We were able to stop at four NPS locations in Alabama. The first two (Tuskegee above) we did not take any photos.

Tuskegee Institute was founded by Booker T Washington on July 4th, 1881 as the "Tuskegee Normal School for colored teachers" which later became the Tuskee Institute. The school had a well-respected aeronautical engineering program. Because of the Institute's flight program, the U.S. military selected Tuskegee Institute as a place to train African-American pilots for the war effort. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American military aviators in the United States armed forces. When the Tuskegee Airman began using P-51 Mustangs in combat, they (332nd Fighter Group) painted the tails of their planes red and were nicknamed “Red Tails”.

Horseshoe Bend had just suffered severe flooding and we were not able to visit the center or the immediate grounds. Horseshoe Bend NMP is located in central eastern Alabama about 65 miles northeast of Montgomery. Horseshoe Bend is one of five NMP dedicated “War of 1812” parks in the NPS system. The first Creek war of 1813 was a civil war within the Creek nation. The nativists, known as Red Sticks, wanted to reach an alliance with the British. In 1814, The Red Sticks, under Chief Menawa were in a log barricade at Horseshoe Bend. General Andrew Jackson stormed the barricade. By dark, 800 of the 1000 Red Sticks were killed. This was the last battle of the First Creek War.

The Little River was high and viewed from on the canyon rim and just downstream of where the rivers passes under the highway, at a falls. The highlight was being able to photograph a kayaker going over the falls successfully and without injury.