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Monthly Archives: October 2015

A Few Great Days In Florence, AL. Part 1 of 5

A view from the tower towards Pickwick Lake. This Marriott Hotel was excellent in every way!
A view from the tower towards Pickwick Lake. This Marriott Hotel was excellent in every way!

APtravelnews-October 23rd—Florence, AL. and Lauderdale, County is quite progressively moving forward with offering locals and visitors some of the best historical, modern as well as iconic music entertainment and even spiritual attractions, excellent restaurants and accommodations that AL. has to offer.  Barb and I, thanks to the very professional, yet extremely friendly, Georgia Carter Turner from Florence and Lauderdale Tourism Development Council,  brought us in to familiarize us with many opportunities that all visitors can take advantage of as well.

We stayed at the Marriott Shoals Hotel & Conference Center, which offered excellent buffet breakfasts, lunch and dinners at Swampers Restaurant (see images of our meals) comfortable rooms and even an indoor and outdoor impressive swimming pool and spa. The staff was very pleasant and friendly; the elevator never kept you waiting- it was as fast as any I have ever experienced. The beds were perfect!  It’s tough to be comfortable traveling and bed-hopping, but here we slept comfortably and bedded down on the 6th floor watching vast sunsets and sun-ups over a panoramic view of hill and dale, viewing the nearby waters of Muscle Shoals and the Tennessee River. www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/msimc-marriott-shoals-hotel-and-spa/

Salmon and sauteed Brussel,Sprouts at Swamper's Restaurant in the lobby area of the Marriott!
Salmon and sauteed Brussel,Sprouts at Swamper’s Restaurant in the lobby area of the Marriott!
Welcome Center new and special for Florence, Lauderdale and every visitor!
Welcome Center new and special for Florence, Lauderdale and every visitor!
Steak and fried green tomatoes. Even Pres. Bushes favorite vegetable (not) Broccoli! Dat's a meal!
Steak and fried green tomatoes. Even Pres. Bushes favorite vegetable (not) Broccoli! Dat’s a meal!

Early Monday morning, writer Rebecca McCormick from Hot Springs Arkansas  and I were scheduled  to fish Pickwick Lake with Guide Lance Walker. It sure was cool traveling at 75-miles per hour with his Skeeter Boat powered by a 250-hp Yamaha, but we got to cover plenty of water and with a bit of a cold-front, the fish had a bit of lockjaw. Fortunately, we carried Click-It Hot Hand Warmers. Lance loved using these near instant reusable units in his hands and on his back too. Fortunately we had the right guide. Lance knew where they lived and we popped a 9-pound largemouth, a 4-pound smallmouth and a few additional bass in the 4-pound range. Plenty of great fish to photo and release (see images). Overall a fabulous fishing adventure!  www.scout.com/outdoors/wired2fish/story/1466300-pickwick-bass-fishing-showing-out-again

After a wash-up, we headed for lunch and ice cream at Trowbridge’s on Main Street in Florence. The diminutive place is an iconic, very reasonably priced lunch spot with ice cream to cry for “more. Along with the lively crowd, we enjoyed sharing this long-time fun-spot that felt like a throw-back to the 50’s. Pimento Cheese sandwiches were long time favorites, and I had a Butter Pecan Milk Shake that I can’t wait to taste again-WOW! www.yelp.com No there was more to come: Stay tuned for our dinner at Ricatoni’s Italian Grill and later; Arx Mortis Haunted attraction, back door tour. It was so spooky and really scary! Note: See lots more in next posts about our whirlwind adventures in Florence and Muscle Shoals, AL. Check out their website at:  www.visitflorenceal.com  We’re Going back for sure!

Our fishing guide, Lance Walker knows where they live (a nine-pounder) and he knows how to knock on their door!
Our fishing guide, Lance Walker knows where they live (a nine-pounder) and he knows how to knock on their door!
The display at the welcome Center shows various types of bass that are found in the TN. and Lake Pickwick.
The display at the welcome Center shows various types of bass that are found in the TN. and Lake Pickwick.

Barb Said “Yes” To Onos Sunglasses

A hat and good polarized sunglasses are a pre-requisite for any outdoor adventure!
A hat and good polarized sunglasses are a pre-requisite for any outdoor adventure!

APtravelnews-October 17th- Lake Point Resort State Park, near historic Eufaula, Alabama-Southeastern Outdoor Press Association 51st Annual Conference-As this exciting event winds down on its last day, Barb and I wanted to let our readers know about a few products and events that were part of the October 14th-17th conference. First up: Barb and I spend a lot of time boating and fishing, so a great pair of sunglasses is not a convenience, it’s a “must have.” Once again after about 4-years, we visited with Chris Nelson of Onos Trading Company, Mobile, AL. Polarized Performance Sunglasses . It was time for Barbara to update her eye-wear frame color, as we knew that Onos are “clearly superior sunglasses with more choices for reader power.” The glasses have “strong and better quality frames, lenses and grips than leading brands” according to Chris Nelson from Onos. These sunglasses have a lifetime warranty and offer Bifocal Readers in 5 add powers, Plano Lens with no Bifocal and they are Opthamalic Quality. With 4-different lens colors and coatings and a price point that is less and amazingly competitive with most of the high price spread glasses on the market so Barb opted for Onos!

One of several models and colors!
One of several models and colors!

Go: onos.com for more detailed information and you can call them toll free if you like at 866-865-4695

Florida’s Fishing Legends and Pioneers Book Will Hook You!

P1030597

APtravelnews.com October 11th, Goose Holler’ Farm, TN.—As an Author, speaker, radio and videographer, Doug Kelly found the niche he was always looking for when he visited and then moved to the Florida keys. Although he no longer lives there, just like me; the Keys stays in your blood forever. This book explores that niche and he has done an admiral job of portraying a broad history of the men and women that found that the keys lived up to its reputation as the fishy paradise that dreams are made of for outdoor adventurer’s.

I feel lucky to have known some of these down to earth legends and at least a couple of pioneers as well. What this 336-page book allows you to do according to Doug:  “turning the pages transports you through remarkable eras and lets you trace the amazing footsteps of important personalities, colorful characters and talented experts who molded the remarkable history of sport fishing in the southernmost part of Sunshine State. Doug says that comments about the book are welcome at www.Floridasfishinglegends.com It’s a wonderful book!