Apr 20

Rural Exploration – Abandoned off Hwy 99

Today’s micro-adventure is all about rural exploration of abandoned stuff, abandoned homes, abandoned barns, and more, just off Hwy 99 in Limestone County, Alabama. In today’s episode of rural exploration I go in search of abandoned barns, abandoned homes and more in rural areas of North Alabama.
Rural Exploration is the exploration of man made structures that are abandoned or rarely seen by most. It’s sometimes referred to as rurex – a combination of Rural and Exploration.
Rurex or Rural Exploration, is the counterpart to Urbanex or urban exploration, but in rurex or Rural exploration, the exploration is done in the country or rural areas of the United States.
The highlight of today’s rurex or rural exploration is a grist mill on highway 99 in Limestone County in North Alabama, near Athens, Alabama.
Rurex, rural exploration, rural ex, no matter what you call it, it’s always a great micro-adventure anyone can do.
So load up the car and go on a Rural Exploration or rurex adventure of your own!

Click here to join the exploration!

Apr 13

Rural Exploration – Abandoned Stuff in Paint Rock Valley!

In this rural exploration micro-adventure I explore abandoned barns, homes and more in Paint Rock Valley, Alabama!
There are so many abandoned homes, barns and homesteads to explore in rural America that many will never see. It’s rural art and photography at it’s best. As I explore these areas I also hope to provide a way for others to see rural America.
When doing rural exploration I always wonder that that abandoned, home, barn or farm once looked like on it’s best day. It was probably the pride and joy for someone, only to now be abandoned with it’s best days left behind.
Paint Rock is a town in Jackson County, Alabama that sits alongside the Paint Rock River. According to Wikipedia – Paint Rock was settled in the 1820s, and was initially known as “Camden.” A post office was established in 1836, and a railroad depot was constructed in 1856. The name was changed from Camden to “Paint Rock” in 1876.

Click here to join the adventure!

Apr 06

Couch to 25k in 3 Weeks? – McKay Hollow Madness 15 mile trail run!

In this physical micro-adventure I attempt to do a couch to 25K trail run with just 3 weeks training. That’s a 15 mile trail run with very little practical training just see if it can be done! Thus the title – couch to 25k in 3 Weeks!
Full disclaimer… I am a runner and in my last race I completed a 100 mile run. But haven’t ran much since. And I mean I haven’t run hardly any long distances since, in fact none! Periodically I’d run a couple to three miles and that’s pretty much it. Just got burned out of running. So, at the last minute I decided to see if I could run the McKay Hollow Madness on Monte Sano in Huntsville, Alabama. It’s a technical trial run with a lot of elevation. At least a lot for me considering I have now hills to train on near my home.
My 3 week training plan was to do a few 3-5 mile runs and one long run prior to the race. In the past I feel like I may over train and this time I wanted to know if I had what it takes to just finish with little training.
I don’t recommend this training plan but in a pinch I thought I’d try it – I mean how hard could 15 trail miles with elevation be – right?
Join me on this documentary style short film as I attempt a couch to 25K with just 3 weeks training!
See if this becomes an epic fail!

Click here and see if this ends in an epic fail!

Mar 30

Rural Exploration – Minor Hill, Tennessee and more abandoned stuff!

In this Rural Exploration micro-adventure I travel to the southern Tennessee town of Minor Hill.

Minor Hill, Tennessee is an ideal location for Rural Exploration as it offers beautiful abandoned barns, country houses and more.In this rural exploration micro-adventure I decided to randomly pick a road and see what there was to explore in the Minor Hill area of Tennessee.

It turned into a treasure trove of abandoned buildings, barns and old country homes. I always wonder what these old structures were once like in their prime. Wikipedia had this to say about Minor Hill – “Minor Hill is named for Joseph Minor, an early settler in the area.

A later owner of the Minor tract donated part of it for the establishment of a school, church, and cemetery in the mid-19th century. A post office was established in 1870, and the city incorporated that same year….As of the census of 2000, there were 437 people, 181 households, and 129 families residing in the city.” Click here to join the exploration!

