The Bel Aire

It's hard for the younger Tuscalooosans to remember, but before the days of hotel chains, there were little roadside motels like the Bel Aire in town to accommodate travelers and game day guests. In it's heyday Alberta City (this section of Tuscaloosa) had several motels and restaurants along University Boulevard. You might remember the Moon Winx.
Click to enlarge this one to enjoy the great old sign and the vintage vertical flourescent light fixture.

Skywatch Friday

Blue skies over the construction site in downtown Tuscaloosa. That's city hall in the background. Happy Friday Everyone! Please click the banner to visit Skywatch Friday participants from all over the world!

Then and Now

An old postcard image of the First National Bank on Broad Street (now Univ. Blvd.)

I believe the upper floors were apartments that faced 23rd ave.

Here's what it looks like today. It's DePalma's Restaurant. In the years between the bank and the restaurant, it was Adrians, which was a great women's clothing store.

Skywatch Friday

This is a drive by at dark thirty, but I liked the way the tops of the clouds were still lit by the setting sun. (and yes, that is a cemetery) Happy Friday Everyone!

Please view the friendly skies at Skywatch Friday.

Downtown Parking

Newly constructed parking deck downtown.

Functional? maybe

Attractive? hardly

Downtown Re-do

Here's the Innisfree Irish Pub recently relocated into the refurbished Norris Radiator building. The courtyard out front is new, but the rest of the structure has been around for many years. Glad it didn't see the wrecking ball closeup!

Ghost Sign

With all the destruction construction going on downtown, I thought I'd better catch this old ghostly sign while it remained intact. The building it's on isn't in danger, thankfully. I just hope no one gets a bright idea to paint it.

Ken Mac, this one's for you in celebration of your speedy recovery!

Idle Irrigator

With all the rain we've had recently, this metal monster has taken a break.

Corn and Sunflowers

Wish my zoom was better. Please click to enlarge.

Barricades and Barrels

Downtown Tuscaloosa is a bit of a mess right now. (Progress...I'm agin' it.)

But I'm sure it will be lovely once it is all finished. Unexpected finds and old sewer lines have delayed the construction of infrastructure to support the new federal courthouse. The top two photos show University Blvd. facing east. Below are facing west and the new courthouse site.

Skywatch Friday

Pink cast on late afternoon storm clouds...and power lines for good measure
Happy Friday everyone! Please visit Skywatch Friday.

Postcard Tuesday

When the photo well is running low, I pull out the old postcards from Tuscaloosa's past. This is Stallworth Lake. It was built in 1918 and located at the foot of river hill. It was apparently quite the gathering place for swimming and other amusements. There was a merry-go-round at some point in the thirties. The city filled it in in the 40s or 50s and used it as a landfill. In the last 20 years, they built baseball fields over it. Now it is the site of our new amphitheatre, currently under construction.

Skywatch Friday

Summer storm brewing at sunset

Happy Friday Everyone! Please visit Skywatch Friday.

Woods Hall UA

Woods Hall - more at this post

Simple Sunday

Crepe myrtle blossoms snowing down on Woods Quad at the UA

A Hot Mess

In the south, a "mess" is a portion size. For instance, you might catch a few fish, just enough for a "mess of fish" to serve a few people. Or, you'll buy a "mess of squash," just a few for supper. Here's a mess of hot peppers. It's time to make pepper jelly and pepper sauce!

Smith Hall Details

Details in Smith Hall Grand Gallery at the Alabama Museum of Natural History

Museum Monday

The Alabama Museum of Natural History is in Smith Hall at the University of Alabama. The AMNH is celebrating its 100th year this year.

The lovely specimen hanging from the ceiling is the state fossil of Alabama, Basilosaurus cetoides. Here's a little closer shot. Note the grand staircase in the background. Smith Hall is an amazing building. Click to enlarge so you can enjoy the detailed moldings around the gallery and the skylight ceiling.

Skywatch Friday

nearly dusk reflection at Lake Nicol in Tuscaloosa

Happy Friday Everyone!

Please visit Skywatch Friday for variations on a skyward theme.

Thanks so much to Pam at Southern Journeys for this award!

Summer Colors

Chilton county peaches to be frozen for smoothies. Home grown tomatoes for salsa and gazpacho. Cukes, red onion, lemons and limes from the grocery - ingredients for aforementioned salsa and gazpacho. Not pictured - peppers. I love summer.