Here is a good write up on Yahoo. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110502/ap_en_ot/us_people_sheen_severe_weather

When: Saturday, June 2^nd 2011 from 11am until 10 pm

Where: 93Cookieman Place at 1438 Hwy  17 South/Wilder Circle,  Aliceville, AL 35442

The Rural Members Association is proud to announce the 14th Annual Freedom Creek Blues Festival founded by the late great Willie King and held this year in his honor, following his untimely passing in 2009. This year’s festival is to be held at a different venue than in previous years, on the outskirts of Aliceville, Alabama, at “Cookieman’s” Place on Hwy 17 South.

This internationally acclaimed festival will take place rain or shine on Saturday June 2nd starting at 11am opening with a great traditional gospel group followed by non-stop blues. The family friendly festival attracts local and international crowds and is renowned for its down home atmosphere, great music and delicious southern food.

Lineup: international blues stars Super Chikan and Homemade Jamz will headline the show.

The festival will open with a prayer and gospel music from the Mississippi Nightingales. Blues bands will play all day, including the Alabama Blues Project Advanced Student Band, local bluesmen Clarence Davis and “Birmingham” George Conner, the Alabama Blues Women Review including Shar Baby, Rachel Edwards, B.J. Miller and Debbie Bond. Birmingham blues great Elnora Spencer will appear with her band, blues traditionalist Little G Weevil, the Missississippi Blues Boys . . . and more!

Admissions is by suggested donation of $10. This is the most down-home, real deal blues festival around in the heart of the deep South where the blues was born!

For more information: www.willie-king.com or call (205) 752 6263.

The festival is made possible by generous grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and Alabama State Council on the Arts.

Resources

Safe and well https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php

Find Red Cross Shelters

Volunteer Info:

Volunteer http://www.redcross.org/en/volunteer

Shelters:

Donations

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org

http://www.voasoutheast.org/

South Alabama Tornado Relief Clothing Drive

United Way  of Central Alabama – list drop off locations

United Way West Alabama

Support the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce Relief Fund

American Red Cross

Mid Alabama Red Cross

Eagle Point Church

Text: “Red Cross” to 90999

GOVERNOR’S EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND

GOVERNOR’S EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND

Donate Blood

Bel Air Mall Blood Drive
Tues., May 3 from Noon-6pm
Bel Air Mall, Target wing
Mobile, AL 36606
(251) 478-1893

Please comment below to add to the list

Animal Info

The City of Huntsville Animal Services

Power

Outage and power restoration updates:
www.alabamapower.com

Tuscaloosa was hit hard by a massive tornado with over 100 admitted to ER’s. The tornado missed the campus of the University but it caused widespread damage in many areas. Devastation soon moved to the Birmingham’s northern suburbs onward to  northwest Georgia.  Concord and Pleasant Grove  near Birmingham reported 11 dead. The twister  is estimated at a mile wide and tracked on the ground for for over 2 hours from the Mississippi State line.

Downtown Cullman got hit by a massive tornado that tore roofs off business’s and caused extensive damage. Most of the Cullman area lost power and many homes had damage from falling trees in the area. Hanceville also saw damage with falling trees. Wallace state’s library also had some damage from the morning storms.

12 confirmed dead or missing in Phil Campbell after tornadoe rips through the south part of town.
A Tornado hit Union Grove mobile home park in Arab according WAFF in Huntsville.

The Sand Mountain Reporter said that many trees were down around the Guntersville area.

A call from home confirmed a hit near Geraldine with trees down, flying debris and a destroyed chicken house . Dad said they were taking shelter and could see flying debris . He said a large tree fell and hit the side of the house. Once outside he discovered fallen trees covering his driveway and a demolished chicken house next door.
For can goods, clothes, UNITED WAY OF WEST ALABAMA.
2720 6th St # 100
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401-1798
(205) 345-6640

Story:::

If you are in the woods  around the Coates Bend area of Etowah County, Alabama and see any animals that are acting weird, do not mess with them. Rabies is famous for turning a normal scared coon into a crazy  creature. Dogs can become very violent and tend to  be crazy fighters to. There have been attacks of bobcats infecting people in many areas.  BOB Cat Attacks

COTTONWOOD – A bobcat Attack Some more Rabies stories..

All kinds of animals can get rabies and pass it to other animals.  If you are in the woods it is good idea to have protection!  I always carry a sharp knife in case  of  rough situation.

Buck’s Pocket

When you are in the pocket you will come to a bridge and there will be a trail on your left.  I always park across the road on the side of the road. The trail  is  a dirt trail that trucks use to get the camping area at Morgans Cove.

