Click here and see my Best of 2024 30A and Destin Harbor short film. This is the latest of my Best of 2024 series where I show the highlights of my 2024 trip to Destin …
Click here to see the my Best of 2024 Alabama Car Shows – That I Attended! This is all about the Best of 2024 Alabama Car Shows – that I attended this year. It includes …
Click here to see the Best of 2024 “Most Dangerous” Vacant and Abandoned in Alabama??? video! Today’s micro-adventure is the Best of 2024 “Most Dangerous” Vacant and Abandoned in Alabama???. Many of these towns are …
Click here to watch my latest cinematic short film as I explore the abandoned and burned in Brighton, Alabama. In today’s micro-adventure I explore abandoned and burned places in Brighton, Alabama outside of Birmingham. Technically …
Click here to watch my latest cinematic short film as I explore abandoned areas in Midfield, Alabama… Today I explore the abandoned areas in the city of Midfield, Alabama just outside of Birmingham. Midfield, Alabama …
In this adventure I go Solo Hiking on a road established in 1861!
It’s the Iron Road in Tannehill State Park in McCalla, Alabama. It was established around 1861 and was used to haul pig iron from the Tannehill Ironworks. It was hauled by 8 team mule wagons 18 miles to the railhead at Montevallo, Alabama.
Much of my solos hike was in the beautiful Tannehill Historical State park. Full of log cabins, streams and so much more.
So, I hope you enjoy this one – Solo Hiking Road Est 1861 – Log Cabins, Streams and More!
Irondale: The City That Inspired the Best Selling Novel “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe”
Nestled in the heart of Alabama, the charming city of Irondale stands as a testament to the power of storytelling and the impact one place can have on literature. Renowned for its rich history, this picturesque city played a significant role in inspiring the critically acclaimed best-selling novel, “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe”. With its quaint streets, vibrant culture, and fascinating stories, Irondale continues to captivate the imagination of locals and visitors alike.
Published in 1987, “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe” is a masterpiece of Southern literature penned by Fannie Flagg. Set in the fictional town of Whistle Stop, the novel eloquently weaves together the lives of its remarkable characters against the backdrop of the Deep South. However, what many may not know is that Irondale served as a significant source of inspiration for Flagg, providing her with the essence and spirit that would ultimately shape her unforgettable tale.
As readers delve into the pages of the novel, they are transported to Whistle Stop, a town encapsulated within the vivid descriptions of Irondale’s surroundings. The bustling atmosphere of the Irondale Café, the serene railroad tracks that cut through the city, and the warmth of its tight-knit community all find their way into the narrative. It is through this connection that Irondale becomes an immortalized setting, forever associated with one of the most beloved novels of our time.
For fans of the book, a pilgrimage to Irondale is an opportunity to experience the real-life inspirations behind the fictional Whistle Stop. The Irondale Café, fondly recognized as the inspiration for the Whistle Stop Cafe, still serves its famous fried green tomatoes and Southern delicacies, allowing visitors to taste a piece of the novel’s iconic imagery. The historic Irondale Whistle Stop Museum, located just steps away from the café, provides a deeper understanding of the city’s railroad heritage and its significant impact on the story.
Beyond the literary connections, Irondale boasts a vibrant community and a multitude of attractions that draw visitors year-round. From its picturesque parks and charming neighborhoods to its vibrant arts scene and local businesses, the city offers a true taste of Southern hospitality. Visitors can explore the natural beauty of Irondale’s trails and parks, indulge in local culinary delights, or immerse themselves in the city’s thriving music and arts scenes.
For literary enthusiasts, history buffs, and lovers of small-town charm, Irondale is a must-visit destination. As you wander its streets, you can’t help but feel the enchantment of a place that sparked the imagination of a talented author and gave birth to a best-selling novel. Experience the magic of Irondale, where history, community, and storytelling seamlessly blend, leaving an indelible mark on its visitors’ hearts – just like the timeless tale of “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe”.
