Huntsville, AL

[almeyer]

I'm in Huntsville, Alabama for two weeks and wondering if anybody could suggest boat-related stuff that I might want to visit over the weekend. I've got wheels, so driving is not an issue. Thanks for any help.
Al

[Paul Pless]

I'm not aware of any boating type stuff anywhere in Alabama except at the coast. The only boats your likely to see will be bassboats, pontoon boats, and jonboats. There may be a riverboat that offers dinner cruises on the Tennessee.

Really good fishing up there right now though. Should be a real good fall Striper run, and most of the lakes where you are have real good populations of smallmouth, spots, and largemouth bass; Crappie, hybrids, white bass, and the world record flathead was caught accross from the ConAgra grain loading docks in Decatur.

[ 10-18-2005, 09:40 AM: Message edited by: Paul Pless ]

[Paul Pless]

oh yeah, almost forgot, for a fantastic experience, you could rent a canoe or kayak and do the Little River Canyon, you can also repel (sp?) and hike it. Its the most beatiful area in all of Alabama, lots of Bald Eagle nesting sights near the falls there.

[willmarsh3]

Hi I live in Huntsville. There is sailing here on the Tennessee River - particularly on the various lakes - Lake Guntersville, Wheeler, Wilson, and Pickwick. I sail on Lake Guntersville.

I don't know if anyone charters sailboats though. There is a local publication called Pierpost that has information about local boat stuff. These can be found at any number of marine type stores e.g. Erwin Marine on South Parkway, Extreme Marine in Decatur (on the Hwy 31 bridge). There is also Ditto Landing Marina further down South Parkway.

There is no West Marine or Boat/US but there are local marine stores that mostly cater to the bass boat/pontoon boat folks. These are mostly open only during the week from 8-5. Walmart carries some boat stuff. Most sailboat stuff I order online.

There is a local Canoe Club - which I have not checked out yet.

What type of boating are you interested in?
Hope this helps.

Will.

[bob goeckel]

not much boatwise but don't miss the space center. there are a couple of antique boat shows(guntersville) but not this time of year.

[almeyer]

Thanks for the suggestions. I was looking more for places to visit than to do any actual boating. Thought about bringing my little 14-foot daysailer up, but the notion of dragging it 850 miles on 8" trailer tires didn't seem like too good an idea. Dealing with the security at Redstone Arsenal was another minus - I had enough trouble just getting a pass for my vehicle. May go down to Lake Guntersville this weekend just to look around.
Al

[Concordia..41]

If you really feel industrious and want to see Athens, my mother needs some tree limbs trimmed and some eves painted (she has this daughter who seldom makes it home). :(

Actually, Athens is a pretty little burg - courthouse on the square - U.G. White's hardware store on northwest corner; Limestone Drug also on the north side - east end - still has a soda fountain and will make a real cherry coke :cool:

Lake Guntersville has been suggested, and I recommend Wheeler Dam and Joe Wheeler State Park. Also, there's a well-marked drive up Monsanto Mountain and a beautiful view of Huntsville below - especially at night. Some folks turn up their noses, but being from Texas, you'll appreciate our "mountain."

Bits and pieces of an old country song still come to mind:

On Top of Monsanto...

As I sit here with this bottle and a gun in my right hand,
There's got to be an answer to free the mind of this man.

I tried my best to bring her back, but I just can't match all there is to offer her underneath those Huntsville lights.

Could she be at the well-known Cotton Club, or maybe the Carousel? It's possible the Esquire or the Peppermint Lounge as well.

I tried my best to bring her back, but I just can't match all there is to offer her in those flashing Huntsville lights...

I know there's more, but remembering pieces of a song 25 years later should count for something....

[almeyer]

Nice song, Margo. I'm enjoying the country around here, it's pretty. At home, the only thing we have that qualifies as elevation is the highway overpasses. I grew up in Austin though, so at least I was able to recognize hills and trees when I saw them up here.
Al