(205) Adventure

ALABAMA’S OUTDOOR MAGAZINE FOR ACTIVE LIVES FALL 2018

EYES ON THE SKIES BIRMINGHAM AUDUBON HELPS BIRD WATCHERS CONNECT, LEARN

BEACH BOUND GULF STATE PARK OUTPOST THE PERFECT RUSTIC GETAWAY

FIT FOR A KING

SELWOOD FARM A SHOOTING SPORTS RETREAT FOR NOVICES AND ENTHUSIASTS ALIKE

TO THE TOPS THE BEST SPOTS TO SET UP YOUR CAMPSITE AND SOAK IN THE VIEW FROM ALABAMA’S ROOFTOPS

Football Isn’t the Only Thing to Get Excited About This Fall.

OCT

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Seán Curran Dance

NOV

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

with Third Coast Percussion

VIP Family Lunch Packages Available

OCT

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15

An Evening with

ArtPlay Parlor Series

Chris Thile

OCT

Omer Quartet

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Magic City Classic Weekend

Brian McKnight

NOV

Patti LaBelle VIP Dinner Packages Available

VIP Dinner Packages Available

NOV

NOV

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DEC

A Very Electric Christmas

An Evening with

Keb’ Mo’

VIP Family Dinner Packages Available & Photos with Santa

AlysStephens.org For VIP Packages, call 205 996 6113

Cover photo by Sarah Finnegan.

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HIKE/BIKE

Get your blood pumping on two feet or two wheels with central Alabama’s many hiking and biking trails.

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ON THE WATER

Grab a paddle and life jacket to explore some of Alabama’s most diverse ecosystems along the water.

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HUNT/FISH

Sportsmen can enjoy some of the many streams, lakes and forests that make Alabama a top hunting and fishing destination.

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KIDS

There are so many options in and around the Birmingham area that are not only good for families, but also have activities for kids.

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EXPEDITIONS

Explore the outdoors in style at the beach or in a customized “glamping” van.

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The Oak Mountain BMX track hosts races for all age groups and experience levels, from small races for toddlers on balance bikes to full-track races for experienced teens.

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CAMP

Spend a night in nature with an impressive view and campfire-cooked meal.

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Loosely translated to “the king’s hunting land,” Selwood Farm has 800 acres of rolling hills, trees and grassy plains that is now a top-of-the-line licensed hunting preserve.

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Atop some of Alabama’s most scenic peaks — Oak Mountain, Mount Cheaha and Lookout Mountain — also rests some of the state’s most-loved camping sites.

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URBAN OUTDOORS

You don’t have to leave downtown to get your daily dose of the outdoors.

If you’re looking for a secluded spot for a weekend away from it all, the Outpost at Gulf State Park is the true definition of “off the beaten path.”

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ADVENTURE SPORTS

Take your adventures to the next level, 40 feet in the air or underground.

STARNES PUBLISHING.COM

Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (66) Alabama Power (7) Aldridge Gardens (11) Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center (2) ARC Realty (67) Closets by Design (40) DSLD Land Management (67) Edwards Chevrolet (17) Jim Burke Subaru (32, 33) MJ's Discount Warehouse (23) Moran's Rocky Ridge Hardware (41) Moss Rock Festival (25) Mtn Trax (37) One Man and a Toolbox (66) RealtySouth (41) Shades Creek Dental (47) Slag Heap Brewing Company (3) Southeastern Outings (10) Southwest Water Company (68) Starnes Media (59) Synovus Bank (5) The Maids (57) TherapySouth – Hoover (6)

EDITORIAL

ADVERTISING

Managing Editor Sydney Cromwell

Advertising Manager Matthew Allen

Design Editor Kristin Williams

Account Manager Layton Dudley

Director of Photography Sarah Finnegan

Sales and Distribution Heather Anthony, Warren Caldwell, Eric Clements, Ethan Currier, Don Harris, Michelle Salem Haynes, Rhonda Smith, James Plunkett, Vicky Hager

Publisher Dan Starnes

Community Editor Lexi Coon Features Editor Alyx Chandler Sports Editor Kyle Parmley Digital Editor Anne Dawson Page Designers Melanie Viering, Michelle Moeck Community Reporters Erica Techo, Emily Featherston, Jesse Chambers, Jon Anderson, Neal Embry, Jasmyne Ray Contributing Writers: Grace Thornton, Sarah Cook, Leah Ingram Eagle, Marienne Thomas Ogle

Director of Organizational Development Alison Grizzle

Graphic Design Matt Crawford Emily VanderMey For information about this publication and/or advertising rates, call 205-617-9609. Starnes Publishing LLC produces seven monthly newspapers in the Birmingham metro area: 280 Living, Cahaba Sun (Trussville), Homewood Star, Hoover Sun, Iron City Ink (downtown Birmingham), Vestavia Voice and Village ALABAMA’S OUTDOOR MAG AZINE FOR ACTI VE LIVES Living (Mountain Brook).

EYES O THE SK N Starnes Publishing also produces IES BEACH chamber membership directories, BOUN D quality-of-life magazines and TO business marketing materials.

FALL 2018

BIRMINGHAM BIRD WATCH AUDUBON HELPS ERS CONNE CT, LEARN

GULF STATE THE PERFEC PARK OUTPOST T RUSTIC GETAWAY

FIT FO R A KIN SELWOOD FARM A G FOR NOVICESHOOTING SPORTS S AND ENTHUS RETREAT IASTS ALIKE

THE TOPS THE BEST CAMPSITE SPOTS TO SET UP YOUR AND SOAK IN THE FROM ALABA MA’S ROOF VIEW TOPS

Starnes Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited.

Here. For you.

At Synovus, we truly understand what matters to you; that’s why we’re doing all we can to help you grow. Not just a bank, we’re your neighbors and friends. People from here who understand here. And we’re here. For you.

1-888-SYNOVUS | synovus.com

Synovus Bank, Member FDIC.

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WHAT’S YOUR NEXT

ADVENTURE? TherapySouth can help you get there.

Make the most of your next activity with a Functional Movement Screening at TherapySouth. Our PTs can show you ways to improve your movement and performance to help you achieve your personal best.

If you have an injury, you may want to try Dry Needling for those tight trigger points.

Physical therapy that includes dry needling can help restore range of motion and provide pain relief.

We also offer Hand Therapy, with highly skilled hand therapists who can treat a range of hand issues –arthritis, trigger finger, carpal tunnel, Dupuytren’s contracture, DeQuervain’s tensovitis and more.

TherapySouth is an outpatient physical therapy practice with a fun, family-oriented environment. Our experienced physical therapists know our patients by name and strive to help you achieve your physical goals. If your active lifestyle has you looking for a physical therapist, we’d love for one of our great people to be your PT!

To read stories about how TherapySouth has helped real people— from athletes to weekend warriors— visit our website at www.therapysouth.com

WHO IS

YOUR

PT?

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Taking you to Alabama’s most beautiful natural spots

Southeastern Outings (SEO) is an organization committed to sponsoring outings for people who enjoy participating in easygoing outdoor adventures. All activities of the group are open to the public. SEO is incorporated in and certified by the state of Alabama as a non-profit corporation.

In 2017, we organized 80 events with 24 skilled, knowledgeable leaders: 47 dayhikes 13 kayak and canoe trips

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11 water-based outings 1 bicycle ride

10 social events per year

(205) 631-4680 seoutings.com seoutings@bellsouth.net

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A group of kids slide their way down a natural water slide at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve. Photos by Sarah Finnegan.

By Erica Techo

efore it was a 466-acre nature preserve, the land around Turkey Creek was set to be the site for a new county jail.

The jail was first proposed in the early 1990s, a time when the private land was the site of illicit activity, according to Turkey Creek resident manager Chris Yeager.

Public uproar and a designation as critical habitat for the vermilion darter stopped the jail, and the property was taken on by the Freshwater Land Trust, Yeager said, allowing Turkey Creek to become the family-friendly, activity-filled nature preserve it is today.

It is also a Forever Wild property and has developed education and other resources.

“Today, we have over 130,000 annual visitors. This has been, is consistently ranked as one of the top swimming holes in the state. In fact, a few years ago it was ranked as one of the top natural water slides in the country,” Yeager said.

He added that in six years, they have

A Beautiful Garden Oasis, In The Middle Of Hoover

3530 Lorna Road • Hoover aldridgegardens.com 682-8019

increased annual visitors from 30,000 to 130,000.

The preserve draws visitors from over Central Alabama and out of state, Yeager said. While it is well-known for a large swimming hole with a smooth rock bottom and currents that create natural water slides, it also includes opportunities for hiking, fishing, biking and birding.

The five trails within Turkey Creek Nature Preserve’s 466 acres are all easy or moderate difficulty levels, with lengths that make them ideal for a quick morning or day hike.

Ranging in length from 0.35 miles on the Boy Scout Trail to 3.2 miles for the Narrows Ridge Trail and winding through lush woods, the paths are a good destination for hikers of all ages and most skill levels.

While the trails are clearly marked through both tree markers and appropriate signage at trail crossings, some debris remains in the trail path, so be sure to watch your step. Plants line the sides of the walking path as well, so it’s also important to be mindful of poison ivy and ticks.

Human and canine hikers are welcome on all of the trails, as long as four-legged hikers are kept on a leash. For those looking to mountain bike, the Narrows Ridge Trail (a 3.2-mile loop) and Highlands Trail (0.38 miles) also allow cyclists.

The 2.3-mile loop created by the Thompson Trace and Hanby Hollow trails, however, is the best path for visitors looking to experience a little bit of everything Turkey Creek has to offer.

Hikers can access the trails through a parking lot near the popular swimming hole or at a parking area a few hundred feet from the back entrance to the park. While a majority of the park is only accessible off the one-way road from the front entrance, the back gate leads to a roundabout allowing for quick access to trailheads, rather than winding through the entirety of the preserve.

The Thompson Trace trail, flagged with blue markers, runs for 1.4 miles along relatively flat terrain, with a few gradual hills. It’s important to watch your step, as there are roots and other debris within the trail. There’s also a chance for a few logs along your path, but nothing that warrants anything more than a quick step over.

The path follows along the curve of the road at the beginning but moves deeper into the woods as the trail progresses.

The trail crosses over the Narrows Ridge

The trails at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve make for a quick hike, allowing visitors to spend however long they want at the park.

Trail at two points, but all crossings are clearly marked and easy to navigate. Be mindful at these crossings, as mountain bikers can ride along the Narrows Ridge Trail and could likewise be approaching the crossing.

The end of the Thompson Trace trail is at the front parking area next to Turkey Creek’s popular swimming hole. There are multiple portable toilets in the area, and anyone needing to cool off from the first leg of their hike can take a quick swim.

Those looking to continue their hike with Hanby Hollow can turn to the left and walk less than 100 meters to Hanby Hollow. The trail entrance, which is near the road, is marked with a yellow sign.

The 0.9-mile trek back to the parking area covers the same terrain as Thompson Trace in less space and includes several uphill climbs, although there are no extreme elevation changes.

While the trails do not take hikers to a vista of the surrounding landscape, Turkey Creek is one of the few areas where hikers can bring dogs on both the trails and to the water. The preserve also provides an opportunity for a quick hike, a swim or both.

For more information, visit turkeycreek np.com.

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By Erica Techo

ak Mountain State Park’s 10,000 acres are full of ways for folks to get outdoors, whether to hike, walk, take a swim or just enjoy the beach. And as the park continues to grow, so do the options for those looking to explore on a pair of wheels.

BMX

Nestled in the largest state park in Alabama, visitors will also find the state’s oldest running BMX track.

