Nov 22

Mysterious Tree Carvings of Orr Park? – Montevallo, Alabama

Click here and join me on another adventure as I discover the Mysterious Tree Carvings of Orr Park!

In my latest micro adventure that I’m calling, Mysterious Tree Carvings of Orr Park? – Montevallo, Alabama – I find these mysterious tree carvings in a small park.

While urban hiking I discovered this small park in Montevallo, Alabama with quite a few tree carvings.

While it’s probably not mysterious to those that lived there, I have no idea who did all these or why? But I did find some them to be creepy as well.

Overall it was a great day for urban hiking in Montevallo, Alabama and to find this park was just icing on the cake.

According to Wikipedia’s website:

The area where Montevallo is now was once controlled by the Creek Indians. After being acquired in 1814 Jesse Wilson claimed a small hill on the northern bank of Wilson’s Creek by the present Montevallo City Cemetery and created a homestead there, making it the oldest settlement in Shelby County. Wilson’s friends and family followed afterwards and also settled in the area, and a settlement known as Wilson’s Hill developed on the site. The settlement’s location at almost the exact center of Alabama meant it was considered one of the potential sites for the University of Alabama. In an attempt to encourage the university to choose the site the settlement changed its name to Montevallo, which is Italian for the hill in the valley.

Montevallo was used by local farmers as a market town where they could sell and package their produce. It was incorporated as a city in 1848. In 1853 a railway was built between Montevallo and Selma which allowed further economic growth to Montevallo and in 1856 a coal mine was created nearby leading to further growth.

During the American Civil War, Union troops under the command of James H. Wilson camped in Montevallo in the spring of 1865 and skirmished with Confederates near the railroad depot. After the war, commercial life and growth was dominated by the coal mine owned by Truman Aldrich who leased the mine and attempted to increase production in response to the growing iron industry in the region and the growing city of Birmingham. Starting in 1890, company owned worker housing was built in Montevallo to house miners.
Main Hall, Montevallo

In the early 1890s, residents of Montevallo entered the city in a competition to be selected for the site of the Alabama Girl’s Industrial School (later the University of Montevallo) a technical college for white women, raising funds to purchase land and antebellum buildings for the college they won and the college was founded in Montevallo in 1896. Commerce and economic growth increased in Montevallo after the establishment of the college, which was renamed Alabama College in 1919, started admitting men in 1956 and started admitting African Americans in 1968 and became the modern liberal arts University of Montevallo. The university became the main source of commerce in Montevallo and money generated by it was used by the municipal government to build schools. The university also allowed the community some stability during the Great Depression. It quickly took over the coal mine as the major employer in Montevallo, the coal mine closing in 1946.[4][5]

So I hope you like my latest micro adventure – Mysterious Tree Carvings of Orr Park? – Montevallo, Alabama.

Nov 11

Am I crazy? I Entered a 12 Hour Endurance Race! Ep – 1

Click here and join me on another Ultra Running micro adventure!

This is a micro adventure that I haven’t done in a while – a physical micro running adventure that I’m calling, Am I crazy? I Entered a 12 Hour Endurance Race! Ep – 1

Endurance racing has become a popular sport as of late. But especially the timed endurance events.

In this timed event I’ll introduce this style of ultra running for the average person like myself – I don’t consider myself a runner – I’m too big.

But as you’ll see throughout this Ultra Running – Endurance race series, the average person can be successful in endurance racing in the ultra running distance!

Nov 09

Urban Hiking the City of Murals – Artsy Montevallo, AL – Ep – 36

Click here and join me as I go Urban Hiking in the City of Murals!

In today’s micro adventure that I’m calling, Urban Hiking the City of Murals – Artsy Montevallo, AL – Ep – 36, I travel to the artsy city of Montevallo, AL.

Monevallo, Alabama is the city of murals as far as I’m concerned. In the midst of old and new buildings there are murals everywhere!

