Florence, AL – September 25, 2008

The area where we are staying is referred to as the Muscle Shoals area. It consists of four cities, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield and Tuscumbia on the south side of the river and Florence on the north side. This is the third largest urban area along the Tennessee River, population approximately 75,000.

Along with Jim and Sandy of Footloose we rented a car for the day. First on our list of places to visit was the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Showcased here are the best known Alabamians who have influenced the course of music history. Some of the singers from Alabama who had exhibits are Tammy Wynette, Hank Williams and Hank Williams Jr., The Commodores, Bobby Goldsboro, Lionel Richie, Nat King Cole, and Alabama. There were many others who were not familiar to us.

After this we drove to Helen Keller’s birthplace and home. Ivy Green was built in 1820, by the grandparents of Helen Keller. In 1954 Ivy Green was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Helen was born in the small cottage next to the main house. The picture of the well-pump is the actual pump where Helen’s breakthrough occurred and is located between the main house and her birthplace cottage. There are huge trees in the yard of the home, including a 150 year old English box-wood.