We Be Trippin': The Great DIS-nee Road Trip

[madbrad76]

OK Dis-nee family, I think we've all enjoyed the time spent in Birmingham. It looks like it's time to get back on the road and head to the 3rd part of my LONG tour of Alabama. Just sit down and hold on tight and we'll be on our way.

Before we get into Huntsvile, there is one SHORT stop I'd like to make along the way. This place is located in Cullman, AL just off of Interstate 65.

Ave Maria Grotto

Ave Maria Grotto, known throughout the world as "Jerusalem in Miniature," is a beautifully landscaped, four-acre park designed to provide a natural setting for the 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous historic buildings and shrines of the world. The masterpieces of stone and concrete are the lifetime work of Brother Joseph Zoettl, a Benedictine monk of St. Bernard Abbey. Begun as a hobby, with various materials he could find, and infinite patience and a remarkable sense of symmetry and proportion, Brother Joseph re-created some of the greatest edifices of all time.


For more info:
History of Ave Maria Grotto
Joseph Zoettl info
Pictures of Ave Maria Grotto on Flickr




Now - on to Huntsville

 

[catotigger]

OK Dis-nee family, I think we've all enjoyed the time spent in Birmingham. It looks like it's time to get back on the road and head to the 3rd part of my LONG tour of Alabama. Just sit down and hold on tight and we'll be on our way.

Before we get into Huntsvile, there is one SHORT stop I'd like to make along the way. This place is located in Cullman, AL just off of Interstate 65.

Ave Maria Grotto

Ave Maria Grotto, known throughout the world as "Jerusalem in Miniature," is a beautifully landscaped, four-acre park designed to provide a natural setting for the 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous historic buildings and shrines of the world. The masterpieces of stone and concrete are the lifetime work of Brother Joseph Zoettl, a Benedictine monk of St. Bernard Abbey. Begun as a hobby, with various materials he could find, and infinite patience and a remarkable sense of symmetry and proportion, Brother Joseph re-created some of the greatest edifices of all time.


For more info:
History of Ave Maria Grotto
Joseph Zoettl info
Pictures of Ave Maria Grotto on Flickr




Now - on to Huntsville

Oh my Goodness!

I can't imagine having the patience it would take to do just one of these!

Thanks for sharing, Madbrad.

Can't wait to see Huntsville!

 

[tothesea]

Ave Maria Grotto

Amazing Madbrad!!! Kinda reminds me of Storybook Land if you relate it to Disney of course. Quite a work of art in it's own right though. So much I didn't even know existed! Thank you for making the time to show us everything!

 

[BigThunderMtn]

Vulcan Park

The statue's naked buttocks have been a source of embarrassment and humor locally. A novelty song, "Moon Over Homewood," refers to the fact that the statue "moons" the neighboring suburb of Homewood, Alabama.

My DW's biological family held a reunion there a couple years ago. I thought it was funny that the statue had his bare bum hanging out. I couldn't help "butt" take pictures of this humorous site. Taking a ride up the elevator to see the view up top at night is awesome.

 

[BigThunderMtn]

MadBrad...I hope to have a very special pic just for you on our return trip to Smith Lake for the 4th of July weekend. I missed the photo opportunity both times I passed it...around Boaz, AL.

 

[AnnDisneyFan]

Shameless repost from the other thread.....

HI EVERYONE!!!!

I have been missing our little family here so much! Alert!

For those who "met" me way back when in early February, during the contest that brought us together, I was also trying to put together a new weight loss support group thingie business plan.

Well, things have come full circle as I have my first TWO customers on Thursday!!!!

I have been over my head with all of the business red tape and hoops I have been jumping through. My biggest hurdle was that I was originally told that when people come to see me that it would be covered by insurance.....misinformation from the distributor of my metabolic analyzer. After hours and hours and days and days of contacting state insurance boards and state grievance boards, we came up with a "probably not" going to be able to be covered.