The trail follows beside south sauty creek  all the way from the bridge to camp. Be prepared it can be slippery and muddy depending on the season. Expect big rocks, roots, and mud puddles as you  make your way. The trail is roughly about a mile back into camp. I tried to ride all the way  to Morgans cove parking area but found too much mud and decided to turn back. The old bridge is not in service so crossing the creek would be difficult at best.  It took me a few hours to ride the trail and make it back out. Beware of a pinch flats from rocks and be sure to wear with your head gear. This is a pretty tough ride  with large hills , lots of rocks , and  some washed out areas.

Lake Guntersville Alabama- Simp Mckee Bain -Samuel Gordon Culbert Horse Trail

This is a very popular  horse trail that stays busy on most weekends. I have found it to be a fun trail to ride but it can be tricky and dangerous. The trail has alot of hills and alot of lose rock that making stopping difficult. There are some good hills for speed that are safe for flying down. There was one area where with a horse shoe turn and lose rock that made me walk my bike down.    By this time I have made down to the backwater by a makeshift camping area. Expect good views of the mountain and all kinds of plants and animals. IF you are lucky you might even stir up a deer or two.  Don’t forget to avoid the steamy green horse pattys.

The area  has been used for years as a  meeting place for local groups and a play place for others. At 35 feet high the falls  can be an extreme jump for those who dare.   When the water is high the falls can span nearly 300 foot across. High Falls  is a beautiful place to explore but can be very dangerous.  Many have been hurt and some killed from accidents at the falls. During winter ice can be an issue around the falls and often the rocks can be slick. Never under estimate the power of the flowing water. Never play in a fast moving current  they can sweep you over.

During the fall is a great time to visit with wonderful  tree colors and easy flowing water. Most days you can expect few people , it tends to pick up on weekends.  Visiting the park is free and there is usually an attendant on duty. A rustic playground  with picnic tables and a pavilions are a great place for a picnic.

Co. Rd. 394 &149, off Ala. Hwy. 227 (between Grove Oak & Geraldine)
Geraldine, AL

Bucks Pocket State Park Fall 08   located in northeast Alabama! Vulcan Aftertunes fall 2008 Birmingham, Alabama Little River Falls, Northeast Alabama

Looking to find rocks and geodes in the Alabama area? Alabama has many caves and where there are caves there are some awesome Geodes and rocks! North Alabama has many mountains with lakes with great waterfalls and caves. There are currently 4257 caves in the Alabama with 27 caves discovered last year according to ACS (Alabama Cave Survey.) If you are near Huntsville there are many caves with streams in the paint rock valley area all the way into Tennessee! These are some deep pocket hills and some of the prettiest land found in Alabama. I got the chance to visit the paint rock valley last fall and found a great creek with nice Agate. It was the perfect creek to find rock and there was evidence of someone looking for agate before us. We found many rocks that had been cut in half in the creeks.

Last week I stopped by and the waters were to high and muddy to even see in the creek. So it looks like it will be awhile before the waters tame down and I get another chance to find new rocks washed out of the deep caves.

The area that I enjoy looking is about as country as you get and there are old store buildings along the path that brings you back to old days.  None of the old stores are still open and only one modern gas station in the area.

It is rumored that there is lost treasure in the area on the side of the mountain! The lost treasure of Keel Mountain! It is believed that a large amount of Gold was lost within the rolling hills near Gurley, Alabama. It was a large amount of gold being moved by the feds and it was an ambush!  Just type in your browser “Lost Keel Mountain Gold” and you will find a few great articles about it! Within the great hills holds many of the leftover artifacts preserved in the rock. Many years ago the ocean once came up to the  mountains and rock would be washed back and fourth much like the rock is wash on the beaches today. If you know the right level and know where to look you can some awesome “Fire Agate.” Let me tell it is some of the prettiest stuff in the world. People say you can find it all the way into the Tn. My last trip I had no luck and had marked a map but did not carry GPS with me. I found the gps directions on-line and with a gps device may have had some luck.

Hunting rock is like hunting gold, it can be hard to find! Another area that seems to be popular  is around Athens, Alabama! There have quiet a few people find some nice geodes just west of town. If you are in the area look for a fresh plowed field and start picking up the rocks and shaking them. A geode will be a lot lighter and may even rattle. Be sure to ask for permission from the land owner. You can also find them in creeks in the area and can find a few that has easy access. Some private land owners may let you look, just ask!

The year was 1540 and Hernando Desoto and his Army of Spanish Conquistadors were on their way down the ChattoogaRiver heading toward Cedar Bluff, Alabama. On June 4^th, 1540 they arrived and camped for almost a month on an island. It was soon named McCoy’s island, ‘Chiaha” was the name given by Desoto’s historians.

As they arrived they found the beauty of the two rivers and the Coosa valley to be very pleasing. They decided to rest at McCoy’s Island to heal the men and horses. It was also very abundant in food and the perfect camp after a long hard journey through the Appalachian Mountains. A journey that was very difficult and a challenge for even the most experienced warrior!

