Driving Loki Through Tuskegee National Forest

In the early 20th century, Macon County, Alabama, faced challenges with poor soil in its northern region, leading to failed attempts to assist African American families through programs like "The Big Hungry." In 1934, a new initiative, the Tuskegee Land Utilization Project, was initiated to address land poverty. This New Deal project, under the Resettlement Administration, aimed to acquire 40,000 acres of submarginal land for reforestation and conservation. Despite initial plans, the project was reduced to 10,000 acres. Managed by the Soil Conservation Service from 1939 to 1949 and later transferred to the Forest Service, the project focused on forestry, conservation, and recreational development. In 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed the establishment of the Tuskegee National Forest, preserving the area in federal ownership due to its economic benefits for the county.

That was as best as I can summarize the existence of the Tuskegee National Forest. On a practical level, it has tons of back roads and open use areas.

This was supposed to be a quick trip report back when we took our van, Loki, to the National Forest but time got away from me. One this day, we drove deep into the forest roads in our Ford E250 Econoline Conversion Van, and made it to the top of this particular unmarked road. It opened up into this big area that had a giant open fire pit with the biggest blue sky ever.

It was cool, quiet, and had nobody else up here at all. There are countless roads that snake around this area, we weren't even sure exactly what road we were on or where it was going to lead, part of the fun, but there must have been 10 cutoff roads leading to who knows where. We were not in a 4 wheel drive vehicle of course, so we stuck with the main road, and Loki did great.

Featured Image