Hidden Alabama Gem: High Falls Park.

My family has visited Buck’s Pocket State Park in North Alabama annually since I was six years old. I have enjoyed introducing my own children to our hidden state park, and just visited again this past weekend.

While we were there, My Dad wanted to visit a nearby scenic spot, High Falls Park in Geraldine, Alabama. I had no idea it existed, but Dad had seen the signs for it on the way in and wanted to see what it was.

He and I drove less than ten minutes away from our regularly attended park and pulled up into a parking lot with several other cars, which actually surprised us.

If we didn’t know of this place, how did others?

Apparently we aren’t the most informed people in the state.

We walked down a path and got our first peek at the falls. Even though it was low water season, it was stunning:
 
There were people braver than us climbing and jumping off of the rocks, seemingly having a fantastic time:


We walked across the foot bridge, which was set upon the foundations of a former covered bridge.


When we looked to our left, we saw a calm stream.


To our right, the top of the falls.


There were paths on the other side of the bridge, offering beautiful views in every direction.


We walked back across and to the top of the falls.


To the right of the falls was a stunning natural stone arch, much more impressive than any man-engineered arch.

 
There was the clothes-strewing rock,


And a group of people rotating from top to bottom (at a very fast pace), and enjoying the beautiful vistas.

 

According to the information at the park, the base of the falls also starts an amazing whitewater kayaking run, including a Class VI section.

Clearly, I need to get some courage and come back, both for the jumping and the kayaking.

Visiting Pisgah – Gorham’s Bluff.

When people start listing off the great destinations in our state, Pisgah is not usually on the top of the list.

But if you’re looking for a stunning panorama and a cozy place to retreat to, it should be.

My husband and I made our first trip to Pisgah when we stayed at Gorham’s Bluff for our tenth anniversary a couple of weeks ago. Part Bed and Breakfast, part cottage community, it is completely fabulous.

The views down into the valley are stunning:

And the Bed and Breakfast is delightfully eerie on a foggy day…

And the perfect southern mansion on a clear day.

Thanks to the excellent service of Executive Chef Keith Izydore, the meals provided are worth the trip by themselves.

We enjoyed the Full American Package, which is all three meals (which I highly recommend, since once you get to Gorham’s Bluff, you're at least 20 miles from any other eating establishment.)

Our lunch was a gourmet boxed lunch that we enjoyed in our cottage,

and we ate our dinner and breakfast in the Bed and Breakfast’s main Dining Room.

Although we would have stayed at the Bed and Breakfast had their been a room available, we ended up in a cottage, and we were so glad we did – having our own space really helped us relax and retreat.

All of the vistas are spectacular,

as is the architecture of the houses.

There are also plenty of nature trails, some even going down into the bluff where a waterfall can be found:

Pisgah is near Scottsboro, Alabama, and a little over two hours from Birmingham. If you’re looking for a gorgeous place to take a weekend trip, I highly recommend it!

What great Alabama vacation secrets do you know?

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I was not compensated in any way, or even requested to write this review. My opinions are always my own.

Consigned Design in Alabaster- bet you didn't know it was there.

By Cheri

In a small plaza on the corner of Rt. 119 and Fulton Springs Rd. in Alabaster, AL. is a cute consignment shop run by Wendy B. I have been eyeing this place since we moved here this past Nov. and finally made the time last Friday to stop in and check it out. I was pleasantly surprised.

Consignment stores, thrift stores etc: can be a gamble whether they have up to date items, how clean and organized the store is and this one rates right up there. Wendy has an up to date, organized and clean store; one you would like to frequent from time to time.

Look at these cute dressed mannequins. Don't they just scream "summer" and sherbert ice cream?

Wendy has really dressed up and accessorized to go from office, to evening and then casual.

On this one wall she has lots of really cute formals to choose from. Prom time is coming.

And in this case and the case at check out she carries some Dooney & Bourke handbags besides some consignment bags.

On her carousels she has jewelry...jewelry and more jewelry that is so reasonably priced that you couldn't just walk away with one piece. Isn't that clear beaded necklace so versatile? And look at those pearls.

Summer time hear we come.

More accessories and she even carries SHOES!

