We see a lot of these. Some are low to the ground, some are high up. We began to see them frequently in Montana and again in Kansas and now they are everywhere we go.
"Now all we need is a Baptist Church" Dan made this comment last weekend after seeing our 333rd water tower, not really, we don't keep track but it feels like it.
We see about as many water towers as we do Baptist churches. For us they have become a major player in our experience of the the South.
If you ever get lost you can find your way back to the land of Dixie my idea would be to follow the towers and steeples that rise above everything else.
Have you ever lived in a place where the seasons followed the calendar? Just like clock work, about a week ago, the weather changed. That would put us very close to the 21st, the first day of Fall. It rained all weekend as if on cue. The rains didn't last all week but I did notice that it was so much cooler, even crisp in the mornings. We've even turned off the AC and opened the windows today. The best part about the change of seasons is we can enjoy the outdoors without melting to our death.
There are lots of new places to explore. Parks and downtown streets, sporting events and local shops. Today we discovered a new piece of trail running alongside the Black Warrior. Summer is nice but Fall is so much better.
We've also discovered that while football tickets cost anywhere from $5 to $375 soccer games are FREE. That I can get behind.
Here we are, ready for our next UA sporting event.
As I drive around I wonder what you might think of our new home. The newness of it all is beginning to wear off but sometimes I still find mystery in everyday things. Things that are very 'southern' and traditional and different. Maybe you would feel the same? Dan and I talk about how it feels real, us being here, and a lot has become normal but there are a few things, mostly when we discover something new, when we have to do a double take and remember where we are.
Not far from our house, there are bits of jungle and wilderness scattered in between housing developments
Lots of little shops and stores here, the working man and not the box store.
Sunset, timing is pretty predictable. Sunrise about 6:40 am, sunset about 6:40 pm.
The groceries have been bought, the fridge is well stocked, the gas tank is full, the errands have been done. I think we are ready.
This is, after all, the first home game of the season and we've been warned. The stadium holds 100,000 people- the majority of fans travel in to the city for the game, there are hundreds who come on Thursday and camp out on the front lawn of the University. We've heard the rumors of those who have spent $10,000 for a set of game day tickets. The City of Tuscaloosa makes 4 million dollars each weekend there is a game played at home.
The locals and those more experienced than us have encouraged us to "hunker down" because if the city of Tuscaloosa has a population of 100,00 people and you add the student body of the UA + those visiting for the game you end up with a whole lot of people. Taking their advice; we planned ahead. We are watching and waiting for the explosion to unfold.
For those of us who don't follow football here is the schedule so you can be in the know (compliments of rolltide.com):
Look hard now (no, it is not our dirty windshield).
Okay, I'll tell you. The semi is in the left hand lane, meaning he is passing us.
Do you remember the line from Pirates of the Caribbean where the pirate says to Ms. Swan that the rules are "more like guidelines"? That saying also applies to the rules of the road here in AL.
There is not a separate speed limit for the semi trucks (like in Washington where they travel 5 to 10 less than cars). Meaning if you aren't going 10-15 miles faster than the speed limit like the other cars on the road they will pass you. It was nerve wracking the first few times it happened. But just remember they aren't really speed limit rules per say, just guidelines.
