On The Road...

On the road…

Yesterday I boarded Storm Chaser 33/40 for a ride up into far Northeast Alabama for a visit with the kids at Sand Rock School in Cherokee County. For me it was east on Alabama 119 from U.S. 280 to Grants Mill Road. You cross the eastern tip of Lake Purdy on Grants Mill, which is a steep, winding road that ultimately runs into I-459. I understand there is some consideration of making Grants Mill Road a four lane thoroughfare in the years to come to get some congestion off U.S. 280. That would really be nice.

I ran up I-459/I-59 to Trussville to pick up J.B. Elliott, who went along for the ride, and then it was right up I-59 to Collinsville, which is about 12 miles northeast of Gadsden in DeKalb County. This is a lovely community at the foot of Lookout Mountain; you expect to see Sherriff Andy and Deputy Barney at any time driving through. And I really mean that in a positive way; there is something very peaceful about the smaller communities along U.S. 11 in the valley between Lookout and Sand Mountains. This includes places like Fort Payne and Valley Head.

From downtown Collinsville, it was up on top of Lookout Mountain on Alabama 68, and into the community of Sand Rock. We actually did the weather program in the Sand Rock Town Hall, just across the street from the school. We saw all of the second graders, and they were great listeners. I think one of the highlights was seeing second grade teacher Keith Bates, who happens to have the “shaved head” look, who had the ABC 33/40 logo painted on the back of his head. If he ever gives up teaching, we can always come to work for our marketing department! We came back through Leesburg, and down U.S. 411 to Gadsden where a quick trip on I-759 got us to I-59 for the trip home.

It was a cloudy, wet day, but one of the elements of my job that I enjoy the most!
Posted by John T.  
on January 23, 2006, 10:39 pm
I love these trips you take us on James. Who needs a GPS system when we have you. And I'll bet those kids smiles were enough sunshine for you despite the cloudy, cold weather.

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Posted by  
on January 24, 2006, 1:53 am
James....next time you come down Grants Mill, hang a right on Rex Lake and stop in for a soda! I can probably scrounge up a cup of java for JB if he is along for the ride.

I remember when Grants Mill was the smoothest road in that part of the county. But, with all of the Liberty Park construction traffic being forced down Grants Mill to Sicard Hollow instead of going in their front gates, it has really suffered. And, since most of it is in Birmingham, it is next to impossible to get anything done about it....

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Posted by  
on January 24, 2006, 7:06 am
On the Road Again..... Willie Nelson.

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