black people. Any one, of any color, was welcome to attend. We loved learning more about this time in history!
Overall Alabama, while cold, was full of incredible history that I wouldn't have wanted to miss!!!
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