“It’s been in Oak Mountain since the ’70s, and it’s one of the best sports I’ve been involved in,” said track operator Jay Gortney.

“Everybody gets to participate and no one has to sit on the bench.”

Gortney got involved at Oak Mountain BMX when his son became interested in riding, and he has been volunteering for the last five years.

When compared to BMX tracks across the country, Gortney admits that Oak Mountain is pretty “mid-pack,” but that it still attracts visitors from across the southeast.

“There are some that are a million dollars that they spent doing that [building a track]. Ours is kind of the low end, but it’s wellkept. Folks seem to like it,” he said. “They all comment that they love the setting, how it’s set in the woods. There’s plenty of shade.”

The track was also upgraded in early 2018 to increase its length to 1,100 feet, as well as to rebuild and asphalt the turns. Other than those county-funded upgrades, however, it is completely operated and maintained by volunteers.

While this can be challenging, Gortney said it also means there’s a great sense of community around the track.

“It’s all positive. It’s a lot of hard work, a lot of time away from your family, but it does make it a family atmosphere with everyone volunteering,” he said. “I’ve got a good bunch of volunteers that help us, and we actually communicate outside of the track.”

Riders as young as age 2 can practice on the track and, other than during official races, it is open for BMX riders of all ages.

Gortney just asks that people respect safety rules and work to keep the track in good shape.

“One [rule of thumb] is if it just rained and it’s muddy, don’t ride [the track]. It causes a lot of work for myself and everybody,” Gortney said. “Then also, ride with a helmet. I don’t know how many folks are out there without a helmet.”

For more information about Oak Mountain BMX or to view race times, go to oakmountainbmx.com.

The Oak Mountain BMX track hosts races for all age groups and experience levels, from small races for toddlers on balance bikes to full-track races for experienced teens.

The Double Oak Trail, also known as the Red Trail, is 29 miles long and loops throughout the park. It is heavily used by hikers, bikers and other park visitors, and is composed of several connected trail segments that range from smooth and flowing to ones that climb more than a mile.

Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers (BUMP), a local organization that aims to build, preserve, maintain and ride trails throughout the Birmingham area, is heavily involved in planning and upkeep of the trails at Oak Mountain State Park.

In addition to mountain biking, Oak Mountain State Park has continued to expand its options for cyclists on the road. In 2016, Shelby County entered a funding agreement with ALDOT for the engineering and construction of bicycle lanes on John Findlay Drive from State Park Road to the North Trail Head, including Terrace Drive.

The bike lanes, according to County Manager Alex Dudchock, were intended to keep cyclists safer by giving them their own portion of the road. It has also attracted more road cyclists to the park, said Park Manager Kelly Ezell.

For more information on mountain biking trails, go to bump.org/ trails/oakmountain, and for general information on Oak Mountain State Park’s amenities, go toalapark.com/oak-mountain-state-park.

CYCLING

With the new 2.57-mile North Lake Connector Trail opened in August 2017, Oak Mountain State Park now boasts nearly 50 miles of biking and hiking trails. The trails offer options for beginning cyclists as well as more experienced mountain bikers and include one of the 52 “must ride” trails in the world — the Double Oak Trail.

Riders line up at the start gate before a race. The BMX track hosts frequent races and posts the schedules posted on its website.

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Members of Birmingham Audubon enjoy one of the many birding areas in the greater Birmingham area during the Spring Bird Count of April 28, 2018. Photos by Lexi Coon.

By Jesse Chambers

here’s a common misconception about bird watching — or birding, as it’s commonly called — that keeps some people away from its pursuit. To enjoy birding, one doesn’t have to be an obsessive amateur ornithologist who can identify virtually any species. In fact, many people who love birding simply enjoy getting outside and meeting other like-minded people.

“Sometimes people get intimidated by the idea of taking on this new hobby where it seems like you have to have all this specialized information,” said Ansel Payne, Birmingham Audubon executive director. “No one’s going to expect you to know anything about the different birds, and the experts are all extremely generous with their time and expertise.”

Birmingham Audubon makes it easy to get involved, with field trips that are “user-friendly and inviting for new birders,” Payne said. The hobby also has other advantages: It’s easy and inexpensive to get started, according to Audubon members.

Alabama — considered the fifth most biodiverse state in the nation — has plenty of great places to see a wide variety of species. And, advocates say, the hobby gets you in touch with nature and forces you to really see the world.

“You might spot a bird you see everyday.” said Joe Watts, president of Birmingham Audubon. “You might spot a bird you’ve never seen before. You might spot something entirely different: a butterfly, a flower, a river otter.”

Beginning birders do not necessarily have to spend any money, either, according to Watts. “You don’t have to buy anything to enjoy watching a hawk soar,” he said.

“You can start with just watching the birds that walk around your backyard,” Payne added.

That said, birders will likely want to buy a field guide and a decent pair of binoculars, according to Payne.

“You can get a pair of binoculars that are good for a beginner for under $100, although I’ve found that between $100 and $300 is a real sweet spot,” he said.

“Quality optics can readily enhance one’s overall birding experience,” said Greg Harber, a Birmingham Audubon board member.

There are also smartphone apps, including the free Audubon Birds app and an app called Merlin that can help identify species, Watts said.

The Birmingham area rates “surprisingly high” as a place for birding, according to Payne. “I think one of the big advantages to being here is that we’re positioned right where a lot of very

Alabama — considered the fifth most biodiverse state in the nation — has plenty of great places see a wide variety of species, even in urban areas around Birmingham.

different habitats come together,” he said.

“One can easily see 40-50 species of birds on a morning outing, and 80 or more species during spring and fall migration,” Harber said.

There are several good birding spots in Birmingham, including Avondale Park, Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve in East Lake and Railroad Park downtown, according to Payne.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens is also “an oasis for birds” with a variety of habitats, according to Watts, and provides “some of the easiest, most accessible birding anywhere, with easy parking, proximity and easy walking,” he said.

He also recommends East Lake Park and Oak Mountain State Park.

“The Birmingham area holds some real surprises,” according to Watts, who said he’s seen peregrine falcons “dive bomb” pigeons at Railroad Park and bald eagles soar over Lake Purdy.

The Birmingham Audubon website includes a link to a list of 280 sites around Alabama as part of the Alabama Birding Trails Project, a network of seven geographic birding trail regions. For example, the Appalachian Highlands Birding Trail features 38 sites in nine counties, including spots in Jefferson and Shelby counties like East Lake Park, Birmingham Zoo and Limestone Park in Alabaster.

And for those interested in birding, Birmingham Audubon offers low-cost evening classes.

“The pursuit of birds and birding can take you to places you’ve never been, introduce you to people you’d never meet otherwise and open your eyes to a world you’d never have imagined,” Harber said. “Birders as a whole are as varied as the birds we admire.”

All kinds of people get involved in birding. But there is one common characteristic among them, according to Payne: “They’re curious and aware.”

For information about trails, visit alabamabirdingtrails.com.

For more about Birmingham Audubon, visit birmingham audubon.org.

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f you’re feeling the itch to get outdoors but aren’t sure where to go or who to go with, you don’t have to explore solo.

Several Birmingham area groups offer outings for any experience level and are open to new members.

One of the most established groups is Southeastern Outings, which Dan Frederick founded in 2003 because he wanted an outdoors group “that made hikes available in various categories” from easy to strenuous. The organization now hosts an average of seven outings each month, from hiking and a waterfall driving tour to canoe trips and river floats.

“I wanted a group that was friendly and open and welcoming to new people,” Frederick said.

SEO members travel across central Alabama for their trips, from Oak Mountain State Park and Sipsey Wilderness to the Locust Fork and Cahaba rivers, and each trip has a difficulty rating. There’s something going on every weekend except Christmas and New Year, Frederick said.

“I always make a remark at the beginning of every outing that we want you to speak to the people you don’t know. If you’re new, introduce yourself, … that makes the group stronger and makes everybody feel welcome,” Frederick said.

In addition to meeting other nature lovers, Frederick said joining SEO gives members access to locations they might not see otherwise. SEO has access to some private properties and off-trail

hikes that Frederick said solo hikers wouldn’t know about.

“If you hike with us, we will take you to places you would never find by yourself,” he said.

Five-year SEO member Mike West said this is one of the reasons he enjoys being part of the group, as well as the good relationship that SEO has with outfitters such as boat rental companies. Being part of SEO is like being “inside the circle, so to speak,” West said.

Another such organization is the Birmingham Adventure Group, which started as a group on meetup.com in 2008. The group, which partners with the Georgia Adventure Group, organizes hiking, biking and paddling trips around the area. Ken Hyche, who has helped run the group since 2010, said BAG is always accepting new members and most outings don’t restrict participants unless a park or forest service rules include a group size limit.

While SEO has a yearly family membership fee, Hyche said BAG events are free except for park entry costs.

“We do it simply to get people active and outside to see what Alabama has to offer,” Hyche said.

Within their meetup site, Hyche said, it’s common for other hiking groups, businesses, churches and members to post about things going on in the city or even inviting members to dinner and a movie.

Hyche said BAG works with environmental organizations for trail building and maintenance, too.

Birmingham is also home to groups with niche outdoor interests, such as the local chapter of Black Girls Do Bike.

Organizer Catina Passmore said the group, which began in 2015, started as a way for her to get in shape and see more women on bikes in Birmingham. She said the group is meant for women interested in cycling who say, “I don’t know where to go, I don’t know who to ride with.”

“I wanted somebody to ride with who looked like me,” Passmore said, adding that women of color tend to go to the gym or running clubs more frequently than cycling groups.

Despite the name, Passmore said, Black Girls Do Bike is open to women of any ethnicity. She said the club is a good fit for anyone who wants to get in shape without being ridiculed for their gear or pace.

“We always try to make sure that the ladies know that we are an organization and that we ride for fitness,” Passmore said. “That could be riding at a slow pace at a short distance, or that could include some more competitive cyclists.”

Some members haven’t been on a bike in years, Passmore said, and riding in a group makes road cycling safer and less nerve-wracking.

Black Girls Do Bike Birmingham has a Saturday morning and weekly evening ride, typically on trails such as the Shades Creek Greenway and the roads in Oak Mountain State Park.

Passmore said the Birmingham chapter is on the small side, and she’s trying to grow it through biking events and

By Sydney Cromwell

visibility around the area.

“I don’t think we’ve caught on yet,” Passmore said, but noted “the camaraderie is amazing” in the group.

Whether on a bike, on foot or in a kayak, Frederick said traveling with a group also has practical benefits of safety and reducing the risk of getting lost in new places.

“It gets you away from the addiction of pushing buttons and screens and gives you an opportunity to make new friends and socialize,” Frederick said. “I’ve got more friends than anyone I know because I head this group.”

FIND YOUR GROUP Birmingham Adventure Group ► What: Hiking, biking and paddling events that vary per month ► Membership: Free ► Web: facebook.com/Birmingham AdventureGroup; and meetup.com/ BirminghamAdventureGroup Black Girls Do Bike – Birmingham chapter ► What: Group that rides twice weekly

► Membership: Free ► Web: facebook.com/groups/BlackGirls DoBikeBirmingham; Twitter @BGDBBham Magic City Cycle Chicks ► What: Events vary ► Membership: $25 per year ► Web: magiccitycyclechix.com; and facebook.com/ridemc3 Le Tour de Ham ► What: Social rides twice weekly

► Membership: Free ► Web: facebook.com/letourdeham Southeastern Outings ► What: Hiking, canoeing, river floats, Cahaba Lilies walk; roughly seven outings per month ► Membership: $10 per family annually ► Web: seoutings.org; and facebook.com/ groups/273731436136183

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By Alyx Chandler

Atop some of Alabama’s most scenic peaks — Oak Mountain, Mount Cheaha and Lookout Mountain — also rests some of the state’s most-loved camping sites.

