Sunflower Fields Forever

Sunflower Field, Alabama

I love sunflowers: hands down, my favorite flower.

So when I saw some aerial drone footage of a field full of them, I was intrigued. As it turns out, the Sunflower Field is in Alabama. Autaugaville, Alabama, to be precise. A quick Google search reveals that it’s close to Montgomery. Cool. I’m going to Sandestin, Florida. I have to go through Montgomery. Sunflower Field, here I come. Now to break the news to my hubs, the Reluctant Traveler, who shall be known as RT for the rest of this post.

On Saturday, I bring up the sunflower field. Casually I mention that it’s right on the way to the beach.

Nothing. I asked RT what time he wanted to leave. The question elicits an eye roll. My philosophy is as follows: if we don’t have to be anywhere at a specific time, the departure time is fluid. 8 am means 8ish. We’re not catching a flight. RT does not share that philosophy. 8 am pretty much means a quarter to 8. No fluidity…..that shit is concrete. Negotiations ensue, and the outcome is a stop at the Sunflower Field with a 6:30 am departure time. See? I really like sunflowers.

Sunflower in field in alabama

We hop off the interstate, and I plug the address into Google Maps.

It’s about 20 miles away. I decide not to announce this fact, and we roll along the backroads. After about fifteen minutes, Google declares that we are 12.1 miles away from our destination. Busted! RT cuts his eyes and gives me a look. “That’s weird. Siri said it was like 10 minutes.” Pretty sure he’s not buying it.

When we arrive, it doesn’t matter. Sunflowers as far as the eye can see! In full bloom! Fantastic! The family that owns the field allows visitors to walk through and explore. Their only requirement is that you don’t pick the flowers since they harvest the seeds for oil. They do sell some cut flowers at a stand for $1, along with fresh produce.

sunflower field alabama

Sunflowers are a symbol of happiness and joy, but I think they’re a symbol of resilience and faith.

You can throw a seed onto a piece of dry scrubland, and they’ll grow tall, proud, and frankly, pretty flamboyantly while always turning their faces towards the sun. You have to love that.

If you’re ever on I-65 in Alabama in late July, early August, stop by and check it out. We were fortunate to be there during peak bloom, and the sunflowers were starting to wilt by the time we headed home later in the week. The window is small but worth it.

Author in Sunflower Field, Alabama
All’s Well That Ends Well

 

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