Travel dates :: January 29 – February 9, 2016

After wrapping up our time in Florida (see Florida panhandle post here) we jetted north to Montgomery, Alabama. This was on our list for a LONG time and it was a bit of a relief to roll into town. We had 10 days scheduled in Montgomery while we spent time with Jeremy’s brother and sister-in-law and their two adorable kids who are close to our kids ages. Jeremy’s brother is in the Air Force and he was able to sponsor our stay in the Family Campground on the Air Force Base. The sites were clean, well-maintained and included FULL hook-ups for $180 for 10 days – a steal at $18/day. We are so grateful to stay here during our visit.

While in Montgomery we spent a LOT of time just playing with our sweet cousins. We have a small extended family – just 3 cousins and two of them are in Montgomery, so this is a big deal. It was a special time to bond and hang out. We went to our nephew’s basketball games, bought girl scout cookies from my niece – and watched the Super Bowl over at their place.

The kids spent a lot of time playing outside in the sunshine. Riding bikes, playing Nerf guns and playing with the neighbor kids. It was so much fun.

But during the work week – while they were at work and going to school – we spent a lot of time exploring the local area. Most especially we spent a lot of time exploring places of historical importance.

Selma to Montgomery National Historical Trail – We took a full day and drove the hour from Montgomery to Selma, Alabama along the general route of the Selma to Montgomery National Historical Trail. The 54-mile trail symbolizes so much about the Civil Rights movement and has three interpretive centers along the route. Our first stop was at the Selma Interpretive Center – right on the corner in downtown Selma after you cross over the famous Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Part of the National Parks system it is a small visitor’s center, but has some important displays . . .

and it was here that our kids completed the Junior Ranger badge (the same badge is available along the whole route).

You can walk across the street to the site of “Bloody Sunday” attack at the Edmund Pettus Bridge. On March 7, 1965 a group of 600 African Americans peacefully marching were attacked on this bridge by local law enforcement. 50 people were hospitalized. Two weeks later another group would start their march here and ultimately make it to Montgomery.

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