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Natures Palette of Colors are Majestic in the Forests, Streams and Scenic Byway of Lookout Mountain
Autumn on Lookout Mountain and Mentone, Alabama
Natures Palette of Colors are Majestic in the Forests, Streams and
Scenic Byway of Lookout Mountain
Mentone and Lookout Mountain in the far Northeast corner of Alabama dazzles all four seasons but is most radiant during the season of Autumn. Vibrant hues of reds, yellow, orange and regal gold spread slowly across the forested mountain range that includes a small hamlet with unique shops and eateries, a state park and a national preserve and majestic scenes that leave your mouth gaping in awe.
Autumn on Lookout Mountain provides visitors ample ways to enjoy this season of color. Beginning in Mentone, the view from Brow Park, aptly named for its location on the brow of Lookout Mountain poised above a narrow valley with the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains spread beyond the valley, is a feast for the eyes. Travel a few miles south on the Lookout Mountain Parkway from Mentone and the tree lined scenic byway offers many bends in the road full of colorful foliage leading to a breathtaking 104-foot waterfall at DeSoto State Park. DeSoto Falls, part of the Little River that forms and flows its length across the mountain, is a must see attraction on your fall journey to Mentone. Continue your travels south along the parkway, stopping by the Sallie Howard Memorial Chapel to see the church in the rock built in the ’30’s by Colonel Milford Howard, take a hike along the trails in DeSoto State Park to include the fully handicap accessible boardwalk that stretches into the depths of the forests, continuing south to the Little River Canyon National Preserve. Here the Little River plunges once again into a beautiful waterfall not as deep as DeSoto Falls but equally as grand.
Plan extra time on your journey to travel the road that winds its way around the rim of the canyon. Alabama Highway 176 is a roller coaster of a ride brimming with fall color, expansive views into a deep chasm, hiking trails and the occasional wildlife such as turkey vultures flying overhead and wild turkeys scurrying across the road.
Fall on Lookout Mountain is usually a gradual spread of colors by mid October that continues to glow and peak into early and mid November. They are making an early appearance on Lookout Mountain this year and already lending a gentle touch of color here and there with fallen leaves on the walking paths making a hike a most pleasant experience as you listen to the sounds of nature and the crunch of leaves underfoot.
Plan an Autumn visit to Mentone on Alabama’s Lookout Mountain and marvel at the wonders of nature as you explore her terrain from mountain streams and waterfalls to winding roads and hiking trails. Quoting John Muir, conservationist and creator of the bill that established America’s National Parks, “Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” Mentone and Lookout Mountain is that place that will surely wash your spirit clean and renew a steadfast spirit burning deep within your soul. Come to the mountain and be rejuvenated in the majesty that is the season of Autumn.
Places to Stay:
Roosters Rest Cabins
1948 Gray Road
Fort Payne, Al 35967
205-533-6111
Mentone Cabins and the Mentone Mountain View Inn Bed & Breakfast
25891 County Rd. 89
Mentone, AL 35984
888-560-0492
Where to Dine (All located in downtown Mentone):
The Wildflower Cafe
The Mentone Hardware Cafe
Kamama’s
Events Include:
Ziplining and Rappelling Among Fall Foliage (Various dates and multiple times during each month)
Blacksmith Forging Demonstration (October 11 - 12)
Music and Dinner at Kamama’s featuring the duo Yancy & Yancy (October 16)
2nd Annual Color Craze 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run (October 18)
30th Annual Mentone Colorfest (October 18 - 19)
Fall Color Guided Nature Hikes (Weekends in DeSoto State Park)
Find these and all other events taking place in and around Mentone at: http://www.discoverlookoutmountain.com/calendar.shtml
Monday, September 16, 2013
Autumn on Lookout Mountain in Alabama
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| Scenic winding road on Lookout Mountain in Mentone |
Autumn is a magical time when the landscape transforms itself from the colors of summer greens to rich vibrant shades of red, gold, yellow and orange. Add a nip of cooler temperatures, mountainous woodlands, rippling streams and waterfalls and you have Autumn on Lookout Mountain. Part of the lower Appalachian Mountain chain, Lookout Mountain extends for 93 miles from Chattanooga, Tennessee into the northwest corner of Georgia on its way to Gadsden, Alabama. The scenic byway traverses the rim of the mountain exposing at times exquisite valley views from the west brow of the mountain to the east brow. No where are the views more majestic than in the middle, the heart of the picturesque 93-mile byway, at Mentone, Alabama.
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| View from the brow of the mountain at the Mentone Mountain View Inn |
Mentone is a tiny hamlet in the far northeast corner of Alabama perched mostly on the west rim of Lookout Mountain. The historic village once touted itself in the late 1880's as the tourist retreat with healing powers by virtue of springs that brought forth rejuvenating waters. The springs are no more but the mountaintop retreat still provides healing for the soul in the quiet country charm and fresh mountain air. This mountain resort is beautiful all four seasons but cannot be beat for it's Autumn season when the healing restoration is most effective.
