Monday, November 30, 2009

Mobile to Birmingham

Hills and valleys are a nice change from flat Florida. Driving north from Mobile the rise in elevation is barley discernible until the descent into the valley where Birmingham is situated. What a nice surprise. The whole drive north was on a smooth and spacious road. The evening light was reflected on the yellow, orange and red leaves of the hardwoods as we reached the crest of the last hill and then descended into the evening darkness on a narrowed, curving highway and, oh yes, Birmingham, bumper to bumper rush hour traffic.

Of interesting note, Hyundais are built in Montgomery AL.

The inner cities of Mobile and Birmingham are very different in appearance. Mobile has a broad, ancient oak tree lined Government Street that is bordered by intricate large renovated old homes that leads to it from the west. The east side is a wild tunnel ride under Mobile bay. Either routes are fun. Downtown Mobile is on the waterfront. There’s a new convention center and they offer a free bus to tour downtown. Free attended parking was available. City hall is shaped like a 10 story boat. It looks like it is made of glass. A monument to someone’s grandeur. Birmingham has a older freeway lined with mining quarries and train tracks. Downtown is a place where new skyscrapers meet decayed, boarded up main street USA.

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