I love libraries…read more Sometimes, late at night, I find myself organizing my stuffed animals in accordance to the dewey decimal system. Libraries are so organized. So sterile. So quiet. So full of think-i-ness. I mean knowledge. Remind me to take "think-i-ness" out before I post this. Laugh if you want, but the Florence library is awesome. Nice building. New building. Lots of places to sit in comfortable chairs and read. Big windows. Thought-inspiring quotes everywhere. And the librarians are bitter idiots. But that's true of all librarians. One of my favorite features is the reading room. Walk inside, and you find yourself in Sherlock Holmes' living room. Wood panels everywhere. Greek columns. Newspapers and magazines out your saggy butt. I want to sit and smoke a pipe while I read in there. They also have a entire wing devoted to gynecology. I plan to spend a great deal of time in there. Did I say gynecology? I meant genealogy. Honest mistake. Thanks. spellchecker. Not my least favorite feature is the coffee shop, the disgustingly cleverly named "Coffee-ol-ogy." Coffee, sandwiches, and all sorts of snacks. The 14-year old behind the counter asked where I was from when I asked for a "drip" coffee. "No one around here calls it a drip," she quipped. I then beat her senseless with the cappuccino maker. But don't expect to pay three bucks for a sandwich, a luke warm Coke, and sashay into the library. Nosiree, Mr. Fresh-Ground Paris Pants. No food or beverage in the library. So you have to sit in the lobby and enjoy your meal. Bonus - free wi-fi all around (I suspect they've blocked myspace). Five stars for this library. They're open until 7 most nights, which gives me just enough time to stop by, order a "drip," and Yelp like mad.

A favorite place to research and relax on a lunch. I have done a bunch of genealogy work here and…read morethe local history section is top notch. A really fine library for young people or for those with many years under their belt.

This is such a cool piece of history!!! We came here to see where Helen Keller grew up and it was…read morereally cool to see all the historical artifacts and how well the property is kept up. I highly recommend this stop. Once the weather is nice they do showings of the miracle worker play on site too.

My family took a day trip here and this was the highlight stop of the day. She absolutely loved it!…read moreFrom seeing the rich history and impact one person could have and to be filled with so much dedication to educate those around her, was a true joy. Beautiful 200 year old house and wonderful tour guide helps capture a glimpse into the life Keller had not only at Ivy Green but on her adventures later in life to over 35 countries. Definitely worth a visit to see and one we will definitely not forget.

Had a great walk to see the waterfalls and the huge alligator gar that were so close to the river…read morebank. They were HUGE! It was peaceful and we enjoyed every second.

This was the first Frank Lloyd Wright house I've ever toured. Very interesting that it's the only…read moreone in Alabama. What a unique house, especially for its time. I loved being able to support keeping this alive and well.

Well worth a stop, even a detour to visit, if you have even the slightest interest in Wright. More…read morea beautiful, and important, work of art than a house. Tour times don't seem to be specified anywhere, but when we randomly stopped in early on a Saturday afternoon, we only had to wait 10 minutes or so. We were 2 of just 5 on tour, so nicely intimate. The starting point is the parking and building across the street from the house. We were told not to sit anywhere or touch anything, A bit of a downer for someone like me who is constantly leaning or sitting, but the tour is not particularly long, and the house did have a/c installed by the original owners, so it's not uncomfortable. Fascinating smaller example of a FLW style house.

Very interesting story behind the wall and those stones that look like faces were amazing.read more

"All things shall pass. Only the stones will remain". Words…read morespoken by an elder of the Yuchi tribe, the Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall is currently the largest unmortared wall in the United States. Built by hand by Tom Hendrix to memorialize his Native American great-great grandmother, Te-lah-nay. It represents one woman's courageous journey back to her homeland after being relocated to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears following the Indian Removal Act of 1830. She spent five years retracing her steps, eventually making her way back to her Yuchi tribe's native land near present day Florence, Alabama. She is the only documented Native American to return. The wall is a place of spirituality and ensures that the legends will never fade. Thank you Mr. Hendrix, you are a testament to your ancestors and a true treasure.

