Today was our first try at using warmshowers.com to find a resting place for the night. SUCCESS!!! Thank you SO much Dale and Amanda Chambliss for feeding us, washing us and our clothing, providing us with a place to sleep, and entertaining us well into the night with conversation. We have loved staying with you and are in awe of the way you live your life!
Dale and Amanda live in Gainesville, Alabama which in the very early 1800’s was the third biggest city in the state with a population of 4,000! We saw the historic site there where Nathaniel Bedford Forest (Civil war general and founder of the KKK 😱) surrendered his army to the Union.
Today the town has around 150 people and a few remaining historic houses, like Dale and Amanda’s, that we’re built in 1830 and are full of character and charisma.
Dale and Amanda welcomed us in so warmly and fed us mushroom and marscapone pizza, fruit, pretzels, and beer, then later deep bowls of either vegan or meat chili, salad, cast iron baked corn bread, and wine. What a feast! 😍
Their house is full of artwork, tasteful accents, and happy animals but more importantly, two thoughtful, kind, interesting, unique individuals who are living a slow paced life as organic gardeners and community builders. We have treasured being inspired by their stories, thoughts, and selfless care of the people in their town.
We were lucky enough to get a tour of the town and met a local couple, Lightning and Sarah who have a lively house and very big hearts. I particularly enjoyed playing peekaboo with their little great granddaughter.
It was amazing to meet such interesting people and to feel so at home in the middle of this wild journey we are on. What a great experience ❤️
Route info for interested readers:
We left Demopolis through their downtown on highway 43. It was busy but had a good shoulder after the first mile or two. Just before Forkland we turned onto county road 20 and then turned left on county road 39 with about 6 miles to go into Gainesville.
Bonus photos of some hilarious artwork on our route!!!
There and Back Again 
I really enjoy the glimpse into the unconventional lives and places you and Ryan are encountering on the road less traveled. So many kind and generous people. I think the experiences you’re having are going to have a long lasting impact on both of you for the rest of your lives. Keep the great posts coming 🙂
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I agree. The more we rode the more I am feeling the impact of these experiences, especially the people we are meeting and what it’s like to live very simply. I’m also feeling more thankful as time is going on for the decision to make this trip happen! Every day is different and brings something new.
I know I wouldn’t be doing this if it hadn’t been for our camping, biking, and backpacking trips as a kid where I learned I could handle this kind of thing!
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