Dothan....

....Alabama, The Peanut Capitol of the world,
that's the claim, and the flag is unfurled,
over a quarter of our peanut crop is grown nearby,
at least that gives them a chance to see the sky.

Ol' Larry used to come here once in a while,
a company here did overhaul on the planes, so they traveled in style,
leave an aircraft there or pick one up,
an overnight stay, living it up.

This city has places that people really should see,
little restaurants that were great, makes me hungry,
home made sausage, spicy and black,
thinking about it, I think I'd go back.

Top: The "Golden" Peanut.
Middle: A peanut plant in blossom (doesn't look like the cookie)
Bottom: Dothan, a Chamber or Commerce view.

Tuskegee.....

.....Alabama, what a historic place!
It's the melting pot of the human race,
Booker T. Washington, pictured above,
was the start - that gave the world a shove.

Founder of the famous Tuskegee Institute,
the school that really bore fruit,
the Tuskegee Airmen, jump to my mind,
some of the best pilots known to human kind.

One of the teachers I know that you've heard,
George Washington Carver, for peanuts spread the word,
the products he invented, too many to count here,
but if you like Peanut Butter, give the man a cheer.

And we can't forget the start of something 'new',
birthplace of Rosa Parks - one of many, part of few,
stood up against racism, while seated on a bus,
did her part in protest, to help the rest of us.

Top:  Monument to Booker T. Washington
Middle: The Tuskegee Airmen
Bottom:  Rosa Parks takes her seat, but she also took the lead.
Note:  There are so many stories about this one town, which remains mostly back, that I'd need
to write a book to cover it all, very difficult to put into four verses.

Alexander City....

...Alabama, a 'typical' southern town, we think,
but jobs moved offshore are causing it to sink!
On the Talapoosa River, and Lake Martins shore,
it's a nice small town, you don't see many any more.

Named for the Railroad President and Civil War hero,
the town has enough going, and it won't just let go,
hang in there small town, encourage new growth,
work for the people too, there's room for both.

Top: Court Square, in the center city.
Middle: A walkway in the Horseshoe Bend National Military Park.
Bottom: Providence Light on Lake Martin, part of a childrens health center, gives hope to the young patients.

Talladega....

....Alabama, home of the speedway, southern style,
NASCR racers zoon mile after mile,
roundy, round in a five-hundred mile left hand turn,
the roar of the engines, and the rubber burn.

There are other things in this city too,
if you don't like racing, there are things to do,
the southern Appalacians invite a hike,
or there are trails to walk, or maybe bike.

Top:  Talladega Speedway
Middle: Devils Den, series of downhill falls in a stream.
Bottom: Talladega Falls,

Gadsden....

...Alabama, city that's All American, pride,
and not a bad place to take a ride,
this city was built on rubber and steel,
in the sixties the paint had begun to peel.

Republic Steel and Goodyear are gone,
but the city is catching on,
once voted the worst place to live,
show what happens when people work and give.

Top: The banner of the 'Downtown Association'.
Middle: Noccalula Falls, this Indian Princess is near the top right corner.  You'll have to go back
and remember the old song "Running Bear, loved Little White Dove".
Bottom: Below the falls in the Fall.
NOTE:  Click on any image to make it larger.

Albertville...

....Alabama, a quiet small, southern city, to out liking;
out in the country where cotton's still king,
started as just another railroad place,
modern day America has it in the race.

It's probably a place you've never known,
but Abby and I get out and around;
we need to see place, just like this,
to know that small town USA still exists.

Top:  Sign of the times.
Middle: The old red mill.
Bottom:  A reminder of times past.

Huntsville....

....Alabama, where cotton is no longer king,
the space age has brought Huntsville a whole new thing,
NASA and the Army have big bases here,
and do all the work and Cape Canaveral gets the cheer.

Huntsville was home, during the Civil War,
to eight generals, four South and four North, each wore a star;
then cotton was king, then watercress too,
this booming space city will welcome you.

Top:  Rocket Park, some hardware here all right
Middle: The City of Huntsville, Alabama
Bottom:  Big Spring, the reason why Huntsville was founded