Alabama DVCers? -- Got 15?

[tadamom]

PHOTOBOB, you are gonna make me get in my car and drive home right now. I love Trowbridge's and Dale's. I used to work and Roger's Department Store (a block and 1/2 down from Trowbridge's) and when I was pregnant, my husband and I would walk down there for orange-pineapple ice cream 2-3 times a week (no wonder I gained 65 pounds with that pregnancy!!!! )!!!

I drive through Oxford about every 6 weeks when we head home to see our families, it is a great place to stop and eat for us (we love Sonny's). Have you tried The Mellow Mushroom yet? We have one here in Atlanta and love it!!

We also have some friends that live in Southside, not exactly sure how far that is from Oxford but we meet them for supper occassionally!!

 

[RealMickey]

So, do you mostly fly or drive? DH (Mickey's Apprentice) would really like to fly but Montgomery doesn't have a direct flight. It seems like a layover in Atlanta or the drive to Birmingham makes it not worth the money to fly.

We always drive! We usually leave early in the morning...it's about an 8 hour drive (not factoring in the time change).... check-in, then head to dinner. Montgomery is not a great place for deals on airline tickets!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Hey Photobob and Tadamom!

Mrs. Mickey's Apprentice Here! You guys named off some real Florence landmarks.

My favorites were Culpepper's doughnuts, and the old Court Street Cafe. Court Street was the huge college hangout in the late 80s and was sooo good. Both have sadly closed now. Of course, Court Street Cafe was a block over on Seminary Street in the old green stamp store. (You'd be surprised how great they made that building look.)
For some reason, I kind of miss Spring Park, Oneal Bridge, and McFarland Bottoms. I used to have a cassette of Alabama's "Tennessee River" that I played every time I went over Oneal Bridge. Since home was actually 45 miles south in beautiful Bear Creek, I also miss driving through THE cotton fields and getting a BBQ sandwich or footlong hotdog from the Frosty Inn in Russellville.

As for UNA, my best memory was walking close to the amphitheater and seeing the most beautiful dogwood in bloom in front of the University Center. (It was gorgeous!) Oh yeah, and the squirrels too.

I have to admit I have never eaten at Dale's. Though sacreligious I know, I really didn't see what the big deal was with Trowbridges either. I did go in Anderson's bookstore a lot when I was a kid.

Did you guys ever go to Woodall's in Decatur? They had the best BBQ way back when.

 

[tadamom]

Hey Mickey's Apprentice!!

I too loved Culpepper's Bakery and Court Street Cafe! I am sad that they are gone now. Speaking of Spring Park, have you been there lately? It is awesome now. If you haven't beent there...they have put in a huge man made waterfall (I believe the monument says it is the largest man-made in the nation), a train that circles the perimeter of the park, a carousel and small roller coaster. My kids love to go there when we go home to see our families. My 4 year old son rides that roller coaster like 15 times in a row!!! They also do a light show w/the fountain at dark. They have really done a lot with that park.

I am not a huge fan of Trowbridge's food but they have the best orange-pineapple ice cream ever. I only go in there for the sweet treat. However, their chili dogs are pretty good.

 

[Canman]

War Eagle.

I've done the trip in 7 hours flat from Montgomery. It was a straight shot with one stop for gas. That trip was quite a trophy.

DVC member since 1992.

 

[SimbaNoodle]

Greetings from Mobile. It's great to see so many members from Alabama.

 

[photobob]

tadamom,

Yes, we love mellow mushroom. Oxford keeps growing, we just had a grand opening at the new "open air" with Target and Home Depot. We used to have to go to Bham or Douglasville to get to a Target or Old Navy. I told my wife yesterday that we may now only have to take extended drives to WDW!

 

[RealMickey]

When are you planning on going back? We will be @ HHI thanksgiving and are going home to BWV in April.

We are doing a cruisein Dec (not on points), and staying at VWL before the cruise. Just made ressies foir HHI in Feb.

Canman......more Montgomery DVCers, great!

 

['Countingmom]

Greetings from the Shoals... I almost did a double take with all the Florence references.... although not a native to the Shoals, I have made Florence my home for the last 5 years... love living here (with the exception that it's too far from WDW)

Have lived in TN, GA, MS and 3 areas of Alabama... easy to guess which is my favorite...

Just to make you folks miss home a little more.... it's "Handy Week".. kicked it off this past weekend with lots of great music...

WAR EAGLE!!

 

[tadamom]

Greetings 'Countingmom!!! What part do you live in?

