Being raised in Alabama, I’ve got plenty of state pride. Yet, as a student of Journalism at the University of Alabama, my career opportunities are slim here. I know I won’t live in Alabama forever, so I’ve created my own bucket list.
The Alabama Bucket List: Gravity Hill
I grew up in the Sylacauga area of Talladega County. It is about an hour's drive south of Birmingham if traveling Highway 280, which is a highway most of us kept hot considering the nearest movie theater, shopping mall and good eating was about 35 miles north of our small town. There was never much to do in town. There were a few parks, some high school athletic games to attend and maybe a few fast food joints to grab a milkshake or two.
We kept ourselves busy with everyone else's business, filling nearly 50 churches in the area on Sunday and occasionally, a trip to Gravity Hill.
Gravity Hill is located just off Highway 280 on Merkel Mountain. It's an interesting spot, to say the least, in that your car appears to roll uphill when put in neutral on this small strip of road. You read that right: your car appears to roll UP the hill.
The hill is actually quite small, some even say the hill is an optical illusion produced by the angle the trees grow; however, I have walked up the hill before and I assure you, it isn't an illusion.
To experience Gravity Hill, simply face your car in the direction of Highway 280, beginning near the stop sign at the intersection. Put your car in neutral, take your foot off the pedals, then wait. Eventually, the car will begin to move backward up the hill. Be careful to have your foot near the brake pedal as the car will speed up significantly as it nears the peak of the hill.
It is definitely mind-boggling. I have taken several out-of-towners to Gravity Hill just to see their reactions. Most can't believe their eyes. In fact, they have to physically exit the car and watch it roll up the hill in order to accept that the car is rolling uphill.
No one knows the reason all vehicles defy gravity on this hill. Some believe the hill is an ancient Native American burial ground and cars move because the ghosts of those buried are pushing them off their land. Whatever the case, it's an interesting place to visit or to take someone if you're trying to convince them you're a wizard.
Gravity Hill is located off Highway 280 East, west of Fulton Gap Road on Gravity Hill Lane. The road is not marked, so it can be hard to find if you're not sure where you're going. But ask any local, and they can give you directions directly to it.
