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! 

2026 - Week 28 - Thursday Three

 

1. We're getting ready for a couple of camping outings this month - we usually hibernate in the ac during the summer so *I'm* not sure I'm ready for this heat...

 

2. But have to say despite it being 94° inside our camper when we arrived this afternoon, it's now a wonderful 68° - yes we believe in roughing it. Ha.

 

3. Also we're still looking at August and changing plans and travel times so we can include some things we might never have the chance to see again... 

 

PS - This coleus is my very favorite variety. I'm so glad I found some this year...

 

Edited: Thanks [so much] friend, for telling me how to type the temp sign!! 

SERIOUSLY.

It's 89° outside...

Aishling the Airstream Update No. 72

 Anchors Away

Foley Alabama

Sometimes you just want a good ole bacon & egg on toast from The Krystal [lol] - So we picked up breakfast and sat in the Foley Centennial Park and enjoyed their beautiful flowers - 

 

This weekend with our Alabama Airstream friends is always fun -  

It's Balloon Festival Weekend... but we don't even put that on 'our' agenda... 

Instead, we enjoy things like a trip over to Bon Secur for some delicious seafood!

[I think we ended up there twice - mm mmm] 

And we enjoy thrifting, and just relaxing at our site...

and we had perfect weather for it! 

Alan and Russ planned a wonderful fish dinner and 

Craig and Peter cooked breakfast one day - yum!

I enjoyed coffee [and peonies from home]

in our #AishlingtheAirstream

[Truly our home away from home -] 

And of course, when friends are willing...

We visit and play a little rook! 

I really do LOVE to see all those shiny brites lined up together! 

Always a great time with old friends and new friends!

 

Our traditional last day of camp / heading out on the road photo -   

Past posts on this RV Park* can be found here and here -->

*I've realized there just might be a difference between an RV Park and a Campground.

And I like them both -  

#HardwickAdventures 

2026 - Week 27 - Thursday Three

 

1. It's HOT [and humid] y'all. We enjoyed visiting with friends as we watched fireworks at Ditto...

2. Attended the Decade of the Fifties Alumni Dinner with Craig's mother... watched A LOT of World Cup, and a bit of Wimbledon...and

3. Continued planning for the fall ...looking forward to cooler temps...

 

#HardwickAdventures

 

2026 - Week 26 - Thursday Three

 

1. Enjoyed our Life Group social at the Signals Museum... and dinner with the oldest and our sweet dau-law, as well as a day in The Shoals to help Craig's mother with some things.
2. I followed along with a Longest Day virtual scrapbook day [fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Association]... and wow. Beautiful pages, but more in-depth than I'm used to doing...
3. Still enjoying our brain game most evenings...

Aishling the Airstream Update No. 71

 Chewacla State Park

Auburn, Alabama

with sweet friends in Vintage Campers [all kinds!] 

We love the woodsy feel of this Alabama State Park - 

And yet it's MINUTES away from anything you need... 

And the paved bike trail is always fun.

Both young and old! 

We gathered a group together and road out to the highway and back... I think we said it was a total of 7 miles, maybe... 

 Chewacla is always a fun gathering each year! 

There's lots of time to sit around a campfire and visit with our camping buddies!

Craig found a cotton candy machine while thrifting and shared a bit with us one night [testing it out...] It's pretty cool.

[And I'm glad I had some sugar in my tupperware in the camper !] 

And omgoodness - we played the dominoes and rummikub as much as possible! 

It makes me THINK - and that's not a bad thing - lol -

We also enjoyed a few quiet morning at our site 

with our gas fire pit that is so much easier to carry along... 

And of course I LOVE our new Aldi [solar!!] lanterns that hit the stores this week - everyone ended up getting one - SO FUN!!

And - oops - our camper's okay - but we couldn't resist taking a photo of #AishlingtheAirstream 's reflection in a truck in front of us.

WOW.

That doesn't look good.

Chewacla State Park:

We obviously enjoy this campground bc we're there at least once a year - you can go here [and here*] to read more about it -

* HOW DO you spell it?!? - HA