Funny thing...I lived in Florence for nearly 30 years and I don't think I have ever attended anything during "Handy Week". I know all about W.C. Handy and all but I have never gotten into it. I used to work in the heart of downtown at Rogers Department Store and when they would block off the Court Street for the festival I could hear all the music I wanted from 10 - 6 so I got my fix of it. But, I do hope that you are enjoying yourself.

 

[coachjoe92]

Hey Photobob...

Another Oxford, Alabama resident here. JSU '83, so we were probably at a lot of the same ballgames.

 

['Countingmom]

Greetings 'Countingmom!!! What part do you live in?

Funny thing...I lived in Florence for nearly 30 years and I don't think I have ever attended anything during "Handy Week". I know all about W.C. Handy and all but I have never gotten into it. I used to work in the heart of downtown at Rogers Department Store and when they would block off the Court Street for the festival I could hear all the music I wanted from 10 - 6 so I got my fix of it. But, I do hope that you are enjoying yourself.

We live in Kendale Gardens (near Shoals Creek). Unfortunately, I don't have the energy to get out and enjoy the festivities of Handy Week during week nights... kids, work, etc. However, there was a 'concert' on the Lake Sunday evening that was very nice. Took the boat, dropped an anchor & cooked some burgers while the sun went down. Sure made Monday morning tough though!

 

[dizhoni]

Hi everybody! We live in Pelham, just moved here from Montgomery in March.

We bought OKW in January 2005---have enjoyed 2 trips so far, including our

50th Anniversary trip just last week. We took kids and grandkids, total 18!

Had a wonderful time---we always drive. We support both schools, I'm sure

you all understand. So happy to meet you all. Honi

 

[Sammie]

I hope you nice Alabama DVCers will let me ask a related but somewhat off topic question.

Do any of you live in Dothan, or know a nice place there to spend the night or between there and Montgomery. Clean and safe are the priorities.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

O.K., did you have to mention it was Handy week in Florence. That's not fair! Don't make me come up there! I will you know!

I guess until Mickey's Apprentice changes his mind about LOVING Montgomery, I will be stuck here. I've even tried to bribe him with a house on the river. (I doubt we could afford it, but I've tried.) Its hard to appreciate what you've never had, I guess.

Its so great to hear from people that love DVC and the Shoals. At least you guys can be my DVC neighbors!

From Mrs. Mickey's Apprentice

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Troy Alabama is about half way between Montgomery and Dothan. Ozark/Ft. Rucker is a little closer to Dothan than to Montgomery. There are some hotels there because of the army base. I don't know how any of them are.

There is an almost new Hilton Garden Inn on I-85 Exit 4 in Montgomery that looks absolutely fabulous. I think you would be very happy with that hotel or the other hotel that moved next to it. (Homewood Suites, maybe??)

Anyway, to get to either of these...

Take I65 to I85 N. Exit on Perry Hill Road (Exit 4). Turn left going back over the interstate. You'll be on Perry Hill Road. You will see a Chevron station on your left. A few hundred feet after the Chevron on the left, is the entrance to Interstate Park on your right. These really nice hotels are easily found from Interstate Park.

When you leave...

Exit Interstate Park, turn left. Go back over the interstate and stay on Perry Hill Road. You will pass a shopping center with a Bruno's grocery store. You will see a VERY LARGE church straight ahead. It will look like you are going to hit the large church. Take a left at the intersection just before the huge church. This is Vaughn Road. Take Vaughn Road until you reach the Eastern Blvd. (If you pass Popeye's chicken you've gone too far.) Take the Eastern Blvd. to the Troy Hwy also known as U.S. 231. This road will take you to I-10.

The hotel is just a couple of miles at the most from 231.

 

[Kewz1]

. We will be @ HHI thanksgiving and are going home to BWV in April.

I just noticed that we'll be at HH at the same time!

Kristen

 

[Simba's Mom]

I just noticed that we'll be at HH at the same time!

Kristen

And us too! First time we'll have spent Thanksgiving at HHI!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Hey Kewz1 & Simba's Mom!

We will be spending Thanksgiving with my Mom in Douglasville, GA, and will be driving to HHI that Friday. We will be staying for 3 nights and leaving on Monday.

We've not been to HHI before, and hope to see Charleston and/or Savannah.

Since we were going to Atlanta anyway, and could use points at HHI, it was just too good to pass up.

Let me know if you guys want to meet up for Campfire Smores or something at HHI. Me and Mrs. Mickey's Apprentice are both really looking forward to our first DVC trip.

 

[RealMickey]

Alright Alabama DVCers, where do you own your points?


We own at BCV.