06 July 2010

Birmingham, Alabama

Welcome to Birmingham!

Skyline of Birmingham (Photo Credit)

Located in north-central Alabama, Birmingham sits in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains as they begin their path towards the northeast. One-hundred-fifty miles west of Atlanta and 200 miles due south of Nashville, Birmingham is a medium-sized metropolis with about 1.2 million area residents. Banking and medical care—mostly the University of Alabama at Birmingham (called UAB) Hospitals and medical complex—are the primary engines of the local economy, though steel and insurance industries are also players here.


Fountain on UAB Campus (Photo Credit)

Most folks who have never visited here, other than whizzing by on I-65 or I-20, perhaps have images of Birmingham that include fire hoses, mean-spirited dogs, and, well, overt racists. I know that I did. Much has changed in Birmingham since the 1960s, and today the city boasts many museums, performing arts, festivals, botanical gardens, and outstanding restaurants. (After all, those bankers and physicians need someplace to spend their money…) Among our favorites are Highland’s Bar and Grill, Satterfield’s, Hot and Hot Fish Club, and Ocean. And, be sure to visit the Blue Monkey in an area known as Southside for the best martinis in town…and ridiculously underpriced!

On Red Mountain, overlooking the city is Vulcan, the Roman God of Fire and Forge. The largest cast-iron statue ever produced, it stands 56 feet tall, and its head alone weighs over 5 tons. Originally designed for and assembled at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904 as the Alabama exhibit, the huge statue was later erected atop Red Mountain, where many natural resources were mined and fueled Birmingham’s prominent position in the iron and steel industry for several decades surrounding the turn of the 20th century.


Vulcan Statue (Photo Credit)


What we like most about Birmingham is its easy-going nature. The pace of this southern city is all about one’s frame of mind, and folks here like to take things easy. We really enjoy the restaurants—did I mention they are excellent?—and we do a lot of gardening (we have over 30 species of plants around our home). Though summers are dreadfully hot and can be very humid, we are compensated with mild and virtually snowless winters. Fall and spring, far more than just a couple of weeks, are absolutely delightful! And, the flora here (crape myrtle, dogwood, jasmine,magnolia, camellia, oak leaf hydrangea, etc.) are remarkable: a wide variety of plants, shrubs, and trees each of which seem to be in bloom at different times of the year.


Mangnolia Grandiflora (Photo Credit) & Crape Myrtle (Photo Credit)


Thanks for the great post on B-Ham, Dad! We'll definitely have to get Brian out to the Crawfish Festival next year.
xo - C & B

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