Interesting Alabama

Beyond Landscapes In a recent trip to Alabama, I decided to show my wife some of the many interesting things that one can find throughout the Deep South.   Having grown up in South Georgia and Alabama as a young man, I knew of a few places that would showcase some of the most interesting and unusual places that Alabama has to offer. As traveling photographers, it is important to keep our eyes open for all opportunities.  I tend to fall into the rut of shooting lots of sweeping landscapes and sometimes avoid the less spectacular, but no less interesting things along the way.  Unlike other areas of the country, the Deep South doesn’t offer the easy to come by landscape scenes.  The landscape is generally flat and there are lots of forested areas that prevent sweeping landscapes.  Not to say that they are not available, just not as common as in the Southwest Desert or West Coast. However, there are true gems to be found in interesting Alabama.  Here are a few that we found on our trip: Cross Garden – Prattville, Alabama Built by William C. Rice over the course of 20 years, the “Cross Garden” in Prattville is something to behold.  Located on county road 86 (Indian Hills Road), the Cross Garden will grab a hold of your senses on first pulling up to the site. Spread along both sides of the road, the Cross Garden is a collection of hundreds of crosses, old washing machines, air conditioners, and refrigerators. A message is clear – repent now or go to Hell, where it is “Hot Hot Hot”! Please specify a Flickr ID for this slideshow Over the course of the years, the site has began to deteriorate, but it is still very visible and in the winter, it is easier to see some of the crosses that are obscured by vegetation at other times of the year. When photographing this location, be mindful that you are on the side of the road.  Also, this is private property, so do not venture far off of the side of the road. The Museum of Wonder  and Mystery – Seale, Alabama Not too far from Auburn University or Columbus, Georgia is the small town of Seale, Alabama.  Although a little out of the way, a trip to Seale is one in which is worth the drive. The main attraction in Seale is Butch Anthony’s Museam of Wonder and newly constructed Museum of Mystery drive through museum. The Museum of Mystery Upon entering Seale, a visitor has the opportunity to visit the first drive-through antique and art museum. The Museum of Mystery, built from used sea shipping containers, is a welcome preview to the world of Butch Anthony’s art.  The Museum of Mystery contains many of the prized artifacts and artwork that were originally displayed in The Museum of Wonder.  Interesting items include a three headed chick, odd ducks, and many antiques.  Still under construction, the Museum of Mystery offers a preview of what is left to be seen at the Museum of Wonder. The Museum of Wonder The true treasure in Seale is The Museum of Wonder.  Located at 41 Poorhouse Road, The Museum of Wonder provides the visitor a world of unique and odd finds that are the creation of Butch Anthony.  Originally, Butch’s taxidermy and artifact shop, the museum now boasts as the home of the world’s largest gallstone and a meat eating squirrel. When you first drive to the address, it looks like just a dirt road, however, a drive down the lane opens up to the museum’s location.   Driving down the lane, you will see the site of the Doo-Nanny Art and Music Festival on the right.  Keep driving and you will come to the museum.   Described as “Wonderfully Weird”, “Laughingly Lustful” and “Hiddenly Highbrow” by the signage on the front of the Museum, the advertising does not lie.  This place is all these things and more. Filled with oddities from around the world (but mostly from Alabama), visitors can marvel at the “Very Rare Spontaneous Combustion Bird”, “The Amazing Ghandi – Fortune Teller”, the “Uchee Mermaid” and “Bigfoot Droppings”. Please specify a Flickr ID for this slideshowPlan to spend some time looking around and taking in all of the wonder of this wild museum. To Hear More If you are unfamiliar with podcasts, click on the “Listen Now” button located at the top of the post.  Here you can listen to me describe the trip in more detail.  If using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod, click on the icon located in the upper portion of the sidebar to subscribe to the podcast via iTunes. **  All Photographs by Rob Higdon unless noted.  **   Share this: