Back Roads and lickin' fingers

Packed up and ready to roll, I unfold the Alabama roadmap to scope out the next destination. Rolling past this huge circular billboard for the last time, I feel a sense of accomplishment. I find my thoughts reflecting on the many unique places I have been able to draw out of the Muscle Shoals community of 14,000 residents, especially visiting Helen Keller's Birthplace.

The rural roads are littered with tucked away small family homes. Some dwellings have clearly been ignored and abandoned for many years. If only the walls could speak. Imagine the possibility of hearing the past stories of each family.

Continuing westward, somewhat parallel the Tennessee River, I curiously pull into the gasoline bay at the Dam Store located in the small town of Courtland (pop 760). Old pumps, cob-cobwebbed windows, and a no trespassing sign clearly indicates I will not be fueling up my car nor refreshing myself with a cold bottle of iced tea.

The final destination is about thirty minutes away, which seems like a full day as I have not eaten anything since early morning. There is a purpose of this brief starvation. In Decatur (pop 57,938) there is some serious history - BBQ history! I wanted to be extremely hungry, knowing a huge platter of some of the best BBQ in Alabama waits for my arrival.

As I pull open the large wooden door, the smell of BBQ immediately slams my nostrils. My empty stomach reacts with a loud over-waken growl. It is mid-afternoon and the cafeteria like seating is almost full. Loud and talkative voices ricochet off the wooden walls. I am here for one purpose - BBQ chicken covered in their famous white BBQ sauce. Since 1925, Big Bob Gibson BBQ has been considered a staple BBQ joint in all of Alabama. The meal was amazing! I mean finger-licking amazing. The mac n' cheese is the best I have ever eaten. It is the hard pasta crust baked on the inside of the small metal dishes that does it for me. The white BBQ sauce was so unique to me - a vinegary flavor. The locals teased me saying, "White BBQ is the norm for us North Alabamians!" Oh, a full belly, a smile ear-to-ear and eight lickity-clean fingers closes this road trip day with total contentment.