Once I had that answer, I rewrote all of the information the distributor gave me (that is a full time job in itself!) to reflect the "generally not covered by insurance." I also added the fact that people basically wouldn't be coming in looking at a Barbie doll...meaning that I can relate to the weight loss process because I am in the middle of it too.

So all this to say YAY -- I am sooooo excited and really hoping to be able to help people in their journey too.

Oh, and I TOLD my husband that I am planning a trip to Disney starting Christmas day 2008. I have some more weight loss goals for myself and since Disney did well to get me going the first time (61 lbs) --- I am hoping it is enough motivation to get me to the next level.

I know it will be crowded but hopefully with planning it can be done, right? Has anyone gone Christmas week? Last December we were there but it was the 8th - 15th and we were able to ride things back to back (not all rides but a good bit of them).

Anyway, sorry to write so much! Just happy and optimistic and and and I am going to Disney!!!

 

[DSNY4ever]

Cool we're on the road again! I am loving "Bama"- I have a cousin-in-law from there and that is what he calls it! Everything looks beautiful- and I loved freshening up on my history- great job!

 

[madbrad76]

Huntsville, AL

The high-tech city of Huntsville which sprawls at the foot of a mountain in North Alabama is equally at home in the 19th century or the 21st. Huntsville's tourist attractions reflect the heritage of Alabama's first English-speaking city, the strife of the American Civil War, and the accomplishments of America's rocket scientists.

Pioneer John Hunt, for whom the city is named, occupied a cabin alongside a spring here in 1805. A town soon flourished and was the largest in the Alabama Territory by 1819. That year the leaders of the Alabama Territory met here to petition the U.S. Congress to grant Alabama statehood.

Huntsville was still a cotton market town of 16,437 people in 1950 when U.S. Sen. John Sparkman (who lived in Huntsville's historic Twickenham neighborhood) brought a band of German rocket scientists to Redstone Arsenal to develop rockets for the U.S. Army. By the end of the decade, Wernher von Braun's team had developed the rocket which orbited America's first satellite. They eventually put the first American in space and transported the first astronauts to the Moon.

Redstone Arsenal is one of the U.S. Army's most important strategic posts. It is responsible for research, development, production and worldwide support of missiles, aviation, rockets and related programs.

A legacy of the space program which benefits visitors is the renowned U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Guests can experience astronaut-training activities, feel simulated weightlessness and view large-screen movies filmed by astronauts in space. The Center's U.S. Space Camp attracts young people from throughout the world who spend a week experiencing space flight training and participate in mock space missions. It was Von Braun himself who inspired Space Camp. He suggested that the space museum develop an intensive youth science program to stimulate chidren's interest in math and science.


For more info on Huntsville:
Welcome to Huntsville
Huntsville, AL Wikipedia page



More info on the US Space and Rocket Center/Space Camp and Redstone Arsenal coming up next!

 

[Marshay]

More info on the US Space and Rocket Center/Space Camp and Redstone Arsenal coming up next!

That spaceship is freaking cool!!!! Great photo!

Space Camp!! Do they have one for adults, too?? Guess I'll wait for your post!

 

[BigThunderMtn]

That spaceship is freaking cool!!!! Great photo!

Space Camp!! Do they have one for adults, too?? Guess I'll wait for your post!

It is! We took a quick trip to the Space Center one weekend we were hanging at Smith Lake. I think it was only about an hour or so away.

 

[3guysandagal]

Hi All!
Finally found some time to log on and say hi.
I have been dropping in occasionally to keep up with the tour.
Great Bama tour so far MadBrad!
Glad to hear of all the good things that have been happening lately and a hearty "Good Luck" to everyone.
Love the new Catotars and Cats new Daredevil adventures.
Hopefully have some time to chat in the near future.
Bye for now.

 

[Marshay]

Since I found out that Space Camp is only for children (WTH??? I want to do that!!!), a few of us decided to get in the helicopter and go to HersheyPark.

Here's a very quick overview.

www.hersheypark.com for more information.

