Friday April 19, 2024   Tuscaloosa AL to Cleveland TN

Today was a rather uneventful day.  Up and on the road by 9:30. It had rained in the night and was rather cool this morning.  This Comfort Inn Suites was very comfortable.  Our window looked out on the Interstate with a huge red arch bridge intersection for the University of Alabama.  

Their rolltide password may say something about this town!  We bought gas right beside the hotel and the interstate entrance headed north of I 65 was right beside us.  Can't say too much good about Alabama interstate - most of it needed to be resurfaced.  Drove north around Birmingham and Gadsden and began looking for a place for lunch.  Sadly, Jane had left the remainder of our steak from supper on the table so we had very little besides cheese and crackers for lunch.  

No luck finding a "hidden gem" like yesterday so we got a BOGO special at McDonalds and kept on driving.  We made it to Cleveland about 3:30 and Ben had his usual nap.  Nothing special in the way of restaurants - there were all kinds or chain restaurants but we chose a local place.  The Old Fort was not too far from our hotel and there were lots of cars in the lot so we gave it a try.  Winner ! 

 Ben had chicken and dumplings with cuke&onions and fried okra.  Jane had chicken fried steak with okra and green beans.  Ben even ordered some coconut pie for desert and gave it great reviews.  Nothing unusual today.  Need to note for the record we do not like the Clarion brand of Choice Hotels.  Ben thought they were a step up from the Comfort Inn and Suites but after trying two on this trip - we rate them a step down.  This one was not terrible but the air conditioner made rattling noises every time it turned off and on all night.