2025 Dec 5-7, Christmas Tour of Homes Trip to Eufaula, Al with Backroads Tours LLC

 Day 1: Friday, December 5:

Today we traveled to Scottsboro, a two-hour drive. 

We stopped at McDonald's in Huntsville for breakfast, where we bought a sausage and Biscuit, and a Sausage, egg, and Biscuit, and spent $6.74.

We traveled US 72 to Huntsville and then to Scottsboro. We stopped at McDonald's in Scottsboro to use the restroom. 

We boarded the Eagle bus out of Rome, Ga, number 1031 at 7:15 and were on the road by 7:30 A.M. 

We pick up passengers in Fort Payne (8:10 A.M.)and Springfield (9:15 A.M.)

We stopped for a Restroom break at a Travel Center.

We arrived at the Old Mill Kitchen in Opelika at 12:07 P.M.

Old Mill Kitchen Opelika 

Key Lime Pie 

Baked Chicken, creamed potatoes with gravy, Peas, and cornbread.

I ordered baked lemon pepper chicken breast, with field peas & snaps, Mashed potatoes & gravy, cornbread, and for dessert, Key Lime Pie. 

The bus was too tall, and it was raining, so we just stopped for a look at the 

drive-thru Museum of Wonder in Seale. 

Drive-thru Museum

We checked into the Hampton Inn by Hilton Hotel around 3:30 P.M. in room 206. 

At 5:30 P.M., we were served a private welcome dinner at the Shorter Mansion.

Table setting 

Homemade  bread pudding with white Chocolate Sauce 

Salad Spring Mix with fresh fruit and a raspberry vinaigrette 

Smoked pork tenderloin with Jezebel Sauce, green beans, and creamed potatoes

The meal consisted of a salad, pork tenderloin, roasted haricot vert (green beans), baked loaded potato, and chocolate bread pudding. 

Before we sat down to eat, we toured the Shorter Mansion. 

We returned to the hotel around 7:30 P.M., took a hot bath, and went to bed. 

Iphone photos

2153-2157 Old Mill Kitchen Opelika @ 12:07 P.M.

2158-2169 Downtown Opelika at 1:40 P.M.

2170-2177 Drive-Thru Museum of Wonder @2:17 PM

2179-2188 Eufaula @2:50 PM

2192-2248 Shorter Mansion Tour @7:05 PM

2249-2253 Meal at Shorter Mansion @6:05 PM

2272-2274 Hampton Inn at 7:32 P.M.

Steps 8,298, Zone 32, 3.11 Miles, Cal 1,555

Day 2: Saturday, December 6:

I walked to Walmart to buy Hubby a couple of diet Mountain Dews and a white top for myself. And spent $25.47. 

At breakfast at the hotel, I had scrambled eggs with cheese, a biscuit, cream cheese, grape jelly, and apple juice.  

We boarded the bus around 8:30 A.M. and began our tour of eight homes decorated for the holidays.

We had lovely weather up until noon. 

We toured the Stinson House, Fendall Hall, and Gatty-Arnold Home and Kendall-Utley before returning to the Shorter Mansion for a boxed lunch. It contained chicken salad, pasta, broccoli salad, and a cookie with water to drink. 

Getty-Arnold House 

Fendall Hall 

The Stinson House 

It had begun to rain, so everyone returned to the bus to get their raincoats and umbrellas.

We had two more homes to tour. The two homes were close by, but it was pouring rain.

We toured the Martin Cottage and the Bray-Bennet Home, then returned to the hotel to change clothes and rest before heading downtown to shop.

Bray-Benton House 

Martin Cottage 

Kendell- Utley House 

Later that day, we loaded onto the bus and headed to the Church Bazar and downtown shopping. 

The rain had stopped by now.

I bought a small bag of White chocolate pretzels at the Big Mouth Store. 

We returned to the Shorter Mansion for entertainment, hors d'oeuvres, and wine.

It was dark when we returned to the hotel. I took a hot bath and wrote in my journal. 