Irondale: The City That Inspired the Best Selling Novel “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe”
Nestled in the heart of Alabama, the charming city of Irondale stands as a testament to the power of storytelling and the impact one place can have on literature. Renowned for its rich history, this picturesque city played a significant role in inspiring the critically acclaimed best-selling novel, “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe”. With its quaint streets, vibrant culture, and fascinating stories, Irondale continues to captivate the imagination of locals and visitors alike.
Published in 1987, “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe” is a masterpiece of Southern literature penned by Fannie Flagg. Set in the fictional town of Whistle Stop, the novel eloquently weaves together the lives of its remarkable characters against the backdrop of the Deep South. However, what many may not know is that Irondale served as a significant source of inspiration for Flagg, providing her with the essence and spirit that would ultimately shape her unforgettable tale.
As readers delve into the pages of the novel, they are transported to Whistle Stop, a town encapsulated within the vivid descriptions of Irondale’s surroundings. The bustling atmosphere of the Irondale Café, the serene railroad tracks that cut through the city, and the warmth of its tight-knit community all find their way into the narrative. It is through this connection that Irondale becomes an immortalized setting, forever associated with one of the most beloved novels of our time.
For fans of the book, a pilgrimage to Irondale is an opportunity to experience the real-life inspirations behind the fictional Whistle Stop. The Irondale Café, fondly recognized as the inspiration for the Whistle Stop Cafe, still serves its famous fried green tomatoes and Southern delicacies, allowing visitors to taste a piece of the novel’s iconic imagery. The historic Irondale Whistle Stop Museum, located just steps away from the café, provides a deeper understanding of the city’s railroad heritage and its significant impact on the story.
Beyond the literary connections, Irondale boasts a vibrant community and a multitude of attractions that draw visitors year-round. From its picturesque parks and charming neighborhoods to its vibrant arts scene and local businesses, the city offers a true taste of Southern hospitality. Visitors can explore the natural beauty of Irondale’s trails and parks, indulge in local culinary delights, or immerse themselves in the city’s thriving music and arts scenes.
For literary enthusiasts, history buffs, and lovers of small-town charm, Irondale is a must-visit destination. As you wander its streets, you can’t help but feel the enchantment of a place that sparked the imagination of a talented author and gave birth to a best-selling novel. Experience the magic of Irondale, where history, community, and storytelling seamlessly blend, leaving an indelible mark on its visitors’ hearts – just like the timeless tale of “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe”.
In my latest urban exploration video that I’m calling Skeletons of Riverchase have Escaped! Urban Exploring a B’Ham Community! , I go Urban Exploring in a local neighborhood of Birmingham, Alabama!
The community of Riverchase goes all out with decorating the neighborhood with Skeletons for Halloween. Some even change throughout the month!
If you want to see an incredible Halloween display and you’re in the neighborhood then don’t miss the community of Riverchase at Halloween but know the Skeletons have escaped!
So I hope you enjoy this Halloween edition of sorts of allthingstonyj with my latest micro adventure – Skeletons of Riverchase have Escaped! Urban Exploring a B’Ham Neighborhood!
In this adventure I’ll ride my Yamaha, Vstar 1100, to the J&J Deli where Matthew McConaughey once made a movie then I take a 3 minute ride to nowhere!
The majority of this adventure on my Yamaha, Vstar 1100, will be a 3 minute ride to nowhere – literally. It was a ride I took just to get away and I put it to some chill music!
So I hope you enjoy my latest adventure on my Yamaha, Vstar 1100 that I’m calling- Matthew McConaughey Made a Movie Here! Chill Vibe on 92!
Today I visit the historic Sloss Furnace in Birmingham, Alabama. The location is now a national historic landmark with a past. I’ll even take yo to the historic “Tunnel”
Some say it’s the most haunted steel mill in America. Personally I don’t believe in that stuff but don’t knock those that do.
