Alabama Overland
Inspiration is the fountain of adventure compelling us to take on the unknown. It can be found in various forms, but, most commonly, it is our fellow man who inspires us most. Early on in my journey into the world of overlanding, I learned of a man named Sam Correro. Taking on the unknown in a most extraordinary way he created the famed Trans-America Trail.
After searches for existing overland routes in Alabama left me empty handed, I thought to myself, “If he can create a coast to coast route on a dual-sport bike, surely I can create a loop around Alabama in a vehicle!” Inspired by his efforts, I set out on my own adventure now known as “Expedition Alabama” (XAL). This adventure-in-progress will eventually become an over 1,000 mile loop around the state for others to share in.
A project of this magnitude was going to take multiple trips to complete. I set my sights first on the southwest section of the route last October. Overlanding USA founder and friend Ruston Smith would be joining me for the weekend along with my friend Austin, who would serve as our invaluable navigator. After countless hours spent staring at satellite imagery mapping the route, it was time to head north! I had mapped from Saraland to Eldridge, a four and a half hour drive on pavement. To be honest, I had no clue if we would even make it that far. Without the unknown it wouldn’t be much of an adventure though!
Fall was in full swing with its vibrant colors and idyllic weather. Friday afternoon, as we rolled off the pavement onto that dry, dusty road a dream birthed months ago became a reality. Before long we were driving roads none of us had ever seen before heightening our sense of adventure. We drove on for a few hours into the evening before making camp in Coffeeville along the tall banks of the Tombigbee River.
Talladega National Forest
Saturday was going to be a big push. From Coffeeville we headed towards the Scotch Wildlife Management Area near Thomasville, then onward to Demopolis. Driving through the Talladega National Forest and stretches between Tuscaloosa and Eldridge were by far my favorite. The rolling hills, fall colors, and abandoned, vine-covered barns provided quite the vista.
While “epic” may be an overstatement, the conclusion of our weekend wasn’t far from it. Daylight was fleeting as we approached Eldridge on that final stretch of dirt road. Rounding the last turn we were greeted by a short tunnel beneath a rail line built in 1922, as indicated above the entrance. It was in the shadows of that old tunnel that both the dirt road and our adventure came to an end that weekend.
Eager and inspired, I was left anxious for the next installment of XAL. It would be six months before hitting the trail again, and nothing could have prepared me for how different that trip would be!
* OutdoorX4 Magazine – Promoting responsible 4×4 adventure travel and outdoor recreation