For families and friends looking for a weekend getaway with a view, camping is a cheap and memorable way to check out some of the state’s nature treasure troves.

Below is our guide of some of the best nearby camping sites, all less than an hour and a half from Birmingham.

Keep in mind that spring and fall are the most popular times to camp, since it lets people avoid some of the extra challenges that come from stifling summer heat or near-freezing winter temperatures.

Be sure to pack appropriate gear for a weekend outdoors and sturdy shoes for hiking, or swimwear and towels for a waterfall visit. All three of our suggested destinations operate by Leave No Trace ethics, so campers must clean up after themselves and not leave trash or anything behind.

OAK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK

► Where: 20-30 minutes from downtown Birmingham ► Price: $17.60 plus fees per night for a primitive site, or other options with additional features for $25 or more ► Register: alapark.com/oak-mountainstate-park-camping Even though OMSP is only a short drive from downtown Birmingham, it is the largest state park in Alabama and easily maintains the feeling that it’s nowhere

near the city.

The park offers a variety of things to do, including miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, community archery park, beach area, marina to rent boats, interactive demonstration farm and other outdoor activities. To enter the park, remember to bring $5 in cash per person, or the park has an ATM machine at the entrance. Dogs are allowed on a leash.

OMSP has 60 primitive campsites that are nestled in the outskirts of the woods and overlook Beaver Lake. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table and is within walking distance to a bathhouse.

In addition, the park offers 85 sites with water, electricity and sewer. There are also equestrian campsites with accommodations for campers bringing horses with them.

The connector trail from the campgrounds goes from the North Trailhead, also known as the Yellow trails.

Reservations for camping must be made in advance. ► Overlook: Kings Chair Overlook, about 2 miles from trailhead. Located on the North Trailhead near the park entrance, follow the moderately steep and uphill blue trail, with an elevation gain of about 600 feet. Pass Eagle’s Nest Overlook and come to a cliff, where there will be a scenic view. ► Waterfall: Peavine Falls, a little over a mile from Peavine Falls Parking Lot. It is approximately 65 feet tall, the water is cold and requires a rather steep climb if interested in seeing and swimming in the pool of water. Have sure-footed shoes,

and know that if it hasn’t rained in a while, the water may be quite shallow.

CHEAHA STATE PARK

► Where: A little over an hour away from downtown Birmingham ► Price: $18 for eight people for primitive site ► Register: alapark.com/ cheaha-state-park

Surrounded by the Talladega National Forest, Cheaha State Park contains Alabama’s highest point in the state — at its observation tower 2,407 feet above sea level — and gives campers a stunning view from relatively easy hikes.

The mountain, Mount Cheaha, was named after the Muskogee word “chaha,” which translates as “high place.” Cheaha State Park first opened in 1933 and is the state’s oldest continually operating park.

Cheaha offers improved, primitive, semi-primitive and group camping, with a total of 72 camping sites, most of which are fairly calm and quiet. Semi-primitive sites are also within walking distance from pavilions, the Bunker Tower and hiking trails, as well as the pool and restaurant.

The primitive sites have a fire ring, a water spigot, bathrooms (no showers) and a fair amount of space between campsites.

Leashed pets are allowed.

Remember that the air tends to be cooler and the winds stronger due to elevation, so be sure to bring stakes to hold the tent down and light jackets for the hike.

The view from Lookout Mountain at Cherokee Rock Village shows nearby Lake Guntersville. Photos by Sarah Finnegan.

► Overlook: Pulpit Rock, 0.3 miles from trailhead. This trail is fairly easy but has some rough steps throughout and steep elevation when going back up. It leads to a more secluded area to sit on the rocks, especially to watch the sun set or rise, with a truly one-of-a-kind overlook. Rock climbing is allowed with a permit. ► Overlook: Bald Rock, less than 0.3 from trailhead. Get to this overlook by choosing the elevated boardwalk (handicap accessible) or the dirt path, both of which have very little elevation and are good for all skill levels. Bald Rock is known for the amount of people it attracts. ► Waterfall: Devil’s Den Falls, Cheaha Falls, about 3 miles from trailhead. To get there, drive toward Lake Chinnabee and park in the small lot before the road turns back toward the lake. Then hike the trail upstream along Cheaha Creek. Keep on this path, and be aware of some moderate elevation.

Primitive sites at Cheaha State Park have a fire ring, a water spigot and access to bathrooms (no showers).

Eventually, you’ll come across Devil’s Den Falls, and then Cheaha Falls a half mile later.

There is a large pool for swimming.

CHEROKEE ROCK VILLAGE

► Where: An hour and a half away from downtown Birmingham ► Price: $10 per vehicle per night ► Web: ccparkboard.com (no registration required) Cherokee Rock Village’s rock formations, maze of massive boulders and continuous tunnels provides campers an opportunity to explore the crevices, and rock climbers can bring their gear and spend hours making their way along different routes.

About 10 minutes from the town of Sand Rock, the campsites are located along the Shinbone portion of Lookout Mountain and follow one giant loop that begins with

A steep hike down to Peavine Falls at Oak Mountain State Park offers visitors a peaceful water feature.

the parking lot outside of the ranger hut.

With only primitive camping, it is generally divided into three areas: one along the tops of the cliffs that is the closest to the restroom, park facilities and playground; another fairly close to the facilities, across and tucked into the forest; and the last handful of campsites are sprinkled amongst the boulders, where the rocks typically do the heavy-lifting in blocking the oftenstrong wind.

Sandrock offers primitive camping and is open 24/7. Be aware that winds tend to be strong. ► Overlook: Boulders beside campsites.

Although the first campsite area has an amazing view of Lake Guntersville nearby, the third campsite allows people — with proper caution and help from family or friends — the opportunity to climb up a few yards on some of the boulders (no gear required) to enjoy a surreal landscape view.

The short hike on Pulpit Rock Trail (0.3 miles) at Cheaha State Park brings visitors out to a panoramic view of the surrounding area.

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By Emily Featherston

hen campers pack up provisions for a trip, either trekking through the woods or just pulling up to the nearest state park, there are certain items to be expected.

Hot dogs, beef jerky and the ingredients for s’mores wouldn’t come as much of a surprise, but for those looking for a more involved campfire cookout, local chef Charles Allen has several unexpected suggestions.

“The whole thing is virtually anything you’ve got in your cookbook, you can cook in the woods,” he said.

Allen, who is known by “Chef Charles” to most, is a classically-trained chef, practicing attorney and more than 30-year Scout leader.

When he was in Scouts himself, Allen said the most cooking done was making “hobo dinners,” where vegetables and meat were wrapped in foil and placed directly on a wood fire.

“What happens is, either it’s burned or it’s raw,” he said, so as he became an adult and got into the culinary arts, he began taking those skills with him on Scout campouts.

The key to cooking on a camping trip, Allen said, is using a Dutch oven,

preferably cast iron.

“If you can cook it at home, you can cook it in the woods if you use a Dutch oven,” he said.

And he means it — Allen has cooked everything from crab-stuffed halibut to creme brulee in a Dutch oven.

CAMPFIRE COOKING TIPS

► Using charcoal: Allen suggests using charcoal as opposed to a regular campfire.

Coals should be started in a charcoal chimney, then spread evenly either in the fire pit or on a grill. Depending on the type of Dutch oven and desired dish, the oven can be placed on the coals and then coals placed on top to create a convection effect.

Coals should be glowing, Allen said, and safety precautions should always be taken accordingly. ► Preparing the oven: The key to using a Dutch oven is creating air space between the bottom of the oven and the food. Allen said he uses disposable aluminum pans as the actual cooking vessel and creates air space with large metal nuts, washers or rolled-up aluminum foil.

“You’ve got to preheat it,” he said “It’s an oven, people!”

RECIPES

EASY: SWEET POTATO AND APPLE CASSEROLE (SERVES 6) ► 16 oz. canned sweet potatoes (net weight) ► 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored ► ½ cup light brown sugar, packed ► ½ cup pineapple juice ► ¼ tsp. nutmeg, freshly ground ► ¼ cup butter ► 1 shallow baking/casserole dish ► Open the “This dish is sweet potato good served can/cans either warm and drain off or hot; it also the liquid in will refrigerate which they well, if you were packed. have any left over. This a Cut the sweet really good potatoes dish to serve in half, in the fall, lengthwise. due to the ► Peel the availability of Granny Smith fresh apples,” apples, cut Allen said. them into quarters, top to bottom, and core them. Slice the apples into thin slices no thicker than one-quarter (1/4) inch thick. ► Place them in a shallow baking/ casserole dish — layering sweet

Hot coals are placed on top of a Dutch oven to create a convection effect. Photos by Sarah Finnegan.

potatoes then apples in multiple layers — until all of the vegetables/fruit are in the dish/casserole. ► In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, after it is melted, add the brown sugar, nutmeg and pineapple juice and blend together well. After the ingredients in the saucepan have blended thoroughly, pour evenly over the potatoes and apples in the baking dish/ casserole; leave uncovered. ► Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place the baking dish/casserole in the oven and let it bake for one hour. Check occasionally to see if it needs basting to keep the top from drying out and being crusty. Remove from the oven and serve warm or hot.

INTERMEDIATE: ENCRUSTED SWISS CHICKEN ► 1 to 2 chicken tenderloins per person ► 1 thin slice of Swiss cheese per tenderloin ► Dash of poultry seasoning per tenderloin ► Splash of lemon juice per tenderloin ► 1 sleeve of Ritz crackers or similar buttery cracker, finely crushed ► Olive oil ► Toothpicks ► 1 casserole dish ► Place each chicken tenderloin between two

pieces of plastic wrap Allen suggests and pound until uniform doing as much thickness is achieved. prep work as Place tenderloin on possible before a preparation board/ hitting the cutting board, splash with trail. Slicing lemon juice, dash with or cubing vegetables and poultry seasoning, add a placing them slice of Swiss cheese the in individual same size as the chicken plastic bags tenderloin, roll the makes easy tenderloin and keep in work of the place with a toothpick. final meal, Allen ► Place the Swiss said. “No fuss, no muss.” chicken roll in a casserole dish and continue as before until all of the chicken tenderloin has been rolled and kept in place with a toothpick. ► Brush the top of the rolls with just enough olive oil to moisten. ► Place the casserole in a preheated oven of 350 degrees, roast for 30 minutes, remove temporarily to add the crushed cracker crumbs over the entire surface of the Swiss chicken, place back in the oven for five minutes or until golden brown. ► Remove Swiss chicken from the oven and serve immediately from the casserole dish.

The recipes can easily be doubled to serve larger groups.

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POISON IVY Clusters of three leaves with jagged edges and red centers; grow on a vine. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.

W

By Sydney Cromwell

hen you’re adventuring outdoors, be on the lookout for poisonous plants and venomous snakes that could ruin your trip with days of itching or even a trip to the hospital. We spoke with Birmingham Zoo reptile zoological manager Dan Self and Birmingham Botanical Gardens plant adventures program specialist Brooke McMinn on how to identify what’s safe and what’s not in the woods.

STAY SAFE

► Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes when outdoors ► Use insect repellent ► Watch where you step and anything you touch ► Don’t handle unknown snakes, insects or plants ► After you return, visually inspect yourself and your clothes for signs of bites, insects and irritation

PLANTS

► Common culprits: Poison ivy, oak and sumac ► What to watch for: Poison ivy and oak both have clusters of three leaves with jagged edges and red centers, while poison sumac has pointed leaves arranged in pairs along a red stem.

