Today is the first day of Josie’s spring break.  We are with Rita and Randy and doing a road trip across the south to see some sites we’ve not previously visited.

We’ve stopped in Muscle Shoals, Alabama which hosts a lot more history and interest than you might think.

We’re staying at a Marriott, but Rita and Randy have a great camping spot along the Tennessee River.

We got parked in time for a hotdog lunch at the camp site.

Next is the Rosenbaum house – a Frank Llloyd Wright creation from 1940 and only 1 of 2 houses of his in the south.

This was one of his early Usonian style houses – supposedly built for the middle classes; the concept never took off – they were far too expensive to build and not-livable by real families.

But his houses are works of art with roofs on them.

Josie and Brenda walking the backyard.  Josie is taking a photography class this semester and has her own camera.  One of her assignments this week was to take some photos of architecture to share with the class.  I daresay some photos from a FLW house should fit the bill.

And so will this one – the birthplace of W.C. Handy – father of the blues.  He was born here in this cabin in 1873.

Next stop is Ivy Green – a 640 acre antebellum plantation and also birthplace of Helen Keller.  

Brenda touring the house.  Stay off of the rugs!

The actual water pump where Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller first made the communication breakthrough.. the deaf and blind 7 year old girl learned the word for water and was then off to the races.

Rita, Brenda and Josie exploring more of the plantation.

Leashed Max is missing out on the fun.

The Muscle Shoals Sound Studios – home of ’The Swampers’ and where hundreds of top 40 songs from the 1960’s through to the 90’s were recorded and produced.

Here is one site’s “Top 20” list of the best songs recorded at this tiny building:  https://www.al.com/entertainment/2016/12/the_20_best_songs_ever_recorde.html

Brenda and Winston ready to head off to the next adventure.