According to Wikipedia’s website:

The area where Montevallo is now was once controlled by the Creek Indians. After being acquired in 1814 Jesse Wilson claimed a small hill on the northern bank of Wilson’s Creek by the present Montevallo City Cemetery and created a homestead there, making it the oldest settlement in Shelby County. Wilson’s friends and family followed afterwards and also settled in the area, and a settlement known as Wilson’s Hill developed on the site. The settlement’s location at almost the exact center of Alabama meant it was considered one of the potential sites for the University of Alabama. In an attempt to encourage the university to choose the site the settlement changed its name to Montevallo, which is Italian for the hill in the valley.

Montevallo was used by local farmers as a market town where they could sell and package their produce. It was incorporated as a city in 1848. In 1853 a railway was built between Montevallo and Selma which allowed further economic growth to Montevallo and in 1856 a coal mine was created nearby leading to further growth.

During the American Civil War, Union troops under the command of James H. Wilson camped in Montevallo in the spring of 1865 and skirmished with Confederates near the railroad depot. After the war, commercial life and growth was dominated by the coal mine owned by Truman Aldrich who leased the mine and attempted to increase production in response to the growing iron industry in the region and the growing city of Birmingham. Starting in 1890, company owned worker housing was built in Montevallo to house miners.
Main Hall, Montevallo

In the early 1890s, residents of Montevallo entered the city in a competition to be selected for the site of the Alabama Girl’s Industrial School (later the University of Montevallo) a technical college for white women, raising funds to purchase land and antebellum buildings for the college they won and the college was founded in Montevallo in 1896. Commerce and economic growth increased in Montevallo after the establishment of the college, which was renamed Alabama College in 1919, started admitting men in 1956 and started admitting African Americans in 1968 and became the modern liberal arts University of Montevallo. The university became the main source of commerce in Montevallo and money generated by it was used by the municipal government to build schools. The university also allowed the community some stability during the Great Depression. It quickly took over the coal mine as the major employer in Montevallo, the coal mine closing in 1946.[4][5]

So I hope you enjoy my latest micro adventure as I go Urban Hiking in the beautiful southern city of Montevallo, Alabama, the city of murals in Urban Hiking the City of Murals – Artsy Montevallo, AL – Ep – 36!

Nov 03

Urban Hiking – Beautiful Coastal Town with an Alien Abduction History? Pascagoula, Ms.

Click here to join me on another micro adventure as I go to Pascagoula, Ms known for an alien abduction!

In my latest Urban Hiking micro adventure we travel to the beautiful coastal town of Pascagoula, Mississippi! I’m calling this one, Urban Hiking – Beautiful Coastal Town with an Extra Terrestrial History? Pascagoula, Ms.

This micro adventure has it all, old buildings, old houses, old downtown and even the historical site of an alien abduction involving Calvin Parker and Charles Hickson.

Interview link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjlzeYiGLzc

While Urban Hiking in the beautiful coastal town of Pascagoula, we’ll interview a home owner that has a wonderful history to tell, interview with Victoria the owner of the White Pelican a local downtown boutique, and we’ll eat at Off the Hook local restaurant where I’ll have the best trigger fish I’ve ever eaten, then we’ll visit the historical site of the alleged alien abduction of Calvin Parker and Charles Hickson.

Disclaimer – I don’t know if Calvin Parker and Charles Hickson were actually abducted or not! I don’t know anything about aliens either. I just decided to visit the site because it’s one of the things that Pascagoula is known for and I started hearing the story as a small child. So I thought I’d visit the site for anyone interested. So, I encourage you not to read into it anything other than that.

So I hope you like my latest micro adventure that I’m calling, Urban Hiking – Beautiful Coastal Town with an Alien Abduction History? Pascagoula, Ms.

If you ever have the chance to go Urban Hiking in the beautiful coastal town of Pascagoula, Mississippi, then I would jump at the chance. I’m now a big fan myself.

Nov 03

12 Hour Race Results – Did things go South? How did my Coros Pace 2 do? Ep-5

Click here and see the results of my 12 hour endurance race – did things go south?

In this short film I’m calling, 12 Hour Race Results – Did things go South? How did my Coros Pace 2 do? Ep-5, I’ll tell yo what went right and what went wrong!

