Alabama 2025
Sat, Nov 15 – After a rake-up event with our friends from church, I (Ronnie) flew to Huntsville, AL, where my mom and dad picked me up. It was a late arrival, so we were pretty tired when we got to Red Bay, but we talked for a while anyway.
Sunday morning – At 9am, we headed to church. Afterwards, we drove to Iuka, MS, for a delicious buffet lunch, then on to a state park I haven't visited since I was a kid: JP Coleman State Park on the Tennessee River. I love southern forests, they're very different from western forests (which I also love).
On the drive back, we stopped at Woodall Mountain, which I'd mentioned to several people before but had never actually visited. It's the highest point in Mississippi at 802 feet elevation. You can drive all the way to a small turnaround at the summit, which is full of communication towers. We signed the guest book, took a few photos, and headed back home.
We spent the afternoon at their house, fiddling with Mom's laptop and backing up photos.
Monday – I did some yard work with Dad and mulched leaves with his John Deere tractor. Running the tractor is always fun. :)
Tuesday – We visited the grave site for my aunt, uncle, grandmother, and grandfather, then visited my cousins Danny and Jason. Danny has an awesome floral shop in Saltillo with beautiful trees decorated for Christmas. Jason has a new, beautiful house. Really cool design.
Wednesday – Mom had a doctor's appointment in Florence, then we returned to Red Bay for some light house repairs.
Thursday – We met my niece Brittany and her kids; Caleb, Abigail, and Asher, in Tupelo for dinner. Afterwards, we went to Lowe's to pick up a bathroom faucet so I could help them install it, then drove around Tupelo where I grew up. Lots of memories there.
Friday – We decided to replace the bathroom sink, so we made another trip to Lowe's. Later, Kelsey, another niece, came over with her boys, JJ and Koda. They're 4 and 2 years old and full of energy. Hide-and-seek was a crowd favorite.
Saturday – My cousin Amy came over to visit. It was good to catch up with her. Then we went to a late lunch at my sister's restaurant, excellent BBQ in Belmont, MS. Later, I installed a ceiling fan in one of their bedrooms.
Sunday – We went to church again, then Karen, Brice, Kelsey, JJ, and Koda came over for lunch at Mom and Dad's. Brice and Dad continued their domination of the game Sequence, beating Mom and me for about ten games straight.
Monday – It was a sad day. We took a short trip back to Huntsville to look at some birds along the Tennessee River, then headed to the airport.
It was a great visit. I really enjoyed spending so much time with my mom, dad, sister, nephew, nieces, cousins, great-nephews, and great-niece.
