The 4th of July falling in the middle of the week makes for the perfect extra long holiday week. If you’re one of the lucky folks who is taking advantage of this and has Thursday and Friday off, you may be wondering what to do with all that time. Here are some suggestions.

Get Outdoors

Walls of Jericho

Only an hour’s drive from Huntsville, Alabama, sleeping on the state line off Highway 79 north of Skyline is the canyon known as the Walls of Jericho. Tucked away in a remote valley in northern Jackson County, sculpted out of an earthen form by the collective dominances of gravity, water and time, waits a grand beauty for those who would hazard in to seek it.

Location: Alabama 79 north of HWY 72/Skyline almost to the Tennessee state line. Look for signs to the hikers lot.
Cost: Free

OVE Tips for a Good Trip:

• The hike up either the creek or the trail will stir up a good appetite, so plan to eat lunch in the natural amphitheater while warming yourself in the sun.
• A great hike to bring along your four legged friend
• Best time to go: spring or late summer
• Park at the Tennessee Trailhead, for a hike that is longer in distane but inversely proportional in vertical rise
• Packed a cooler with water and and leave it in the truck. You’ll need some 12oz anesthetic to cool off those quads at the end of the climb.

What to bring:

• 2-3 liters of water per person
• Snacks and lunch
• Waterproof camera
• Dry socks/water shoes

Stony Lonesome

Grown-ups need playgrounds too!  Welcome to Stony Lonesome OHV Park!  A playground for OHV (off-highway vehicles) enthusiast, Stony Lonesome is the first public OHV park of its kind in the state.

Location:
10075 AL Hwy 69 South
Bremen, AL 35033
Phone: 256-287-1133
Email: stonylonesomeohv@co.cullman.al.us
Website

Types of Vehicles You Can Bring:

• ATV’s
• Rock crawlers
• Dirt bikes
• Mountain bikers
• Equestrians
• Hikers
• Pedestrians

The trails are all clearly marked, teling you which vehicles can take what routes and the difficulty level of the routes.

Stoney Lonesome Amenities:

• Picnic tables through the park
• Cabins for rent on property if you want the adventure to continue the next day!
• Drinks for sale
• Bathrooms
• Free WIFI
• All of the consent forms are available online so that you can have them ready when you arrive.

Click here to read more about Stoney Lonesome.

Hang with the Animals

Harmony Safari Park

The Safari is a drive through animal park with things like mountain goats, zebras, ostrich, llamas, and deer. Because you stay in the car, it’s not actually a petting zoo, but in this heat, anything that requires you to stay in the A/C is a good thing.

Location:
431 Clouds Cove Road
Huntsville, AL 35803
Hours: Times vary by season. For the most up to date hours, call the park at (256) 723-3880.

OVE Tips for A Good Trip:

• Do not roll your window down more than 8 inches
• Buy a bucket of food
• Visit the reptile room

Tigers for Tomorrow

Arrington Vineyards

Founded in 2005 by Kix Brooks (of the country music duo Brooks & Dunn), businessman Fred Mindermann and winemaker Kip Summers, Arrington Vineyards is a 75-acre oasis of green hills and gorgeous vineyards located in Arrington, Tennessee, a mere two hours from Huntsville.

Location: 6211 Patton Rd
Arrington TN 37014
Click here for directions

OVE Tips for a fun time at the Vineyard:

• Your first stop should be the tasting room for a complimentary wine tasting
• Bring along a designated driver or leave yourself enough time to walk off any residual effects from the wine.
• Bring your own wine glasses or borrow some of Arrington’s cups. The assistants in the tasting room will be happy to uncork any bottle that you want to drink with your picnic.
• Ask the servers at the tasting bar if you’d like to schedule a tour.
• Order a picnic basket from Simply Living Life if you’d rather not bring your own picnic supplies.
• Bring sunscreen. The urge to walk around the beautiful grounds will be irresistible, and you’ll get too much sun before realizing it.

Gorham’s Bluff

Just about 20 minutes outside Scottsboro, atop Sand Mountain sits the town of Gorham’s Bluff. The community sits atop a bluff overlooking the Tennessee River with amazing views. The Lodge is a weathered Southern Plantation home with just the right amount of wear and a huge vase of Hershey’s Kisses to greet you as you enter the front door.

Location: 101 Gorham Drive
Pisgah, AL 35765-6891
Phone: (256) 451-VIEW (8439)
Website

Tips to a great stay at Gorham’s Bluff:

• Get a group of friends and rent ahomes or cottage for the week or weekend
• Be sure to visit the fishing lake, community pool and playground
• You must spend time in the afternoon with a glass of lemonade rocking in their rocking chairs on the back deck
• Try the blueberry muffins: they are THE best blueberry muffins ever with a perfect crispyish (is that a word?) outside, but a soft, melty, sweet , plump blueberry inside
• If you want alcohol, bring it with you. Gorham’s Bluff doesn’t sell alcohol or wine, but they will uncork yours and they have glasses.
• Head outside and read a book, watch the sunset, or stargaze.
• Keep up with Gorham’s Bluff, including events (Huntsville Master Chorale has performed there) and specials?  Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or read their blog.

Click here to read more about Gorham’s Bluff.