What started as a quick pit stop turned out to be an immersive guided journey back in time.

Nestled in the heart of small-town America lies the historic Potts Inn in Pottsville, Arkansas. This small town, located just off Highway 64, is filled with surprises and a rich history waiting to be discovered. On our family road trip through the state, my husband Josh and I stumbled upon this hidden gem and were immediately drawn to its charm.

As we arrived in Pottsville, we stopped at a nearby playground to let our son Azure and dog Chico burn off some energy before exploring the town. Driving in, we noticed a few old buildings, including a bank and general store, which piqued our interest. We decided to explore further and stumbled upon the Potts Inn, a Civil War-era inn turned museum complex filled with artifacts from that period.

As we walked around the premises, reading signs and peaking in windows, a man approached us and introduced himself as Mr. Garry Penman, the Vice President of the historical society. He kindly offered to show us around, and we happily accepted his offer.

Our tour began with a visit to a rustic log cabin, a preacher’s retreat from the 1800’s. It was a quaint cabin that was filled to the brim with unique pieces like Native American arrowheads and antique tobacco tins. We were both amazed by what we saw, and Mr. Garry's enthusiasm for sharing stories and fun facts about each piece was infectious. He told us that the retreat was three stories tall and had a fully working bathroom - a rarity for cabins in that era.  The cabin was so packed with treasures that it was hard to leave, but we knew that there was still so much more to explore. As we continued on towards the main house, Mr. Garry mentioned the Hat and Clothing Cabin. He offered to show us inside, and we eagerly accepted.

The cabin was filled with an impressive variety of clothing, and each piece seemed to have a personal story attached to it. As Mr. Garry shared these stories with us, we could feel the strong connection that the community had with this place. We saw so many styles of hats and dresses with original leather buttons and trimmings. Each garment was a unique and tangible piece of history, and Mr. Garry had so many secret tidbits about the family that brought it all to life.

The next building we explored had a collection of dolls dressed up as every single first lady of the United States, as well as a doll for each first lady of Arkansas. We also saw a display of early 1900's medical equipment, belonging to Dr. Teeter, the town doctor from the time.

Finally, we made our way to the main house, a large white building at the center of the complex. As we approached the main house, we were struck by the impressive 1850's structure. The building's exterior had been well preserved, and stepping inside, we felt transported back in time.

Garry began to show us around, taking us through the main hall and into the four identically shaped rooms, each decorated with period furniture from the late 1800s and early 1900s. We were amazed at the attention to detail that had gone into creating an authentic representation of the house's history. As we walked through each room, Garry shared stories and information about the family and their legacy in Pottsville. We could imagine guests relaxing in the gentleman's parlor, listening to the sound of the piano, or sitting down to enjoy a meal in the dining room.

The decor and furnishings really made us feel like we were stepping back in time and experiencing life at the inn as it was in the past. It was a truly remarkable experience, and we were grateful to Garry for sharing his knowledge and passion for the history of the Potts Inn.

As our house tour was coming to a close,  Mr. Penman took me up to the attic and shared a spooky story of someone passing away inside the ladies parlor. He also showed me an old-fashioned rope bed that he had personally woven. This is when I realized that Mr. Penman was not only the Vice President of Potts Inn, he was an active historian!

It wasn’t just about this family and this house, this had become Mr. Penman’s life too. He was so passionate and excited to share everything he knew and all the tidbits he had found out. He personally discovered the family’s cemetery, uncovering and preserving history that was at risk of being lost.

After the tour, Mr. Penman walked me back to our car and insisted I see the inside of the bank, there was no way I was going to pass this up! It was the first building I noticed, and the last one I got to see inside. He explained to me that he was taking out the carpet and restoring the bank's original flooring, and that he and the community were in the process of seeking funding to fully restore this bank and the grocery across the street. He shared stories of several robberies, how the bank also operated as a babor shop and he even showed me the safe, dating back to the bank's opening in 1912.

Our visit to Potts Inn was not only a memorable experience but also an eye-opening one. We were amazed by the effort and dedication of Mr. Penman and the community in celebrating the history of this small town. It's experiences like these that remind us of the beauty and wonder that can be found when taking the back roads, and we feel grateful to have been a part of it.

As we embarked on our family road trip from Birmingham, I couldn't wait to see what adventures lay ahead.

Our first stop was Memphis, where we had booked an Airbnb that was perfect for our family's needs. We wanted a place that would feel like home and have ample space for us to relax and unwind after a day of traveling. Plus, we needed a space that accommodated both Azure and Chico, and we were happy to find an Airbnb that met all of our needs.

While in Memphis, we had the pleasure of meeting Josh's friend, Fotos.Algo, who is a talented photographer that creates NFTs on the Algorand blockchain. We enjoyed catching up with him and seeing his latest work.

As we left Memphis, we drove through some interesting neighborhoods before passing through Pottsville, Arkansas. Although we only briefly mentioned it in this video, we actually have a separate video and blog post about our visit to Pottsville, where we explored the historic Potts Inn.

