The About Huntsville site went live on December 8th, 1999. I've had a lot of exciting and unique experiences during that time. I've been invited to many events and visited many attractions and landmarks. Here's a list of some of my favorites--in no particular order.
1. Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament
Although I'm not Catholic, this was one of the most breathtaking places I've visited. It's hard to believe that the founder of the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) lives only about an hour from Huntsville (in the middle of nowhere--near Cullman). Mother Angelica is the driving force behind
The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery. Read about her life story and see photos of the monastery.
3. Helen Keller's Home--Ivy Green
I've long been an admirer of
Helen Keller. She and Condoleeza Rice are probably the best-known Alabamians in the world. It gave me chills to tour Helen's home, walk in the little house beside her parent's home where she and Ann Sullivan "worked out their differences" and then sit in the backyard where the famous water pump was located and see "The Miracle Worker" performed.
4. Soaring Into the Wild Blue Yonder in Huntsville
Rand Baldwin gave me the ride of my life when he invited me to Moontown Airport in Brownsboro to get a little taste of
soaring or gliding as some call it. The guys from the
local chapter of the
Experimental Aircraft Association(EAA) have also given me some exciting rides above Huntsville and always come to my aid when I need aerial shots.
5. Hundred Oaks Castle in Winchester TN
A short 55-minute drive from Huntsville to Winchester, Tennessee provides a glimpse of a majestic site,
Hundred Oaks Castle--complete with towers, a carriage house, a great hall, underground tunnels, and beautiful gardens. I get lots of email about this fascinating place.
6. Taste of Huntsville
Of all the events in Huntsville each year, The
Taste of Huntsville is one of two of my favorites. Maybe it's because of all the delicious food in one place. Almost every restaurant in town is represented and they overwhelm the public with their culinary displays.
7. Burritt Museum Guild's Annual Silver Tea
The other event in Huntsville that I wouldn't miss is the
Burritt Museum Guild's Silver Tea--one of the best kept secrets in Huntsville. How can you go wrong with beautiful decorations (the Garden Clubs of Huntsville and Madison provide outstanding flower arrangements throughout Burritt--inside & out), great homemade tea goodies, live music, silent auction, raffle, fashion show and flower arranging class? It's so much fun and held outside at the Burritt, the most beautiful view of Huntsville.
8. Collinsville Flea Market
Since my kids grew up in Iowa, where it's too cold to have an outdoor flea market (well, they don't have any flea markets. Open-air dealing and a step back in time makes
Collinsville Flea Market one of the greatest real-life shopping experiences left. It's worth the drive over to just experience the old days!
9. Old MacDonald's Petting Zoo
I love
Old McDonald's Petting Zoo on Highway 72 in Grant (on the way to Scottsboro--another favorite place of mine!) The petting zoo is situation on beautiful park-like land and has a huge variety of friendly animals, picnic grounds and tall shade trees. I try to find excuses to stop each time I go by it. The petting zoo is fun for "kids" of all ages.
10. Unclaimed Baggage Center
I take all my out-of-state guests to
Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro. It is so unique and you never know what you may find. If you know what you're doing, you can find some good deals on designer clothes and expensive jewelry. All the jewelry is appraised by a jeweler and then listed at half price. Even if you're not a shopper, you need to check this place out at least once. It's only about 40 minutes from Huntsville.