Iphone photos

2275 Breakfast @7:15 AM

2276 Hampton @ 7:33 AM

2277-2291 Downtown Eufaula @8:50 PM

2297-2328 Toured the Stinson Home @9:13 AM

2329-2379 Toured Fendall Hall @9:54 AM

2380-2381 rode passed the Holy Redeemer church @10:42 AM

2382-2410 Toured Gatty-Arnold House @10:48 AM

2411-2425 rode passed old building with windows out and more homes @11:222 AM

2424-2447 Toured the Kendall-Utley House @11:29 AM

2449-2453 We stopped for lunch at Shorter Mansion at @12:20 PM

2455-2497 Toured the Martin Cottage @1:16 PM 

2498-2518 Toured the Bray-Bennett House @2:06 PM

2519-2525 We rode downtown to the Christian Bazar and downtown shopping at @4:05 PM

2526-2537, we toured Eufaula at 4:22 P.M.

2530-2533 We stopped at Large Mouth Store @7:27 PM

2534-2535 Martin Theatre @5:04 PM

2536-2537 Lights @5:06 PM 

11,169 steps, zone 60, 4.11 miles, cal 1,728

Day 3, Sunday, December 7:

I ate white chocolate pretzels with a Diet Coke for breakfast, which I had bought the night before.

I walked to Walmart, where I bought three Christmas soaps and a large bag of hot chocolate, and spent $29.89.

I gave the soaps to Angie to give away during Bingo.

We loaded onto the bus at 8:15 and were on our way at 8:30 A.M.

Our first stop was a Travel Center in Montgomery, where we spent $10.64.

We stopped to see the town of Spectre, which is a movie set on a private island on Jackson Lake.

During the rainy season, you cannot reach the town of Spectre. We crossed over onto the island after paying an entrance fee. 

Several of our group were trying to throw a pair of shoes on the pole where other shoes were hanging. 

The Movie Town of Spectra, Shoes hanging on line, and goats 

I began walking around, taking pictures, and was returning from the lake when a truck pulled up next to me. I said I was with the bus tour, and he asked me if I wanted a couple of bags of carrots to feed the goats. 

When the goats saw that we had food, they came running. They loved the carrots but would not eat any that were dropped onto the ground. 

We ate lunch at Copper House Deli in Wetumpka, where we bought a Hoogie with a moggie two chip and two diet Cokes, and spent $22.40. 

It was a small restaurant that was usually closed on Sundays but opened just for us. 

After everyone finished eating, we walked around Wetumpka.

The Grinch & Max 

Santa and Reindeer 

Bought 10 silver charmsnand a bottle ottle of Necked Bee lotion, spent $18.48.

I took photos of the historic and Military markers at the courthouse. Took pictures of the town, the Santa and his two reindeer, some metal art, and the Alleyway murals full of art, culture, and the history of Wetumpka. 

Alleyway Murals 

Wetumpka has been the film location of "The Grass Harp" (1995), "The Rosa Parks Story" (2002), and 

"Big Fish"(2003), "Sons of the South" (2019), and HGTV Hometown Takeover (2021). 

The Big Fish 

The Big Fish House used 

Big Fish Movie 

The Rosa Parks Story was filmed at this location 

We played bus bingo on our ride home. 

We began our journey home, stopping in Springfield to drop off several passengers, then in Fort Payne to drop off more.

Finally, we arrived in Scottsboro, loaded everything into our car, and began our journey home. 

We stopped at Krystal in Athens for some Krystal Cheeseburgers and fries.

We ate then on the way home. 

It was late when we arrived home. 

Iphone Photos

2538-3541 Bus and Hampton Inn @6:57 AM

2542-2543 Traveling at 10:31 A.M.

2544-2552 Coosada @11128 AM

2553-2567 Town of Wetaumpka 12:36 P.M.

