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Written by Administrator
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Camping Gems - AlabamaBankhead National Forest The newly expanded trail system in the Bankhead National Forest added 82 miles of recreational trails to the 71 miles already in the Forest. Now, you can enjoy hiking, bicycle and horseback riding, and a trail for your all-terrain vehicle. Facilities for camping, picnicking, fishing, and swimming are abundant. Check out the 25-mile Black Warrior Horse Trail to see the beautiful waterfalls, sandstone cliffs, deep gorges, majestic hardwood trees, wildflowers, and an abundance of birds and animals.
Little River Canyon National Preserve Little River offers gorgeous views, incredible kayaking, and plenty of waterfalls for hikers to enjoy. The river flows from the peaks of Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama into forests, dramatic canyons, bluffs, and sandstone cliffs. Enjoy ATV riding, bird watching, fishing, horseback riding, hunting, kayaking, and plenty of scenic drives.
Huntsville Space and Rocket Center
To jet propel yourself out of your historic time travels, zoom to the US Space and Rocket Center, I-565, exit 15, 256-837-3400. Here you can enjoy hands-on astronaut training exhibits, view actual spacecrafts, and NASA artifacts. You'll also see the Apollo 16 command module, a moon buggy, the Blackbird US Air Force spy plane, and the Pathfinder, which was NASA's full scale 89 ton space shuttle orbiter mock-up. And in the Davidson Center for Space Exploration, you'll find the Saturn V rocket, the MIR: Labs in Space, and a 3D digital theater. Dauphin Island (near Mobile)
A visit to Dauphin Island will give you a chance to wander 14 miles of white sand beaches, fish off the Dauphin Island Fishing Pier, spot birds in the 164-acre Audubon Sanctuary, or learn about local wildlife at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Also just a short drive away you'll find Pensacola, Florida and the Historic Pensacola Village. Desoto Caverns
If you like to do some of your sight seeing underground, head to Childersburg, AL and the DeSoto Caverns, 5181 DeSoto Caverns Pkwy., 256-378-7252. Holding the honors of being the first officially recorded cave in the US, a visit here will give you a chance to see wonderful underground rock formations and caverns. If this isn't enough cave exploring for you, drive to north Jefferson County to the Rickwood Caverns, Rt. 3, Warrior, AL, Memorial to Labor Day, 205-647-9692. |
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 03 September 2008 22:14 |
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Written by Administrator
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Camping Gems - Things to Do in Alabama
Birmingham Events
February--Wild About Chocolate
March-September--Trade Days Flea Market, Tannehill Historical State Park, One weekend a month
April--NASCAR Nextel Series Race
May--Tennehill Civil War Reenactment
June--City Stage Music Festival
July 4th--American Village Independence Day Celelbration 1776, American Village
November--Christmas Village Festival & Craft Show, Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex
December--Christmas Candlelight Walking Tour, Tannehill Historical State Park
Mobile Events
February--Mobile's two week Mardi Gras Celebration, was first started in 1703, making it older than the one in "that other town" as the locals like to remind folks March--the Azalea Trail Festival April--the Mobile Jazz Festival; the 5th Annual Taste of the Colony May--12th Annual Confederate Encampment June--Annual Battle of Mobile Bay July--Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo August--6th Annual "Damn the Torpedoes" Re- enactment September--World Chamionship Fishing October--BayFest; Greater Gulf State Fair December--11th Annual Christmas at the Fort
Montgomery Events
January--DESTA African American CelebrationMarch--World Championship Rodeo, Garrett Coliseum July 4th--Montgomery's celebration includes food, patriotic displays, and fireworks September--Alabama Highland Games, Wynton M Blount Cultural Park September--Alabama Hot Air Balloon Spectacular, Auburn University Campus September--the Festival in the Park, Oak Park, is one of the area's best arts and crafts shows October--South Alabama State Fair, Garrett Coliseum/Fairgrounds November--Holiday Lights Festival, Montgomery Zoo November--Taste of Montgomery, Montgomery Civic Center December--Old Alabama Town Christmas, 310 N Hull Street |
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 03 September 2008 22:13 |
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Written by Administrator
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Camping Gems - Places to Eat in Alabama
A visit to the Whistle Stop Cafe, 1906 First Ave North, Irondale, AL, 205-956-5258, will not only give you a chance to enjoy good southern cooking but also to see where the writer of "Fried Green Tomatoes" got her inspiration for the diner.
Ollie's Barbeque, 1880 South Park Dr, 205-989-9009. In business since the 1920s, this family knows how to dish up great smoked pork, beef, chicken, and ribs.Or try the award winning Bob Sykes Barbecue, 1724 9th Ave, Bessemer, 205-426-1400. Around since 1957, they offer pork and chicken that has been slowly barbecued over hickory wood. |
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 03 September 2008 22:11 |
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Written by Administrator
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Camping Gems - Alabama Tips
If you are traveling here during the summer and are not used to high humidity give yourself a couple of days to adapt. To help your body adjust make sure you drink extra water and rest frequently.
Also since it rains about 120 days a year here, you may want to pack a light raincoat or umbrella to keep you from melting.
If you are out driving when it rains, keep in mind that it is a state law that you must turn on your headlights. |
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 03 September 2008 22:20 |
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Alabama