I would have given more stars if it had been opened..you need to call and make an appt. but it IS…read morean authentic log cabin, rough-hewn, built around 1815. It's tiny and easy to pass on the road which used to be part of Andrew Jackson's military road which he built for his supplies/army on their way to the Battle of New Orleans.

I had the unfortunate pleasure of renewing my tag at this awful place. First time and hopefully it…read morewill be my LAST time after this year renewing anything and dealing with anyone in this awful state. On August 21st I went to renew my tag and I wanted to get custom lettering on my license plate. I encountered a very rude and nasty black woman named Debra. I explained to her 3 or 4 times the lettering I wanted on my license plate. I did not want a special plate like some people here get whether it's the "God Bless America"(), Wildlife, UNA, etc plates. I just wanted the traditional Alabama nature plate. This fool argued with me for over 5 mins telling me I could not have that and that I had to get a full custom plate. I told her no and that I have seen other drivers with that same traditional plate with custom wording on them. She again argues with me and tells me no but then she laughed at me twice while doing it. She told me I had to pick a license plate from a book of custom plates they have. I again told her no and tried explaining what I wanted and again she argued and laughed at me. That's when another lady named Missy walked by and I asked her to assist me which offended Debra because she so rudely told Missy I did not know what I wanted. So Missy also said I could not have the traditional plate and that I had to pick. At this point I went ahead and picked a plate because time was being wasted and I needed to get back to work. I ended up spending over $70 for something I did not want. The next day on Aug.22nd I called and asked to speak to the highest up supervisor of that department. That's when I got yet another "Einstein" who was even more incompetent and nasty. I spoke with Catherine Miner and explained what happened and she too said I had to get a custom plate. Catherine refused to give me the name of the worker so I could report her. In fact she just laughed and brushed it off. When I asked to speak to her boss which is Judge Rosser conveniently he wasn't there and she did not know when he would be. This past Saturday while leaving Walmart a driver in front of me had the traditional Alabama nature plate but with custom wording. That is what prompted me to call the tag and title office this morning. I spoke with Jennifer and specifically asked if one can get custom lettering on a traditional Alabama plate and she said yes. So I ask why was I told that you couldn't and was forced into picking a special plate when that's not what I wanted. She then chalked it up to a misunderstanding and that Debra and Missy didn't understand what I wanted. Lol I don't see how when I said what I wanted and explained it to them multiple times. When I told her my biggest issue was the customer service and explained how Debra was rude and nasty she said "I don't think she was" to which I said when you laugh in a customer's face and make snide comments that is rude. So I asked to speak with another supervisor specifically the one I spoke with last time and that's when she transferred me to that awful Miner woman. Note to Catherine MIner when you want to be "nice" don't refer to another grown adult woman as "honey". That is a word my spouse and I call each other. If you want to be "nice" refer to grown women as ma'am or Ms. I asked her to explain why she lied to me about the plate and she said "I never said that" and "don't ever put words in my mouth I never said and I've been doing this job 25 years". If that's the case you should know your office policies. You nor your workers should be telling customers no they can't have something when they can. I notice the people in this state that mess up never take personal accountability, blame you, won't listen, and fly off the handle when they are exposed. Had I been told the CORRECT information I would not be writing this review nor would I have had to call up there twice to get the correct information. Catherine then proceeds to tell me they can switch plates at my expense. They mess up, give me false information, don't bother owning up to it or apologizing, and I have to shell out another $70 something to fix their mistake? These are the people that are hired into these government jobs? The bar is set extremely low with their hiring process. I emailed Rosser about this incident not expecting to hear back from him but he emailed me back apologizing, gave me his desk number, and told me to call him Sept.30th so he could investigate my complaint. I called him that Monday morning and left a voicemail. He never returned my call and 3 days later I emailed him, let him know I called, and never heard back from him. This fool emailed me back and said he spoke to his staff and that I was treated well, received good service, and there is nothing his office will do. This man lied and had no plans to speak with me and correct the situation as he said in his email. I see why Alabama and it's citizens have the reputation it has. That "southern hospitality" is a myth.

I always get fast, friendly, and courteous service. It's a little inconvenient to get in because…read moreyou have to go through a security check now prior to entering, but I guess that's a sign of the times. I also like that you can pay car tag renewals by mail, saving a lot of time for a minimal fee.