BMC Trip to Moundville
Russell’s Pics Slideshow at End of Article
This may have been the first road trip to Moundville in BMC’s history. At 115 miles each way, it’s probably at the limit for a 1-day drive. The trip 
was conceived at the BMC January planning meeting and the date was set on our ambitious 2011 calendar, for March 26.
Our route had all the ingredients of good motoring: friends in little British cars; smooth, hilly, and twisty roads; great scenery; an interesting destination; and a good rest area about midway. Once we were above Prattville, we enjoyed the Wisteria, fruit tree blossoms, Dogwoods (white and pink), Yellow Jasmine, and Redbuds near their peak along the roadside that just got better and better the closer we got to Moundville. The three traffic lights in Centerville/Brent were the only ones between north Prattville and Moundville, making for a tight formation for our squadron of six LBCs.
The greatest concern was the one factor over which we had no control – the weather. A week before our trip, the forecast for Moundville was just about perfect with partly cloudy skies and a high of 74 degrees. The closer we got to our trip date, the greater the threat of rain, warmer temperatures, and even severe weather became. We made the call on Friday to soldier on and hope for the best. The best is what we got. Though totally overcast when we left Montgomery, we were seeing shadows by the time we reached Maplesville. We stayed rain free all day until we passed through light sprinkles between Maplesville and Prattville on the trip home.
With Moundville located so near Birmingham and Tuscaloosa it seemed like a good opportunity to invite our sister BMCs in to meet us in Moundville. In all, we had 28 pilots & passengers in 12 LBCs, and a few NBCs (non British cars) to make it an international event. From our group we had: David Price & Tommy in David’s MGA; Bob & Marion, in their MGB; Andy & Bobby, in Andy’s TR6; Russell, Cathy, & Pam in the MINI; Will & Helen, in their MINI and visitor, David Rose in his MINI.
We arrived at Pam’s Diner, in Moundville, at exactly 11:15, as guesstimated. The staff at Pam’s had their private dinning room already set up for us when we arrived. A few minutes later, in rolled Allen and Ione from Tuscaloosa in their gorgeous Austin Healey 3000, followed by Ruben Greenwood and his band of merry motorers from Birmingham. After the photo op of all those little British cars lined up in the parking lot, and the meet & greet, we filed into the buffet line that offered a wide selection of meats and veggies as well as a choice of bread, iced tea and some out of this world desserts – all very reasonably priced. The fellas who used the men’s room there were greeted by the belching catfish above the urinal, no doubt designed to scare the pee out of you, just in case you were having trouble.
With appetites satisfied, we motored en masse just over a mile back up the road to the Moundville Archaeological Park. Ruben had arranged for one of their members, who also happens to be an expert archaeologist who has worked with the park, Dr. Bruce Bizzoco, to give us a tour of the park. The tour began with a video presentation on the discovery of the mounds, some background on the Mississippian culture, and the early investigations of the site. Bruce then led our procession over to Mound B, the one with the building on top, where we ascended the 60 feet of stairs to the summit, 
and he continued his informative lecture. Our final stop was at the newly refurbished museum, gift shop, and café. The docent on duty shared additional information on the many artifacts on display, as well as the social structure and religious beliefs of the people who had lived there.
and he continued his informative lecture. Our final stop was at the newly refurbished museum, gift shop, and café. The docent on duty shared additional information on the many artifacts on display, as well as the social structure and religious beliefs of the people who had lived there. Special thanks to David Price for his help with the planning; to Ruben, for coordinating the Birmingham delegation’s trip and his connection with Dr. Bizzoco; to Dr. Bizzoco for volunteering his time on his off day to lead our tour; and to Ione, for scouting out Pam’s Diner for us. I hope everyone enjoyed the trip as much as I did.
Russell