Happy 40th Anniversary, Baby

November 23, 2025

Yesterday (Saturday, November 22), was Bruce and my 40th wedding anniversary! We had a delightful day ending with a lovely meal.

At the LaGrange College & Military Academy Historical site in Leighton, AL, they were hosting “Christmas in the Country.” Their brochure says, “Site Park, Pioneer Village & Antebellum Cemetery.” We decided to go and see what it was about.

LaGrange College was the first college in Alabama and was open from 1830 – 1855, then the Civil War loomed. It became LaGrange Military Academy in 1857 – 1862. It was known as the “West Point of the South.” In 1862, classes were suspended as most of the cadets had left to join the Confederate Army.

In 1863, the 10th Missouri Calvary, the “Destroying Angles” of the Union Army burned the LaGrange Military Academy to the ground, as well as the nearby La Fayette Female Academy, businesses, and homes.

In 1976, the site was listed on Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.

“In 1995, LaGrange Park was transferred from the Alabama Historical Commission to the LaGrange Living Historical Association.”

The site is a pioneer village now, with many log buildings that have been moved to the site. They also have a beautiful picnic area with a pavilion that overlooks the Tennessee Valley.

If you want to stay onsite, they have a two bedroom log cabin bed and breakfast. “It is discreetly modernized with electricity and air conditioning for comfort. The sleeping quarters will accommodate five people.”

We had a lot of fun looking at the buildings, visiting the observatory and seeing sun spots, and viewing vendor booths.

We spent the most time talking to the members of the Astronomy Club. They had a telescope set up to view the sun. We saw sunspots.

There is more to see, but I didn’t realize it until we got back home and I read the brochure.

Bruce made reservations for us at the 360 Grill, in Florence, AL. It is Alabama’s only rotating restaurant.

We got dressed up, Bruce in slacks and a dress shirt and me in my cocktail dress. I took Nox outside before we left. The clouds to the north reflected light from the sun set.

We got to the 360 Grill restaurant at 5:00 PM and were seated shortly after we arrived.

The waitress asked if this was our first time dining with them and where we were from. We admitted to being local. She asked if we were celebrating anything special. Bruce smiled and said, “Yes, our 40th wedding anniversary.” The waitress was impressed and congratulated us.

We enjoyed the spectacular sunset over the Tennessee River while we looked over the menu. I didn’t take any pictures since I wanted to focus on this moment with Bruce.

We enjoyed trying to figure out what we were seeing from the restaurant as it turned.

The food was wonderful and the service was just the right amount friendly. It was excellent service.

Bruce ordered the mixed grill, which allowed him a taste of several items on the menu. I ordered the salimbocca.