Andalusia, AL – A Stroll Down Memory Lane

HOP & JAUNT LLC

It’s our third month in Andalusia, Alabama I am happy to report that HOP & JAUNT, LLC is doing well. Alyson and I couldn’t be prouder of our modest company. We had always wanted to start our own business. In the past we would spend hours pitching all kinds of crazy business ideas and company names to each other. I never would have thought that our business would end up being named HOP & JAUNT, …but I really like it. Its much better than my previous favorite name of “ThunderCORP”.

We’ve been back stateside for over 3 months now. Initially we had travel withdrawals upon arriving in Andalusia, Alabama, which made us feel depressed or anxious. Though we did get our picture on the front page of the Andalusia Star News that brightened our day! Since we’ve got the company going time has just flown by. We’ve been putting in some pretty heavy hours. We open up shop around 8 in the morning and usually close up sometime after 10pm. I have to say that it makes a difference working overtime when you are doing it for yourself.

Since we’ve been working so hard, today we decided to reward ourselves by going out and exploring a little bit of

my hometown, Andalusia, Alabama

.

Welcome to Andalusia

We spent the morning exploring Andalusia, Alabama’s Town History Museum. Its a humble museum located in an old train depot, but inside we found some pretty cool things. Turns out the city had gotten it’s name not from Andalusia, Spain but from a legendary horse! How the city came to be named Andalusia is a story of local legend. Andalusian was the breed of a legendary white stallion name “Destinado”. The horse’s unmatched speed, strength and courage enabled Creek Indian Chief “Red Eagle” to escape capture while battling over land against white troops. Supposedly, the town square is built around the site of the horse’s burial place which was marked by a Poplar tree with the words “Destinado Andalusia” carved into the trunk. That’s the official story of how Andalusia, AL, became well…Andalusia!

A Mural of the Legend of Andalusia

Walking through the museum was like stepping back into another era. Since we were the only two people there we were able to really take our time and get a personal tour from the curator. Admission to the museum is FREE.

An Old Alabama School Room

The Clark Family Log Cabin

The Old Clark Family Home

Alyson had a fun time playing around in the exhibits.

We were dying to take this baby a joy ride.

One of our favorite exhibits was the model train display. Since the museum is located in the old train depot there are plenty of railway antiques and train memorabilia. We spent about half an hour playing with the large model train set.

Alyson Playing with the Model Trains

A Model City

There were some pretty neat things on exhibit. The curator opened up the displays to let us get a closer look at some.

We both thought that this Old Political Cartoon was pretty funny…and still relevant.

This book is called “The Ways of the HOBO” by A-No.1, the world famous tramp who traveled 500,000 miles on $7.51. We thought this would make a good budget backpacker guide.

The original budget backpacker’s guide.

a Wheel Chair

A Dental Chair

To show you a little bit about present day life in Andalusia, here are a few photos we took from walking around town.

the Andalusia Courthouse on the town square.

the Vetrans Memorial

I like these Vines.

Mr. Wiggins Barber Shop.

The Clark Movie Theater. Alyson and I had our first date here over 8 years ago.

And of course we had ice cream afterwards at the Dairy Queen.

If your interested in visiting Andalusia, AL a good time to come will be during the Homecoming Festivities. November 11-14 will be a four-day celebration including parades, ceremonies, tours, art shows, concerts, sales, and an air show.

I will close out this blog with a funny video from a couple of fellow travelers Hamish & Andy. Hamsih and Andy are a comedy duo that host a radio show in Australia, and surprisingly enough visited Andalusia. I think this video sums up life here in Andalusia, AL just right.