Ghost adventures visited the historic 1881 Sloss Furnace, a national historic landmark, as part of the Travel Channel series – Ghost Adventures. You can read more about that visit here – https://www.travelchannel.com/shows/ghost-adventures/episodes/sloss-furnace-birmingham-al
You can watch the Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures episode to the historic Sloss Furnace in Birmingham, Alabama here – https://frightfurnace.com/ghost-hunters-explore-sloss-furnace/
Hope you like “SLOSS FURNACE! – as SEEN on Travel Channel’s GHOST ADVENTURES! Just for Fun!”
In today’s micro adventure we explore the haunted campground at Tannehill, State Park outside of Birmingham, Alabama.
OK, it’s not haunted but it was a lot of fun in the spirit of Fall and October.
This hunted adventure all started the day before while hiking at the Tannehill State Park, near McCalla, Alabama. We noticed some decorations at the Tannehill campground. The more we explored the more we realized how over the top they were with their fall decorations in this Haunted Campground! The Haunted Campground Under Promised but Over Delivered!
I’d highly recommend this fun Haunted Campground at the Tannehill State Park, outside of Birmingham, near McCalla, Alabama.
In today’s adventure – “Seaside at Sunset – Dogs, Cool Vibes, Sunset and Some Crazy Antics!”, I travel to beautiful Seaside, Florida to video this wonderful place at Sunset!
While at Seaside, Florida, I run into another YouTube channel and play trivia and actually win some money.
Here is the History of Seaside, Florida, as noted on https://sowal.com/story/the-story-of-seaside-florida
In 1946, on one of the family’s summer pilgrimages to the shore, Robert Davis’ grandfather, J.S. Smolian, bought 80 acres near Seagrove Beach on Florida’s northwest coast. His intention was to build a summer camp for his employees, but his business partner wanted no part of what must have seemed like a worthless tract of sand. The Smolian family continued coming to that same shore every summer, and occasionally J.S. would take young Robert to the fields at the western edge of Seagrove Beach and walk around the tract.
Robert Davis grew up to be a student of history as well as business, and became an award-winning builder/developer in Miami in the 1970s. When he considered making plans for the property near Seagrove, he naturally thought about idyllic family vacations along the same coast and the small cottages the family had stayed in. If he closed his eyes and let his mind wander back, he could almost feel gentle sea breezes evaporating the moisture on his skin as he sat on a porch rocker after a shower at the end of a day on the beach, absorbed in stories being told by grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The idea of Seaside started with the notion of reviving Northwest Florida’s building tradition, which had produced wood-frame cottages so well adapted to the climate that they enhanced the sensual pleasure of life by the sea. Cottages accommodated generations of family members, and kids got to sleep on the porch. These cottages had deep roof overhangs, ample windows, and cross ventilation in all rooms. They were built of wood and other time-tested materials and with reasonable maintenance, could last several generations.
The rest of the story of Seaside, Florida can be found at:
I decided to go leave Birmingham to go to Destin, Florida to see how much I could do in one day and I found out!
Here’s the skinny of what we accomplished in one day in Destin, Florida:
Miramar Beach
Pompano Joe’s for Coconut shrimp
Holiday Isle
Norriega Point
East Pass Jetty
Sandestin
Baytowne Wharf
Roberto’s Pizzeria
Moo la-la Ice Cream
Seaside
See it all my latest micro adventure.
According to the City of Destin website:
History of Destin Overview Located in the Florida Panhandle, the City of Destin has a rich historical heritage dating back to American Indian inhabitants as early as the seventh century A.D. Spanish explorers surveyed Florida in 1538. Don Francisco Tapia was commissioned to survey the Florida coast and in 1693, drew the first known map of East Pass and its shores.
Immediate History
Destin traces its immediate history to a fisherman, Captain Leonard Destin from New London, Conn., who began sailing and fishing the gulf waters around 1835 and, through series of mishaps, permanently settled in Destin in about 1850-1852. Captain Destin pioneered the fishing industry and Destin has maintained this heritage to the present.
