On October 25th Grammy and I packed up and pulled the Montana out, headed to NE Alabama - Ft. Payne to be exact. We had made plans to meet up with Jack/Sherry White, John/Judy White, Butch/Bonnie Lenoir and Cookie & Karl. All of our camping buddies have been going in different directions and this park was the perfect location for us all to get together for an autumn vacation amounst the fall colors. Little did we know that NE AL. had been going through a drought which resulted in some pretty drab colors. Oh well, that's what happens when a trip is planned a year in advance - it's kind'a like a box of chocolates...
This was actually the third time that we've stayed at DeSoto - its just a really neat place to camp with as many hiking trails that you could want. There are many water falls, but the drought also took a toll on them ... just trickles.
The weather fully cooperated with us. It only rained one day and the rest of the week was beautifully cool - with camp fires every night. (What's the fun in camping if you don't have a fire where casual visits turn into sessions re solving the world's problems?) Some nights were filled with B.S. and Karl's jokes and others were just plane B.S.
Yum, yum... steaks, chops, burgers, and sausage.
Nothing like fire grilled anything
on an open fire!
Of course we took the Little River Canyon scenic park drive and picnicked on the river bank. Even with dull colors, this place is awe inspiring.
The river is usually flowing
over the huge boulders 
Big rock,
little peeps...
So - we also drove over another state park named "Buck's Pocket". A very small park at thebottom of a valley between very high mountain peaks. Nice park - but not a place that I'd take the Montana. Getting it to the park would be one issue but pulling it out... would be impossible.
Notice the sign caption: "haven for defeated politicians".
A nice park drive - but not advisable for camping rigs
At the end of the week our friends, Lou & Carmon Dekmar and Steve & Lynn Heaton, joined us at Ft. Payne. They found a cozy log cabin close to the park and spent the weekend hiking with us and taking in the sights. I'm pretty sure they enjoyed the time spent together - and I know that we enjoyed them and the omelets that Lou cooked - it's kinda become a tradition while on these retreats. I'm already looking forward to next year's autumn adventure.
Well, that's about it for this camping post. It was one of the more enjoyable trips that Grammy and I've taken this year - good weather, good food, no camper problems, and oh yea, good friends.
..... until next time,
Chow
