Inspiration Saturday
This Saturday I had the privilege of visiting Greensboro, AL, home of Pie Lab and Rural Studio. Why post it on a bike blog? Well, we rode bikes for part of it and frankly, I had a good time and wanted to share it with you all. We work so hard to change Alabama, but there are beautiful things already happening that people should know about.
We packed up the bikes and headed out for the 1.5 hour drive to Hale County. Our first stop was the Pie Lab. What is the Pie Lab?
PieLab, an initiative of Project M, is focused on community development and engagement in Hale County, AL.
PieLab is a welcoming community space on Greensboro’s Main Street that provides delicious pie and coffee, as well as retail and hospitality job training for local youth through the YouthBuild Program. More than simply a pie shop, PieLab operates as a community design center focusing on community development projects and small business incubation in Greensboro and the surrounding five counties.
From their website, mmm.pielab.org
I walked in and noticed one thing: BIKES! They were all over the place. After talking a bit, they mentioned that they wanted to start a bike collective and needed some help. hurrah! We exchanged cards and ideas, ate some killer pie, visited a bit and then set out.
Dirt walls!
For the next hour we drove through Hale County to see the Rural Studio projects. It was inspiring, to say the least. Oh, did I mention that our tour guides were one past and one present Rural Studio students? Yeah, that was awesome.
Mason's bend Chapel project
After the car tour, we parked back at Pie Lab and 3 of us took our bikes and toured the buildings in Greensboro. It was a blast, seeing the inspiration and work of hope-filled, talented folks. If ever in Alabama, I highly suggest you check both out. A sweet, inspiring day spent with new and old friends. A good day.
Dash and Andrew in front of 2 of the 20K homes
Dog Pound Project
For the full set of photos, check it out here. Thanks to everyone at Pie Lab, Rural Studio and the awesome folks we let me tag along!
It’s good to read this kind of post occasionally, and even more so when it comes from the South. Thanks.
I was born and raised in Greensboro and it’s wonderful to see such amazing things happening there! It’s a beautiful small town with a ton of potential. My cousin owns a bed and breakfast there so an overnight biking trip would be fun too!
Very cool post. Alabama has hidden gems like this, and unfortunately they sometime stay a little too hidden. Getting the word out like this never hurts!
Sounds like another day trip planned for me and the misses.
BTW, bikes were ridden and pictured, so it counts.
What are the 20K homes?
well yes you should let us know! anytime you ever come across something as such, of course I’d LOVE to read about it.
looks like such a nice cool place – thanks for sharing.
“We work so hard to change Alabama, but there are beautiful things already happening that people should know about.” Keep it rolling, I’m in California and feel I know AL through you gals!!
xoxo/m
Braxton- the 20K homes are prototype homes that are built for $20K. Really cool. http://www.100khouse.com/2008/05/05/the-20k-house-project-inspiration-from-rural-studio/
Everyone-thanks for the kind words!
Very cool regarding the $20k homes. In case this adds to the topic, it reminds me of these: http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/