Poison ivy grows as a vine, while poison oak and sumac tend to look more like shrubs. ► Symptoms: Rash, redness, swelling or blisters at contact site, lung irritation if the plant is burned. Direct plant contact or contact with oils rubbed off on clothing can cause these symptoms. ► Treat it: Skin creams with bentoquatam can lessen the reaction if applied before contact. After contact, wash the area with warm, soapy water, scrubbing in a downward motion, and rinse with cool water. Creams with zinc acetate, hydrocortisone or zinc oxide and oatmeal baths, baking soda paste or oral antihistamines can help reduce itching after contact.

SNAKES

► Venomous species: Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, cottonmouth (or water moccasin), copperhead, pigmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake (or canebrake rattlesnake) and Eastern coral snake. Copperheads, cottonmouths and timber and pigmy rattlesnakes are most common around the Birmingham area. ► What to watch for: Venomous snakes in Alabama tend to have triangular shaped heads and eyes with slit or cat’s-eye shaped pupils, rather than rounded heads and rounded pupils.

The exception is the coral snake, which has a rounded head but can be identified by the red and yellow bands touching each other on its back. Regardless of whether they’re venomous, any wild snake may bite if they are handled or feel threatened.

Depending on the species, snakes may be found basking in the sun on warm days or in long grasses, under rocks or near water.

EASTERN DIAMONDBACK RATTLESNAKE Photo courtesy of the Birmingham Zoo.

► Symptoms of a bite: Puncture wounds with swelling, redness or pain; difficulty breathing, vomiting, nausea, blurred vision, dizziness, sweating, salivating, numbness in face or limbs ► Treat it: If you spot the snake before a bite, back away slowly so it does not feel threatened and can escape. After a bite, get to the hospital quickly, but do not run or otherwise raise your heart rate or blood pressure. Immobilize the bite area if you can and remove anything that may restrict swelling, but do not use suction kits or try to suck out the venom yourself.

INSECTS

► Common culprits: Bites from ticks, black widows, brown widows and brown recluses are most likely to require medical treatment. Other common biting or stinging insects include mosquitos, fleas, ants, bees and wasps. ► What to watch for: Wearing insect repellent, long clothes and closed-toe shoes can prevent ticks from being able to latch on. Spiders tend to hang out in closed, undisturbed areas but will sometimes bite people after building a nest in a shoe or pile of clothing. Shake out shoes and clothing and look before putting your hand into enclosed areas inside or outside. ► Symptoms: Venomous spider bite symptoms include pain, redness or swelling at the bite site as well as fever, muscle cramps, abdominal pain, weakness and tremors, with more serious cases including vomiting, dizziness or fainting, chest pain and breathing issues. Tick bites are not normally harmful but can spread Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Watch for rash, redness or swelling at the bite site, sometimes in a bull’s-eye pattern, and fever, headache, joint or muscle aches and limb weakness. ► Treat it: Visually inspect yourself after going outdoors for attached ticks, particularly in difficult to reach places such as the scalp and behind the ears, knees or armpits. Remove the tick immediately with tweezers as close to the skin as possible, making sure the head is removed as well.

After a tick or spider bite, watch for symptoms and seek medical treatment if they appear.

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4

E ver since Erica Glover moved to Birmingham seven years ago, the opportunity for a rare glimpse of the Cahaba lilies has intrigued her, especially since they only bloom for such a short time each year.

Early May to late June, to be exact, Cahaba Lilies Field Director and Naturalist Randy Haddock said.

“The lilies have kind of been a symbol for both the biological diversity of the river and the beauty of the river, and they’re just idiomatic of the wonderful benefits of having a healthy river,” Haddock said.

What most people don’t know, Haddock said, is that one of the final remaining groves of Cahaba lilies is only a short drive from Birmingham city limits to a section of the Cahaba River.

The Cahaba lily — known officially as the Hymenocallis coronaria — is an aquatic perennial in the amaryllis family that, at its healthiest, has a bloom about 3 inches wide, along with a white and delicate spider-like appearance. It thrives

on direct sunlight and swift-flowing water over rocks and the flower’s bloom, Haddock said, only lasts for less than one day. At dusk, Haddock added the “wonderful” aroma of the flowers dramatically increases.

Glover, along with her husband and three of her kids, finally got to experience the allure of the fragile lilies for the first time in summer 2018.

Every summer, the Cahaba River Society offers around 100 people the opportunity to visit the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge in Bibb County for a day of guided canoe trips through the single largest remaining grove of Cahaba lilies found on Earth.

“I’ve been wanting to go for years,” Glover said. “We’d never done anything like this before, it was really awesome for a first-time experience.”

Haddock and Cahaba River Society Education Director Gordon Black lead the guided canoe trips each year. Both longtime canoers are extremely familiar with the natural history and the biology

of shoals in the refuge.

The outings, Black said, hold a dual purpose of recreational enjoyment and educational benefits.

“If people are going to take care of the river, if people are going to value the river, first they have to like the river, they have to enjoy it,” Black said.

“So we really work hard making these trips fun, and it’s a beautiful, beautiful experience.”

The lilies are only found in tributaries in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. They thrive in a habitat of flat, overlapping rocks where the bulbs can wedge into the crevices. These “rocky shoals” are ideal for ensuring that they do not get washed away easily, Haddock said.

Glover, who brought her 9- and 10-year-old children, said despite their inexperience and age, they were perfectly capable of paddling, and some families even brought younger kids.

Black said he and Haddock take great pride in running safe trips. The 4- to

By Alyx Chandler

6-hour-long adventure typically begins by gathering at the canoe beach at the Cahaba Lily Wildlife Refuge, where the group goes over safety basics and then paddles down the river a short length to the first shoal of lilies.

One of the highlights of the day, Glover said, was this first stop, where they learned about the lily’s nectar. On each trip, Haddock brings a number of tiny capillary tubes, which he gently slips into the water to collect a bit of nectar from the rare flower and gives out to participants, so that “folks have a taste.” The flowers make a rather large amount compared to most wild flowers, he said, and it’s comparable to orange-tasting honeysuckle.

After that, the group continues in canoes to the midway point.

People occasional tip over their boat and fall in — like her husband, Glover said, when one of her daughters “got a little too excited about rowing” — but Black said it isn’t a big deal and he and Haddock, who have more than 60 years of combined experience, are there to help.

The midway point is the spot where everyone stops, explores and leisurely eats some lunch on a big area of flat rock,

Haddock said, “and there’s a nice, big swimming hole … some people can’t resist jumping in.”

Black and Haddock also spend some time focusing on little water creatures, such as fish and snails, that they catch and release.

“We describe a lot of interesting, wonderful stories of river life,” Haddock said, “and it’s nice to have the little critter in-hand to show people the biology of the river.”

Glover said she loved how informative Haddock and Black were, and how much they were able to teach her kids.

“You can tell, they love what they do,” she said.

In the past, the Fish and Wildlife Services evaluated the question on whether recreational use of the refuge has any sort of negative impact on the plants, wildlife and of course, the lilies.

“They came to the conclusion that it would not have a negative effect — I’m comfortable with that,” Haddock said.

“Some people worry about the snails that we are trampling, and it is amazing, but no, when you step on a snail, it is quite capable of holding up against that, and it’s not crushed or anything.”

Black said a lot of the people who come with them would probably be shocked to learn they are no more than 300 yards from an apartment complex at any time during the trip.

“I think it’s part of the joy and the attractiveness of the program, that they really do think they’re out in the wilderness,” Black said. “It’s a growth opportunity, and I do feel like it’s important for everybody, not just kids but everybody, to have nature experiences.”

Each year, thousands of people send

inquiries about the guided canoe trips to see the lilies, Black said, and one weekend in 2018 had more than 2,500 people reach out about the 20-person trip.

Despite the local popularity and international love for the lilies — Haddock said people from all over the world travel for canoe rides and for their Cahaba Lily Festival, held in May — the society still fights environmental issues to keep them safe.

One danger stems from people uprooting the bulbs and stealing them, though Haddock said this is becoming less of a problem due to the collaborative effort of citizens and conservation advocates.

Other dangers include invasive plant species, animals grazing the succulent flowers in drought situations and the overwhelmingly changed hydrology of the river due to concrete and storm water runoff issues, which causes more trees to wash downstream and rake away clumps of lilies.

In addition, the structure of the lily itself makes it difficult for most creatures like butterflies and bees to pollinate it. Most of the Cahaba lily’s pollination is thought to come from the hawk moth.

“We want people to know about the river and to care about it. Besides being an interesting, fun, pleasant activity, it sort of sensitizes people to the needs of the river and the concerns about the river,” Haddock said.

In order to go on a trip and see for themselves, Black advises people to sign up far in advance.

Beginning January 2019, Cahaba River Society members will have the first chance to sign up for a guided trip, followed a couple weeks later with an open sign-up form on their website, cahabariversociety.org.

W hile Birmingham may not be a river city, it is surrounded by opportunities for those seeking water recreation.

Like so many things from the past, progress seemed to get the better of Alabama’s waterways. Once essential to travel and transport of goods, people began turning to the highways, train tracks and airports.

But what about the fun: the boating, canoeing, sailing, kayaking, tubing, fishing and swimming plus the beauty and wildlife that go along with the state’s rivers, lakes, streams and creeks?

Enter Anniston paddler Fred Couch, who came up with the concept that historic trade routes between Rome, Georgia, and Ft. Morgan, Alabama, on the Gulf could be assembled from the Coosa and Alabama Rivers, as well as the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta and Mobile Bay. So, in 2006, a small group of enthusiasts approached the Alabama Power Company, the Bureau of Tourism and Travel, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the U.S. Corps of Engineers and other organizations with the goal of establishing a nonprofit trail system that would entice Alabama citizens and visitors to the state’s waterways.

“Many Alabamians had turned their backs on the state’s waterways, some were fearful of them, while others used them to dispose of trash,” said Jim Felder, a consultant for what would become the Alabama Scenic River Trail and its first executive director. “But these were the original highways of the state, the geographic feature that gave access to world markets for prospective Alabama settlers.

And at its grand opening in 2008, the 650mile Alabama Scenic River Trail became the longest single-state river trail in the nation.”

According to Felder, the Scenic River Trail (ASRT) begins in the Coosa River’s Weiss Lake near the town of Cedar Bluff. The river then loops through the ridge and valley terrain that stretches beyond Gadsden, across the plains near Childersburg and down the slopes above Wetumpka, where it joins the Tallapoosa to form mile zero of the Alabama River. Next, it enters the Black Belt and Montgomery, passing through Selma and Gees Bend and on to the Delta and the Gulf.

“In the first 10 years of its official existence, with the inclusion of streams and creeks, the trail grew from 650 to 5,300 miles and features raging white water, salt of the Gulf, cascading runs, backwaters and an abundance of wildlife,” Felder said. “Also, in

Kayakers paddle on Double Oak Lake at Oak Mountain State Park on June 13, 2018. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.

By Marienne Thomas Ogle

A kayaker paddles down Bear Creek at the bottom of Factory Falls, one of the many waterfalls found on this stretch of river. This is one of the most consistent sources of runnable river in the state during the summer months. This is a beginner-friendly river, with a nearby company providing kayak and canoe rentals. Photo courtesy of Justin Adderholt.

2008, there were only eight experienced outfitters or adventure services offering information, tours, rentals and shuttles, while today there are more than 50.”

