(Photo) Talladega Super Speedway.

Piece 1: Talladega Super Speedway and International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Located about an hour drive east of Birmingham AL is the Talladega Super Speedway (TSS).

Bill France, Sr., the founder and longtime manager of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), began looking for a location to build a new raceway that was longer and faster than his Daytona International Speedway. He identified an old Air Force base property in Lincoln AL and in 1969 the Alabama International Motor Speedway (the track’s original name) was opened.

At 2.66 miles, TSS is the longest of NASCAR’s oval tracks, and is among the fastest raceways on the circuit (driver Bill Elliott’s qualifying speed at TSS during the 1987 Winston 500 was just under 213 miles per hour).

TSS hosts two NASCAR races per year, one in the spring and a second in the fall. However, the track offers facility tours almost every weekend (and on selected weekdays) that includes a tour bus lap around the steeply-banked raceway. We really enjoyed this experience, which allowed us to walk into “victory lane” and stroll over the start/finish line.

The International Motors Sports Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) is also conveniently located on the TSS property. A first phase of the complex opened in 1983, and the full facility design was completed in 1990.

The IMSHOF recognizes people that have significantly contributed to motorsports; including drivers, engineers, and owners. Inductees are recognized with portraits that feature a description of their accomplishments.

There are several exhibition halls in the IMSHOF and we really enjoyed looking at all the race cars on display, representing the different periods of NASCAR competition.

As we are from Birmingham AL, we are longtime fans of the “Alabama Gang” of stock car racers from Hueytown AL. This storied group included Donnie Allison, Bobby Allison, Neil Bonnet, and Davey Allison. All four won NASCAR events at Talladega, and race cars they drove are part of the museum collection.

One fascinating exhibit is the crumpled remains of the Kodiak-sponsored Chevrolet that driver Ricky Craven violently crashed on lap 130 of Talladega’s fall race in 1996. The car went airborne into the catch fence and was then throw back in front of oncoming traffic, where Craven was hit by another car. Looking at the mangled vehicle, we were amazed he survived the incident.

Budget at least a couple of hours for experiencing TSS and IMSHOF; interesting and entertaining, especially if you are a NASCAR history buff.

Bald Rock Boardwalk Trail

Piece 2: Mount Cheaha State Park. Located about a 40 minute drive southeast from Talladega AL is Mount Cheaha State Park, part of the Alabama State Park System.

Established in the early 1930’s, Cheaha is the oldest continuously operating state park in Alabama, encompasses just under 2,800 acres, and features the highest point in the state.

The park includes a variety of options for overnight stays; including camp sites, lodge rooms, chalets, and a number of circa 1930’s cabins constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (a work relief program initiated during President Franklin Roosevelt’s administration). We reserved one of the cabins with a bluff view for our visit, and spent lots of time sitting outside in Adirondack chairs gazing at the postcard-like vista.

Cheaha offers visitors a number of hiking and walking trails. Our favorite is the Bald Rock Boardwalk Trail, an accessible and easy 1/3 mile walk out and back. It is located on the eastern side of the park, and there is ample parking at the entrance.

The Cheaha Country Store and Gift Shop is near the entrance and is the place to check in for camp site and cabin reservations. It’s a rustic little building that features staple food items, bagged ice, fire wood, and some interesting souvenirs. The store also (typically) stocks a variety ice cream treats, which are very refreshing on warm days.

Costumed Docent in the Replica Garden

Piece 3: Biblical History Center-LaGrange GA. About a 90 minute drive southeast from Mount Cheaha State Park is the city of LaGrange GA.

In the summer of 2006, with financial assistance from the Calloway Foundation (a philanthropic organization associated with a local family that built wealth from textile manufacturing), the Biblical History Center (BHC) in LaGrange was opened.

BHC educates visitors about the ancient biblical world with its Archeological Replica Garden (featuring full-scale reconstructions) and an impressive collection of artifacts.

We elected to participate in a guided tour of the replica garden that focused on events relevant to the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, and added a biblical meal to our experience.

Our docent was very knowledgeable, and went into great detail at each segment of her lecture.

The meal presentation was particularly interesting. We were served with a large group of other visitors in a period-authentic dining room at a triclinium-style table (U-shaped with couch seating). Our docent discussed meal practices relevant to Passover and the Last Supper, including seating order and the significance of selected food items.

We left BHC with a much deeper understanding about the way of life in the Middle Eastern region of the world during the time of Jesus.

CLICK on the Facebook logo below to visit the 3 Piece Trips Facebook Page now!