var switchTo5x=true;

Tag Archives: swimming pool

Lakepoint Resort, EuFaula, Alabama Is a State Park Jewel

A view as we supped on Southern, hometown fare!

 APtravelnews-Bob and Barb On The Road Again-November 24th, Lakepoint Resort State Park, Eufaula, Alabama- The resort is located about 7-miles north of historic Eufaula, AL. off of highway 421. The resort as well as the 1,220 park rests adjacent to and on the banks of the scenic 45,200 acre Lake Eufaula, also known as the “Bass Capital of the World.” The park is also located next to the 11,000 acre National Wildlife Refuge. If you want natural quietude amongst delightful natural surroundings, you’ll find it here.  If you’re up to enjoyable nightlife, head for the lounge for music and libations, as well as “good eats” at the resort restaurant, or have it both ways, or anyway you like, night and day!

As we travel for the many pursuits we must do, and also enjoy doing, we visit and stay at many different accommodations with so many different and exciting venues that sometimes, our experiences blend into strong memories of delightful places we fish, dine, meet new friends, hike, photograph wildlife, flowers and birds, etc. Well, Lakepoint Resort is not blended, it stands on its own as a terrific place to boat, fish, photograph wildlife, even alligators and relax overlooking Lake Eufaula in their comfortable and memorable restaurant and lounge, sometimes observing predator fish hitting top water at schools of prey fish. At and near the resort there is a swimming complex pool, a campground, cottages and cabins (we stayed in one of their older cabins, it was on a bass pond and perfect) a golf course, a well-stocked marina store at a very modern marina. The resort lodge was impressive with high ceilings, all manner of rooms for special events and private parties, a restaurant that looked over the lake and a cocktail lounge. The outdoor patio area was so peaceful and scenic.  Vista views of the lake greeted you from every angle.  We were there as writers and also as representatives of both Al’s Goldfish Lures and Click-It Hot warming units. We met up with old acquaintances and  broke bread with them again during the South Eastern Outdoor Press Conference being held on the grounds of the resort. The staff was first rate, the foods were quite good for a conference, the cleanliness was without exception, perfect. From what we experienced, everyone loved this venue for our conference. After-all our group  is an “outdoor” group, where else could we have had a better conference? We had and experienced the great outdoors in safety and comfort in Eufaula, AL. both in town at their great specialty food party and music of the South and at the beautiful Lake Aufaula.

For information on Lakepoint or other Alabama State Parks call 1-800-ALA-PARK or visit www.alapark.com

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.