Just wanted to let people know I finally managed to escape Japan, if only on a temporary (couple of years) visa. I’m in Huntsville now and I start my new job tomorrow. We’ll see if being a postdoc is any different from being a grad student - I suspect not.
I have to say the roads are less bicycle-friendly than I remembered and expected. There are no shoulders on any of the major roads! I did find an apartment close to work, but I think I’ll need a car that can transport my bike to outside the city. So much for my dream of getting an old convertible - oh well, I guess vans and trucks can be fun.
If you run into a crazy Italian rocket scientist named Roberto, tell him I say hi! He’s an old H.S. buddy. And tell him to get his butt in gear - he’ll know what I mean.
Welcome to Huntsvegas. I live a short jaunt away in Scottsboro, and I believe we have several other HuntsDopers as well. Tell us what you think of the place.
It’s very spread out - this will take some getting used to. It feels like the roads dominate the city and the rest of it is hiding somewhere behind the trees. I guess it’s just a matter of learning which trees to look behind. The city is remarkably clean and the people I’ve met are very friendly. And the surrounding countryside is breathtakingly beautiful.
So which city in this part of the country has had Dopefests?
I believe DopeFests have been held in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham (both in Alabama,) Atlanta, Georgia, and I believe, Knoxville, Tennessee. I may be unaware of more.
What field are you working on your postdoc in?
Unfortunately, Huntsville has suffered from the Edge City spread phenomenon as much as any other reasonably-sized city in the US. Lots of chaotic, unplanned streets, strip malls, Wal-Marts, etc. Bah. I used to live downtown, though, and I always walked everywhere. The historic districts are spectacular around there.
I have the singularly good fortune to be paid a decent salary for wandering around the countryside of north Alabama and southern Tennessee, documenting flora and fauna of national parks in the area. If you ever get a chance, take US highway 72 out of Huntsville, toward Chattanooga, about 100 miles away. You’ll pass through Scottsboro and some of the most glorious scenery in the state. It runs right through the heart of the Cumberland Plateau and the Tennessee River Valley. Also, Madison and Jackson (the county to the east of Madison) Counties are probably among the most cavernous places in the world, if you’re into caving. There are probably thousands of miles of cave under that part of the state. Along the route I described to you are Cathedral Cavern State Park, Blowing Wind Cave Wildlife Preserve, and the place I’m fortunate to work, Russell Cave National Monument.
Also, I see you’re a biker. Are you a mountain biker, by any chance? If so, Monte Sano State Park immediately outside Huntsville is a great place to bike.
I absolutely LOVED Cathedral Cavern. I was fortunate enough to get on the last tour and it was just me, Skelji and the tour guide. Magnificent!
I didn’t get around to any of the other caves (short visit), but I’d love to see the other two you mentioned next time I’m out there (whenever that will be).
Couple of other suggestions for weekend/free time trips:
Guntersville is a neat little city that sits on the shores of Lake Guntersville (naturally). The lake is fairly large and very clean. If you’re into fishing, I believe the state record largemouth bass was caught there a few years back.
Mentone, above Fort Payne, (near the Georgia/Tennessee border) is a wonderful weekend getaway. My wife and I love to go there and just relax. There’s wonderful scenery, Desoto State Park, DeSoto Falls, some really good restaurants and an overall laid-back atmosphere.
If you decide to trek down to the 'ham (Birmingham) at any point, let me know and I’ll try to give you some pointers. Shoot, if you play your cards right we might even invite you over for supper. There are a few really cool Dopers in Birmingham and the surrounding areas – we had a mini-Dopefest on Birmingham’s Southside a couple of months back.
I do believe Sauron and I promised you a dinner when you made it here.
Drop me an email at aries28kp@hotmail.com and let me know when you are settled in and we will try to find a good time to meet up.
I would suggest coming over for ribs and all the fixings for Memorial Day but I doubt you have had time to get things unpacked and where you want them yet.
Actually there’s not much to do since I can’t move into my new apartment till next week. But I have to get a car first, and I don’t think I can do that in time. (I still haven’t figured out the logistics - without a car it’s hard to shop for a car.)
Well, I’ll be. When were you over in this part of the country? As for the caves, I was being conservative. Jackson County alone has over 1500 cave entrances. Lots of the cavern systems are on private lands, and you can usually tour “virgin caves” (unlighted, etc.) for a few bucks. If you’re a spelunkin’ sort, there’s lots to do round here.
Don’t forget about my other Alabama professional stomping grounds, Little River Canyon National Preserve (LIRI, which, for all intents and purposes, administers DeSoto State Park, which forms LIRI’s northern end.)
I live a short jaunt away in Scottsboro, and I believe we have several other HuntsDopers as well. Tell us what you think of the place.