Quick Weekend Getaway
“What about Alabama that keeps a-coming back to me?” The Grateful Dead is right, there’s just something about Alabama. Alabama the Beautiful showcases its beauty with full force in Desoto State Park, where my journey takes place. Meeting my parents and my sister for a much needed getaway, Desoto State Park has proven to be a family destination that claims a special place in my heart. In fact, it is the only place we go when my family goes on vacation these days. My favorite time especially being in the fall, during the Thanksgiving Holidays, when we stay at both The Mentone Inn and/or at The Desoto Lodge.
The Innkeeper of the Mentone Inn, Cynthia Stinson is always there to make such a nice experience for the lodgers. If anyone interested in information about available rooms, reservations, events, and/or activities in the surrounding area, please do not hesitate to contact her, she’s the woman to call asap. Her family puts on a mean Thanksgiving Weekend and now is the time to act before the fall, especially if you don’t want to miss out on her daughter’s hash brown casserole.
Desoto State Park
Heading North through Fort Payne and Mentone, Alabama, you feel as if you’ve found a hidden, mountain gem. When I step into Desoto State park, I feel a resemblance of living in Virginia. Living in Alabama for the past, five years, Desoto is a kiss of the mountains for me. As it says when first entering Fort Payne, it is the “Gateway to the Appalachians.” With the summer foliage, the insurmountable deer, despite the heat, and the bugs, Desoto State Park, Mentone, and Fort Payne are my favorite haunts. A piece of heaven, only an hour away from my front door.
Activities such as hiking, water fall sight seeing, repelling, bird watching, picnicking, shopping in Mentone, kayaking, and many more are just several appealing options for an active holiday. With Fort Payne, the birthplace of the band Alabama and along The Trail of Tears, Mentone, part of the world’s longest yard sale, and Desoto being a hiker’s dream, there are many options for rest and relaxation amongst the Alabama trees.
Despite COVID having effects on some of the activities, there are still plenty of activities to enjoy. During my family’s excursion, we bedded down at the Desoto Lodge, went shopping, and ate our way across North Alabama, my favorite being at Vintage 1889. Located in the historic W.B. Davis and Sons Hosiery Mill, The Big Mill or referenced as The Mill also, it is currently a large antique mall located on Main Street in Fort Payne, Alabama.
Vintage 1889
Vintage 1889, the cafe inside the antique mall, offers assorted sandwiches, fun beers, and fresh salads with my recommendation being the Muffaletta sandwich, a Nawlins’ favorite. Very quaint, with super hospitable service, Vintage 1889 is an absolute must for anyone visiting Fort Payne.
Wildflower Cafe
Another favorite restaurant I sampled, available for takeout only was The Wildflower Cafe, where I finally got the chance to try their award winning tomato pie! It was to die for; buttery and flaky, steaming, with fresh herbs. I had heard about The Wildflower Cafe’s famous tomato pie for years, and after waiting two years, back and forth to Desoto, it was well worth it, a highlight if you love local food. I finally can say the tomato pie was a culinary, urban legend I was finally happy to experience for myself.
The following day, I tried to burn off the tomato pie, by intending to swim in a local swimming hole, called The Hippie Hole, right below Martha’s Falls. It was such a hot afternoon, all I wanted to do was nose dive into cold, mountain water; however, unfortunately it just didn’t happen, I was unable to find it on my own, but next summer come rain or shine!
So, the afternoon turned into a waterfall, sightseeing expedition. I found myself at Desoto Falls and Little River Canyon, eventually settling on taking pictures from afar, listening to the rush of the waterfall, and living vicariously through the other vacationers. All in all, not a bad afternoon.
Mentone Market
Usually when I am in Mentone, I always go to the Mentone Market for fun groceries, wine, and my fill of quail eggs. About four years ago, as my parents and I were in route to stay at the Mentone Inn for Thanksgiving, and of course the coveted hash brown casserole I mentioned earlier, we came upon the old Mentone Market, and it had burned to the ground the night before!
Everyone was shocked and devastated, wondering if the owners would rebuild. Thankfully, the owners did rebuild and it’s just as cute as ever, this time with a fresh feel, beer on tap, and a new barbeque menu. They have done such a great job and it is for sure the place to experience the local flavor and the local people.
If touring civilization be your fancy, and a much needed break from the blood thirsty mosquito’s is what you need, then downtown Fort Payne, down the mountain, is just the place. The Spot, a coffee and a sandwich bistro, followed by a stop at The Fort Payne Footworks and Outdoors before an outdoor adventure, is essential to start the day off on a good foot, literally. If you need a new ensemble for appropriate hiking wear, Fort Payne Footwork’s and Outdoors is the place. With hiking attire galore, you can find the wardrobe to fit your needs.
Mentone Farmers Market
Upon leaving your vacation if it happens to fall on a Saturday, a mandatory pit stop is the Mentone Farmers Market. With fresh meats, vegetables, jellies, jams, soups, baked goods, handmade soaps, face masks, there are many treats waiting to go home with you. By giving you a sweet taste of the mountains as you bid a fond farewell, you can have something to remember your journey. As of right now, I have four jars of pickled jalapenos, sweet pickles, and squash relish, some of the best I’ve had from the Mentone Farmers Market. You just can’t beat fresh, summer pickles!
With all the activities available and a relaxed vibe, time flies on the mountain. Desoto has always been there for me to replenish my spirit and liven my mood. As it states on the stairs upward from Desoto Falls, “Everyone needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike” (John Muir, 1869). Help support our beautiful park service.
Visit Desoto State Park online to help keep our Alabama Recreation alive! Contribution to The Wildflower Cafe, Vintage 1889, The Big Mill, The Mentone Inn, The Mentone Market, and the Mentone Farmers Market are needed to keep business thriving up there as well.
Stay safe, practice responsible COVID prevention on your journey, and happy trails to you, until we meet again.
Contact Information
Mentone Inn
Contact: Cynthia Stinson
6139 Alabama Highway 117
Mentone, AL 35984
Telephone: 256-634-4836
www.mentoneinn.com
Desoto State Park
7104 Desoto Parkway NE
Fort Payne, AL 35967
Telephone: 1-800-ALA-PARK, 1-800-252-7275
www.alapark.com
Little River Canyon Natural Preserve
4322 Little River Trail NE Suite 100
Fort Payne, AL 35967
1-256-845-9605
1-256-997-9129
https://www.nps.gov/liri/index.htm
Mentone Market
Owners: Mike and Kathryn Norris
5872 Alabama Highway 117
Mentone, AL 35984
Telephone: 256-634-4686
mentonemarket@aol.com
Mentone Farmers Market
Contact Harriet Turner, Mentone Market Manager
6139 Alabama Highway 117
Mentone, AL 35984
(Mentone Inn Parking lot, every Saturday, 10:00 am- 1:00 pm)
Email: turnerhb2@gmail.com for inquiries
Big Mill Antique Mall
Contact: Lynn Richey
151 8th St. NE
Fort Payne, AL 35967
Telephone: 256-845-3380
www.bigmillcompany.com
The Wildflower Cafe
6007 AL Highway
Mentone, AL 35984
Telephone: 256-634-0066
mentonewildflower.com
The Spot
101 Gault Ave N
Fort Payne, AL 35967
Telephone: 256-979-1287
m.facebook.com/TheSpotCoffeeShop
Fort Payne Footworks and Outdoors
226 Gault Ave N
Fort Payne, AL 35967
Telephone: 256-845-5680
fortpaynechamber.com
Reference: Official Website of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ©2020 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
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