Alabama Road Trip with Kids: Courage, Change, and Conversations (Day 10)
Welcome to Day 10: Montgomery & Lake Martin
If you’re looking for things to do with kids in central Alabama, then Day 10 is one of the heaviest—and holiest—days of your journey. From powerful Civil Rights landmarks to quiet questions by the lake, this itinerary invites your family to wrestle with hard history and then exhale in nature’s stillness.
If you’re following along with Ethan & Oliver Adventures: The Great Alabama Road Trip, this blog brings the real-life version of their Montgomery discoveries to life—from heavy truths to healing waters.
Today blends hard conversations with hopeful ones. It’s a day to plant seeds of courage, character, and compassion—and a reminder that our kids are more capable than we think when we walk beside them.
📍 Day 10 Itinerary Overview:
Route: Montgomery ➡️ Alexander City
Drive Time: ~1.5 hours
Activity Time: 6–7 hours (plus evening wind-down)
Stop 1: National Memorial for Peace and Justice
What to Expect:
A solemn outdoor space recognizing thousands of Black lives lost to racial terror lynchings. This is sacred ground—quiet, powerful, unforgettable.
Educational Tie-In:
Discuss historical injustices and why truth-telling matters in reconciliation.
Notebook Prompt:
Why is it important to remember people whose names we don’t even know?
Faith Tie-In:
Romans 12:21 — “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Kid-Friendly Tip:
Start at the water wall. Let the silence do the teaching. It’s okay if they don’t understand everything—this is a seed you’re planting.
Memory Maker:
Ethan quietly held his brother’s hand. “This feels heavier than any museum,” he whispered.
Stop 2: Rosa Parks Library and Museum
What to Expect:
Engaging exhibits, a short film, and the exact corner where Rosa Parks stood with quiet courage.
Educational Tie-In:
Teach kids how one person’s decision sparked nationwide change.
Notebook Prompt:
Would you have stood up by sitting down, like Rosa Parks?
Faith Tie-In:
Psalm 82:3 — “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.”
Kid-Friendly Tip:
The “time travel” bus experience helps younger children connect to the story.
Memory Maker:
The boys asked why Rosa was so brave. Mom answered, “Because she knew she wasn’t alone.”
Stop 3: Alabama State Capitol (Drive-by)
What to Expect:
A drive-by look at where the Selma-to-Montgomery march ended. You’ll see both painful and powerful symbols here.
Optional Add-On:
Snap a photo of the star where Jefferson Davis stood, then talk about Dr. King’s last speech from the same grounds.
Kid-Friendly Tip:
Help them connect symbols (like stars or statues) with stories—not just facts.
Stop 4: Civil Rights Memorial Center
What to Expect:
A black granite circle designed by Maya Lin, listing names of those killed during the Civil Rights Movement.
Educational Tie-In:
Names matter. Stories matter. This is history made personal.
Notebook Prompt:
Whose name on the circle stood out to you the most?
Faith Tie-In:
Micah 6:8 — “Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly.”
Memory Maker:
Oliver traced a name and asked, “Was he a kid like me?”
Stop 5: The Legacy Museum
What to Expect:
An immersive experience tracing America’s history from enslavement to mass incarceration. It’s emotional and honest.
Educational Tie-In:
Heavy but necessary—builds understanding of systemic injustice and resilience.
Notebook Prompt:
What did you learn that surprised you?
Faith Tie-In:
John 8:32 — “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Kid-Friendly Tip:
Best for ages 10+. Preview first. If you have younger kids, read the book version as a gentler entry point into the topics.
Evening Wrap-Up: Lake Martin (Alexander City)
What to Expect:
After a full and emotional day, the family unwinds at the lake house—where laughter returns, and peace begins to settle in.
Family Tie-In:
Share stories. Ask questions. Let the stillness do its work.
Notebook Prompt:
How did the quiet of the lake help you process the day?
Faith Tie-In:
Psalm 23:2–3 — “He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.”
Memory Maker:
The boys fished off the dock with Granddaddy as the sky turned gold. He quoted Amos 5:24 again—and this time, it settled even deeper.
Visit our Day 10 recipes where granddaddy makes Rotisserie or Grilled Beef Tenderloin (2 ways)
What We Learned:
- History can hurt, but it can also heal.
- Peace doesn’t mean avoiding hard things—it means walking through them together.
- Our kids are brave when we give them space to be.
Read the Story Version:
Day 10 of Ethan & Oliver Adventures: The Great Alabama Road Trip features big questions, bigger love, and a lake that whispers peace after the storm.
📬 Coming Next:
Day 11: Red Tails, Riding & Remarkable Role Models
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Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored or affiliated with any organization, attraction, or company mentioned. All opinions are my own, and all recommendations are based on our personal family experiences while researching and writing the Ethan & Oliver Adventures series.
