Forty-three years -

and I tip my hat
To the Keeper of the stars

He sure knew what He was doin'
When He joined these two hearts

 

I hold everything
When I hold you in my arms
I've got all I'll ever need
Thanks to the Keeper of the stars!!

...because

It was no accident

 Me finding you 

 Someone had a hand in it

 Long before we ever knew

 Now I just can't believe

 You're in my life

 Heaven's smilin' down on me

As I look at you tonight

So I tip my hat
To the keeper of the stars

He sure knew what He was doin'
When He joined these two hearts
I hold everything
When I hold you in my arms

 

I've got all I'll ever need
Thanks to the keeper of the stars!!

Happy Anniversary Baby! 

 

 

The classic 90s country hit "The Keeper of the Stars" by Tracy Byrd - 

 Songwriters: Dickey Lee / Karen Ruth Staley / Danny Mayo

Aishling the Airstream Update No. 75

 Joe Wheeler State Park 

Rogersville, Alabama 

Up, Up, and Away Rally

 

Our first time to camp in the 

newer areas since they rebuilt them after the tornado a few years back... We've always loved the Joe Wheeler Campground - 

From the internets:  "Whether you arrive by land or water, there’s no mistaking the beauty and serenity of this 2,550-acre resort park. On the shores of Wheeler Lake, the resort features a stunning, waterfront lodge with restaurant and convention facilities, a championship 18-hole golf course and clubhouse, full-service marina with permanent and overnight docking slips, modern and primitive camping, lakeside cottages, cozy cabins, and a rustic group lodge.

 

The park is divided by the Tennessee River, which forms the 69,700-acre Wheeler Lake. Bass, bream, and catfish are plentiful in the sparkling waters where sailboats and yachts cruise side by side. Each fall, Joe Wheeler Resort State Park hosts the Fall Rendezvous of boaters traveling the Great Loop--the continuous waterway that circumnavigates the eastern portion of North America, along the Atlantic Seaboard, across the Great Lakes, through inland rivers, and around the Gulf of Mexico. As many as 250 vessels dock at Joe Wheeler’s marina and attend the conference in the resort lodge, coordinated by the park’s professional meeting planners. In addition to easy access to the Tennessee River, Joe Wheeler Resort State Park offers hiking and mountain biking trails that let you reconnect with nature and take in some of the best scenery north Alabama has to offer.

 

In addition to the resort lodge, Joe Wheeler features lakeside cottages and cabins. Joe Wheeler State Park's campground has 116 campsites, 110 of which have full hookups with water, electricity, and sewer. There are bathhouses located in each section. Most sites can accommodate any size camping unit. Tents are also welcome. Picnic tables, pedestals, or fire grills are located at each site."

 It was our go-to campground back in the day - and we spent many a weekend

 with the boys there in our little rustic pop-up camper... 

In fact - it was Matt's FIRST camping trip [when he was three months old] - 

{{we've always been crazy}}

This is our friends' son putting Matt's pacie back in his mouth... lol... 

[We had a fun little camping group!]

 

This trip was planned for friends in our Alabama Airstream Club to enjoy the park and also the hot air balloons over at Pt. Mallard -

[and YES - there IS a campground at Pt. Mallard, 

but it's impossible to get just a few days during jubilee.]

 

Rain was forecast, so a few dropped out, but,  

despite the drizzle, we had a good group and great time!

 

Craig and Peter cooked pancakes and sausage one morning... yum.

We had room for both clams to be in up in the back of our site - 

with those and our awning, I think we mostly stayed dry..

And the the temps were wonderful! 

One evening we all gathered for a meal at Lash's in the Lodge...

 It was nice to have two couples who had never camped with us before. 

 

The rallies we host are pretty laid back with suggested activities 

and lots of time to just do your own thing... 

Some of the group enjoyed a byo-picnic lunch at the Jubilee field, 

 

and we were able to walk amongst the balloons and see a few inflate. 

[Cloud cover was too low for a flight -] 

 

The next morning, Craig and I got up early [as we do each year] 

 in hopes that the Key Grab event would happen ...

 

We found that it was canceled, but we did see a couple of 'free flights' 

as we were driving into town... always cool...

 So we headed back to the campground...

Love our Alabama State Parks!

 

The clams kept us nice and dry -

We enjoyed a bit of a craft time with flag photo frames... 

- and a little team building with our favorite brain game - 

Rummikub!

Always fun!

 

One of the highlights of the [long] weekend 

was our campfire at 'the old chimney!' 

- Just a beautiful setting with a chimney that survived the tornadoes in 2019. 

[From a pavilion, I think?] 

 

All in all, a very good weekend. 

Celebrating Memorial Day and sharing Jubilee with others was so fun!

Balloons are weather dependent and so unpredictable... but we just had a great time hanging out in the clam and being together - 

So - Joe Wheeler Campground

I LOVE the updated area... not sure I'd enjoy a full sun site, but there are some with shade.  Mostly level and easy to get in and out 

[the rustic side has some pretty uneven sites -] 

Clean bath houses - 

Good internet / cell service.

Aishling the Airstream Update No. 74

The Camping World-Campground of Oxford

 in Anniston, AL

[More about the campground at the end -]

We had a weekend planned with several things on our calendar in the area, 

so we decided to take our little home away from home with us.