After a long day of driving, we finally arrived at a KOA cabin in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. One of the reasons we chose to stay at a KOA is because they are very accommodating to families traveling with pets and children. Chico loved the pet-friendly amenities, and Azure enjoyed the playground and jumping pillow.

The next morning, we continued on our journey and drove through Checotah, Oklahoma, the hometown of Carrie Underwood. We stopped for some delicious donuts and coffee and even explored the local cemetery, as we enjoy learning about the history of the places we visit.

Our final destination for the day was Ray Trent Park in Del City, Oklahoma, just outside of Oklahoma City. It was a beautiful park, and we loved exploring the unique foliage of the area. We found it to be a perfect spot for us to relax and enjoy nature after a long day of driving.

As we settled in for the night, we couldn't wait to see what adventures awaited us in the rest of our road trip, including the OU football game. We always enjoy exploring new places as a family, and this road trip was no exception.

Stay tuned for more details on the upcoming Youtube series, Pierre Family Road Trip. Throughout the new travel vlog series, you will join the Pierre.Bham team as they trek across America, finding secret spots along the way! Natalie, Josh, Azure and Chico visit Memphis, Pottsville, Oklahoma City, Norman, Tulsa, Collierville and more.

Josh and I have always been interested in the history and the people of the places we visit. When we lived in Florida, it was a common occurrence for us to choose a historic landmark, museum or scenic byway for recreation. Now that we are in Alabama, we have all of that to choose from and more! The annual native american festival at Moundville Archaeological Park really spoke to us in regards to learning about Alabama’s past. What better way to learn about the people and history than starting at the very beginning? 

As we found out, Moundville Archaeological Park, located just outside of Tuscaloosa, is a must-see destination for anyone interested in Native American history and culture. The park is home to a large complex of ancient earthworks, built by the Mississippian culture over 1,000 years ago. As you explore the park, you'll have the opportunity to learn about the daily lives of the people who once lived here, as well as the spiritual beliefs and political structures that shaped their society. The park features a museum with exhibits on the history of the site and many archaeological artifacts.

The Native American festival is open to visitors of all ages and offers an interactive learning experience with several native tribes, food vendors, and activities. There were several school groups on field trips when we visited. We started the day off by getting Indian Tacos and Frybread from the most authentic food vendor we could find. The food was delicious, and after finishing it off we explored the museum and saw what the merchants and artisans had to offer. There was beautiful pottery, jewelry, instruments and clothing all made by native artists.

One of the highlights of a visit to Moundville Archaeological Park is the opportunity to see the many mounds that dot the landscape. These mounds, some of which are over 60 feet tall, were used for a variety of purposes, including ceremonial and burial sites. As you walk through the park, you'll be able to see these mounds up close and imagine the people who once used them in their daily lives. Mound V was one of the most important sites, as it housed the principal chief and his family. It was connected to another large mound that served as an important trading site for the society. When we climbed the stairs to the top of this mound and looked across the ancient city, we couldn’t help but imagine what it felt like to live here. It was so impressive! This was the moment that we all really were able to appreciate the scope and legacy left by this mysterious ancient civilization. 

Kid Friendly. Pet Friendly. Free Admission.

If you’re looking for an interesting and unique way to explore the history of Birmingham, Alabama, then you should definitely check out Sloss Furnace. 

As soon as we arrived in Birmingham and before we even settled into our new home, we were eager to start exploring and getting to know the city. With so many fascinating things to do and a rich history to discover, it was tough to decide where to go first. Keeping our budget and family in mind, we searched for a place that was free, kid-friendly, and pet-friendly (if possible). Sloss Furnace checked all of these boxes and was highly recommended, so we knew it was the perfect choice for our first outing. We were not disappointed!

Located just a few miles from downtown Birmingham, Sloss Furnace was once a pig iron-producing blast furnace that operated from 1882 to 1970. Sloss was one of the most advanced and productive blast furnaces of its time. Today, it's a museum that offers self-guided tours and hands-on exhibits that give visitors a glimpse into the city's industrial past. 

As you explore the grounds of Sloss Furnace, you'll find informative plaques scattered throughout the site that offer a detailed look at the history of the furnaces and its role in shaping Birmingham. The self-guided tour, which takes about an hour to complete, is suitable for visitors of all ages and allows you to get up close and personal with the blast furnace, generators, boilers, tunnels, and antique equipment. This tour is truly a unique opportunity to learn about the inner workings of a historical furnace and how it helped to shape Birmingham.

 The first thing we saw on our tour was the Sloss Metal Arts studio. There were elaborate metal sculptures and various welded works of art, made right there on site. We could see the artisans, busy working on their projects, sparks flying. we made our way into the main facility and discovered the boilers. When this place was operating, they generated steam that powered most of the machinery in the facility. Nowadays, there are small pools of water with green plants, creating a rich contrast against rusty red orange tanks.

