On my way home

I've seen a few other blogs where people did this the other day and thought it would be pretty cool. Os said to keep it to a dozen pics or so but even he couldn't do it and he just drives across town. I have an hour drive so how can I just pick 12? He also asked for it to be done on Tuesday, but it's Friday now. I'm just a fountain of non-conformity, eh? Sorry, Os?
Come along if you like. This is the average trip home every day. If you get tired before we get home, feel free to get out. But after you do it for 12 years, you don't even notice the distance anymore.


I've just left the office and am getting ready turn left. Only 51 more miles to go!


Interstate ahead! Watch out for prostitutes on this little stretch. There are truck stops on either side of the interstate and the ladies just looooove them some truckers.


Gotta love the 5 o'clock circus. Merge with caution.

No explanation needed here. I think you can figure out what this place is.


This is the Hyundai Assembly Plant. They make the Hyundai Sonata here. Soon to add the Hyundai Sante Fe.


The Hyundai offices next door to the assembly plant.


A few miles out of town, the traffic thins out and I can bring her up to cruising altitude. If you're in law enforcement, this picture has been digitally altered. I never get above 70 MPH. Never.


Smooth sailing. Clear skies. Little to no turbulence expected.


Landing gear down, on final approach. Thank you for flying with us and I hope the experience has been a pleasant one.


The stockyard on the left as soon as you get off the interstate. I've heard the cafe in there is really good.


Now for the "country roads" part of the trip. Quit humming John Denver! (Caught you, didn't I?) This is the section of the trip home that I like to "unwind the mind".


4 miles to the end of that road. Hang a left and watch for cows in the road.


More smooth sailing on more country roads.


As soon as I make the next turn, I see the "po-po" with the speedtrap trying to snag someone heading north. Eyes front, Hands at 10 & 2.


Chicken houses aplenty.


Only 9 more miles to...


civilization. Sort of.


They're building a new bank by the Dollar General.


Did I mention that I drive the country roads home?


This is a Tier 1 supplier to the Hyundai plant. This is Dongwon Autoparts. They make the plastic housings for several of the electric/electronic components.

These donkeys are always right here by the road in the afternoons. I never see then in the mornings.


This is Chowel Weldparts. A Tier 2 supplier for Hyundai. They build metal racks, carts and other stuff for use in the Tier 1 plants.


This is another Tier 1 plant, SMART, Alabama. A division of ShinYung Metals. They stamp all the steel body and frame parts for the Hyundai assembly plant. You can't appreciate the size of this building until you see an 18-wheeler sitting in the doorway and it looks like a Tonka toy.



The entrance to the SMART plant.


This is the home of the "World's Largest Peanut Boil". Every Labor Day weekend, the Shriners boil tons and tons of peanuts and sell them here and downtown. The money goes to the Shriners Hospital for burned and crippled children. The big white building behind it is the Sister Schubert's Bakery.


The bridge over the Patsaliga River is pretty much the city limits. Hometown folks call it the PATS-a-laga.


This is a Veteran's Memorial as you're coming into the main part of town. The guy that keeps it all neat and tidy is a Vietnam veteran.


My old Alma Mater. Home of the Tigers.


I told ya'll it was dry around here. The water is usually all the way up the the guy wires in the foreground. See that fountain out in the middle? If the pond was at the normal level, you'd only see the tips of the perimeter jets and about 6 inches of the center one. I'd guess it's about 4 feet low right now.


Honey!! I'm home!! This is my street. If you're ever down this way, just remember...if you can't stop...wave.


This concludes this part of the virtual experience. Please keep your hands and feet inside the ride until it comes to a complete stop. Please exit to the left of the ride and make your way to the exits located at either end of the facility. Thank you again for making us part of your day.

Enjoy the weekend, everyone!