Canon EOS R6

6636-6686 Town of Spectre @ 12:18 Bigh Fish Movie 

6689-6849 Town of Wetumpka @1:25 PM

8,045 steps, zone 79, 3.01 miles, 1,589 cals 

There were six governors from Barbour County

1. John Gill Shorter

2. Willima D. Jelks 

3. Braxton Bragg Comer 

4. Chauncy Sparks 

5. George C. Wallace

6. Lurleen B. Wallace

The Homes we toured:

1. Shorter Mansion 340 E Eufuala Ave 

2. Bray-Bennett 413 N Randolph St 

3. Wilde-Gray House 703 N Randolph St 

4. The Martin Cottage 119 Shorter St 

5. Fendall Hall 917 W Barber St 

6. Gatty- Arnold House 125 Cherry St 

7. Kendall Utley House 238 Sanford Ave 

8. The Stinson House 148 Anderson Dr.

Day 1- Day 5 Trip to Colorado with Travel Lady of Lawrenceburg.

 Flight to Colorado with The Travel Lady Tours, Lawrenceburg, TN  9 DAYS FROM Saturday, August 2 to Sunday, August 10, 2025

Day 1: Saturday, Aug 2, 2025 

The bus will arrive at 7:45 A.M. at Walmart in Florence Park in rows 3 and 4, close to the store. The bus will leave at 8:00 A.M. and arrive at 8:45 A.M. at First Baptist Church, located at 2100 Springer Road, Lawrenceburg.

Depart for Colorado! 1048 Flight Southwest NASHVILLE (BNA) to (DEN)Denver Aug 2 at 1:20 P.M. 2hr 50 min arrive 3:10 P.M. flight WN1048.

We ate lunch at the Shake Shack in the Nashville Airport.

Hubby and I split a Shake Hamburger with fries, Coke, and a bottle of water, and spent $23.56 

We were greeted by our tour guide, Bryan, and driver Mitch.

We rode to the hotel on a Mercedes Arrow Stage Cruise Lines #2527 driven by Mitch.

The bus took us to the Embassy Suites by Hilton Denver Airport. We checked into room 409, followed by a Welcome Dinner. 

Dinner salad, meatballs, veggies, garlic bread, and Eclairs with pastry cream.

352-368 Nashville Airport @1:51 P.M.

369-397 Flight WN1040 to Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, and Missouri 2:09-3:10 P.M.

398-410 Embassy Suite Denver, CO @4:42-6:29 P.M. (dinner)

Embassy Suites Denver, CO 

Dinner

Day 2: Sunday, Aug 3, 2025

At 7:00 A.M., place your luggage outside your door. The breakfast room is open in the lobby.

Breakfast: French toast, vanilla, and Greek yogurt

Bus doors open to start loading carry-on luggage and to claim seats. 

At 8:00 A.M., Depart Embassy Suites. We are off! The bus departs for Georgetown, Colorado. 

Georgetown Loop

Georgetown Loop train ride 

We rode to Georgetown to ride the train winding up the mountain 

In an open-air car.

We stopped so the engine could turn around. 

We were in the last car, now we were in the front, going down the mountain.

We saw piles of rocks along the mountain where mines were once mined. 

We visited the old mining Georgetown.  

We visited a hydroelectric museum and bought three different cheeses at a local store. 

Hubby bought a strawberry waffle ice cream. 

We loaded back onto the bus, heading to Palisade, and passed through the Rocky Mountains.

We had a rest break in Glenwood Springs Canyon. We walked along the Colorado River, and some even put their feet in the water.

Glennwood Springs Canyon 

We continue our journey to Palisade, arriving at the Wine Country Inn, Room 112

We freshened up before dinner.

We enjoyed a wine tasting with our meal. 

We tried a red and white wine before the meal.

We tried three different wines with our meal.

Our first course was a salad with pear slices.

Salad with apple slices 

Baked Chicken with rice and corn on the cob 

Cheesecake with peach slices

We were served baked Chicken, rice, and corn on the cob in a savory sauce. 

After dinner, we had a church service outside near the vineyard. 

Our speaker discussed Paul's preaching on trusting the Lord and living by faith. 

Hubby went back to the room, and I went back outside to walk around the hotel. 

I met a couple of men staying at the inn.

They asked us where our group was from, and I said Florence, Alabama, and Tennessee. 

One of the gentlemen said his parents were from Tuscumbia. 

We talked about traveling. 

They were both retired and traveling throughout the US.

