Southern Byways

I must admit that I haven’t visited Moundville Archaeological Park  since I was a student at Alabama, so I was excited as I traveled south on Highway 69. Since I had a vague memory of the area, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Honestly, this mini-adventure would be a new experience to me.
Now, the town of Moundville is about 16 miles from Tuscaloosa, located in Hale County. The park itself is about 14 miles from Tuscaloosa and kind of borders both Tuscaloosa and Hale Counties.
The park itself is over 300-acres, and is home to around 28 mounds created …read more

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When I first set out to do my post, I was only going to focus on Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum located in Grant Park. However, once I started doing some research, I realize that I would be doing you, dear readers, a great disservice. See, by only focusing on that one attraction, I would only be providing you with a third, or even perhaps a fourth of what the area has to offer.
Setting the Scene: Located in the downtown area, about one mile southeast of the state capitol, Grant Park is a place where many come …read more

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If you are a flower enthusiasts or have an interested in flowers, you might have heard about the rare Ghost Orchid growing on an old cypress tree at Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples, Fla. Not only is this type of flower very rate, but it’s in bloom for the second consecutive summer.
Now, if you want to see it, you better do so in the next three weeks when the bloom is visible from the sanctuary’s boardwalk. A handful of Naples hotels are offering special rates and package for this event.
 
Photo credit: Ghost Orchid, flickr, creative commons by Sophro

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So, you survived the first weekend of summer and now you are wondering what to do for the rest of the season. Well, you’ve come to the right place! The South is filled with so much do to during summer. Here’s sampling of a few activities that’ll keep you busy:
1. Swim with the dolphins at Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach, Marineland near St. Augustine, Discovery Cove in Orlando, Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key, Miami Seaquarium in Miami, or the Theater at the Sea in Islamorada, Fla.
2. Ride a carousel. Take a spin on the Dentzel …read more

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If I had to choose a time of the year to visit any of the South’s theme parks, I would choose to visit during the holiday season; surely you didn’t think I would say middle of July, right? There is just something about the atmosphere – the lights, the special shows, the music and so much more that makes it a memorable time.

This year’s Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival is no exception. Located in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., from November 10 – December 30, the theme park is decorated with 3.5 million holiday lights. With that alone, how can you not …read more

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Ready for some fun??
Great for parties and picnics, the Park and Sun Sports BM-PS Aluminum Badminton Pro Set brings badminton to your own backyard. This set includes an official-size net with 1.5-inch two-piece telescopic aluminum poles and 0.1875-inch guy line set. The Pro set includes a pre-measured boundary, and four 10-inch ground stakes. Not only that, but this set has everything you need to get the game going with four steel racquets, and three A-grade shuttlecocks. The durable equipment bag completes the Pro Set.
This should keep the kids happy while you are lounging with a good book by the edge …read more

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I thought that I would start off with a little trivia. You aren’t going to believe this!! Apparently, The Birmingham Airport opened in 1931 and that time, it took 19 hours to fly from Birmingham to Los Angeles! Luckily it won’t take us anywhere near that amount of time these days. So, now onto what Birmingham has to offer!!

Yes, Birmingham has its own Statue of Liberty and although a much smaller version that the “other one”, it’s well worth checking ou!
“A bronze replica, one-fifth the size of the Statue of Liberty, was commissioned by Frank Park Samford as the symbol …read more

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Autumn View of Fog from Morton Overlook, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

Cosby Creek in Winter, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

Chickamauga Battlefield, Chattanooga, Tennessee
*As much as I dislike winter, you have to admit… that shot of Cosby Creek is awfully gorgeous… snow and all!

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“Who was the real Daniel Boone: rejector of civilization or determined settler? Well, like most interesting mythic figures, Daniel Boone was a paradox. He was both. And this is a fitting forest to be named after him. The Daniel Boone National Forest combines rugged wildlands and ready civilization. Interesting small towns, comfortable state park lodging, and a great recreation infrastructure make this a tip-top forest for adventuring. ”
Trivia… The National Forest was originally named Cumberland National Forest, but was renamed in honor of one of Kentucky’s most famous frontiersman.
Daniel was 85 years old when Chester Harding painted this likeness …read more

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If your family is anything like mine, you need a vacation to recover from vacation. No matter where we go it’s none stop, nobody knows what’s planned for the day, you just jump in the car and see where it takes you. If you want a tranquil day make sure you plan one, and the LSU Hilltop Arboretum is a good place to start.

Welcome to LSU Hilltop Arboretum! These fourteen extraordinarily beautiful acres in Baton Rouge showcase an extensive collection of Louisiana native trees and shrubs. The property known as Hilltop is located on Highland Road south of …read more

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