Disclaimer – I’m not an Ultra running Superstar!

In case you haven’t heard I’ve registered for a 12 Hour Endurance Race! this series is all about documenting that event. So, I hope you enjoy my latest micro adventure – 12 Hour Race Results – Did things go South? How did my Coros Pace 2 do? Ep-5

This 12 Hour Endurance Race is just my latest race attempted with little training. Everyone has their own ideas when it comes to nutrition both during training and on race day.

This 12 Hour Endurance Race is just my latest race attempted with little training. Everyone has their own style of training for endurance racing but not like this!

In this episode – 12 Hour Race Results – Did things go South? How did my Coros Pace 2 do? Ep-5

In this series all related to my 12 hour Endurance Race, I’m hoping to motivate and inspire the average runner to dream big.

Oct 29

12 Hour Endurance Race – Race Format and Goals! How about you? Ep-4

Click here and discover my 12 Hour Race Goals as I create another short film in the 12 Hour Endurance Race series!

In this short film, Ep-4 of my 12 Hour Endurance Race that I’m calling – “12 Hour Endurance Race – Race Format and Goals! How about you? Ep-4,” I’m going to do just that – explain the format and goals!

This series is all about the average person, not the superstar ultra runner. As noted in earlier episodes I’m the average guy that started without being able to run literally 1 mile. But turned it around to run my longest race which was 100 miles.

Ultimately I’m encouraging those better than I am to share their stories of race goals that others might learn.

So I hope you’re enjoying this running series with the latest being 12 Hour Endurance Race – Race Format and Goals! How about you? Ep-4!

So I hope you’re enjoying this running series with the latest being 12 Hour Endurance Race – Race Format and Goals! How about you? Ep-4!

Oct 08

12 Hour Race Nutrition – Here’s mine! What says you? 12 Hour Endurance Race Ep-3

Click here and join me for another physical micro adventure as I attempt a 12 hour endurance at the age of 60. Episode 3 is focused on nutrition!

Disclaimer – I’m not an Ultra running Superstar!

In case you haven’t heard I’ve registered for a 12 Hour Endurance Race! this series is all about documenting that event. So, I hope you enjoy my latest micro adventure – 12 Hour Race Nutrition – Here’s mine! What says you? 12 Hour Endurance Race Ep-3!

This 12 Hour Endurance Race is just my latest race attempted with little training. Everyone has their own ideas when it comes to nutrition both during training and on race day.

This 12 Hour Endurance Race is just my latest race attempted with little training. Everyone has their own style of training for endurance racing but not like this!

In this episode – 12 Hour Race Nutrition – Here’s mine! What says you? 12 Hour Endurance Race Ep-3, it’s all about nutrition.

In this series all related to my 12 hour Endurance Race, I’m hoping to motivate and inspire the average runner to dream big.

So I hope you like the latest in my physical micro adventure series -12 Hour Race Nutrition – Here’s mine! What says you? 12 Hour Endurance Race Ep-3.

In this series all related to my 12 hour Endurance Race, I’m hoping to motivate and inspire the average runner to dream big.

So I hope you like the latest in my physical micro adventure series – 12 Hour Race Nutrition – Here’s mine! What says you? 12 Hour Endurance Race Ep-3.

Oct 08

Back in Bessemer – Urban Hiking one of Alabama’s Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities!

Join me for another Urban Hiking micro adventure as I go back to the Beautiful Southern city of Bessemer!

In this micro adventure I travel back to Bessemer, Alabama to go Urban Hiking. Bessemer ranks 3rd in the top ten most dangerous cities in Alabama according to https://usaestaonline.com/most-dangerous-cities-in-alabama. I’m calling it Back in Bessemer – Urban Hiking one of Alabama’s Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities!

Here’s what that website has to say:

“3. Bessemer

This is a southwestern region of Birmingham with a population of 26,856. Bessemer is quite known for its economic strength. With the coal, iron ore, and limestone deposits in the core, it settled as the center of steel making all through the 20th century.

