Alabama and Georgia
With our minds set on returning home a little earlier than planned (after hearing tales of an early Spring at home), we headed due North towards Huntsville, Alabama, stopping at two State Parks on the way. Chewacla SP looks like a mountain biker’s dream with many miles of bike trails through the woods, alongside the river, and a couple of ‘jump’ courses for the brave. Cheaha SP, further North, is situated on top of the Appalachian mountain range, the highest point in Alabama and gave us some wonderful views from the lodge, despite the weather.
Huntsville, Alabama was a planned visit to a musician friend of Colin’s, ‘Chips’ and his wife Lynn Lanier. 
Chips is a Northumbrian Smallpipes player like Colin and so we had a great time sharing stories, playing music, and even getting in Cheryl’s need for her fur fix with their two springer spaniels El and Gracie. Below the thumbnail image gallery is a music video with recordings of Chips, Cheryl, and Colin. Take a nice glass of wine or two before you hear them. We’ll sound a lot better. Thanks to Chips and Lynn for our comfortable 3 day layover filled with music and good times.
In Atlanta, Georgia, we visited Cheryl’s cousin Amy Gabel and her husband Tom Coyle. They were kind enough to show us much of Atlanta as well as feeding us delicious meals, as Tom is a gourmet cook. Amy and Cheryl spent most of the time reminiscing about their family memories – laughing and enjoying their time together. Thanks Amy and Tom for hosting us for 3 days! It was super!
Click on any thumbnail below to see larger image gallery.
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- Chewacla AL State Park
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- Chewacla AL State Park
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- Cheaha AL State Park
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- Cheaha AL State Park
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- Cheaha AL State Park
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- Cheaha AL State Park
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- Chips and Lynn
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- Chips
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- El and Gracie
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- Fur fix accomplished
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- Beautiful spot
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- Amy Gabel and Tom Coyle
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- Amy, always fun!
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- Amy and Tom
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- Covered Mill Bridge, Roswell, GA
Movie of Northumbrian Smallpipes and flute: Colin (solo); Colin & Cheryl; Chips, Colin & Cheryl
Click on map below to see larger version
Travel Through Alabama and Georgia
What fabulous adventures. Loved all of it.
From Cheryl: Thank you for yet again being a follower of our blog and giving us such love.
Well….the best of all worlds….enjoying your blog, your music, and knowing you are only two houses away! I enjoyed that music perfectly sober this morning! Favorite pictures….the jumping biker (where WERE you when you took that?)…and Cheryl looking 25 years old on the balcony of the lodge. Oh…and the dog pictures, of course! Margie
From Cheryl to Margie: Thanks so much for these lovely comments. Wow, I should stand in wind more often and have my hair blowing around if it takes those kind of years away from me! We love you!
Love your music. So joyful. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
From Cheryl: It was so kind of you to comment on our music, that you enjoyed it. It made us very happy to hear that. It’s our pleasure to have written the blog and take you with us! Can’t wait to see where you and Fred will be going!
I finally heard you two playing your musical instruments !!! Oh my… beautiful. Colin described it – and told me name, smallpipes??? Looks like miniature bagpipes – your flute!! So talented. Photos of Arizona, Georgia, Alabama!! I had viewed your Az. Photos before, not gone further.💚💚💚💚💚