Gordon Black spends the majority of his time on these waterways. He’s been involved in water sport for 55 years and has overseen the Cahaba River Society instruction program for the past 12 years.

According to Black, there are multiple opportunities around the Birmingham area to enjoy paddling different experiences and expertise levels, including the lakes and tributaries of the Coosa, Black Warrior and Cahaba Rivers. Black said these range from gentle waters to rapids.

The Cahaba River has a number of local access points, including Grants Mill Road, the Moon River — five miles upstream from Grants Mill — and Liberty Park, seven miles downstream.

“The stretch from Grants Mill to Liberty Park is the most used, easily accessible with parking at both ends,” he said.

Black said the Cahaba River, which flows from just north of Trussville to west of Selma where it enters the Alabama River, may be the smallest of the state’s rivers, but it is internationally known for its biodiversity of plants, insects, fish and other animals.

“It includes fish, turtles, snails, crawfish, insects — so paddling the river gives you the opportunity to paddle in an extraordinary habitat,” he said.

One of the challenges of the Cahaba is that at times it can have too much or too little water, Black said.

“You can travel from Trussville to Centerville most of the year but it can get too shallow, but below Centerville you can paddle all year long,” he said.

For those looking for a little more action, Black said there is a lot of challenging whitewater north of Birmingham, including the Tennessee River.

“But there are many smaller rivers that go into the rivers around the metro area,” he said. “Some may be more benign but you have the mountains to the north, from which the water drops as whitewater.”

Helen Hays is the president of the Birmingham Canoe Club, which sports an active membership list of more than 100.

“This spring, we held beginner or Paddling 101 courses at Oak Mountain and Lakeside Park in Pell City,” Hays said. “We also have local whitewater and kayaking beginner classes, plus [we] offer classes throughout the summer, usually on the Coosa River near Montgomery or in Tennessee depending on water levels.”

While the Birmingham Canoe Club has long emphasized canoeing and kayaking, it has been welcoming new members interested in stand-up paddle boarding and kayak fishing.

“Kayak fishing is one of the fastest growing areas nationwide and those who participate can fishing in lakes, oceans, rivers, streams – many places that can’t be reached by power boats,” she said.

The club also hosts trips for members of beginning, intermediate and advanced levels and the trips and courses are overseen by trained instructors, Hays said.

In addition to classes and trips, the club works to help promote access to area waterways, maintaining recreational take-out property on Mullberry Fork near Hanceville and working with The Friends of the Locust Fork to help maintain access to that river.

And Birmingham Canoe Club activities are not just in the summer months.

As part of the Alabama Cup Racing Association, the club is one of the hosts of the Alabama Cup Races – the Locust Fork Invitational and the Mulberry Fork Canoe & Kayak Races, which are whitewater races held in February and March, respectively.

“It’s an Olympic sport and similar to downhill slalom skiing, but we hang gates over the water for the boats to go through,” Hays said. “It’s a lot of fun and very exciting, growing in participants and observers every year.”

To learn more about paddling the Alabama Scenic River Trail, including maps and trip planners, visit alabamascenicriver trail.com.

RESOURCES FOR BIRMINGHAM-AREA PADDLERS Alabama Scenic River Trail ► Web: alabamascenicrivertrail.com

Birmingham Canoe Club ► Web: birminghamcanoeclub.org

Alabama Rivers Alliance ► Web: alabamarivers.org

Alabama Whitewater ► Web: alabamawhitewater.com

Cahaba River Society ► Web: cahabariversociety.org

Friends of the Locust Fork ► Web: friendsofthelocustforkriver.org

Alabama Cup Racing Series (whitewater slalom) ► Web: alabamacupraces.com

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By Lexi Coon

elwood Farm, located in Alpine, has seen its fair share of change over the years. It was purchased by the Hill family in 1948 and transitioned from raising crops to poultry, turkeys, sheep and cows.

When smoking turkeys and raising cattle became a less profitable business, Dell Hill decided to renovate the farm for recreational use.

Loosely translated to “the king’s hunting land,” Selwood has 800 acres of rolling hills, trees and grassy plains, and Hill decided to convert it in 1984 to just that: a top-ofthe-line licensed hunting preserve. He said it was one of the first hunting preserves in Alabama.

“People lost access to land [during that time],” Dell Hill said, and as more moved out of rural Alabama and into the cities, fewer

and fewer individuals hunted or could hunt on their own property. “Now, most people don’t have access to hunting … so they want to go to a place that’s going to walk them through the process.”

While Selwood Farm is primarily membership-based, it is open to the public and those looking to hunt or partake in shotgun sports.

The preserve offers half- and full-day hunts, both of which include lunch, a guide and a bird dog. Members of the preserve can bring their own dogs and are able work through the field without a guide.

The kennels at the farm are available for boarding, too.

Members and non-members also are welcome to try any of the other shooting sports available at Selwood.

A guest fires at a clay pigeon at Selwood Farms. Photos by Sarah Finnegan.

A guest readies himself before a clay pigeon is released at Selwood Farms.

Selwood has offered sporting clays since the late 1980s and features two courses with a total of 26 stations. The stations are made to fit the land, so each presents a different challenge for shooters. Everything is fully automated, too, so guests can move at their own paces and work with one another.

Hill and his son, Alan, see sporting clays as similar to golf: guests move through the course on a golf cart, it’s relaxing, fosters a sense of camaraderie and can bring anyone out to the course. They’ve seen familial generations of shooters working through the stations, as well as mothers and fathers with their kids who wanted to pursue an activity together.

“It’s a growing market, it’s an enjoyable market, and it’s a suitable pastime,” Dell Hill said.

Selwood also offers a covered fivestand, super sporting and a helice course.

All present a different level of difficulty to sporting clays, although Dell Hill said helice, which is mechanically similar to pigeon shooting, “separates the shooters from the wannabes really quick.” Super sporting offers greater variety in target presentation, with three traps at each station rather than two.

The shotgun sports are suitable for those who like shooting, but don’t necessarily want the aspect of killing that accompanies hunting. “The shooting sports are very, very popular sports, and they’re a very, very safe sport,” Dell Hill said.

Alan Hill said the business has grown through the years as more and more individuals find the preserve and make the trip out to Alpine. Corporations or nonprofits will also host events or meetings in their event space on the preserve, and lodging is available for those who are looking to extend their hunting trip or days spent on the sporting clays course.

“We try to focus on who we are, our core values,” Alan Hill said. “This isn’t just a business — it’s a lifestyle.”

For those looking to get into the sport, Dell Hill said to find a friend or group of individuals you enjoy shooting with and know what you need before you buy anything.

Alan Hill said their pro shop can set you up for a fun day, even if you’re new and

don’t own any gear. The shop offers all the equipment needed to complete a course at Selwood and rents guns. If you don’t have experience or want to overcome a plateau in your skills, Alan Hill can lead group or private lessons, too.

“I’ve been coaching others, teaching them to shoot for 20 years. It’s kind of like getting a golf coach … to help you,” Alan Hill said. “I help kids, ladies and guys see how to shoot.”

And Dell Hill said the shotgun sports are meant to be a fun experience in a social setting that nearly anyone can take part in.

It’s not supposed to be a “blood sport,” he said, again likening it to golf.

“You’re not taking up the shooting sports to be frustrated,” he said. “You’re doing it

A team takes turns shooting at one of the stations at Selwood Farms.

because you enjoy what you’re doing.”

For more information about Selwood Farm or the activities they offer, visit selwoodfarm.com.

F

By Sydney Cromwell

ly fishing sometimes has the reputation of being an “elitist” sport, a label that 10-year fly fisherman Stuart Roberts will joke is true. But the reality, Roberts said, is that anyone can pick up a rod and be taught the basics — enough to catch a fish — in a matter of minutes.

“The cast itself is not hard to learn, but it’s really hard to master,” said Roberts, a Mountain Brook resident.

Part of the sense of elitism, Roberts said, comes from trips to the high profile hot spots, such as Montana and Oregon, where fly fishers like to cast their rods.

Roberts, however, can more frequently be found fishing along Shades Creek or the Cahaba River.

He and fellow fly fisherman John Saad said local rivers can provide as much in the way of secluded fishing and diverse catches as the better known rivers out West.

“There are parts of the river that people really don’t go to that much, and it feels like you’re just miles and miles away from civilization,” Saad said, noting some of those spots are often only a quarter mile or so away from popular launch points along the river.

Roberts said fly fishing on the Cahaba will frequently land the patient fisherman spotted or redeye bass, bluegills, catfish, gar and several types of sunfish, including green, longear, redear and redbreast. There are about 130 species of fish in the Cahaba alone.

Roberts and Saad said other local popular spots for fly fishing include Cahaba tributaries, the larger Black Warrior River, Locust Fork River and Little River Canyon National Preserve in Mentone.

“That’s a wonderful place to fish,” Roberts said of Little River Canyon. “It’s clean, there’s a lot of fish and they’re very eager.”

Saad began fly fishing as a kid when his family decided to try something new after years of deep sea fishing. He said he tries to get out his fishing rod and waders at least weekly.

“I like the action of it, that it’s

a quieter, kind of contemplative sport. Often you’re going after smaller fish, just because of the nature of it,” Saad said. “Even if you’re not catching a whole lot, you’re trying to read water, you’re trying to observe what kind of insects are around and try to match up your fly to what insects are out. … There’s a lot of little things you’ve got to try to do, and that appeals to me.”

Fly fishermen rely on lures that look like small insects that skim across the top of the water, hoping to tempt a fish to take a bite. Roberts said some rely more on a large variety of lures and gear, but he keeps his tackle fairly simple and looks for spots that seem likely to have plenty of fish.

As with any type of fishing, it’s a waiting game, but that patience is often rewarded.

“There’s seldom a day where you don’t catch something,” Roberts said, even for novices. “If you give them something they think is food, they’re going to eat it.”

Fishing a river like the Cahaba is a different beast than fishing in places such as Montana. “You have to relearn the casting motion,” Saad said, to account for the close, overhanging trees rather than wide, open spaces.

There’s a higher chance of getting a lure tangled up in tree branches and having to leave it, which Roberts joked is just “storing” it for later use.

Both Saad and Roberts are catch-and-release fishers, which they said is prevalent among fly fishermen, and they said the excitement of a large catch or a new species is the same no matter where they’re fishing.

“When you catch something that completely defies all your expectations ... that’s usually the most fun,” Saad said.

Whether fishing from a dock, a boat or wading into the middle of the river, often the point of it isn’t about the fish at all.

“It just seems a little more elegant to me,” Roberts said. “I’m not trying to catch fish I can keep and eat. I’m just trying to go out there — I like standing in the river almost as much as I like fishing.”

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205-979-5444 RockyRidgeHardware.com

Open Monday-Friday 8am-6pm Saturday 8am-5pm Sunday 1pm-5pm 3354 Morgan Drive Vestavia Hills, AL 35216 Next to Western Supermarket Locally Owned & Operated by Dan Moran

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A The Rotary Trail has become one of Birmingham’s most photogenic urban trails. Photo courtesy of Bill Segrest.

By Sarah Cook

labama has plenty of secluded, beautiful wildernesses to explore, but you don’t have to travel far to enjoy a walk or run in nature.

Downtown Birmingham and surrounding cities are home to trails and preserves that offer greenery just around the corner from businesses and homes.

ROTARY TRAIL

What was once an eyesore is now a seven-block paved pathway that locals can enjoy. The Rotary Trail has become one of Birmingham’s most photogenic urban trails. It announces its presence with a steel gateway on 20th Street South that reads, “Rotary Trail in the Magic City.”

