Short Trips

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND +

In May 2019, we took a trip to rural Georgia and decided to spend a day or two in Huntsville, Alabama, just across the state line. Although we had visited the city several times, the most recent visit was ten years ago. As Huntsville is developing rapidly, we wanted to check it out again, especially since relocating there was possible. We were pleased with what we saw.

Our visit coincided with Memorial Day, when Americans remember and pay tribute to their war dead. We discovered that nearby Summerville has an impressive war memorial with several sizeable black granite slabs. These slabs commemorate the soldiers who lost their lives in conflicts during the 20th and 21st centuries. Each fallen serviceman was also honoured with a display of flags, making the experience even more moving. Summerville is a small town with a population of around 4,500, and the memorial helps define the place. Adjacent to the County Courthouse, a large mural features the memorial slabs.

Summerville is the Chattooga County seat, and outside the county courthouse, there is a monument listing the local men who served in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. The memorial lists the regiments manned by men from the County and erected by the Sons of Confederate Veterans organisation. While this monument might be controversial in the current 'woke' climate, it is not in Summerville.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND

In 2019, we found ourselves in need of a new SUV. After a positive experience with a BMW at Blair, we considered the new BMW X7 SUV a potential option. We were impressed by what we saw and ultimately had a new one delivered at the end of August.

Unfortunately, our area's heavy traffic did not allow us to test all the car's features. We could not take the car on a long drive to Maine that year. However, we did take it on a weekend trip to Davis, West Virginia. The final 65 miles of the journey are on a gorgeous dual carriageway that rises several thousand feet to Davis with almost no traffic. Davis is a lovely little town and the highest in the state. In the winter, it is bustling as a cross-country skiing centre, but during the off-season, Ski Lodges are available to rent at discounted prices.

Our short break confirmed that the BMW X7 is a pleasure to drive, and its driver's aids are noticeably superior to its competitors. Additionally, the car is more dog-friendly, which is a significant factor for us.