With sort of a last minute plan, my wife is about to start back to work after the summer break, we decided to go for a long weekend stay at one of our “close to home” favorite state parks in Alabama.

Monte Sano state park has a lot to offer for us.? It is close to our home, and just up the mountain out of Huntsville so there is anything you want to eat if you don’t feel like cooking.?? But far enough away that when it is quiet, it is REALLY QUIET.?? Lots of trees, shade, and the elevation made the temps feel much more like fall than mid-summer.? We had a great time.

To add to our relaxing and restful trip into nature, we saw several deer wandering around on the mountain, and lots, and lots of squirrels and chipmunks.? The trees and natural brush between sites makes you feel like you are almost alone up on the mountain.

We also had a group of friends go with us which always helps my diet because the ladies like to out-do each other with recipes, and great food.? I love it when they bring everything out and we have our own little buffet.?? Thanks Ladies!

This trip also offered our son a place to come celebrate his 34th birthday with us, and also our daughter brought the grand kids to celebrate too.? Little grand daughter loved seeing the deer and even got a close up look as they are not very shy, but will run away before we could get close enough to pet them.