A week in Alabama
I have just recently returned from a week long vacation in northern Alabama.... You might ask, if you didn't know better; "What's in northern Alabama that might be worth the trip?"
So here is a quick run down on what I did during a 6 day stay:
I-Max Movie at the Space and Rocket Center (Harry Potter in I-Max format - what's not to like?)
Huntsville Museum of Art:
- An incredible display of armor on loan from the Higgins Armory Museum (spanning 2000 years of arms and armor)
- A Silver Menagerie:
The Betty Grisham Collection of
Buccellati Silver Animals (This stuff was incredible - to fashion fur, each silver wire was manually welded to the frame/skeleton)
- Woodie Long: Folk Art Jambalaya (simply beautiful!)
- If you like motorcycles (if you don't what the hell are you doing reading my pages?!?) then this is a must visit destination.
- Five spotless floors of motorcycles, with a few Lotus race cars thrown in.
- And yes, they do have several Vincents on display.
Birmingham Zoo Many things recommend this zoo, but above all one thing stood out... the animals were in the best shape I have ever seen in any zoo - any where, including the National Zoo in DC. Elusive Cats, some baby alligators, and some very active snake specimens round out the collection. Worth the time.
Huntsville Botanical Gardens is a large sprawling oasis of all things growing. Plan on spending several hours just wandering - peaceful and serene. They also have an entire section for kids - very well done.
When your traveling you have to eat. Some of my favorites were:
Sonic (why are there NO Sonic's in NY?) Surin of Madison - Fine Thai Dining Tim's Cajun Kitchen - Best kept secret in Huntsville. Just plain yummy. Try the alligator tail! Greenbriar BBQ - Near the local Harley Dealership.Now with all of that you might think I exhausted the possibilities. Didn't really even scratch the surface. Many state parks are within two hours drive from Huntsville. I've been told that I should visit Dismal Canyons - it's on my list for next time.
I know from previous experience that Little River Canyon, the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge and DeSoto State Park have a lot to offer.
Finally, the visit gave me a chance to catch up with friends, which, when you come down to it, makes any trip worthwhile. So maybe, if you visit, you should try and make a few. Folks in the south are nice. They are friendly. They talk different than most, but it grows on ya.
To those of you who I had a chance to see - thank you for taking the time. For those I missed - next time!
Six days wasn't nearly enough. I will be back!
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