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Category Archives: Resorts

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.

Travel Tips For Safety and Your Traveling Enjoyment

 

My biggest Muskie, at Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame! Caught my first two muskies on a fly 59 inches and 51 inches 2-casts, two muskie. Blew that 10,000 cast fable right out of the water! Had a great guide who knew where they lived in the rice, near Boulder Lake! Strip, strip 6-inch strips, bang!!!!!
My biggest Muskie, at Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward, Wisconsin. Caught my first two muskies on a fly- 59 inches and 51 inches 2-casts, two muskie. Blew that 10,000 cast fable right out of the water! Had a great guide who knew where they lived in the rice, near Boulder Lake! Strip, strip 6-inch strips, bang!!!!! 6-pound smallmouth on the fly, fought harder, though!

APtravelnews-August 25th, Dallas, TX.–Barb and I travel by any mode possible in the U.S. Plane, train, motorcoach, car, bike, trek.  Tip (1) However, wherever we go we allow day in for decompression and a day out for decompression. Long hours in the travel mode takes a toll on your body and mind, so pace your selves and always add enough time for your “fun” trip rushing here and there is not the best option for fun, its a guarantee of burn-out! Tip (2) Wherever you go, pay attention to the water; don’t drink it if it’s not from a sealed trust-able bottle-period! What you put in your mouth, even when brushing your teeth, or washing up can be bad for your health. Tip(3) don’t buy food from street vendors, health requirements and food spoilage in too many countries is often not up to the highest cleanliness standards-don’t play Russian Roulette with you food (just ask my mom what happened to her in Morocco when she against our warning ate from a street vendor-it wasn’t pretty, but she did survive! This also goes for foreign restaurants as well. Make sure a trusted local advises as to where you eat.  Tip (4) Today, more than ever just don’t go where there is a high  possibility of danger. Check online and with the State Department of where there is the most possibility of “bad actors.” Then just don’t go there! Tip (5) Avoid traveling by air unless there just is no other way! Barb and I have a plan on this. If we have to travel (have to for business or pleasure) we drive if the location is 1000 or less miles. So, if we have to travel (have to is the key word here) well more than a thousand miles we fly or if we can take the train. Always remember; flying is costly beyond the stupid airfare-car rental, the hassle of being on someone else’s time-clock! Tip (6) research before you travel, not when you get to your destination. This way you can adjust your schedules, find places that are a must-visit beyond the brochures and check out trip advisories and “real” travelers comments on what they experienced where you will be going to stay, play and feed your selves with!

Well, that’s enough to digest for now, but always remember when you leave your home you are always at the mercy of the world at large, just in a bigger way than the general safety of your home turf!

Mid Week Images To Remember

Taken just before Hurricane Andrew struck!
Taken just before Hurricane Andrew struck Biscayne Bay!
This 100-pound grouper was brought up from 200-feet off of Mexico on the boat Catch-22. No its not a Goliath Grouper!
This 100-pound grouper was brought up from 200-feet off of Mexico on the boat Catch-22. No its not a Goliath Grouper!
The way it used to be! Joe Brooks image! From my book: History of Fishing The Florida Keys!
The way it used to be! Joe Brooks image! From my book: History of Fishing The Florida Keys!
NUTS! In the Arctic!
NUTS! In the Arctic!
Great entry way to a B n B!
Great entry way to a B n B!

A Bed and Breakfast, or Family Compound-This is The Place!

APtravelnews–June 24th,-Homestead, Crossville, TN.-If you are looking to change your life, consider the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee. The weather with the 2,000 elevation is cooler in the summer. This property is located in the Historic Homestead area. This is a great property. Can be used as income property, family compound or turn it back to B & B. There is no restrictive zoning. Great location for an upscale restaurant. Small barn on property would also help make this a nice family farm.

The main home is a former bed and breakfast. “We loved the business but had to close it due to health issues about 10 years ago.” This home is listed on the National Register – only 17 listed in the State of Tennessee. Includes a 4700 sq. ft 5 bedroom 6 bath home (2 of bedrooms and baths are in separate apartments) plus a 1 bedroom home (remodeled from another barn) and an additional home. Crossville has been listed on the best places to retire and is called the “Golf Capital Of Tennessee”. It is a great tourist destination loaded with antique shops, flea markets, country fairs, etc.

The historic Bed and Breakfast can again be completely operational. The last few years, a new kitchen was installed. The cabinets are high end kraft-made cabinets, has commercial wiring that meets requirements for opening a restaurant. According to the owners;  “Last year we changed out the carpet for tile in the downstairs along with new windows. 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, a dining room that seats 22, 3 (2 are in separate apartments) kitchens plus prep kitchen, etc. Also included in this sale is a 1 bedroom, 2 bath barn/carriage home with porch. 1600 sq ft 3 – bedroom 2 bath home with garage. The carriage home 1 bedroom, bath, living room, kitchen and large wrap-a-round screen porch. Additionally, there is a barn, workshop and another garage, two gazebos, several decks and porches and a million dollar, water-feature landscaped entrance. Located on beautiful landscaped 6.5 acres. This price is well below the appraised value. Contact [email protected]   Note* These retired folks are friends. We are trying to assist so they can retire elsewhere near their children!