OH THE PLACES WE SHOULD GO - CHEAHA STATE PARK

ENJOYING FALL 

AT 

CHEAHA STATE PARK

(Writing and photography by 

Sheila Gail Landgraf)

Looking for a great place to take a fall picnic?  I would highly recommend Cheaha State Park at 2141 Bunker Loop, Delta, Alabama.  

The trees are changing colors and the air is crisp and fresh.  All you need to do is grab your picnic basket and a light jacket and come join the fun.  Please do remember to take a camera; the scenic views from this mountainous park are amazing.  This little slice of heaven is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and is the highest place in the State of Alabama.  It stands 2,407 feet above sea level. 

My husband and I had a free Sunday last summer and we packed up a picnic and headed toward Cheaha.  This turned out to be one of the most delightful day trips we have ever taken.  These are late spring/early summer photos and they are absolutely breath-taking; so you can imagine how lovely this place would be with fall foilage!  It is definitely worth the drive just to see the colors.

All people staying overnight are invited to register at the Gift Shop.  It is fun to browse around there.  I picked up a few post cards of the area.

The name Cheaha comes from the language of the Creek Indians who settled here long ago.  The word they used to describe the mountains was “Chaha” and it translates in English to “high place.”  The history of the Creek Indians who lived on this mountain is interesting and worth checking into when you have the chance.  A good place to start is right in this very park at the Walter Farr Indian Artifacts Museum.  This museum holds a collection of the artifacts of those who once made this part of earth their home.

The Talladega National Forrest surrounds this park.  It is full of hiking trails, scenic overlooks and beautiful waterfalls.  Adventures and events and family friendly activities are always happening here.  If you are just driving in for the day, you will not find a better bargain for a mini-vacation.  The day-use fees are only $3 per day and if you are 62 or over, only $1.    There are usually many choices of planned events taking place for all age ranges and interests in several areas of the park each month. 

Spring months of March, April and May are very beautiful on the mountain and this is a popular time for families and hikers. 

There is something planned for every occasion of each year, starting with St. Patrick’s Day when The Cheaha Mountain Restaurant goes green and serves Green Beer to their guest. 

On Friday nights before Easter you and yours can catch Family Night at The Bald Rock Lodge.  Marshmallows are roasted around a camp fire where the Easter Bunny appears during a puppet show that explains the history of how people lived back when the Bald Rock Lodge was a very famous restaurant and hotel in Alabama. 

On the Saturday before Easter there is a Kid’s Craft Session which is also held at the old Bald Rock Lodge.   Following that is a photo session with the Easter Bunny and an Egg Hunt with Easter Egg Races afterwards.  There are events scheduled on this day for all ages, not just the kiddies.  Great family fun abounds. 

On Easter Sunday there is an Easter Buffet where Easter Eggs are sure to be on each and every plate. 

In May the park celebrates the dedication and work of the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps.)  There is a special museum that was created here just to honor these dedicated voluntary workers who help to make and keep the park a special place.  If you are looking for a place to make a difference, this organization is highly recommended.

In June there is a special Father’s Day Buffet.  This would be a great way to say how much you appreciate your Dad, as well as a good way to get your whole family outdoors and moving in the Alabama sunshine through the nature trails after lunch.

July and August are perfect months to enjoy Cheaha Lake for swimming and paddle boats as well as fishing.

Many people try to make this trip in the fall to see the lovely changing colors of the leaves. 

In September the XTERRA Alabama State Park 10K Trail Run is taking place.  The race starts on the street but leads into the woods.  Some of the adventures of this run include running through rolling hills, single tracks, double tracks, roots, and several technical sessions.  Everything about this trail is outside of the city and deep into nature.  If you have been running on concrete too long and wish for a pleasant change of scenery, this is the race for you.  More information can be found at:  http://www.dirtyspokes.com/cheaha-state-park/.

Also, in September there is a Chili Cook-off contest.  Do you make the best chili in your camp?  If you win this contest you get to stay at the Bald Rock Lodge for free for a whole weekend.  The old historical lodge is very interesting and intriguing.  It contains 12 bedrooms and can sleep up to 32 people.  People enjoy renting the whole lodge for special events and reunions.  Might be worth the effort to perfect that chili recipe and give the Chili Contest a shot!

September and October brings the celebration of beautiful fall foliage across the land.  Vans and busloads of people come to watch the changing of the colors and to enjoy hiking through the beautiful landscapes that are ablaze with the fire of fall.

November brings a popular Thanksgiving Day Luncheon.  It starts at Candyland Village where candy houses built by children from the area are on display.  The smell of frosting gets you ready for the beginning of the Christmas Season.

In December there are several good choices of things to do at The Cheaha Mountain Restaurant.   You can arrange to have breakfast with Santa, which includes breakfast or lunch and a photo session if you wish.  Also at the same restaurant, there is always a special Senior Day in December where seniors gather to meet and greet and sing carols and visit with each other while enjoying the park.  

