Oak Mountain to Host Endurance Racers
Oak Mountain State Park is soon to become an outdoor endurance sports Mecca with several of the nation’s most prestigious events all happening within a two-week span.
The frenzy kicks off Saturday, June 5 with the new Turn and Burn 360 mountain bike race that features 60 racers, 60 minutes, and 60 prizes. Racers will complete six laps on a 1.66-mile course, and $3,000 worth of prizes will be given away.
June 6 is the Bump N’ Grind mountain biking spectacular, offering race classes for all and free racing for the kids. This year BUMP (the race organizers and trail crew from the Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers) is rolling out the recently expanded 21.5-mile Red Trail loop for riders.
On June 12, XTERRA rolls into town with 5k and 10k mud runs, along with a half-marathon trail run on the same single-track trails the mountain bikers ride on. One of the longest running triathlons in Alabama – the Buster Britton Memorial Triathlon (400-yard swim, 13-mile bike, 3-mile run) – celebrates its 23rd year on the same day at the same place!
The weekend culminates June 13 with the XTERRA Southeast Championship – off-road triathlon’s biggest event of the year in the South with a 1.5k swim in Double Oak Lake, a 32k mountain bike on BUMP’s red trail, and a 10k trail run.
To complement the races, Oak Mountain offers plenty of family activities (wildlife center, swimming beach, fishing, horseback riding, golfing, boat rental, etc.) while lodging, eating and shopping opportunities abound right outside the park.
DeSoto Offers Picturesque Wedding Setting
Nestled atop beautiful scenic Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama, DeSoto’s 3,502 acres make for a picture-perfect wedding location. In the rustic tradition of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), DeSoto State Park is accented by rushing waterfalls and fragrant wildflowers. The atmosphere of the CCC further enhances the restaurant, lodge and cabin facilities.
Both scenic and functional, the lodge has three meeting rooms available. The DeSoto Room, with its stone fireplace, will accommodate up to 25 guests. The Canyon Room will seat up to 40 guests, while the main dining room will seat up to 60. Just outside the main dining room is a large outdoor deck, a new addition built in 2007.
Lodging options for guests include chalets, log and rustic cabins and motel rooms. DeSoto has a newly renovated campground and new bathhouses.
Additional park amenities include a picnic area with playground, Olympic-size swimming pool, nature center with interpretive programs and live animals, and over 19 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails.
To reserve a meeting room for a wedding, reception or other special function call 256-845-5380 or 1-800-568-8840.
GPS Adventures at Chewacla and DeSoto
Most of Alabama’s state parks offer geocaching as an activity, but two parks have additional GPS adventures you can participate in.
Several points of interest have been selected in Chewacla and DeSoto State Parks for visitors to find using handheld global positioning units. Before you go, visit each park’s website to download an information guide with coordinates.
In Chewacla’s GPS Adventure, the object is to find hidden receptacles throughout the park. Once you find the receptacle, you will also find a laminated piece of paper with a letter and symbol on it, which you should record. Once you get all seven, send the park an email with the letters and symbols and a certificate will be emailed back to you.
For DeSoto’s GPS Quest, the goal is to find nine markers located throughout the park and record each letter on your scorecard. Once completed, visit the website and enter the correct letters to print a certificate of completion.
Upcoming Events
5/22/2010
Learn about the great men that built DeSoto State Park and see picture and artifacts from the 1930-1940s.
5/22/2010
Can we find something in nature for every letter of the alphabet? Join naturalist Emily Cohen at 10 a.m. at the park office on Terrace Drive.
5/29/2010
Join park naturalist Emily Cohen at 10 a.m. at the Campground Beach.
5/29/2010
5/29/2010
Join us for a festival of music designed to help celebrate the 71st anniversary of the park’s dedication and to enjoy our region’s rich musical heritage.
6/5/2010
Guided hikes: 9 a.m. Cutchenmine Trail; 1 p.m. King's Chapel Trail; 4 p.m. Cave Trail.
6/11/2010
6/12/2010
Fee for participants only. Bass Fishing Tournament takes off out of Lakepoint State Park Marina each year and raises money for the Niemann-Pick disease. For more information, call 334-687-6266.
6/12/2010
Herpetology Hike: Looking for Reptiles and Amphibians
6/12/2010
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Did you know that online reservations are available for some facilities at Joe Wheeler, Lakepoint, DeSoto and Guntersville State Parks? Just visit the links to check availability. More parks will be going online soon.
RECIPE OF
THE MONTH –
Chocolate Éclair Dessert
From DeSoto’s Mountain Inn Restaurant
— Serves 12
2 individual packages graham crackers
2 (3 oz) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
3 Cups of milk
1 (8 oz) frozen whipped topping
Chocolate syrup
Line bottom of a 9 x 13 pan with graham crackers. In a large bowl, combine pudding mix and milk. Stir well. Stir in whipped topping to pudding mixture. Spread half of mixture over graham cracker layer. Top with another layer of graham crackers and the remaining pudding. Top all with a final layer of graham crackers and drizzle with chocolate syrup. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
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