Hersheypark has 11 roller coasters and a new waterpark area opened up last year. The newest roller coaster is called Fahrenheit and boasts:

- a 90 degree ascent for 121 ft
- a 97 degree negative drop (steepest in the entire US!)
- then inverted loops & corkscrews, Cobra element, airborne inverted S roll, airtime hills, and high speed banked curves.

Here's a link if you wish to ride it -- it was AWESOME!!!

http://www.hersheypark.com/fahrenheit/index.php

The beginning of the ride is basically going straight up a hill -- I mean you are pressed backwards so your back is parallel to the earth. If you've ever done Mission Space, you'll know what I mean. It's the same view as when the rocket takes off.

I don't have a pic of the take-off yet -- it's still on my DH's camera...will post later.

My DD experienced her first real roller coaster -- not a kiddie one. It's called the Trailblazer. Here's proof (she's waving at me really, she's not saying stop!)

Now on to something a bit calmer.

Hershey's version of the monorail

Getting in line for another roller coaster. Remember that this is an older amusement park (notice the grungy queue line) and oh, yeah, their child swap process is to take your child in with you on the ride and switch out at the car. This is sooooo not child friendly!!!

DH and BIL getting ready to ride. Meanwhile my sis and I have 2 children, all the camera gear and bags, etc, in the queue line...

Then we had lunch (I recommend the food court area) and off to ride my DD's favorite ride -- the Ferris Wheel.

Some views of the park --

The tall structure in the back is the famous "kissing tower". This is one of those slow rides that spin around to give you a view of the park. We didn't get on it this time but here is a pic from 2 years ago. Note the shape of the windows -- a Hershey Kiss!

(yes, this is my DD in 2006)

Hersheypark goes right through the town of Hershey. Note the streetlamps are in the shape of Hershey Kisses.

A closer look

Here is where all your Hershey chocolate bars are made!!!

Also included in your admission price is ZooAmerica. Here is a pic from the monorail.

Hersheypark added a whole new water park included with your admission ticket. It's called the Boardwalk. Here are some of the rides. We didn't get on the rides but did walk around the "water works" area and the "kiddie sandcastle" area. The water was a freezing temperature but DD and my nephews had a blast!

A dump from the water works area

Note the water park is right in the middle of all the rollercoasters, etc.

DD really liked some of the kiddie cars. The rides for small kids are dispersed all over the park, which is a good thing when you have varying ages in your group.

The characters at Hersheypark are different versions of their candy bars. Here is DD with her cousin and Milk Duds.

And I'll end with a pic of my sis and me

We certainly didn't have enough time to experience all of Hersheypark. It's definitely a 2 day park. Quite fun -- but I can't help to compare it to Disney and it does come up lacking...KWIM?

 

[FirstTimeCaller]

It's been years since I've been to Hershey Park. Sure looks different from what I remember... but I bet it smells the same.

Thanks for the side trip.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Wow I had no idea Hershey park was a real theme park I just thought it was a chocolate factory with maybe a train and a giant hershey kiss character walking around. Very cool! I think we should send Cat down that Water Funnel ride in her barrel!

 

[madbrad76]

Redstone Arsenal

Redstone Arsenal is a U.S. Army post located next to the city of Huntsville. The primary tenant organizations are the United States Army Aviation and Missile Command and the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.

Redstone Arsenal became such in 1943, as a result of plans to create a second chemical weapons plant in addition to the existing plant at Edgewood, Maryland. Workload was heavy during World War II, leading to construction of the Huntsville Arsenal nearby. Activity curtailed quickly after the war and in 1947, Redstone was placed on standby. Huntsville Arsenal was deactivated in 1949 with the remaining staff transferred to Redstone. That same year the Army's Ordnance Rocket Center was transferred to Redstone. Redstone was the home of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency when it was founded in 1956, but lost a number of facilities and personnel, including all space-related programs, to NASA in 1960.

Redstone Arsenal remains the center of testing, development, and doctrine for the U.S. Army's missile programs. Besides the Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone houses the Tactical UAV Project Office, Ordnance Munitions and Electronic Maintenance School , Redstone Technical Test Center (RTTC), and other operations. Redstone Arsenal also hosts the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA's center for propulsion analysis and development. The Saturn V moon rocket was developed here by Wernher von Braun's team of rocket engineers.




