Alabama Boondocks

With each family visit, we are constantly reminded that things and people do actually change when we aren't there. Facing the mountains to the west, it feels like something important is going on behind us, but looking over my shoulder doesn't help much. If you care a little you can feel that, but caring a lot puts us on the road, perhaps more than we should be. Maybe while people developed as family oriented pack animals, they also developed some connectedness only explained in quantum mechanics and DNA. And transplants, such as ourselves, feel that urge to migrate to our genetic base. Maybe I've been reading too much sci-fi and should get back to cute babies and readable stories. More to the point, we visited my brother and his family in Alabama, recent transplants themselves.

From top down: Delaney, Finley, Brady

Right: Chris and Tawnie

They have a nice spread only a stones throw away from the Coosa River, which is a nice resource to have when you need to catch a little 'sup-sup.' Delaney (3) and Brady (5) were the first bare-footed hill billies to run up to the car when we pulled in. Makenna (12) and Trevor (7), two honor roll mainstays this year, were soon in the mix after Tawnie surprised them by bringing Kristin along when picking them up at school. Sometimes the best vacations are the ones without set plans, and that is exactly what we enjoyed most in Alabama. By nightfall, Steve and Nina had arrived for their third visit to the Bama Connors this year. Trevor was reeling in his first catfish of the evening, just a tad too small for eating. Chris would soon trump his son with a 5 pound monster that Steve had to assist him with. Life was good.

One story circulating through our family is that Chris was reaching for a sword to protect his family that night the back door burst open. For the record, lets just clear up that myth here and now. He sat comfortably on the couch sipping his wine, at no point reaching for a sword. The only chivalry I saw was in Trevor wearing a cape all night. But none was needed as Dan and Carly were the culprits, with their unannounced entrance to a surprise visit. If you ask me, Dan only drove down because he was concerned about the mental state of both Trevor and Brady. He has long been suspicious of his nephew wearing capes more often than not, and would try to get to the bottom of it.

Trevor and Brady were sharing a birthday party that Sunday, so Chris and I were fixin to head into town for some party fixins. I try. We passed some kids playing along the riverbank and noticed them carrying a rifle instead of a fishing pole. Whatever works, right? If that wasn't indicative of Alabama culture, the clothes-optional Wallmart towncenter had everything we needed, so we had that going for us. Later on, Tawnie and I were making some food when Chris decided to sing to Finley. Some song about how Finn looked like a hippopotamus, but it was okay because everybody still loved him. I think the last time we spent time with Chris in the south was in New Orleans almost 10 years ago. Christopher, Kristin, and I were trying to sneak in the back door of a piano bar at 4 in the morning...... and now this? A room full of 6 kids with Chris singing, instead of dueling pianos and tropical cocktails.

Left: Nina leads the way through Nacaloola Falls

Right: Eliot and product placement for grandpa Kevin.

The birthday party was great. Trevor was Harry Potter that day, and Brady went as Superman. The other kids dressed up too, which was encouraging for Dan and his identity crisis theories. Makenna was a great nanny, taking care of Eliot the entire day and night. Chris and Tawnie have hosting a party down pat, and even used the phrase "ya'll" a few times to make their friends feel more comfortable. Steve and I enjoyed dissecting each person's accent, while Kristin and Nina kept busy making sure nobody could hear us. Good times, great hospitality. We will be back.