3 Piece Trips Travel Blog

(Image) A view from a shark encounter tour boat launching from the Old Town North area of Key West FL. The tour guide takes passengers out on a pontoon-style vessel into shallow waters teeming with Lemon Sharks, and then stirs the predators into a feeding frenzy using a long stick baited with fish. PLEASE SHARE: If you like our content, please share it with your friends and followers!

ATHENS AL AREA SAMPLER Piece 3: Russell Stover/Buc-ees (Image) Russell Stover Candy Shop-Athens #russellstover #athensal Russell Stover and his wife, Clara, started making candy in 1923 in the kitchen of their Denver CO bungalow home. The couple established a confectionery company that has become a household name across the United States. Over the years, Russell Stover has remained committed to producing fine chocolates using traditional homemade recipes and only the best ingredients. In 2014, Swiss chocolatier Lindt acquired the Russell Stover Company and its iconic subsidiary brand, Whitman’s. There are a limited number of Russell Stover retail shops scattered across the United States, and one of them is located in Athens AL at 1699 U.S. Highway 72 East. In addition to its large inventory of boxed and bagged candies, the store has a counter serving hand-dipped ice cream, caramel apples, and chocolate covered strawberries. Russell Stover sells a variety of really delicious sugar free chocolate candies, and the Athen’s store had a nice selection of these on hand. We bought two large bags of the sugar free chocolate-enrobed coconut candies (our favorite), and decided to try some of the Russell Stover sugar free salt water taffy (it was good). Lastly, the store stocks several sizes of the popular Whitman’s Sampler brand of boxed chocolates, including the giant 36-ounce version featuring 72 pieces of candy. As we concluded our time in Athens, we had to stop at Buc-ees. Founded in 1982 by Arch “Beaver” Aplin and Don Wasek in Lake Jackson TX, Buc-ees started as a modest convenience store but has now grown into one of America’s most popular travel centers. The Athens location is at 2328 Lindsay Lane South. While Buc-ees initially garnered attention for its large clean restrooms and quirky beaver mascot, food is fast becoming its main attraction. Shoppers are drawn to the center of the store when meat carvers yell out “brisket on the board” to signal

BESSEMER AL SAMPLER Piece 1: Debardeleben Park (Image) View of Debardeleben Park #bessemeralabama #doughboy Debardeleben Park is nestled in the heart of Bessemer AL. Covering an entire city block, the park was created when the city began to flourish as an industrial hub in the late 1800’s. It was named to honor Mr. Henry F. Debardeleben, a coal mining magnet and founder of the of town of Bessemer. This popular public space is often referred to as a “green oasis amid urban surroundings” where residents and visitors can get some light exercise on accessible paved walkways and/or relax at a picnic table with a bagged lunch. A highlight of any visit to Debardeleben Park is seeing the life-size copper rendition of a World War I soldier entitled “The Spirit of the American Doughboy,” created by sculptor Ernest Moore Viquesney and dedicated in Bessemer on November 11, 1922. The sculpture, which features names of local World War I veterans on two plaques affixed to its base, was relocated to the park in 1969 from the corner of 19th Street and Carolina Avenue to accommodate a street-widening project. Another important feature of the park is its wonderful open-air pavilion, a versatile structure that can accommodate small family gatherings and larger community celebrations. We found convenient parking on the perimeter of historic Debardeleben Park, and plenty of tree shade as we strolled around the property. PLEASE SHARE: If you like our content, please share it with your friends and followers!

