Alabama

After finishing our Uncles roof we packed up and headed to Alabama. We camped at Noccalula Falls Park and Campground in Gadsden. It is a city park which was quite amazing. The waterfall was right there, they had lot's of hiking/biking trails, and a day use area open to the public. It was a very clean park. We set up camp and then hiked the Gorge trail to the water fall. It was beautiful. After dinner we hiked across the creek to the Day Use Area to see what all they had. We had a nice campfire and listened to the coyotes. 

Day two: 

We got up and had a zoom meeting. Afterwards we hiked the Cascade trail to the Leftwich trail back to the Cascade trail to the Family Loop trail and back to camp for lunch. After lunch we went back and hiked the Black Creek trail to the Bluff trail and down to the double bridges. We saw three beaver and a heron. We hiked the Creek Path to Witch's Brew to Dog Hill to Pathkiller to Whatley trail to Family Loop and back to the camper. We had a snack, Craig took a nap, and then we collected firewood. After dinner we went down to the falls to at all the Christmas lights they had up in the Day Use Area. We had a nice campfire and listened to the coyotes.

Day three:

Waterfall day. We headed out to see Griffin falls which is located on 221. It is a 40' falls which is just a steep climb off the road. Beautiful except for the trash that people leave everywhere. From there we headed to High Falls Park to see a 35' fall but it is all the way across Town creek. Very nice to see. The couple that runs the area is very nice. We had lunch at the fall. On the way back Lora came across a black snake and a lizard. She didn't scream at the lizard! 

After that we headed to Lake Guntersville State Park. We drove to the overlooks and then tried to hike to the fall but never found it. Sometimes it is dry. Then we walked to the cave to check it out. It was funny that we could see a face in the picture of the cave, but could not see it when we were just looking at it. There is a fenced area that has some goats, donkeys, and ostriches in it. There is no sign or information at all about it.

From there we headed back to camp for dinner and a campfire.

Day four:

We got up and hiked the James D. Martin Wildlife Park in Gadsen. This is a nice walking trail/boardwalk along the river downtown. Lot's of birds. After that we packed up and headed West. We stopped in Cullman and visited the Ave Maria Grotto. Pretty amazing to see with a great story behind it. We bought a loaf of Monk's bread. Yumm! From there we headed on to Double Springs, AL and Bama Campground. Steve just took over this campground which used to be a horse camp about four months ago. He and his crew are putting a lot of work into this place. They were extremely nice and helpful while we were there. They have lots of horse trails to hike as well. We had dinner and a nice campfire for the evening.

Day five:

We got up and hiked Caney Creek Falls just North of our campsite. They closed the trailhead so you have to go down the road to the next driveway and go all the way to the house in the back. You are welcomed to park there for a donation. You can even visit with his cow. It's about a mile in and very pretty to see. From there we headed to Natural Bridge Park in Haleyville. If you don't type in "park" you will end up at the post office like we did. Beautiful place to explore. On the way there we passed a huge Confederate flag on the side of the road so we stopped on the way back to see. It was a park dedicated to the Confederate army. After that we stopped in Double Springs for some supplies and then headed back to the campground. We hiked the horse trails along the creek going to the water fall and then back to the cave. 

Day six:

We got up and tried to see Dismals Canyon in Phil Campbell, but they were not open yet. So we drove to see the Rock Bridge Canyon. We stopped at Hodges Equestrian Park in Hodges, AL where we found out that the park has been closed for two years. They offered us the opportunity to hike their horse trail in that area to see the bluffs so we took it. It was beautiful. From there we drove back to Dismals Canyon and explored it. It was a little expensive, but a pretty place to see. Then we drove out to Sipsey Wilderness on the way back and hiked to Turkey Foot falls and Mize Mill Falls. Very nice! Back at camp for a good night around the campfire.

Day seven:

We got up and headed North to Cherokee and set up at Mulberry Creek Campground near the Tennessee River. This is a nice place ran by a young couple. It is a relatively new campground and is very clean. After setting up we headed off to the Cane Creek Nature Preserve in Tuscumbia. Faye meets you at the parking area and provides all the information that you need. Very pretty Canyon with a water fall and other features on their well taken care of trails. They even have restrooms and drinking water along the routes. We did about four miles to the Blue hole and back. 

Day eight:

We drove to Wheeler National Wild Refuge in Decatur, AL. We saw lots of ducks and even more Sand Hill Cranes. We walked the boardwalk trail and then ate lunch. Then we drove to Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville and hiked the North Plateau Loop trail. From there we drove to Parnell Creek campground for the night. It's right by the highway and you can hear traffic/trucks all night. 

Day nine:

We got up this morning and drove to the Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge in Scottsboro. We visited the cave and then walked some of the roadbed. Saw an eagle flying overhead. From there we headed to Pisgah Gorge Falls in Pisgah, AL. This is a very beautiful gorge and the waterfalls are awsome. It is located in the Pisgah Gorge Civitan Park. They have hiking trails along the rim to see the falls. We went back to the campground, packed up, and headed home.

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