“It’s amazing how this park space has brought to life a once-blighted area and provided a place where people can engage with the outdoors for a break from the daily routine,” said Jane Reed Ross, senior landscape architect at Goodwyn Mills and Cawood, the firm that helped develop the Rotary Trail.

Landscaped with native trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses and perennials, the trail is a spot to explore the city by foot or take a break on one of its many chairs and benches. It also features outdoor fitness equipment if you want to supplement your walk with some higher intensity exercise.

VULCAN WALKING TRAIL

Spanning just over two miles, the Vulcan Walking Trail offers a shady respite from the city and some of the best views of Birmingham’s skyline. Its paved surface is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts of all fitness levels — walkers, joggers and runners alike.

The trail was recently expanded and improved by the Birmingham Kiwanis as part of their centennial project at Vulcan Park & Museum History abounds at the Vulcan Walking Trail. The pathway traces the route of the former L&N Birmingham Mineral Road, giving a nod to Birmingham’s rich industrial past.

Walkers and runners will find a diverse representation of native wildflowers along Red Mountain Park’s trails. Photo courtesy of Sarah Cook.

From the trail, you can spot several landmarks, too. The Arlington Antebellum Home and the Birmingham Civil Rights District are all in easy eyesight from the walking trail.

RUFFNER MOUNTAIN

If you like catching great views and spotting some wildlife along the way, then check out Ruffner Mountain. This 1,040-acre trail system and nature reserve, located in the eastern portion of Jefferson County, offers visitors vast landscapes with impressive views, vegetation and wildlife.

“Lucky visitors might spot a gray fox or raccoon, or see a hawk on a nest,” said Daniel DeVaughn, communications director for the park. “Birders are drawn to Ruffner Mountain for the wide variety of migratory and native birds, including the pileated woodpecker.”

Pick a clear-sky day and explore Ruffner’s Quarry Trail — a 1.2-mile, moderate grade trail that leads to the mountain’s crest and limestone quarry. Or, opt for the Geology and Nature Trail — a one-mile loop of leisurely trail that includes sandstone and limestone outcrops, along with a variety of wildflowers and fallen trees that provide a glimpse into forest succession.

MOSS ROCK PRESERVE

Composed of two canyons, Hoover’s Moss Rock Preserve features an impressive amount of boulders and meandering waterfalls that are worth the hike. The Orange Trail starts at the Simmons Middle School trailhead and includes massive boulders near a cascading stream, fed by the highest waterfall in the park. Other trails, like the Blue Trail, are equally as impressive.

“What makes the Moss Rock trails unique are the huge boulders found along various sections of the trail, the multiple waterfalls and the plant life, which includes traditional hardwood hollows, mountain longleaf pine forest, the rare plants of the sandstone

glades and even a three-acre prairie restoration,” said Kenneth Wills, president of Friends of Moss Rock Preserve.

On any given day, folks can be found scaling Moss Rock’s many boulders or taking their dogs for a walk along the park’s little waterways.

RED MOUNTAIN PARK

Red Mountain’s 15 miles of trails are diverse, challenging and exist in abundance.

“But the main heart of the mountain is the nice, wide and flat Birmingham Mineral Railroad Bed Trail that appeals to any ability level,” said Katie Bradford, director of community and public relations for the park.

Along Red Mountain’s trails, Bradford added, you’ll find a diverse representation of native wildflowers and hear the songs of 98 different bird species.

In many ways, Bradford said, Red Mountain Park represents Birmingham’s foundational history. The fine, red dust that blankets the mountain and lays in veins beneath the surface is indicative of the Steel City. Historical markers can be found throughout the trail, pointing to Birmingham’s iconic industrial past.

OTHER NOTABLE URBAN TRAILS

► Jemison Park: Three miles of walking trails in Mountain Brook, along Shades Creek ► Shades Creek Greenway: Homewood’s 3-mile paved trail situated between Lakeshore Drive and Shades Creek. There are plans to lengthen the western end of the trail to stretch through more of Homewood. It will also eventually connect to the Freshwater Land Trust’s wildflower preserve on Forest Brook Circle. The preserve’s trail system opened to the public in April 2018. ► West End Walking Trail: Take a stroll on this paved path through the Arlington area of Birmingham, located on Cotton Avenue.

R

By Jesse Chambers

ailroad Park is a 19-acre green space in downtown Birmingham with 600 trees, thousands of plants and a two-acre lake.

It’s a great place to relax, enjoy the scenery or catch striking views of the city skyline. The park’s also a great place to be physically active in any season.

“Railroad Park is a conduit for physical and mental health and for enjoying our urban environment,” said Camille Spratling, executive director of Railroad Park Foundation.

And thanks to the many permanent assets at the park, including a variety of walking trails, park users can get active all year, weather permitting.

The park is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily and offers the following yearround recreation: ► An outer-loop walking path measures three-quarters of a mile, and the Powell Avenue Promenade bisects the park and measures one-third of a mile.

Community members enjoy a Jazzercise class at Railroad Park.

The park partnered with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama to offer the classes free of charge in 2018. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.

► Outdoor gym equipment near 14th Street South. ► Two playgrounds in the park designed for different ages. ► A skate area offers three skate bowls of different sizes. ► Plenty of open space to toss a football or throw a Frisbee.

In addition to these permanent opportunities for outdoor exercise, the park also offers plenty of events and special programming.

An outdoor ice skating rink, presented

by Viva Health, will return to the park for the third consecutive holiday season, running from late November 2018 until the New Year, according to a park spokesperson.

And the park has also typically offered a variety of free exercise classes.

“Working out outside with friends while the sun sets over the Birmingham skyline is a picture of urban living that

simply didn’t exist here 10 years ago,” Spratling said.

In 2018, the park provided those classes as part of the Get Healthy on the Railroad program.

These classes — all of which were to be held through October 2018 — included a high-intensity Jazzercise program; a fun, challenging fitness boot camp; a popular Latin-inspired Zumba class; and yoga classes to tone and strengthen the body The park also offered special workouts for seniors seeking to maintain an active lifestyle in 2018, as well as cooking and nutrition classes where attendees could learn to prepare healthy recipes.

At our press time, Railroad Park staff were unable to confirm their schedule of activities for spring 2019.

For details, call 521-9933, visit railroadpark.org or find it on Facebook @railroadpark

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By Sydney Cromwell

ake dodgeball and replace the balls with bows and arrows — foam-tipped, of course. You have the sport of archery tag, one of several activities that Birmingham-based company Always in Motion provides.

Always in Motion (AIM) is headed by Justin Lyles, a Birmingham native whose background in sales and customer service led into a self-made career in motivational speaking and team building.

“I believe I’m here to be, I guess, an encourager or a motivator,” Lyles said.

“I think anybody who is able to do what they’re passionate about for a living is probably the most rewarding thing,” he added.

Always In Motion was started in 2016 and offers tug-of-war, kickball, cooking competitions and a clue-finding tour of the city called Iron City Dash, in addition to archery tag. Lyles said these activities

can be for parties and friend groups, but they also offer motivational speaking and training for companies who want to use these games for team building.

Archery tag is unique in the area, Lyles said.

Players can compete to try to be the last team standing or in tournament style, where they earn points for hits but are never “out” after being hit.

Lyles said they can make custom games to fit the occasion, such as having to protect a single, unarmed player from being hit or taking on AIM staff members as a “staff challenge” to win free playing time.

So far, Lyles said the AIM team has lost only three times in the staff challenge, even pitting three or four staff members against groups of eight or 10 people.

“We also love playing ourselves,” Lyles said.

From left: Desmond, Victoria and Justin Lyles pose with bows and arrows in their archery tag facemasks. The family business provides team-building exercises and party activities, with archery tag being its most unique and popular offering. Photos by Sarah Finnegan.

Players crouch behind an inflatable barrier during an archery tag match.

“We want you to have a great time, so we typically get out there and play with them.”

Players navigate a field with obstacles to hide behind and use a 28-pound bow to fire at each other across the field. They wear a face mask and can use an arm guard if they’re inexperienced in using a bow, but Lyles said most of the time, getting hit by one of the arrows isn’t very painful.

“The impact on a scale of one to 10 is probably — as far as pain — a 4,” he said.

“The softest shot, believe it or not, is a head shot. You don’t feel it most of the time.”

“Water balloon fights are probably more painful, seriously,” Lyles said.

The game is open to anyone from about age 7 and older, depending on height. Lyles

Members from each team rush to the center of the playing field to grab their bow and arrows at the start of an archery tag match.

said people love the competitive nature of archery tag. Even once you get good at it, though, he said there’s always the chance anyone could hit you when you least expect it.

“The better you get, the more opportunities for you to be humbled,” he said.

Always in Motion is “strictly mobile” for the present, Lyles said, though a permanent location and at least one new game are in the plans for the future. Lyles said they schedule games around not only

Birmingham, but also the rest of Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida, from roughly 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

AIM can bring programs to their customers if they have enough open space to play, but they also have partnerships with Blackwatch Sports Performance, on U.S. 280 in Shelby County, and D1 Sports Training in Homewood to provide field space when needed.

Learn more at aimalways.com.

One of the best things about Alabama is that you can spend time outdoors almost year-round. There are different options in and around the Birmingham area that are not only good for families, but also have activities for kids. Here are a few options that offer free or inexpensive opportunities for kids to enjoy the outdoors.

BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS

FRESH AIR FAMILY

2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham, bbgardens.org

freshairfamily.org/central-alabama

Birmingham Botanical Gardens is open from dawn to dusk year-round, and admission is free. Here are four of their offerings: ► Self-guided Discovery Field Trips: Available year-round Monday through Friday, these free trips are both for schools and individual families. You can check out a free Discovery Backpack, complete with a guide and materials you will need.

Participants will discover life science concepts related to plants and the environment. Call 414-3953 to reserve your backpack. You can also find a downloadable treasure to bring on your visit. ► Family Yoga in the Gardens: This energetic class, offered for ages 3 and older, teaches strength, balance and breathing exercises to help foster calm and focus. A craft session will assist in calming the mind and body. The class is offered on Saturdays spring through fall from 9-10 a.m. Cost is $15 for a child and one adult and $5 for each additional child. ► Little Seeds: In this program, offered for ages 3-7, participants will explore the Gardens, plant seeds, hear stories, make crafts to take home and help nurture a love of gardening and nature. Cost is $12-$15. ► Plant Adventures Program: Promotes the well-being of people and the environment, emphasizes education and community collaboration and explores the cultural connections to plants. Contact Plant Adventures Program Specialist Brooke McMinn at 414-3914 or bmcminn@bbgardens.org.

Founded in 2006, Fresh Air Family offers more than 400 outdoor activities. Programs include hiking, camping, canoeing, birding, star gazing, fossil hunting, caving and searching for creatures great and small.

Their extensive calendar includes activities almost daily, such as hikes, field trips, camps, in-school programs and outdoor educational events. Outings are free or low-cost and

Students handle a variety of reptiles at Fresh Air Family’s Gross Out Camp at Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve.

Campers search for fish and other macroinvertebrates in a creek at Birmingham Botanical Gardens during the Fresh Air Family’s summer camps. Photos by Sarah Finnegan.

open to the public. ► Summer Camps: Prepared Not Scared and Gross Out Camps (June through July) ► Hikes for Tykes at the BBG. Beginning at 10 a.m. on the first, third and fifth Saturdays of the month, Hikes for Tykes is another free program provided to visitors of the Gardens, this walk encourages pre-school children and their parents to engage in an outdoor educational adventure. Topics include: The Language of Flowers, Fairies & Dragons, Jurassic Gardens and more.