United States Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM)

The United States Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) is the U.S. Army organization primarily responsible for life cycle management of army missile, helicopter, unmanned ground vehicle and unmanned aerial vehicle weapon systems. AMCOM is a 38,000-acre installation that is home to more than 60 international, federal, and Department of Defense organizations.

The U.S. Army Missile Command was formally established on May 23, 1962 at Redstone Arsenal to manage the Army's missile systems. The 1995 Base Realignment and Closure Commission resulted in the transfer of several Army missions. AMCOM was formally established on October 1, 1997 by the merger of the U.S. Army Missile Command (MICOM) at Redstone Arsenal and the U.S. Army Aviation and Troop Command (ATCOM) at St. Louis, Missouri, with the combined command located at Redstone Arsenal.

AMCOM manages and/or provides significant support for the following weapon systems:

Air defense missile systems

M-1097 Avenger

Patriot

Stinger



Tactical missile systems

Hellfire

Javelin

MLRS

BGM-71 TOW


Aviation systems

Apache

Black Hawk

Chinook

Kiowa Warrior

 

[Disneymommom]

Hey Marshay I really enjoyed the helicopter ride and the trip back in time to my beloved Hershey Park! I have always loved that place and went there at least once a year every year for a long, long time, my whole neighborhood used to go. We'd caravan there, picnic by the stadium and then do the park. They didn't have the water park nor as many roller coasters, they sure have added a lot. You brought back a lot of precious memories, thanks Marshay!!!!

 

[catotigger]

Since I found out that Space Camp is only for children (WTH??? I want to do that!!!), a few of us decided to get in the helicopter and go to HersheyPark.

Here's a very quick overview.

www.hersheypark.com for more information.

Thanks for the side trip! I've often heard of HersheyPark, but didn't know anything about it - except for the chocolate part!

It's been years since I've been to Hershey Park. Sure looks different from what I remember... but I bet it smells the same.

Thanks for the side trip.

Oooh, I wish we had smell-o-vision on our computers! I bet it smells amazing!

Wow I had no idea Hershey park was a real theme park I just thought it was a chocolate factory with maybe a train and a giant hershey kiss character walking around. Very cool! I think we should send Cat down that Water Funnel ride in her barrel!

Hmmm, I'm trying to picture how I would draw that...

 

[catotigger]

MadBrad! You continue to amaze me with all this information.

I had no idea about all this stuff. Thanks so much for sharing - you've done an excellent job!

 

[madbrad76]

Marshall Space Flight Center

The George C. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), the original home of NASA, is a lead center for propulsion, Space Shuttle propulsion, Shuttle external fuel tank, crew training and payloads, International Space Station (ISS) design and construction, for computers, networks, and information management. Located on the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, MSFC is named in honor of General George Marshall.

The center also contains the Huntsville Operations Support Center (HOSC) that is a facility that supports Space Shuttle launch, payload and experiment activities at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, ISS launch and experiment operations. The HOSC also monitors rocket launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station when a Marshall Center payload is on board.

MSFC arose from the US Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA) and the Army Ordnance Missile Command (AOMC) centered at Redstone Arsenal. Initially assigned to Fort Bliss, TX, the Von Braun team was later transferred to Redstone Arsenal. The transition from military to civilian space exploration came when President Dwight D. Eisenhower announced on site the formation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on July 1, 1960. At this time Marshall also received its name and a bronze bust of the general from the President. The center became the civilian base for Dr. Wernher von Braun, his team of German rocket scientists and a large host of military and civilian contractors.



For more info:
MSFC Official Home Page
MSFC History and Fact sheet
MSFC Wikipedia

 

[FirstTimeCaller]

Redstone Arsenal is a U.S. Army post located next to the city of Huntsville.

Good to know that Huntsville is so well defended. I'll sleep better at night knowing that.