Horseshoe Bend, Alabama - Part I

Just as I am late getting this blog out there, so were we late when we headed to Horseshoe Bend, Alabama on April 17th. The trip was too short and we didn't get to see all that we wanted. This is going to be part I to be concluded with a family trip at another time.

It didn't take us long to get there and the back roads were beautiful. Nothing eventful about the ride, so I'll move onto the park.

This is from the website link above:

"On the morning of 27 March 1814, General Andrew Jackson and an army of 3,300 men consisting of Tennessee militia, United States regulars and both Cherokee and Lower Creek allies attacked Chief Menawa and 1,000 Upper Creek or Red Stick warriors fortified in the "horseshoe" bend of the Tallapoosa River."

"Facing overwhelming odds, the Red Sticks fought bravely yet ultimately lost the battle. Over 800 Upper Creeks died at Horseshoe Bend defending their homeland. This was the final battle of the Creek War of 1813-14, which is considered part of the War of 1812. In a peace treaty signed after the battle, both the Upper and Lower Creeks were forced to give the United States nearly 20 million acres of land in what is today Alabama and Georgia. The victory here brought Andrew Jackson national attention and helped him to be elected the seventh President of the United States in 1828."


There is a museum in the visitor center as well as a movie, but we didn't have time to spend there and we were hungry. After eating lunch on the lawn outside we took the bike along a 6 stop driving tour of the park.



This was the first stop and faced an island across the water. Andrew Jackson's men were ordered to kill anyone trying to escape the area and it was said the the river water was red and unusable after the battle. Both Elizabeth and I were saddened by the whole scene. I understand that there are many sides to a story and it can be difficult to see all of these. It is said that this battle led to Andrew Jackson becoming president, which also led to the Trail of Tears. This park is such a beautiful place but led us to feeling very sorrowful.




We took a different ride back that led us through construction as well as a fast & busy roads. We won't be going that way again. During the construction portion, I had to take the bike off of one raised lane of the road and then back up onto the raised portion after the work area. I haven't had to go over raised areas before and was pretty nervous about it. I made it without difficulties, but didn't like it.


I'm noticing that these summer rides are giving me face a lot of sun and I'll need to break out the suntan lotion in the future. Also, there are a lot more bugs out and my face is taking a beating on these rides. I wonder about getting a 3/4 helmet with a face shield. Bugs at 60 mph hurt.

a Zen moment