We are finally heading south after a month on the Tennessee River (and not a moment too soon as we have had three nights of below zero temperatures and (*gasp*) one morning there was thick frost on the boat – enough to make snowballs!).
Florence, Alabama turned out to be one of our favourite stops. We met some fellow Loopers (Jim and Marilyn on Spinning Dreams, and Dick and Sandi on Amazing Grace) and spent a great day together checking out some interesting spots.
We toured the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio where artists such as Cher, The Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, and Bob Seger recorded. Believe it or not, Keith Richards spent two hours in the bathroom at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio and wrote Wild Horses. (If you check out the Muscle Shoals Documentary, Keith Richards actually talks about this.)
We visited the FAME Recording Studio, also in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, that was started in the late fifties by Rick Hall. Some of the greatest artists in rock music history recorded here such as Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, Wilson Pickett, Etta James, Otis Redding, the Osmonds, Jerry Reed, Alabama, Mac Davis, the Gatlin Brothers, Bobbie Gentry and many others. It was amazing to see the studios and hear the stories.
Many well known artists have come out of Alabama (Hank Williams, Lionel Richie, Jim Nabors, Nat King Cole, Tammy Wynette, and more) and were featured at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia, Alabama.
In Tuscumbia, Alabama, the Helen Keller Museum tells the story of how she lost her sight and her hearing at the age of 19 months. It was her introduction to Anne Sullivan at the age of seven, in 1887, that changed her life and gave her a voice. The breakthrough came when Anne and Helen were at the water pump and pouring water over Helen’s hands while Anne was tapping out an alphabet code into her other hand. Once Helen grasped that first concept there was no stopping her.
She graduated from Radcliffe College in 1904 and dedicated her life to improving the conditions of the blind and deaf-blind around the world.
After three days in Florence we cruised to Iuka, Mississippi and for the first time we were in a lock with a tow. The tow enters the lock first and then the pleasure craft afterwards.
At the Shiloh National Military Park, we continued our learning about the Civil War.
We have travelled over 4,000 kilometres so far. Only about 6,000 left to do!
Jacques and Karen on Gyp C 
How incredible to visit Muscle Shoals Studio, where some legendary tracks were laid down! I went back to Keith Richard’s book Life to read his account of their wonderful time there. It was at the tail end of their ’69 US Tour that they felt hot and wanted to record. The did Wild Horses in one day and Brown Sugar the next, bringing in some local musicians for backing. The recording equipment wasn’t fancy, just 8 tracks, but what great song those are. Thanks for sharing!
I am seeing some coats as well as short sleeves in your photos now!
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Don, the recording equipment at Muscle Shoals still isn’t fancy but it works! We have had some cool days but seems to be warming up a little now as we head further south – currently in Columbus, Mississippi. I love reading all your comments!
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