We wandered further down the main path toward the Stock Tunnel. . We made our way underground into a tunnel and saw the base of a massive lift. Going down the stairs it was a little spooky, but we were thrilled to see how the whole process began. There was a scale car inside of the tunnel, beautifully covered in patina and rust. These were filled with raw materials and emptied into the stock cars on the lift. The stock cars go up the lift, empty their contents of raw materials into the top of the furnace and come back down the lift. We went back up the stairs to ground level, where we emerged outside of the furnace shed. There we saw another scale car and a massive ladle car before we entered the No. 1 Cast Shed.

The furnace itself is a massive structure, standing at over 100 feet tall. It was powered by two steam engines, which were used to pump air into the furnace and move the molten iron from the furnace to the foundry. It operated by heating iron ore, coke (a fuel made from coal), and limestone. The furnace was lined with firebrick and heated to extremely high temperatures using hot air, blasted in through pipes at the bottom.

The molten iron flowed from the bottom of the furnace and into a ladle car. The ladle car then poured the molten iron into molds to cool and solidify, forming “pigs”. The slag, which was a waste product of the process, was regularly skimmed off the top of the furnace, granulated and discarded. The pig iron produced at Sloss Furnaces was used in numerous applications, including the manufacture of steel for railroads, bridges, and buildings. 

We then made our way to the Blowing Engines Building. We saw the two green turbo blowers and continued through until we found the original blowing engines. Built in the early 1900’s, the Blowing Engine Building is the oldest on site. The walls are lined with hundreds of pipes connecting to water pumps. The engines stand over 30 feet tall and consist of a huge flywheel, a steam cylinder below and an air cylinder above. The building boasts eight of these original engines which were later replaced by two Ingersoll-Rand turbo blowers located in the adjacent room. With only the natural light available, the building is brilliantly filled with the striations of shadows cast from the towering structures. Out of all of the buildings, this one had the most mysterious energy. The spookiness didn’t deter our family, in fact, this was one of our favorite spots!

The sheer size of the furnace complex is impressive enough to make it exciting for anyone to explore. Not only was the ingenuity of the design remarkable, but learning the history and the stories of those who worked there made our visit even more impactful. It's easy to see why Sloss Furnace is so highly regarded and continues to play a vital role in the Birmingham community today. Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark is a must-see destination that you'll want to visit time and time again.

Autumn in Alabama

Our family trip to 4D Farms.

 Floridians Embracing Fall

As Floridians, we had been anticipating the fall experience in Alabama since we made our way across the state border. We are living in one of the more mountainous regions of Birmingham and mother nature did not disappoint! We bundled up, used our fireplace constantly, fully delighted in the ever changing colors and to make it even more special, we were really seeking  a quintessential outdoor fall experience. 

In Florida, there are a few farms and pumpkin patches to choose from, but the normal photo op is in front of a church in a field full of pre-selected pumpkins. Birmingham was originally farm country and has a very active farm to table, farm to market, community that is easily considered a large part of this city’s identity. When researching our options, it really seemed like there was not a bad choice. 4D Farms came up on multiple articles and websites and it was an easy day drive. So, we packed up our car, charged our cameras, and headed out to experience our first autumn in Alabama!  

4D Farms 

We arrived right before the gates opened and already, the parking lot was packed and the lines to get in were accumulating. The weather was absolutely perfect with the rolling hills of Alabama countryside as our backdrop. When we first got inside the gate, we had to take it all in. In every direction we saw a new activity, ride, or experience. 

There were massive slides, zip-lining, bounce pads, illusion houses, farm animals, obstacle courses, playgrounds, barns, gem mining, and several villages of food options. We did everything we could and some of them twice, before we even spotted the pumpkin patch. This pumpkin patch was no ordinary patch, it was an interactive one! Throughout the patch the farm had pages from a children’s book titled, “Spookley the Square Pumpkin,” that led you from the start to the end of Spookley's story. We loved following Azure as he excitedly announced the next page in the story and the patch was so full of pumpkins, there was no rush or pressure to pick one out right away. 

Next to the interactive pumpkin patch there was a HUGE field of flowers at least six feet tall, stretching as far as we could see. The tall sunflowers and wildflowers were absolutely stunning to see and explore through. They were a very popular spot for the bees and people taking selfies. In fact, the whole farm had so many thoughtfully placed vignettes for families and groups who wanted to capture the memories of the day, and I really enjoyed this detail as it highlighted the celebratory energy of the fall season. Fall is easily my favorite time of year because it brings families and friends together, many times in matching attire, seeking experiences that embrace the changing season and celebrating the connection to one another. 

We left after a full day of making memories, riding rides, exploring new roads and celebrating it all together. Alabama and the alluring natural beauty has embraced us as we are opening ourselves to new culture and experiences. Autumn in Alabama has been the perfect season to welcome us to our new home. 4D Farms was a beautiful opportunity for us as a family to really see what autumn is like here and we will cherish this day for years to come.