MISSISSIPPI DELTA SAMPLER Piece 3: Mississippi Tamales (Image) View of Doe’s Eat Place in Greenville #tamales #mississippidelta The presence of tamales in Mississippi is an intriguing story of cultural fusion. Much has been written about the origin of the Mississippi Delta-style hot tamale, but the consensus seems to be that Mexican migrant workers introduced tamales to African-Americans, who then modified the recipe to fit their tastes and the availability of ingredients. Delta hot tamales are smaller than traditional Mexican tamales, and the dough covering the spiced pork or beef filling is usually cornmeal (rather than masa), giving them a comparatively coarser texture. After being wrapped in a corn husk or parchment paper, Delta tamales are slow-simmered in broth (rather than steamed), which infuses them with a robust flavor. The “tamale trail” is a roadmap of eateries offering an interpretation of the Delta tamale. Predominantly located along the western side of Mississippi, these “trail spots” range from rustic diners with plastic forks to more refined restaurants with cloth napkins and stainless flatware. We tried Delta tamales at two different “trail spots.” The first was Doe’s Eat Place in Greenville MS. Founded in 1941 by Dominic “Doe” Signa and his wife, Mamie, Doe’s became known far and wide for its perfectly cooked steaks and spicy hot tamales, made following an old family recipe. Our bundle of tamales were delicious, and a perfect appetizer for our main course of large, flavorful broiled shrimp. Next, we visited Abe’s Bar-B-Q in Clarksdale MS. Founded in 1924 by Abraham “Abe” Davis, this iconic restaurant has built a regional reputation for its smoked meats and seasoned beef tamales. We enjoyed a delicious lunch of Abe’s tamales with a side of tangy vinegar slaw, a cup of chili, and plenty of saltines. Both of the “tamale trail” stops we made were unique experiences. The tamales tasted slightly different at Doe

MISSISSIPPI DELTA SAMPLER Piece 1: Greenville Cypress Preserve (Image) Observation Deck in Cypress Preserve #mississippidelta #cypresstrees In the 1930s, the Greenville MS Garden Club began efforts to save a unique natural area from planned urban development and, in 1940, purchased the site for a little over $3,000 and created the Greenville Cypress Preserve. Located at the corner of Highway 82 West and Cypress Lane in Greenville, the preserve is a beautiful 16-acre property that features a set of easy walking trails leading through ancient cypress and tupelo tree swamps. The trails range in distance from 1/4 to 1/2 mile, and the longer outer trail includes educational signage that corresponds to an audio tour available by smart phone. Board walk sections of the trails allow visitors to move across and better experience wetland areas, and a wooden observation deck near the outer trail’s halfway point provides a view of the preserve’s tallest bald cypress tree. The Greenville Cypress Preserve (open year-round with no entrance fee) was maintained by the founding garden club for over 60 years and is now under the care of the Greenville Cypress Preserve Trust, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the development and maintenance of the property. This sanctuary environment in the heart of the Mississippi Delta supports a variety of plant and animal life, and is a wonderful spot for birdwatching. PLEASE SHARE: If you like our content, please share it with your friends and followers!

CHARLESTON SC AREA SAMPLER Piece 2: Single Houses/Leon’s Oyster Shop (Image) A spirit repelled by a Haint Blue ceiling #charleston #Singlehouse #oysters A “single house” is a distinctive style of home in the historic neighborhoods of Charleston. Built to accommodate the long but narrow lots in the city’s early design, single houses typically have a rectangular shape with the long sides perpendicular to the street. Many of these homes have multilevel porches (or piazzas) on one long side, with a faux front door on the first level facing the street. The porch is a hospitality space, and the actual front door into the house is inside here. We noticed that most of the single house porch ceilings were painted a particular shade of light blue, and learned this color was called Haint Blue (“haint” being a variation of the word “haunt”). There is a longstanding tradition of applying Haint Blue paint to porch ceilings (to mimic the look of water) as local lore purports that ghosts cannot cross water. The best way to end a day in Charleston is with a good restaurant meal, and Leon’s Fine Poultry & Oyster Shop in the north central area of town (off King Street) is a recommended option. The fried chicken and char-grilled oysters are especially good! PLEASE SHARE: If you like our content, please share it with your friends and followers!

3 Piece Trips is a travel blog written by Alabamians Jim and Becky McCrary. Each trip they take includes 3 things (or 3 groups of things) to do. Follow the 3 Piece Trips page to get some ideas and inspiration for YOUR next adventure!

3 Piece Trips is a travel blog written by Alabamians Jim and Becky McCrary. Each trip they take includes 3 things (or 3 groups of things) to do. Follow the 3 Piece Trips page to get some ideas and inspiration for YOUR next adventure!

3 Piece Trips Travel Tips - Rental Cars PLEASE SHARE: If you like our content, please share it with your friends and followers!

