Day 113 - Phenix City, last city in AL

Monday, December 20, 2010

Last night was cold, but not in the teens or anything like that......maybe high 20's, low 30's. I slept well, and was up and ready to hit the road by 645am. My goal today is to reach Phenix City, the last city in AL. It's about a 25 mile walk from Society Hill, but if I can keep from "socializing" too much, might be able to make it. Jim Peters, W. Monroe, LS, sent a "care" package to the Ramada Inn in Phenix City, and I want to pick it up, as well might stay in the motel tonight. Society Hill is really a nice place, and as I was heading down the road, passed one of the most beautiful houses I've seen. It has the "antebellum" look, plus situated on a high point on a beautiful farm. I took a picture, but couldn't do it justice.

I passed one of those circular irrigation rigs, and noticed it is used for watering turf at the Frog Pond Turf Farm. All the grass was brown, so guess it's some sort of Bermuda or something of that type. I had a call from Mrs. Gunther at Greenfield Elementary School in Daleville, VA. Her students are following the walk, and wanted to talk for a while. It's always fun to talk with them.....they have good questions. I passed through a small community named Marvyn, and another named Dixie. I stopped in Dixie at the B.W. Capps General Store for breakfast, and a few supplies. Then back to walking.

Today was beautiful,and I was soon out of the coat and gloves. Hwy 80 was treating me well, with a nice shoulder to walk on, and not much traffic. After several hours, I stopped at Crawford's Deli for lunch. Had the special.....country steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet tea, and a piece of cake. (Southerners always have something sweet at the end of a meal!) After lunch, I headed out to get some more of those miles behind me. I passed through Crawford, which was once named Crockettville, after Davy Crockett. I passed Haden Deer Processing, one of the busiest places in AL this time of the year. I walked over to take a picture, and met two of the three brothers who own the place......Davy and Cody Haden. they said they have already processed over 500 deer this year, and the busiest part of the season is still ahead. They gave me a bag of deer jerky to snack on along the way.

I passed a field of horses, and decided to try the mints on them. One was more aggressive than the others, and ate 3 or 4.......he knew how to chew them. I need to buy more, am out for now. I also passed a beautiful hawk, sitting on a power line. As I got closer, he flew away. I passed the Eastern Alabama Motor Speedway, a nice looking dirt track. Lots of good NASCAR racers are from Alabama. Hwy 80 soon changed to 4 lane......with no shoulder. The walk through Ladonia and into Phenix City was scary. Lots of traffic in both directions, and they didn't want me taking up space. I finally moved to the turn lane right in the center of the road......it was the only safe place I could find. After several miles of that, I noticed a road called Old Crawford Road, and stopped at a car place to inquire about taking that road. The young man inside, Danny Redding, showed me a different route to take to the motel, so I headed that way.

After several more miles, I finally pulled into the parking lot of the Ramada Inn, Phenix City.......a long day. I was soon in the room, had a bath, ate a little something, and did some computer stuff while watching the football game. The package from Jim Peters was waiting for me......socks, sock liners, head band to keep the ears warm, seam sealer for the tent, and a little "walking around money" as he said his Grandfather called it. Jim's trying to keep me warm and dry. Another surprise.......I am now in the Eastern Time Zone. Didn't think that was until tomorrow, but Phenix City is EST. Early tomorrow I will cross the Chattahoochee River into Columbus, GA., and then turn NE, heading to Macon. The people in Alabama have really been good Samaritans as I traveled through their state.

About the pictures:
Cody (l) and Davy Haden....deer processors;
Historic marker for Crockettsville;
Beautiful antebellum house east of Society Hill.

A Christmas song for you........