I told them that in three weeks, we would be visiting the Grand Canyon and then heading to Las Vegas. 

They were telling me of places to visit.

They stayed at the Venetian Hotel in Vegas and mentioned a burlesque show.

Wine Country Inn

I said goodbye and continued walking around the hotel when I met a local police officer driving by. 

He asked me where I was from and where we were going. 

He said, "Are you doing the wine tours?" I replied, "No, we're doing the train tours."

Viburnum European Cranberry Bush

Wine grapes 

Lavender Sage 

 

I took several pictures outside.

Returning to my room, I wrote in my journal and went to bed.

414-416- Loading on the Bus, Denver, CO at 7:29 A.M.

417-421- Traveling Idaho Springs, Evergreen, CO. 8:51 A.M.

422-514 Georgetown & Train Ride 9:39-12:56 P.M.

515-530 Travel Eewards, Gleenwood Springs 2:19-3:31 P.M.

531-550 Wine Country Inn Room 112 Palisade, CO 4:40-8:19 P.M.

Big camera 

1599-1617 Travel through Denver

1620-1680 Riding Georgetown Loop & Georgetown

1681-1736 Georgetown

1737-1889 travel to Palisade

Day 3: Monday, Aug 4, 2025, Colorado National Monument 

At 6:30 A.M., Wine Country Inn. The lobby breakfast room opens.

Breakfast bread pudding, egg custard pudding, and blueberry yogurt 

At 9:00 A.M., we rode to Suncrest Orchard Alpaca Fiber Works in Palisades, CO, where we learned about the history of transforming alpaca wool into thread and products. 

At their market, we purchased a bottle of Goat Milk lotion with a lavender scent and a tube of lip balm, spending $15.80.

We stopped at Anita's Pastry and Produce, where we bought cherries and nectarines, and were given a ripe peach. Hubby bought some peaches and cherries. 

Boxed lunch from Anita's 

Suncreek Orchard Alpacas and Fiber Works 

Alpacas

Ripe Peaches 

We picked up our boxed lunch at Antia's, which consisted of a turkey sandwich, cherries, a pickle, apricots, and an Apple Crisp. 

Returned to the hotel, ate lunch, and rested.

At 1:30, we leave for the Colorado monument 

At 2:00 P.M., Arrive at Colorado National Monument

Bonnie, our local expert, will guide us through the monument, showcasing stunning red rock formations, canyons, and cliffs. The landscape is a unique blend of rock formations, wildlife, and vegetation found in a few other places in the world. Following our tour, we will enjoy an outdoor dinner, weather permitting. 

Cheesecake with Blueberries 

Brisket, veggies, fruit, salad, and roll 

Independence Monument at Colorado National Monument 

Dinner consisted of brisket, veggies, roll, salad, creamed potatoes, and cheesecake topped with blueberries.

At 7:00 P.M., we depart Colorado National Monument and return to the hotel.

551-587 Walking along canal, Sincerest Orchard, Alpace fibers works, Antia's Pantry & Lunch 7:59-12:02 P.M., including lunch 

588-640 Colorado National Monument, Saddleham Visitor Center with guide Bonnie 6:03-6:28 P.M.

Big Camera

1890-1912 Palisades Co 

1915-2042 Colorado National Monument 

Day 4, Tuesday, August 5, 2025. Durango & Silverton Railroad 

At 6:12 A.M., I went for a walk around the hotel and along the canal near the peach trees and vineyards as the sun rose over the mountains. 

At 6:30 A.M., the Wine Country Inn lobby breakfast room opened. 

For breakfast, I ate blueberry yogurt and a muffin.

7:00 A.M. Wine Country Inn luggage placed outside your door. 

8:00 A.M. Depart Wine Country INN: Depart for the San Juan Mountains!

We were headed across the Million Dollar highway, but had to turn around along the way. The Million Dollar Highway is a winding road along the mountain cliffs. Our driver walked up the road to find a place to turn that big bus around. I told him later that if it looked like the back of the bus was going to hang off the mountain, I would get out and watch him turn it around. 

He did a great job. The reason we had to turn around was that a couple ran off the road and plunged 350 feet into the river below. Both were killed, but a girl sitting in the back survived. 