Last week when I was there I was not able to spend as much time as I would have liked but did spy some purses on top of one of the carousels and couldn't resist. I scored these two purses for $18.00. It wasn't until I got home and noticed the one on the right had an embossed "S" on the bottom and here it was a Saks Fifth Ave. purse. I am not a name brand person, I just like what I like, but I wondered "why" there was that "S" and now I know.

Wendy will tell you that when you look at the tags, on the back, there might be a date stamped on it. The date will let her know (you too) how much it will be discounted at the register.

Even with the wonderful prices that Wendy has you may get lucky and pick up something with an additional discount.

** Added bonus: If you love Mary Kay and do not have a consultant, Wendy does sell Mary Kay products too. Usually on Monday nights after the store closes she will have one on one consulting, but you need to call and be added to her list. If you feel uncomfortable with other women, Wendy will be glad to make arrangements with you to work solo. (Disclaimer: I have not been paid or even asked to mention Consigned Design or Mary Kay on this blog...I just wanted to share).

Consigned Design

72 Fulton Springs Road
Alabaster, AL 35007-5362
(205) 664-7540

Best Christmas Trees in Town?

Looking for a great place to get a Christmas tree? We LOVE where we get ours each year. It's a one-man show - this guy drives to Michigan and brings back the most gorgeous trees - Black Forest Trees. They are perfect in every way - and, we've found, that if you water them with a little Miracle Grow mixed in, they'll grow tiny pine cones by Christmastime!


This year, he's set up on Highway 31 in Hoover in front of Doctor Jimmy Blake's old office (next to Golden Rule BBQ). He supports Jimmie Hale with his tree sales, and you can bring 5 cans of food for a small discount as well. The trees aren't cheap, but they're worth it - they easily last - and grow pinecones - throughout the Christmas season!


Where are your favorite places to get Christmas trees?

I was not paid or compensated in any way to write this post - it's just my opinion.

The General Woods Inn: The Most Amazing B&B in (Very Nearly) Alabama

By Rachel

The General Woods Inn is in Rising Fawn, Georgia - the tiny corner of Georgia on I-59 between Fort Payne and Chattanooga. It is 2 hours away from Birmingham, and 25 minutes from Chattanooga - perfect for a weekend getaway!

We discovered it while trying to find somewhere to get away to for my Birthday, and I'm SO glad that we did. It is the most gorgeous, scenic, peaceful place I've ever stayed!

I can't believe I've not found it sooner. Apparently the rest of the world already discovered it - the three people before us in the guest book were from Ireland, Canada, and England. If it's worth their trip (and it was!!), then it is certainly worthwhile for us to go to!

Here’s the view of the Bed and Breakfast:

And, as beautiful as that view is, the views FROM the inn are stunning.

We stayed in The Patterson Room, which was roomy and romantic:

(There are only three rooms for rent, so the peacefulness is unmatched!)

We were greeted upon arriving in our bedroom with this beautiful bouquet of flowers picked out of the gardens:

The front entry is every Southern Girl’s dream of what a house is supposed to look like:
As is the front porch.

The house is named after the Man of the house, who is a Brigadier General in the US Army. He is often in D.C., so his wife Nadine decided to turn their home into a B&B to have people around while he was gone. The house is decorated with fascinating memorabilia from his long military career:

He happened to be here this weekend, so he sat and chatted with us about all sorts of fascinating things while we ate our breakfast.

And, just because this place is so fabulous, I have to share some more pictures.

The back gardens, photographed from the also-roomy back porch right off of our bedroom:

The wedding Arbor very nearly made me want to get married again:

I saw the flyer on their wedding package, and it is unbelievably affordable - and includes a TON of amenities!

We had planned on eating breakfast on the front porch, but the mountain sun was so blinding that I couldn’t open my eyes:

So we ate our delicious breakfast in the back gardens, instead:
And finally, a couple more views from the yard.

Chris took a 6 mile run while we were there, and said it was a wonderfully scenic and inspiring place to run:

I can't WAIT to go back to the Inn, and I would highly recommend it as the most wonderful, serene place I've ever stayed!

Portions of this post were previously published at Grasping for Objectivity in my Subjective Life