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| The 104-foot DeSoto Falls in Mentone, Alabama |
Autumn comes alive in dazzling shades as the foliage of the forested Lookout Mountain region begins the annual transition from varying greens to a palette of wondrous colors. Here one can explore the charm of downtown Mentone and it's shops and eateries, enjoy miles of nearby hiking and biking trails, rappel the height and zip line the width of DeSoto Falls, kayak and canoe the Little River, and a myriad of other recreational activities. Or, simply sit back and relax in the comfort of your well-appointed accommodations, all amid the splendor of fall foliage and crisp clean air.
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| The Mentone Mountain View Inn |
Local attractions include historic downtown Mentone with antique and Appalachian craft shops like The Crow's Nest, the 104-foot DeSoto Falls, the Little River that forms and flows most of it's length on top of Lookout Mountain carving out a deep canyon with a 23-mile roller coaster of a drive along the rim of the Little River Canyon National Preserve, the historic churches of St. Joseph's on the Mountain and Sallie Howard Chapel, and miles of radiantly adorned scenic byway and country roads sure to delight leaf peepers from all around the globe.
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| The Little River Canyon National Preserve |
Autumn colors in Mentone begin to turn in mid to late September with the auburn colors of the Dogwood leaves and firetruck red of the wild Sumac. As the season progresses into October so too does the fall color. One after another, the hardwoods' foliage takes on their designated colors painting the mountain as pretty as a patchwork quilt. Mid to late October into early November usually provides the most vivid colors of the season. Mentone and the Lookout Mountain Parkway has been heralded by many as the place for fall foliage. One visit and you will understand why. Just remember that Mother Nature decides when the leaves will turn so don't be disappointed if you plan a visit that does not coincide with Her timing. Enjoy the mountain hamlet as it is and return often. You will want to do just that once you visit and feel the healing powers held within the realm of this mountain retreat. Make Mentone, Alabama your Autumn destination for fall foliage.
What: Autumn on Lookout Mountain in Mentone, Alabama
Where to Stay:
The Mentone Mountain View Inn - on the brow of Lookout Mountain
706-413-0533
Mentone Cabins - Cabin Rentals located throughout Mentone
888-560-0492
Where to Eat:
The Hardware Cafe
The Wildflower Cafe
The Moonlight Bistro
The Rusty Fox
The Rusty Fox
Kamama's
and many more fine locations
Events:
- Farmer's Market each Wednesday and Saturday
- Zip Lining, Rappelling, Guided Hikes, Rock Climbing and other recreational activities provided by True Adventure Sports almost daily and by group reservations
- Live Music at local restaurants and at Kamama Music Series
- The Mentone Colorfest held annually the third weekend in October
###Article and Photos by Patty Tucker
pattytucker@charter.net
on Twitter @PattyLTucker
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Spring - A Time of Renewal
Spring is a season of hope and renewal and one of my favorite times of the year. I take much delight in the bursts of new blossoms and the varying shades of green as new foliage breaks forth. It reminds me that the damp, cold, dormant days of winter are not a time of death but instead a time to prepare for a rebirth into new life.
Spring gives us the opportunity to see plants that yielded their harvest in the previous year and faded away rise up, awake and become new again. Like these plants, we can wake from our winter slumber and be renewed in spirit and bloom again. We each have the potential to yield a vast harvest. Just as a flower opens and stretches out to bask in the light of day and brings us delight by its beauty, so too can we emulate its actions. Our very expressions are our "blooms" with a smile being the brightest of all blossoms. Kindness, gentleness, understanding and compassion are all flowers in their own right. When we greet each other with these gentle expressions, we begin to gather an abundant harvest and great things happen. A smile leads to a spirit lifted, a burden rolled away, a heart mended and before you know it, a garden blooms!
Only you can determine the kind of garden you plant. My prayer for you this spring season is that your garden is filled with fragrant colorful blossoms and that it radiates the Light of Christ. May you carry this light with you everywhere you go and be the "Light" of the world to all those in need of His love.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Spiderworts bloom in a Lookout Mountain Garden.
Spring gives us the opportunity to see plants that yielded their harvest in the previous year and faded away rise up, awake and become new again. Like these plants, we can wake from our winter slumber and be renewed in spirit and bloom again. We each have the potential to yield a vast harvest. Just as a flower opens and stretches out to bask in the light of day and brings us delight by its beauty, so too can we emulate its actions. Our very expressions are our "blooms" with a smile being the brightest of all blossoms. Kindness, gentleness, understanding and compassion are all flowers in their own right. When we greet each other with these gentle expressions, we begin to gather an abundant harvest and great things happen. A smile leads to a spirit lifted, a burden rolled away, a heart mended and before you know it, a garden blooms!
Only you can determine the kind of garden you plant. My prayer for you this spring season is that your garden is filled with fragrant colorful blossoms and that it radiates the Light of Christ. May you carry this light with you everywhere you go and be the "Light" of the world to all those in need of His love.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Spiderworts bloom in a Lookout Mountain Garden.
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