Whatever you chose to participate in, there is nothing more pleasant than having your breakfast served in front of miles and miles of a scenic panoramic view as you sip your coffee and gaze out the huge window wall at the wonders of nature.  You will be sitting right on the edge of one of the tallest peaks in the state next to a completely glass wall.  A very popular question with first time guests to the restaurant is “Who washes these windows?” 

The wine from The Cheaha Mountain Restaurant comes from local Alabama wineries.  The Muscadine Wine from the nearby White Oaks Vineyard (in Anniston, Alabama) seems to be a favorite of the locals.  

New Year’s Eve is special here at the park.  On December 31st people gather at the highest point in Alabama to watch the Annual Turkey Drop.  You will be served hot chocolate and coffee and sparkling cider.  You can watch the Pinhoti turkey’s lighted ball descending from the tower.  You can learn to do the turkey trot dance and enjoy some special music and other activities.  The restaurant will be serving buffet breakfast from 11 p.m. till 2 a.m. for New Years, and all the greens and black-eyed peas you want during the next day for lunch.  Why not rent a cabin or chalet for this event?  Sounds like a lot of fun.

Come back again in February for Sweetheart Weekend.  If you stay at the lodge, you will receive a bottle of champagne for free and the Valentine’s Dinners at The Cheaha Mountain Restaurant are always very tasty.

 Schools and local small groups are encouraged to use the facilities for field trips.   If you contact a lady named Mary at the Museum, she can arrange a field trip for your group.  There are lots of things to do on a field trip at this park; including roasting hot dogs and marshmallows over a campfire while someone tells the stories and legends of the park, touring the museum, attending a puppet show that is full of good information for those seeking to enjoy the great outdoors, and history lessons galore.  You can take your group to climb to the top of the observation tower and you can do some group hiking.  There is a gem mine called The Pinhoti Mineral and Gem Mining Company, behind the store.  In this place you can search for precious gems. Reservations for groups may be made at:  Cheaha.event@dcnr.alabma.gov.  There are also educational sessions that will teach you how to make a pine needle basket available on request.  Children can build an edible candy cabin to take home with them from their field trips where they are taught to “think beyond what you see.”   There is also a popular Christmas Home School workshop held each December. 

We pulled into the swimming area that contained lots of picnic tables near a pristine little lake with a pier and beach.  There were restroom facilities on the property and trash cans and grills for public use.  There was a nice little kiddie play area with all kinds of things to climb and swing on.  There was also a large adult swing close to the beach near more picnic tables.  We paid the day fee through the honor system as we were there when no attendant was on duty that day.  We found a secluded little table near the entrance to the area near a small little waterfall made from the runoff water from the lake.

As we spread our feast on the table we noted that people were canoeing and using the paddle boats.  Some people had brought their own fishing boats and were quietly fishing on the other side of the little lake.  I imagined that this part of the park had not changed in centuries.  My husband told me he used to come there on picnics with his mother when he was a small child and everything still looked exactly the same.  There was a feeling of peace and contentment in the air.  I could have stayed in this little spot all day, just soaking up the sunshine and feeling the cool spring breezes that were blowing across the lush landscape before us.  It was easy to de-stress and relax here.

After our lovely picnic we drove out to The Bald Rock Lodge where we took a stroll on the Bald Rock Boardwalk Trail.  Unfortunately, the area is still recovering from devastation of a terrible tornado, but it was still beautiful in spite of many twisted and turned and broken trees. 

If you are a writer or an artist, there is gold here to be gleaned by what your imagination will tell you about the way these trees have survived and are still showing the green growth of spring underneath the brokenness. 

I’m sure the woods in this area have now recovered from this temper tantrum of nature by now, and you will never even know it happened.  Much beauty is still seeping through from the old and new beauty is popping out all over the land.  There are no words to describe the breathtaking view at the end of this scenic walk.  The fall of the year would give you an even more panaromic view.  I caught myself longing to stay at the Bald Rock Lodge one night, then wake up early for a walk at sunrise or even end the day watching the sun set from this spectacular peak.  It has to be a completely amazing experience.  Just the views from the middle of the day left me speechless with awe.

There are miles of mountain bike trails and many hiking trails in this park.  Rangers are on duty and doing their jobs well.  The quaint little swimming area with the small sandy beach and paddle boats for rent which I’ve already described are just a small part of the fun you will find here.  You can fish all you want in several places designated for fishing.  There are many scenic observation areas, the best being the observation tower that is at the highest point of the park. 

Campers are in heaven here – if you are a real and authentic camper you will not ever want to leave.   This camp has all the basics needed for modern camping, yet; everywhere you go you get that feeling that you have stepped back in time.  Things are quaint, lovely and simple.  Things are slow and peaceful and not so crowded.  The noise of the city cannot be found here.   If you prefer the more modern way of life there are comfortable chalets and rustic cabins for rent, as well as tent camping grounds.   There are also hotel rooms at the lodge near the restaurant, where you will find The Country Store, with all the necessities of life close by.

I just can’t think of a better way to spend a weekend.  Go and see for yourself!