Hello folks, I trust this post find everyone well. We (Daisy and I) are trying to gauge interest in having a free range "Fall Gathering of the Eggs" at Monte Sano State Park (see
http://www.alapark.com/MonteSano/ ) in Huntsville, Alabama during the 6 9 September 2012 (Thursday Sunday) timeframe.
Monte Sano, Spanish for "Mountain of Health," rises more than 1,600 feet above sea level. The mountain has attracted visitors since the mid 1820's with the establishment of the town of Viduta, a derivative of the Spanish word "Vida," meaning life. Viduta was home to a sanatorium and a hotel resort, Hotel Monte Sano, which opened its doors in 1887 and closed in the early 1900s due to a declining economy. This park is truly amazing in its beauty and diversity.
The dates of 6 9 September 2012 will allow working folks to integrate the Labor Day holiday (3 September 2012) into their trip and allow them sufficient time to explore the wonders of the Huntsville/Madison Alabama area which include but are not limited to;
1. U. S. Space & Rocket Center; This is a must-see for first-time visitors to Huntsville. There are not many cities that can put on such a display as the big Saturn V rocket standing outside the Space Museum. For the more adventuresome tourist with a few days or a week to spare, a residency at Space Camp will always be a fond memory.
2. Huntsville/Madison County Botanical Garden; The Botanical Garden has special features all year round. May and October are the best months for viewing the flowers and plants. The December Galaxy of
Lights has won many awards for tourism in the Southeast.
3. Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro; A 45-minute trip to Scottsboro is always on my list of places to take guests. They enjoy seeing this famous landmark that Oprah Winfrey once said "was the best kept shopping secret in America."
4. Burritt on the Mountain--A Living Museum; One of the delights of Huntsville is seeing the history of the Tennessee Valley. The Burritt Museum offers not only the best view in Huntsville, but several log cabins and animals demonstrating how people lived in the second half of the 1800's.
5. Alabama Constitution Village; Since the Alabama Constitution was signed in Huntsville in 1819, it is only fitting that a whole village has sprung up to depict the life of Huntsville during the early 1800's. EarlyWorks Children Museum, Historic Huntsville Depot, and the Humphrey-Rodgers House are all located downtown and make up the EarlyWorks Museum Complex.
6. Weeden House Museum; Maria Howard Weeden was known worldwide for her paintings of black people. Her drawings were used for the costumes for slaves in "Gone With the Wind." Her Federal-style home is one of the oldest in Huntsville.
7. Cathedral Caverns State Park in Grant; Cathedral Caverns is now a State Park. This cave holds six world records and is located near Grant, Alabama. Be sure to go into Grant and have lunch at Mimi's Cafe.
8. Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville; This attraction should really be further up the list. The only reason it isn't is that it is located in Hanceville, over an hour away from Huntsville. This experience is certainly worth the trip and a must for anyone near Alabama. Mother Angelica has built a magnificent shrine of gold, marble, and cedar in honor of Jesus.
9. Ivy Green: Helen Keller's Birthplace; So much has been written about Helen Keller, born in Tuscumbia, Alabama. It is awe-inspiring to go in June and July and see "The Miracle Worker" performed in the backyard of the house where the famous story actually took place.
10. Ave Maria Grotto: Cullman; The Ave Maria Grotto near Cullman, Alabama is the ingenious work of Benedictine Monk Brother Joseph Zoetti. The amazingly accurate architectural miniatures of shrines throughout the world are set in a beautiful Alabama hillside. Expect to spend the whole day and take a picnic lunch. Don't try to do the Shrine on the same day--it's too much.
I know it sounds like I am boasting about my adopted city, but I am! This area of Alabama is wonderful! The "Fall Gathering of Eggs" will focus on fellowship, camping and also the sampling of the many culinary delicacies (American, German, Chinese, Thai, Italian, Seafood, Greek, Fondue, and Mexican) and world renouned tourist attractions. If you are inclined to attend, you could also dovetail the Defeated Creek event in TN scheduled for 21 23 September 2012, which is up the road a piece, if you have time to spare.
If you are interested, please let me know at
huevo_movil@yahoo.com. This event is strictly proposed as a free range event and participation at any of the dinning outs are strictly voluntary. 1 to 101 participants are welcomed!
Come on down y'all!!!
Shorty sends...