CREEK KIDS outdooralabama.com/youth-conservation-programs/creek-kidstannehill-park

A partnership of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division with Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park, this program teaches students in fourth through eighth grades about aquatic environments.

Students will experience an overview of a watershed, see the impact of a mill dam on fish passage and visit the Iron and Steel Museum of Alabama to learn about Alabama’s iron industry.

Students manipulate an EnviroScape and wade into Bubbling Spring and a creek with native fish and invertebrates.

The Creek Kids program costs $5 per student. For reservations, call 331-1266 or email kasie.mckee@dcnr.alabama.gov.

COMMUNITY FISHING PROGRAM outdooralabama.com/youth-conservation-programs/community-kidsfishing-program

This program provides fishing outings for kids who do not have the opportunity to fish by bringing families together to teach them the sport. Since June 1995, more than 838 Community Fishing Events have been held in Alabama for 174,400 participants.

The objective of the program is to introduce youth to fishing, provide a quality family experience, provide accessible angling opportunities and enhance lasting fishing for anglers of all ages.

By Leah Ingram Eagle

RAILROAD PARK 1600 First Ave. S., Birmingham; railroadpark.org

This 19-acre spot in downtown is a perfect destination to enjoy the outdoors. Visitors can walk, bike, picnic, enjoy the playground and much more.

Family Fun Fridays take place each week at 6 p.m. and offer an hour of low to high impact activity designed to promote exercise for all ages. Families are invited to enjoy team activities like kickball, soccer or wiffle ball. Each class will begin with a warm up and light stretching, followed by the game of the week.

In addition to providing physical benefits, Family Fun Friday also provides mental health benefits and social interaction for the entire family. The class is free. Registrations begins at 5:45 p.m.

RUFFNER MOUNTAIN 1214 81st St. S., Birmingham; ruffnermountain.org

This 1,040-acre urban nature preserve is one of the largest privately held 501(c)3 urban nature preserves in the United States. There are 14 miles of trails that are free and open to the public everyday, from dawn to dusk.

OAK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK 200 Terrace Drive, Pelham; alapark.com/oak-mountain-state-park

Just a short drive from Birmingham, Oak Mountain is Alabama’s largest state park, spanning 9,940 acres. It features a wide variety of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, beach area, a petting farm, trail rides, paddle boats, a playground and more.

Visitors can also visit the Alabama Wildlife Center, which provides rehabilitation services to injured birds so they can return to the wild. Admission is $5 for ages 12 and older; $2 for children ages 4-11; and free for ages 3 and younger.

GEOCACHING outdoors.campmor.com/best-geocaching-apps

Geocaching is a treasure hunting game in which you use a GPS to hide and seek containers in random places. The whole family can enjoy finding geocaches together. If hiding any in a state park, you’ll need to submit a signed permit to the park manager or designated representative.

In order to find geocaching spots near you, there are several apps you can download. For options, check out outdoors.camp mor.com/best-geocaching-apps JONES VALLEY TEACHING FARM 701 25th St. N., Birmingham, jvtf.org

Jones Valley Teaching Farm uses the power of growing food to transform and improve young people’s pre-K through 12th-grade educational experience. They provide an environment where young people can learn, create, explore and grow a healthy future for themselves and their community.

Students make “elephant toothpaste” during a science experiment with Fresh Air Family’s Gross Out Camp at Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

I

By Sydney Cromwell

f you’re looking for a secluded spot for a weekend away from it all, the Outpost at Gulf State Park is the true definition of “off the beaten path.”

From rustic camping to fishing, hiking and swimming, see what a trip to the Outpost has to offer.

WHERE YOU’LL STAY

The Outpost is one of the most recent additions to Gulf State Park and is maintained by the city of Orange Beach.

The set of three tents, communal wash station and fire pit were added to the park in 2015.

The campsite, located in the woods at Cotton Bayou Trailhead, is a couple miles from the beach and roughly a mile and a half from the nearest parking lot, requiring campers to hike in and out on foot. There are outhouses on site.

“Anywhere you go from the Outpost campsite, it’s going to be a walk,” park reservation and cabin manager Laurie Brown said.

Each of the thick canvas tents is elevated off the ground on a wooden deck and includes four cots and access to a shared fire pit, firewood and benches.

There is no electricity, but the park provides a sink and water pump for washing dishes and providing water.

Brown said the water is generally clean and safe for washing, but the park recommends campers bring a separate water source for drinking, as it cannot be guaranteed.

Renting a tent at the Outpost costs $50 per night, and Brown said the tents are fairly popular with visitors.

If the Outpost is a little too rustic for your taste, Gulf State Park also offers rentals of cabins, cottages and fullhookup RV campsites.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

When you venture out from your campsite, you’ll have everything at Gulf State Park at your disposal. This includes 25 miles of hiking and biking trails across the park’s different ecosystems, as well as a swimming pool and splash pad reserved for overnight guests.

You can enjoy a walk on the beach or the pier, and unwind with your sport of

Top: The state park features 25 miles of trails that can be hiked or biked.

Bottom: Each tent comes equipped with elevated cots for visitors to place their sleeping bags on.

choice on the Refuge Golf Club 18-hole course, tennis courts and basketball courts. Bring your canine friend and visit the lakeside dog park, which includes an agility course, swimming spots and areas for small and large dogs.

Fishers can try their hand at saltwater or freshwater fishing at the park’s lakes and coastal fishing spots, including the pier. Common catches include redfish, bass, bream, speckled trout, catfish, flounder, sheepshead, pompano, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, blue fish, whiting and croker.

A park permit and freshwater license are required to fish, and they can be purchased at the pier or park headquarters for single-day, weekly, monthly or annual use. The pier also includes a bait shop.

For those who want to venture farther than their own two feet can carry them, the park offers rentals of bikes, kayaks and paddleboards, as well as parasailing and guided walking, kayaking and Segway tours. Or, hang out on the beach all day with rentals of beach chairs, beach-accessible wheelchairs and volleyball equipment.

There are also special programs hosted at Gulf State Park, such as yoga, horseshoes, geocaching, educational programs and native wildlife to visit at

the nature center.

Visit alapark.com/Gulf-State-ParkActivities for a weekly list of activities and alapark.com/gulf-state-park-hikingand-biking for a map of trails.

PREPARE FOR YOUR TRIP

Because the Outpost is considered a primitive campsite, Brown said visitors should be sure to bring a supply of food and water, as well as sleeping bags, blankets and any other needed equipment for your stay. They also recommend bringing bug spray and a flashlight.

Also, remember to pack light! The park stresses this as the park site is more than a mile away from a parking lot, so you’ll be carrying all your supplies yourself.

They suggest bringing or renting a bike to make travel to the campsite faster.

There is a camp store inside the park if you need additional supplies once you arrive.

Gulf State Park is a natural environment, which means visitors often encounter a variety of wildlife, including alligators.

Remember to stay aware of your surroundings and observe alligators and other creatures from a safe distance.

To make a reservation at the Outpost or for more information about Gulf State Park, call 251-948-7275.

The elevated tents at the Outpost at Gulf State Park offer campers a secluded spot inland from the beach. With the campground being more than a mile away from parking, bikes are recommended to make travel around the park more efficient. Photos by Sarah Finnegan.

E ven though Gearbox Adventure Rentals has only been serving the Birmingham area for about a year, adventure-seekers have already taken its campervans on trips down to surf the southeastern tip of Miami, hike the Cloudland Canyon of Georgia, ski in the Cataloochee peaks of North Carolina and camp at a home goods and craftspeople festival in Waco, Texas.

“And those are only a few of the trip highlights”, Gearbox creator Craig Hurst said. Over the past year, his calendar has continued to book up his two campervans — nicknamed Alison Wondervan and The Mad Hatter — at rates he wasn’t expecting.

“People are starting to get really excited about taking [the van] on road trips and going to the state parks and taking trips down to the beach and having a blast,” he said.

Birmingham resident Hurst started the family-owned rental company for locals to have a convenient opportunity to rent the quintessential “getaway”

By Alyx Chandler campervan, be it for energetic exploring or some mellow nature time in nearby parks and cities.

The vans allow renters “to park wherever they want, sleep in it, wake up and hit the trail or surf and swim or hike,” with their essentials all in one place, Hurst said. The campervans can be parked wherever a vehicle can be legally parked, which can range from a neighborhood street to a Walmart parking lot to campground sites.

“Campervan rentals are huge out West, in Europe … but when it came down to looking for something like that in the South, I noticed there wasn’t really any options,” he said, so he had to make his own.

When Hurst was in college, he fell in love with the outdoors and eventually ended up working for Alabama Outdoors and Mountain High Outfitters, both of which aided in the his knowledge to begin a rental van company.

“I went from sitting at home all day

to hiking, kayaking, riding my bike, things like that, and I found myself making friends and memories that I previously missed out on,” Hurst said.

“I decided that I wanted more people to experience what I did, to experience adventure.”

Gearbox Adventure Rentals, Hurst said, is bridging the gap between hotels and tent camping. A lot of people who aren’t ready to sleep in a tent for the first time prefer trying out the campervan, which falls in the realm of “glamping.” It can be a good compromise for couples, he said, or a way for families or friends to visit outdoor destinations and not worry about finding a place to sleep.

Hurst bought the Alison Wondervan in May 2017 and spent months fixing it up. In September 2017, he launched the website and starting booking trips.

His company originally started out only offering rentals of the two-person campervan, but over the summer of 2018 he added The Mad Hatter, a

Gearbox Adventure Rental offers campers the opportunity to camp in style with their Campervans which come equipped with small stoves, a bed, sink, bench, table and storage. Photos courtesy of Gearbox Adventure Rentals.

five-person campervan.

In both vans, pets are allowed with a $20 pet cleaning fee.

“I’m constantly improving the van[s]; it’s kind of like a home. ... You’re always tweaking things,” Hurst said.

Local resident John Leach, who rented the Alison Wondervan for two weeks to go surfing in Florida, said even though it was his first experience van camping, it’s now his favorite way to travel.

“I loved the freedom and spontaneity it allowed me to have. I didn’t have to set up campsites or check in to hostels or Airbnbs between certain times. I was free to roam the highway and stop whenever I wanted,” Leach said.

There is a two-night minimum for all van rentals, and each day includes 100 free miles, with additional mileage packages available.

The Alison Wondervan rental includes a roof basket for open-top storage, a bench and table area that converts into a full XL bed, a set of sheets and blanket, a cooler, a propane stove, a small propane tank, a pop-up sink and sprayer for dishes, a coffee press and kitchen supplies. The Mad Hatter additionally includes rear air conditioning, a sink and shower with

on-demand hot water, a refrigerator, 10-foot awning, solar panels for off-grid camping and a built-in bike rack. It will also have an add-on for a toilet available.

On the Gearbox Adventure Rental website, Hurst offers a couple features for renters, including a page with suggested travel spots in 50-mile increments going up to 400 miles away from Birmingham and listing key locations people might want to visit. Additionally, he has instructional videos on how to use the van equipment.

Rates for the summer range between $150 through $180 a night depending on van and rental duration. Rates in the winter “are a little friendlier” Hurst said, to the last minute planners. Rates range between $130 through $160 a night.

As long as the renter has full insurance on their personal vehicle, Hurst said all they will need to rent the vehicle is the insurance card, though he provides additional coverage for peace of mind if necessary. There is also a $250 mandatory damage deposit collected the day of rental that will be refunded two to four days after the end of the trip, assuming there is no damage.

Go to gearboxrentals.com to book the van or learn more.