The highway was closed for the rest of the day so rescuers could evacuate the people from the canyon. We missed our train ride from Silverton to Durango. Instead, we visited the towns of Ouray and Telluride. We ate lunch @ the Golden Belt, where  Hubby and I shared a chicken-finger meal with fries. Spent $21.07

We stopped at a local grocery store where we bought a bowl of Cherry Garcia ice cream.

We spent the next two nights at the Strater Hotel in Durango.

6:15 P.M. Arrive at Strater Hotel. Upon arriving in Durango, your luggage will be in your room at the Strater Hotel, and Mark will hand out the room keys and point out places for you to dine on your own.

Strater Hotel Durango, CO 

Lunch, Chicken Fingers and Fries 

Ouray, CO 

Hubby and I walked to City Market, where we bought a six-pack of Mountain Dews and some snacks. Spent $16.00

For dinner, we snacked on the cheese and crackers we bought in Ouray. 

641-650 Sunrise Palisade @6:12 -6:33 A.M. 

651-682 Town of Ouray 8:06-1:32 P.M., including lunch

683-706 Town of Telluride 2:13-3:58 P.M. 

708-711 Town of Dolores @ 5:27 P.M.

712-744 Starter Hotel Durango, Co @6:26-7:55 P.M. Room 110

Big Camera 

2041-2058 Town of Murals Delta 

2059-2139 Travel to Silverton Million Dollar Highway

2144-2200 Town of Uray & Telluride

2201-2245 Town of Telluride

2246-2356 travel to Durango 

Day 5: Wednesday, August 6, 2025, Mesa Verde 

7 A.M. The breakfast room opens. Breakfast is served in the restaurant, which is just five steps past the elevator.

For breakfast, I ate kish and drank water. 

8:00 A.M. Depart for a day of Touring 

The bus will either be located in front of or alongside the hotel. 

We stopped at the visitor center to pick up our guide, Sarah. 

9:30 A.M. Arrive at Mesa Verde National Park 

Mesa Verde is home to some of the most well-preserved cliff dwellings in North America, including the famous Cliff Palace and Balcony House. Built by the Ancestral Puebloans over 700 years ago, the Cliff dwellings provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives and culture of these ancient people.

At the visitor center museum, my husband and I ordered a classic burger, soda, and a parfait for $21.07.

Lunch: Hamburger, fries, Parfait 

Mesa Verde National Park⁩,

Mesa Verde National Park⁩ Dig Site 

Around 3:00 P.M., we returned to Durango. We walked around town, visiting some of the shops, and then stopped by the Roundhouse and the train museum. We watched the train, but we didn't get to ride the backup. 

At the Chocolate Factory, we bought three chocolate pretzels and
spent $10.28. 

Bought postcards, spent $6.19.

Returned to the hotel and rested.

We loaded onto the bus at 5:30 P.M. and departed for Bar D Ranch. 

Bar D Chuck Wagon is a dinner show set in an Old West-style town, featuring live western music, cowboy poetry, and comedy acts, all while guests enjoy a hearty chuckwagon-style meal. 

Chuckwagon Dinner 

Chuckwagon Show 

Warther's Tours, a party of 47, ordered the combo meal. 

The meal consisted of baked beans, BBQ, baked potato, apple sauce, spice cake, and water.

Returned to the hotel, took a hot bath, and went to bed. 

Another night at the Strater Hotel, room 110

8:30 P.M. Return to Hotel 

747-771 Breakfast at Strater Hotel @7:01-7:35 A.M. 

772-778 Travel Manco & Cortez, Co. @8:22-8:46 A.M. 

779-832- Mesa Verde NP @ 9:10-2:24 P.M. guide Sarah

833-906 Durango Train Museum & Durango 3:07-4:20 P.M. 

907-923 Dinner at the Bar D Ranch@6:07:01-7:35 A.M.

924-926 Strater Hotel @9:14 P.M.

big Camera

2357-2368 Town of Durango

2369-2409 Mesa Verde NP Manco,CO

2410-2537 Town of Durango