Mar 23

92 Rides Roads Unknown Ep-4 – Awesome Covered Bridges and Camaros

In this motovlog I go for a ride on my motorcycle into North Alabama to see covered bridges, camaros, creeks, and more.
This was a great day to ride old 92 which is the name of my Yamaha Vstar 1100 bobber. In case you were wondering what the difference is between a chopper and a bobber motorcycle… A chopper you actually chop up when building, whereas a bobber motorcycle can be put back together into a stock configuration, generally speaking as far as motorcycles go.
North Alabama has some of the best country roads for riding motorcycles which is why I started this section on allthingstonyj.
So sit back and enjoy a ride through Salem, Alabama as I go motovlogging on my motorcycle to see covered bridges, camaro’s, creeks, and more.
In this motorcycle vlogging series I literally get on my motorcycle and choose a road I’ve never traveled. Thus the title of this section 92 Rides Roads unknown. There’s something awesome about the mystery of taking a motorcycle ride to local places you’re never seen. You always find the most interesting things that most people have never seen.

Click here and enjoy the ride!

Mar 16

Urban Hiking the Beautiful Southern City of Pulaski Tennessee!

In this urban hiking micro-adventure I travel to the beautiful southern Tennessee city of Pulaski to do some urban exploration!
Urban Hiking in Pulaski offers a wonderful time to get out and hike in an urban setting. This Tennessee city is complete with a beautiful city square with commercial stores all around.
According to Wikipedia – Pulaski was founded in 1809. During the American Civil War, the vicinity of Pulaski was the site of a number of skirmishes during the Franklin–Nashville Campaign. Union troops occupied the state from 1862. In 1863, Confederate courier Sam Davis was hanged in Pulaski by the Union Army on suspicion of espionage.
This Urban Hiking micro-adventure in beautiful Pulaski, Tennessee is a “must see” small southern city if you’re ever in southern Tennessee. Pulaski is located just north of the Alabama state line and is home to Martin Methodist University.
There is plenty of Urban Hiking to be had around the square, through the city and into adjoining neighborhoods. The city is filled with beautiful southern homes that you’d expect to see in southern Tennessee.
So if you’re into Urban Hiking and Urban Exploration you might want to give Pulaski a look since it is steeped in history.

Click here and enjoy this awesome micro-adventure!

Mar 09

Rural Exploration – Southern Tennessee abandoned stuff and more!

In this micro-adventure I travel to rural Southern Tennessee to explore abandoned stuff – barns, structures and beautiful countrysides. Thus the idea for Rural Exploration!
In this micro-adventure I decided to travel to Southern Tennessee and literally take a road I’ve never traveled to see what I could find. Seriously, just a random road!

I found myself exploring the area around Bethel, Tennessee. A truly beautiful rural area. I think you’ll find it that way as well!

Click here to join the adventure!

Mar 02

Solo Hiking Ep-4 – McKay Hollow Madness! Deer, Snow, Waterfalls!

In this solo hiking micro-adventure I go hiking in the snow on the McKay Hollow trial on beautiful Monte Sano in Huntsville, Alabama.


This solo hike was filled with deer, snow, mountain streams, waterfalls and beautiful views!


Monte Sano State park is located in Huntsville, Alabama and offers a ton of hiking trials for all levels of hikers. If you enjoy hiking and are ever near the Huntsville area then a visit to Monte Sano state park is a must see destination!

Click here to join the adventure!

Feb 23

Buc-ee’s – World’s Largest Gas Station?

In this micro-adventure I travel to Buc-ee’s gas station in Leeds, Alabama.

Bucees.com claims that Buc-ee’s Beaver has the Fun Stores and this travel adventure proved that to be true!

Could this be the worlds largest gas station? While I didn’t count all the pumps, it’s rumored that they have 196 gas pumps. It certainly was the largest I’ve ever visited.

Buc-ee’s is a destination within itself. While they are known for many things, it’s their beef brisket sandwich that keeps people coming back for more. Again, it’s a destination within itself.

If you’ve never visited a Buc-ee’s then you just don’t get it. It’s really a cross between a convenience store and a small Cabelas. You can find clothes, Costa sunglasses, deer corn and feeders, tons of beef jerky, fudge and candied nuts.

If you are ever within a 10 mile radius of a Buc-ee’s it’s a no brainier destination! Luckily one is coming to Athen’s, Alabama near where I live. You can bet you’ll find me there on a regular basis!

Click here and join me on this awesome one day micro-adventure!

Feb 13

Urban Hiking the Southern lake city of Guntersville, Alabama. (2021)!

Today’s micro-adventure takes me urban hiking in the sleepy lake town of Guntersville, Alabama.

Urban hiking in downtown Guntersville revealed an active and thriving commercial area. Plenty of places to just hang out and enjoy your day. Great place!

Guntersville is known for the Guntersville State Park, one of Alabama’s premier state parks and vacation destinations.

The area is known for its boating community, bald eagles and is a must see destination if you’re ever in North Alabama.

Click here and join me on this beautiful urban hike!