There were rumors of gold to be found in the north and west hills of Lookout Mountain. So Desoto decides to send a small army of men led by lieutenant Vilabo and Silva. They departed on June 1570 and passed between Menlo, Georgia and Blanche, Alabama toward Desoto Falls near Mentone, Alabama! They decided to camp for a few days at the

104 foot waterfalls. It is located on the west fork of little river on Lookout Mountain.

For several days the troops searched the area for gold and other treasures and then proceeded to pass through Big Wills to Henagar Alabama. Here they found south Sauty Creek and followed it all the way to Buck’s Pocket State Park. It is said that the men were blown away by the view from point rock and did not find gold but found iron Oxide high in the cliffs around Buck’s Pocket! There is no historical evidence that says they went any further than Buck’s pocket or ever saw the Tennessee River!

From this point the party headed back toward McCoy’s Island and passed through the town of Sand Rock, Alabama. The men returned to Chiaha (McCoy’s Island) near Hokes Bluff. They arrived to discover that Desoto and the main party had set trail June 28, 1540 down the Coosa River. Desoto had left a few wounded men behind to wait for the Sand mountain crew to return. They departed to catch up with Desoto and arrived on June 18, 1540 only two days behind Desoto’s arrival on July 16, 1540. They camped at the mouth of the Talladega creek in Talladega County.

Many people say that Desoto discovered the falls but there is evidence that the area was used by Indians and even the Welsh! Located near 325 feet above little river are three caves that are interconnected by openings between the caverns. They are protected by the cliff and only a narrow trail leads the way to the Welsh caves. It is rumored that only a few men could fight off an army of troops. The trail was so narrow that only one man could pass at a time.

It is believed that the Welsh traveled to the New World over 300 years before Columbus and made 3 trips. They sailed into Mobile Bay and traveled to Lookout Mountain. The Indians of the time did not possess the skill of excavation and it is believed that the Welsh came and built the caves high above little river. There were also six skeletons found wearing brass armor with the Welsh coat of arms.

Desoto falls is an awesome waterfalls and seeing it in person is inspiring and beautiful. To see the foliage in the fall is breath taken and colors are super vibrant. I could not imagine what it would have looked like 500 years ago. The area is still very preserved and has an abundant supply of wildlife.

In the 1920’s Arthur Abernathy Miller and self taught electrical engineer built a twenty-foot high damn above the falls. Author built the damn to supply power to his hydroelectric generator on the west side of the gorge. There is still a square concrete slab where the generator one was. It supplied power for fort Payne, Collinsville, Mentone, valley head, Alabama
> and Menlo Georgia.. If it wasn’t for Miller’s genius many people in the area would have been without power.

Desoto State Park is one of Alabama most beautiful areas and has many things to do year around. They have cabins, chalets, swimming, picnic area, hiking trails, and many special events. You can’t forget all the waterfalls in the area either: Indian falls, Azalea falls, laurel, lost falls, Lodge Falls, and of course Desoto Falls! You could spend a week in Desoto state park just looking at waterfalls and hiking. Little river falls and many other falls around Little River Canyon are just a short drive away!

There are a few great trails, Wildflower trail that is perfect for you flower lovers. It is only 0.49 and begins and ends at the lodge! Looking for a longer hike you can take Laurel Creek Loop and is a total of 2.9 miles long. This is the perfect trail for you waterfall lovers and passes by laurel falls, lost Falls and azalea cascade. When it is dry you may not find Lost falls so be prepared! It also starts and ends at the same place making it a great trail for you hikers.

They have an awesome camping area with 58 water and electric sites and two comfort stations with restrooms with hot showers. You will want to make reservations, first come first serve. They also have 20 primitive camping spots and offer a group rate and a single person is $5.35 as of 2008. It is $3 per person with the group rate! You can also use the bathrooms and showers!

Need food, you have the Desoto State Park Mountain Inn cooking all the home classics.

There are also places in Mentone like Cragsmere Manna Restaurant and Dessie’s Country Chef, just like mom used to make!

While you are in the area you must check out Little River Canyon National Preserve with great 700 foot cliffs and waterfalls along Lookout Mountain. Little River is a rock climbers paradise and also has white water for you water ducks out there. Come

to Alabama and see the beauty of the mountain and lose yourself into nature. If you come in the winter time be sure to check out Cloudmont Ski and Golf. They start blowing Alabama snow as soon as it gets 28 degrees and the area gets an annual snowfall of 12 inches! Who would have ever thought it, Alabama snow!

Thanks for reading about Desoto Falls on Lookout Mountain. Come see Alabama and understand why they call it “Alabama the Beautiful!”