Battlefields, Blues, Bass, Beaches, Honky Tonks and 'Bama

I've seen (3) Civil War re-enactments of The Battle of Shiloh (Pittsburgh Landing) and I just had to see and walk the grounds myself.  I'd never been through Tennessee or Alabama - mostly back roads.  Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, Luverne . . . through the panhandle to Navarre, Florida for a few days.  In school, I know I flunked History one year - and got a D another year . . . don't know why I'm so interested in it now ?

I just kept driving 'til Florida . . .

 Fort Pickens off Navarre, Florida is quite a place . . .

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The Blue Angels were testing when I was on the fort . . .

I stopped at almost every Historical Marker ( lots of U-Turns ! )

Next Stop: Nashville ( never been there either )

 

Campbell's leather shirt was so damn cool

I drank Miller High Lifes and listened to the bands at 9:30am (no shit)
Broadway starts early . . .
Fried bologna sandwich was superb !

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Paducah, Kentucky is a jewel of a place - What a cool town . . .

 I was so "in awe" of Paducah, I hardly took any photos.  I liked everything about the place.

I'll definitely stop back again . . .

We both had a really great time, and I appreciate the help from all the great folks we met along the way who pointed in the right direction for the best sights and food.  Without asking the "locals" we'd miss out on all kinds of cool stuff . . .  Thank ya'll for the help - and see you again real soon.   -Rick & Cheryl

 I never slept so good . . . with the sound of the Mississippi or the Gulf waters flowing out the open windows.  The catfish and beer samplers weren't bad either . . . Southern hospitality I'll miss for a spell, 'til I can git back and do-it-all-again !

David W. Reed fought at Shiloh and many other Civil War battles.  He was wounded, but never killed. After barely a year in college, he enlisted to fight for the Union - and spent nearly 3 years in many major battles.  Reed was from Waukon, Iowa (and he was a real bad ass in my book )

Thanks again Chuck and Diane - Good to see you and I wanna go fishin' and a boat ride next time !

 Every working man deserves a vacation . . .

Rodencal's Brew City Brawler

Progress: Tryin' to make Billy proud of us . . . It'll be a solid starter, and runner.  

Ready to make Milwaukee famous again !  

Dad's workin' hard on this thing . . .
(and he likes his green tape)

Dubb-Yuh Ahrrr

WR      Say it like a Pirate !    

Man, what a bunch a work for just a tiny little thing.

Still ain't done . . .

DC Welding

Tried out a local dude who I heard was pretty good at welding aluminum.  The time to fix Nate's case was now, since we had it apart.  I had him weld this hole shut, and it was cracked on the inside and outside.  It's also an area where we don't want it all warped.  Thanks Dustin !

Harley-Davidson did-away-with this plug on late model ironhead cases . . .

Josh's Magneto

Took this thing all apart.  Cleaned the rotor, made a new ground wire, installed a new condenser . . . and ohm tested everything after settin' the points, etc. -  Finished it off with a "custom lock plug" - Spin It Up ! (and if you're not careful, it can give you two numb fingers)