3 Piece Trips Travel Tips - Rental Cars PLEASE SHARE: If you like our content, please share it with your friends and followers!

KEY WEST FL SAMPLER Piece 1: Old Town Key West/Historic District (Photo) Key West Shark Encounter #keywest #sharks #duvalstreet Key West FL is the end of the Florida Keys island chain, connected to the mainland by a series of bridges. The city of Key West is the seat of Monroe County, which includes a majority of the Florida Keys and part of the Everglades. Only 90 miles away from Cuba, it is the southernmost city in the continental United States. The main part of Key West is divided into two areas known as Old Town South of Truman Avenue and Old Town North of Truman. We stayed in a charming rental home located in the southern Old Town area. While the island is a small and somewhat pedestrian-friendly community, we enjoyed using a rented golf cart to explore on our first day. We also found the public transportation, notably the free of charge “Duval Loop” shuttle, to be a convenient way to move between the primary tourist destinations. Rentable bicycles and motor scooters are also readily available. That said, walking is probably the best way to enjoy Key West’s beautiful architecture, vibrantly colored buildings, public art, and extraordinary horticulture. One of the highlights of the northern Old Town area is Mallory Square, a focal point of Key West’s industrial shipping and trade activity in the 19th century. The square has now evolved into a popular public space and artisan marketplace that offers visitors a perfect spot to watch the sunset. We particularly enjoyed the Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden located at Mallory Square on the corner of Wall Street and Tifts Alley. The exhibit features 36 bronze busts and biographies of men and women relevant to Key West history. In the center of the garden is a 18′ x 25′ sculpture entitled “The Wreckers,” which shows two men salvaging the remains of a sailing ship wrecked on the notorious reef near Key West. Just steps away from “The Wreckers” sculpture is The Key West Shipwreck Treasure Mu

(Photo) A view of Grauman’s Chinese Theater, opened in 1927 on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles CA by showman Sid Grauman. The concrete forecourt features the handprints, footprints, and signatures of 200+ celebrities, including actor Jimmy Stewart.

(Photo) A view of Grauman’s Chinese Theater, opened in 1927 on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles CA by showman Sid Grauman. The concrete forecourt features the handprints, footprints, and signatures of 200+ celebrities, including actor Jimmy Stewart.

3 Piece Trips Travel Tips - The importance of selecting a good pair of walking shoes for travel.

3 Piece Trips Travel Tips - The importance of selecting a good pair of walking shoes for travel. PLEASE SHARE: If you like our content, please share it with your friends and followers!

MONROEVILLE AL AREA SAMPLER Piece 2: Harper Lee Gravesite/Truman Capote Childhood Homesite/David’s Catfish (Photo) Harper Lee Gravesite #harperlee #tokillamockingbird #monroeville Harper Lee, author of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” died in February 2016 and is interred at Hillcrest Cemetery off Pineville Road in Monroeville AL. Her gravesite is among those of other family members, including her sister Alice who died in 2014. Ms. Lee’s cemetery marker is typically covered in pennies, the most common way people acknowledge their visit. The day we visited, there were a variety of items there…a decorative plate, little potted plants, a rock, a shell, and even an aluminum pop top off a food can (perhaps a nod to Ms. Lee’s frugal lifestyle). A somewhat nondescript sign just off South Alabama Avenue in Monroeville marks the site of the Faulk family home, where a very young Truman Capote spent summer vacations and briefly lived. When it was time to eat, we had to try a restaurant reputed to be one of Harper Lee’s favorite dining spots in town, David’s Catfish House. Located about five miles south of the Old Courthouse, off U.S. Highway 84, David’s did not disappoint. The cole slaw was especially good; a flavorful complement to the fried catfish. A RECOMMENDATION FROM 3 PIECE TRIPS: Becky and I always begin our travel planning with a visit to Tripadvisor, a great online resource AND the best way to find highly-rated lodging options at affordable rates. For convenient lodging in Monroeville AL, we recommend The Best Western Inn. Just click the link below to get more information: https://tripadvisor.tp.st/xxu4936k *creators receive a commission PLEASE SHARE: If you like our content, please share it with your friends and followers!