Call Us Today for a Free Estimate (205) 871-9338 • maids.com

Gift Shop

Group Lodge

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3,502

30.8

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Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores

6,500

15.6

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Joe Wheeler State Park, Rogersville*

2,550

5.5

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Lake Guntersville State Park, Guntersville*

5,909

34.1

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Lakepoint State Park, Eufaula*

1,220

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Bladon Springs State Park, Silas

357

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Blue Springs

103

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Buck’s Pocket State Park, Grove Oak

2,000

1

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Cathedral Caverns State Park, Woodville

461

4.9

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Chewacla State Park, Auburn

696

27.5

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Chickasaw State Park, Gallion

520

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Florala State Park, Florala

40

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Frank Jackson State Park, Opp

2,050

2.3

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Lake Lurleen State Park, Coker

1,625

20.4

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Meaher State Park, Spanish Fort

1,327

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Monte Sano State Park, Huntsville

2,140

59.8

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Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham

9,940

98.3

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Paul M. Grist State Park, Valley Grande

1,080

9.4

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Rickwood Caverns State Park, Warrior

380

2.2

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Roland Cooper State Park, Camden

236

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Wind Creek State Park, Alexander City

1,445

22.6

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Wireless Internet **

Convention/Meeting Room

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Group Pavilion(s)

Restaurant

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Nature Programs

Hotel (units)

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Trails

Dog-Friendly Cabin ***

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Fishing

Family Cottage (units)

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Boating

Comfort Stations

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Camp Store

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Refreshments

Primitive Camping

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Play Area

Modern Campsites

9.9

Picnic Area

Trail Mileage

2,799

DeSoto State Park, Fort Payne*

Marina

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Cheaha State Park, Delta*

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*Resort Parks (Some facilities are seasonal.) **Wireless Internet Access: Wi-Fi is available but may be limited to specific area of the park. ***No dogs allowed in state parks lodging facilities, including hotel rooms, cabins, cottages and chalets, unless indicated above.

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Facilities accessible to persons with disabilities

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B

Climbing. Biking. Water skiing. Kayaking. No matter what adventure you list, chances are a member of the Davis family — or everyone in the family — has done it. And rocked it.

By Lexi Coon

irmingham resident Dusty Davis was a Category 1 cyclist, just one step below professional, and competed in the Olympic trials. He’s a kayak instructor and guide. He’s a trail runner.

In December 2017, he ascended one of the tallest sport climbs in the world, Time Wave Zero in El Potrero Chico, an internationally known rock climbing location in Mexico.

His wife, Mary Lou, also cycled internationally and was a competitive water skier. They both mountain bike, are “gnarly paddlers” and began climbing in the early 1980s — before the time of manufactured harnesses.

The duo went to Auburn University but, according to Mary Lou and Dusty, didn’t attend any of the football games.

“During the football games, that was when we ruled the streets,” Mary Lou said. They could take their bikes out and ride down the library stairs without worrying about pedestrians or cars

getting in the way.

They had their fair share of adventures, and that didn’t change once they had kids.

“Kids will change your life … but we didn’t slow down,” Mary Lou said.

Their first son, Cole, was born in a snowstorm, and from there, Dusty and Mary Lou took him on all of their adventures. If they were climbing, Dusty would put Cole in his car seat and “park him under a boulder,” he said.

“Everybody had their crag dogs; we had our crag baby,” Dusty said.

Soon enough, Cole was climbing when he could barely walk. His sister and brother, Honey and Chase, came along and continued the family tradition of adventuring. It was a full house, but a fun one.

“My dad always said, ‘Whatever you do, your kids are going to take it to the next level,’” Mary Lou said.

Front: Cole Davis; middle left: Mary Lou; right: Honey; rear left: Dusty; right: Chase. Photos courtesy of the Davis family.

When her kids were little, Mary Lou said the living room had a slack line and a rope swing.

If friends were over, there was a good chance they’d raid closets for headlamps around 10 p.m. to go caving. They went camping and climbing at Sand Rock, bouldered at Moss Rock, mountain biked at Oak Mountain, kayaked in Locust Fork and raced motocross bikes in Clanton. They made memories.

The only thing that changed, Dusty said, was they had to pack more stuff and the trips became less about the goals and more about the kids. According to Cole and Chase, nearly everything they did was as a unit.

“If we’re not doing it together, we’re not really doing it,” Chase said.

The kids took part in “traditional” sports growing up — track, soccer or baseball — to have those experiences with other kids, but all three were hooked on adventure sports.

“As a family, we have our identity in Christ, but we also have an identity in the sports that we compete in,” Cole said.

“And with that identity, we just want to share, like, our love of everything.” He said that’s one of the reasons they’re adventure guides.

Despite participating in more extreme sports, the Davises said they didn’t worry too much about their kids.

“I think one of the takeaways from doing

Mary Lou Davis climbs the Hot Steele route in 1984 in Steele, Alabama.

Chase Davis races a mountain bike during a offroad triathlon when he was 13 years old.

adventure sports is that there’s challenge,” Dusty said. “You have to overcome adversity, which I think … has carry-over value when you lose a job or you get an illness or you have a relationships struggle or you have to go through some hard stuff.”

It’s something that has brought the family closer to God, and spending time in the wilderness has made them appreciate what’s around them.

Dusty also made sure to point out “it’s not always just, like, everybody jamming out to music having a blast.” There will be hard times, injuries or mistakes, but pushing through will make the memories and yourself stronger.

“It was relationships that were born out of the challenge of adventure together and seeing God’s creation,” Dusty said. And the relationships are important for those who want to enter the adventure world, he said, because you immediately have a community and people who can share their experiences with you.

For those interested in adventure sports, he suggested taking little steps. “We started somewhere, and we made a lot of mistakes,” he said. And it led them to where they are today.

Over time, all the men in the Davis family have worked as climbing guides and attended the renowned boy’s adventure camp, Falling Creek Camp. Both Dusty and Chase work or have worked there, too.

Dusty is now one of the top trail runners in the state, still races bikes and climbs frequently, and Mary Lou and their children take part in the family adventures, too.

Cole is now a photographer for the city of Durango, Colorado, as well as an adventure guide with his wife, Camille.

Chase works at High Point Climbing and Fitness in Birmingham and is a climbing and mountain bike guide.

Honey, who Dusty called “the baddest of them all,” spent around six months camping in El Potrero Chico and climbed every day. She climbed a 5.12c — with incredibly technically challenging vertical and horizontal holds — and worked for a mission that worked with climbers and local Mexicans to build schools.

She also is a professional climbing guide, as is her dad after recently completing the certification course. Cole said Honey in one of the fastest motocross racers in the state.

For the past few years, she has lived in New Zealand working for an adventure-based mission.

Just looking back at their long list of accolades and accomplishments, it would seem as if the Davis family, as individuals or together, are capable of thriving in whatever adventure sport they put their mind to. But when asked what they can’t do?

“No varsity sports,” Camille said, laughing.

“Math,” Dusty said.

H

Local Birmingham resident and National Speleological Society Birmingham Grotto leader Bradley Jones enters the Bryant Mountain Cave. Photos by Sarah Finnegan.

By Sydney Cromwell

umans have explored nearly every jungle, desert, peak and depth across the earth’s surface. But underground — that’s a different story.

For cavers, every time they venture underground to explore a new cave or passageway, it’s likely that they’re one of only a few — or even the very first — to lay eyes on it.

“It’s one of the few things left on the planet that one can do that there’s still potential to find and explore new things,” avid caver and Birmingham Grotto member Bradley Jones said.

“Below ground, they’re making new discoveries every year.”

Underground, cavers can find new wildlife, signs of Native American and prehistoric life and a variety of geography from rivers to stalactites, all lit only by the passing sweep of a headlamp. Even when new discovery is off the table, caving also offers adventure and the appreciation of caves’ strange beauty.

“There’s unlimited potential,” Jones said.

There’s also unlimited potential for danger, both for humans and for the caves and their inhabitants.

Underground ecosystems are fragile and easily damaged, but they also present hazards that can leave experienced cavers lost, trapped, injured or even dead.

That’s why the Birmingham Grotto — the popular name among cavers for a chapter of the National Speleological Society (NSS) — closely protects the locations of the caves it finds, and the group puts heavy emphasis on teaching safety and the consequences of litter, graffiti and other damage.

“People think if it’s underground, they can do anything they want,” Jones said.

“After you do a couple cleanups and see stuff destroyed, you really understand the why.”

In January through March 2018 alone, members of the Birmingham Grotto discovered three new caves, dug out an inaccessible cave, donated to preservation efforts and helped study White Nose Syndrome, a fatal disease in bats. The Grotto also hosted the NSS Southeastern Regional Association summer cave carnival in May.

Conservation work is an important part of the Grotto, but it’s also about enjoying the adventure underground.

Living in the Birmingham area puts would-be cavers in prime location.

While the city itself only has a handful of local caves, Jones said the TAG (Tennessee-Alabama-Georgia) region is considered to have one of the highest concentrations of caves in the world, and the Grotto makes frequent trips to some of the furthest caves in the region.

“TAG is the hotspot in the nation,” Jones said.

Ray Merrill, a Birmingham Grotto member and caver of about seven years, goes underground about once a week when he’s able.

“I think everybody, especially kids — and everybody is a kid at heart — everybody is interested in a hole in the ground. … When it’s something that’s just unknown, it’s fun to explore,” Merrill said.

Sometimes, what appears to be a hole only a couple feet wide can lead to miles of caving, and passages with soaring ceilings, large enough to walk through or even camp in. Other times, the caves feature chasms to rappel down and “squeezes” so tight that if you exhale while you’re in between the rocks, there’s not enough room to inhale again until you’ve crawled through to the other side.

It takes the right equipment and a large dose of boldness to go caving.

Merrill even said he has a fear of heights, but that doesn’t stop him from rappelling into the dark to see the depths of vertical caves.

Most cavers join their local grotto not only for access to caves, but also to swap tales with others who understand why being cold, wet and in dark and dangerous terrain can be completely satisfying.

“It’s something that words cannot describe,” Merrill said. “It takes you away from all your problems aboveground.

When you go underground, you go in a different world, and there are challenges and things that take your focus.”

Visit bhamgrotto.org for more information about the Birmingham Grotto and the National Speleological Society.

#adventuresnotallergies

205-871-9661 alabamaallergy.com Homewood • Hoover • Chelsea Alabaster • Cullman • Trussville

Weily Soong, MD Maxcie Sikora, MD John Anderson, MD Sunena Argo, MD William Massey, MD Carolyn Comer, MD Lorena Wilson, MD Njeri Maina, MD

With its tree-lined streets, broad sidewalks, and plentiful green spaces, Mt Laurel is a sustainable neighborhood that offers a relaxed pace of life, a place with a unique identity, planned in concert with nature.

For more information on The Town of Mt Laurel, visit mtlaurel.com or call (205) 408-8696.

It’s a great place to live.

Whatever your species may be.

The renowned biologist E.O. Wilson has called it “an aquatic treasure house.” The World Wildlife Fund and Nature Conservancy included it as one of just eight “Hotspots of Diversity” in the entire world.

It’s the Cahaba—the longest free-flowing river in Alabama, with more fish species per kilometer than any other river in North America, including 18 species that exist nowhere else.

But, to us, it’s an unparalleled place to reconnect with nature by canoeing, kayaking, hiking, birding, botanizing, or merely floating in its waters.

In the clean water we return to the river, and through our efforts with Adopt-A-Stream, SouthWest Water Company is doing our part to ensure the Cahaba is there for future generations to enjoy—whatever their species may be. Join with us by visiting bit.ly/AdoptCahaba.

To learn more, visit CleanerCahaba.info