First stop was Lincoln, Alabama where we enjoyed visiting 

with sweet friends at the Blue I Bistro downtown. 

 

We were there to hear another friend sing throughout the evening.

So cool that he has the time do what he loves 

[and is so good at!]  

Lincoln, Anniston, Piedmont, etc. is such a beautiful area...

 

The next day we met our kiddos to 'do' 

The Chief Ladiga Trail - or part of it anyway...

 

From the internets: "This rail trail is named for Chief Ladiga, the leader of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation who signed the 1832 Treaty of Cusseta, which surrendered the tribe’s remaining land in the area to the United States. It was built along the former Seaboard Air Line Railroad, which connected Atlanta to Birmingham. Today, the Chief Ladiga Trail runs for 33 miles along that route between Anniston and the Georgia state line, where it connects to the 62-mile Silver Comet Trail.

 Together, the two trails entered Rails to Trails Conservancy’s Hall of Fame in 2009. The Chief Ladiga Trail is celebrated as Alabama’s first rail trail project and has served as an example as the state’s trail network has been developed. Restored depots in Piedmont and Jacksonville  serve as historical markers and provide insight into the region’s railroad past."

 Craig, Drew*, and I rode about 13 miles out and back [about 27 miles total]

Haley walked since she's training for a mega walk in a few months... 

*D rode one of his smaller / non-racing bikes so he could go slow enough for us old folks.

The trail was REALLY nice.

We hope to get back down there soon to do the parts we missed... 

It's paved all they way 

and they had shaved down the tree roots so that it was mostly even.  

The weather was PERFECT for riding... in fact, with the breeze, I didn't even realize how hot it was until we were back at our cars.  

In retrospect, I probably should have pushed some water throughout the ride...

And YES - I use the pedal assist on my bike... but I still pedaled over 20 miles.

 So there's that.
We were TIRED afterwards and stopped into Culver's on the way back to the camper... 

Nothing fancy for dinner... just a kid's burger and our free scoop of ice cream. lol

 

The next day, we celebrated this one 

and her graduation from high school.

We're so happy for her [and her parents!]

 

And while we weren't able to attend the graduation ceremony, we're so happy we could be with her at her Senior Recognition Day at church -

And also earlier at her Senior Honors Awards Program.

It's hard to believe how fast 12 years have flown by!

We had a late check-out at the campground so we left before lunch to go back and pick up our #AishlingtheAirstream ... [still loving ALL THOSE WINDOWS!]

 

From the internets: "The Camping World-Campground of Oxford is located directly adjacent to the Camping World store in Anniston, AL. A short connecting bridge links the park directly to the retail location. Key Details:Location: 20 Garrett Circle, Anniston, AL 36207 Rates: Starting around $44/night, with discounts available for Good Sam members bringing the rate closer to $30/night. Amenities: Full utility hookups, nice long pull-thru spaces (both shaded and unshaded), a dog park, laundry room, and hot showers.The campground is highly convenient for quick overnight stays or extended visits near the Talladega Super Speedway and the Chief Ladiga Trail."

 

Our take - easy in and out [we've stayed a quick overnight here in the past -] that was perfect for our weekend. Good internet and clean bathrooms, accessible only with a code given at check-in. We'll probably stay there again.

#hardwickAdventures 

 

Aishling the Airstream Update No. 73

 Gulf State Park

 

 It's no secret that THIS is one of our favorite Alabama State Parks - 

So anytime we're remotely close we try to get a few days there! 

And really? It should be on everyone's list!

Always nice  

 

And Craig is so wonderful about getting a spot in the area we prefer!

[He works at it, y'all.]

The last several times we've been at The Gulf we've wanted to take the ferry over to Dauphin Island and the weather just didn't cooperate...

but HOORAY! This time it did! 

We took our truck because we just couldn't trust that they wouldn't stop running because of wind... It's been a while since we've taken the ferry over...

And ohmygoodness - we LOVED riding the trail [and some roads] from one end of the island to the other - even if it was a little bit bumpy [= A LOT!]

Dauphin Island has a special beauty 

and we've always had a sweet spot for it...

[We lived in Theodore for a few years, and still wonder where THAT BUS was going when we were headed to the island with young Joey...HA] 

We actually road over in the area where we rented a house for the family to come down one summer... We know this is not it [it was blown away years ago], but it sure reminded us of it. 

Love the trees in this park - 

Goat Tree Reserve?

And the ferry ride was cool too!

Seeing Middle Bay Light House is always a treat!

 

But it was hot y'all - so after grabbing a delish meal at A.C.M.E. we came back to the campground and relaxed in their wonderful pool! 

I have to say - 

 THIS IS THE PRETTIEST WATER WE'VE SEEN AT THE GULF IN A WHILE. 

In Alabama.

It was gorgeous. 

There's just something about being near these waves that calms my soul - 

[I know I say it over and over and over again...] 

Y'all know we love the trails at Gulf State Park!

And okay, this is ai, but being close to the Beach Mouse is our favorite place!

We love being able to see our camper across the way as head back 'home.' 

But we didn't see a gator this trip...

Another favorite spot is on the back country [?] trail where the overlook is - just so cool in an area that seems so flat... 

 Mostly we just REALLY enjoyed relaxing together with no concept of time.

#IYKYK

Another wonderful few days together!

Search Gulf for other posts about our favorite place!