However, the compilation by 247 put Bessemer in sixth place for the Worst Places to Live in Alabama. It moved from the 84th ranking in 2012, to 16th in 2013, and now 6th in 2018. Although major crimes in Bessemer seem to have dropped by 25% in the past three years, overall, the crime rate is still high.

The total crime is an estimated 4,491 for every 100,000 residents, with violent crime 721, and property crime, 3,371. Petty crimes are scarcely reported, and this makes public transit relatively free of cash thefts. It is good to note that the patrolling officers on this side of town have not decreased.

There are fewer sketchy neighborhoods around alleys so night movements are still permitted. Though not far into the nights. Female travelers are advised to be accompanied if passing through at night. Walking or biking during the day is ideal.”

In this micro adventure where I travel to Bessemer, the 3rd most dangerous city in Alabama, I’ll find a lot of old homes and building including an old United Methodist Church. Are the vacant? Are they abandoned? You be the judge.

This will be the 3ed time I’ve gone Urban Hiking in Bessemer, one of the top 10 most dangerous cities in Alabama but I’ve never felt threatened at all. In fact i find Bessemer a great place to go Urban Hiking. People in Bessemer have never been anything but nice to me when they see me shooting my short films there.

While Bessemer, Alabama may rank as the 3rd most dangerous city in Alabama, I highly recommend anyone wanting to see this historic Birmingham city to do so.

So I hope you enjoy my latest short film – Back in Bessemer – Urban Hiking one of Alabama’s Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities!

Oct 08

Have I Lost My Mind? My Goofy Training Methods for 12 Hour Endurance Race! Ep – 2

Join me for Ep-2 of my 12 hour Endurance Run series – this one is all about my goofy, unorthodox training methods!

In my latest physical micro adventure, Have I Lost My Mind? My Goofy Training Methods for 12 Hour Endurance Race! Ep – 2, I talk about my unorthodox training methods!

This 12 Hour Endurance Race is just my latest race attempted with little training. Everyone has their own style of training for endurance racing but not like this!

In this series all related to my 12 hour Endurance Race, I’m hoping to motivate and inspire the average runner to dream big.

So I hope you like the latest in my physical micro adventure series – Have I Lost My Mind? My Goofy Training Methods for 12 Hour Endurance Race! Ep – 2!

Oct 08

190 MPH Superbike Race – Behind the Scenes like You’ve Never Seen!

Click here and join me on another micro adventure to Barber Motorsports park to watch a Superbike Race – bonus – I go into the Paddock area or what you might know as the Pits.

In today’s micro-adventure I travel to Barber Motorsports MotoAmerica Superbike race in Leeds, Alabama, outside of Birmingham! I’m calling it, “190 MPH Superbike Race – Behind the Scenes like You’ve Never Seen!” At the Barber Motorsports MotoAmerica Superbike race you’ll see motorcycles going close to 198 MPH! The exciting part of the Barber Motorsports MotoAmerica Superbike Race is that there is an ope paddock area. You can actually visit the pits and see the superbike mechanics wrenching on the bikes! This is how it’s described on the MotoAmerica website: MotoAmerica Superbikes at Barber Motorsports Park – September 23-25, 2022 With one of the most beautiful tracks and racing facilities in the nation, Barber Motorsports Park promises to be an incredible end to the season. Immerse yourself with Friday qualifying and two full weekend days of racing while being near the motorcycles and racers themselves with our open race paddock. Bring the family and enjoy food, stunt shows, and racing! Take advantage of multiple ticket options – choose the Boss Audio Systems Parade Lap option and ride your own motorcycle on the track itself! Finally, visit Barber Motorsports Museum, one of the top motorcycle museums in the world. Join us, fellow fans and over 120 riders competing in seven classes and experience some of the best competition found in any sport! So I hope you enjoy my latest short film – 190 MPH Superbike Race – Behind the Scenes like You’ve Never Seen! Correction: Bikes advertised as 190 MPH on MotoAmerica site for Barber but I couldn’t change the thumbnail as this was already published.