Other than a couple of doozie non-related camping emergencies, we had a wonderful time at DeSoto State Park in Fort Payne/Mentone Alabama. The "improved campground" offers back-in, pull-through, and buddy sites with water, electric, sewer, and 61 channels on cable TV for $27/night or $30/night on Fri. & Sat. The back-in sites are ample plus have side and back "yards" with fire rings. The restrooms/bathhouses are pristine and look brand new. There are walking trails that go up through boulder-filled scenery, nice paths, and around babbling brooks flowing over more rocks; and this weekend we found many wildflowers in bloom along with privets that sent their fragrance through the air. Very relaxing and quiet CG even though there were few sites available when we arrived on Thursday. A lot of folks pulled out Friday and Saturday and it could have been from the threat of impending bad thunderstorms (which we did not get) or just getting out before the weekend "crowds," which never appeared. When we did have enough rain to go inside, we watched TV even though we usually play games or nap during days like that if we are not out sightseeing. There was also unattended gate security allowing access only by reservation gate codes and a lift arm on the exit. That meant we could come and go all hours, which we did coming home from the ER at 4:00 AM Friday morning! There is also a "Country Store" with camp registration desk, small food and souvenir offerings, firewood, a nature center (which we never got to), and a park ranger on duty at all times. The rangers patroled the CG a few times a day, and when we needed help, the ranger was extremely courteous and came back to check on us the next day. There were also CG volunteers who cleaned and patrolled many times we were there as well.

We drove to DeSoto Falls about 10 miles over the mountaintop, enjoying the scenery and unique homes along the way. Then we went down into Mentone to the Rhodendron Festival (an arts & crafts fair), but we thought it was already over since it was off the main drag. We did go back the next day and found it in a small park with breathtaking views from the mountaintop down into the valley.

On a scale of 1-10, I would rate DeSoto an 89 since there are few other activities for children other than playing outside and hiking. Maybe we didn't look around enough, but we will go back agan because this park was so attractive. We were on site #63.

Nancy, I stopped at Howard's Chapel to take photos of how the church is built into the rock. Amazing! It was late Sunday afternoon and the church was closed, but as we were leaving another car pulled up with camera-laden men getting out to snap some shots, too.  It is very quaint and unusual.

(Al went to the ER but it was a freaky thing that happened during a trip over the patio mat and he's fine now. Our dog Ivan, however, was in distress and when we got home, I took him to my vet on follow up from the Ft. Payne vet, and he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Can't do anything about the outcome but can help him be comfortable with drugs for as long as his heart holds out.)