To me there is no better weekend getaway then packing up the family, our camping gear and heading out into the woods to enjoy nature and everything it has to offer.

To sit around a campfire and watch the orange glow and the smell of pine as the wood crackles underneath a clear star filled sky is the ultimate in relaxation.

Whether you are going on your first camping trip or your 100th the Internet has made it possible to do a lot of research on where you are going before you get there. I have been on many camping trips and have been to dozes on different campgrounds, but although I have my favorites I am always looking for something new.

The feel of being at a different campground is exciting. It is like being en explorer as you head off in the wilderness. Ok maybe I am exaggerating a bit but you get the point.

To find new places what I like to do is check out a few different websites where others have already camped. Previous campers get a chance to rate different campgrounds and write in what they thought was good or bad about the place. It is about as honest of a review system that you are going to get. You will read anything from ??the campground was a disaster?? to ??it was the best campground ever?? and everything in between. You??ll need to read the reviews and decide for yourself which are reviews that have some value and which are made by disgruntled people who find fault in everything they do in life. You know what I mean.

A couple good sites that I check out are RVParkReviews, CampgroundReport and RVBuddy. I just want you to keep in mind that I have no affiliation to any of these sites whatsoever other than I frequent them from time to time to read some reviews.

Each has their own means of letting others review campgrounds and RV parks from around the country. It has been a while since I camped outside of the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware area, but if the opportunity of camping in another state ever arises I know I can go to one of these sites, select the state I will be camping in, narrow it down to the exact area I want to go to and read the reviews.

These websites make it nice to read real people??s opinion of different campgrounds and what they have to offer. I also recommend that if you have done a lot of camping or are going to do a lot of camping you also should participate in reviewing the places you have been. It is only right that if you are going to use these sites for your gain you should help others out as well.

So I raise my Coleman Thermos Mug, filled with *cough* Coffee *cough*, and wish you and your family a great camping trip. Cheers!




Alabama is home to a growing number of small wineries. Although not traditionally thought of as a wine producing state, there are more than a dozen small wineries scattered across Alabama. These wineries showcase traditional red and white wines as well as some regional favorites. The Alabama Wine Trail highlights most of the vineyards and wineries. Visitors to northern Alabama may want to visit two of the wineries in the area and a vineyard that allows customers to pick their own grapes and purchase wine making supplies.

The Jules J. Berta Winery is located in Albertville. They have found that vinifera grapes like their high elevation and sandy soil on Sand Mountain. They also grow some French-American hybrid grapes. Some of their wine offerings include Chardonnay, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Merlot, Sylvaner, Petit Syrah, Cabernet, and Blaufrankisch. Berta Winery also sells three types of Muscadine wines,how can i get cheap nike shox, several fruit wines, and dessert wines. Grapes for both their red and white wines are grown onsite. The Muscadine grapes are grown locally in Alabama, and the fruit wines are made with combinations of their own grapes and products from local farms. In addition to their wines, the gift shop sells candles, wine stoppers, and other items to go with the different wine choices,nike shox torch 2. Jules J. Berta Winery is located at 1409 Darden Avenue in Albertville. The winery is open Monday-Thursday from 10am-6pm, and Friday and Saturday from 10am-7pm.

Wills Creek Vineyard is found a few miles south in Duck Springs, Alabama. Their traditional wine offerings include Syrah, Rieslings, White Merlot, and Pinot Grigio. They also sell Muscadine table wines, fruit infused wines, and dessert wines. The tasting room is open Monday-Saturday all year from 10am-6pm. Visitors are offered free samples of their products. The gift shop sells local artisan cheeses, flavored syrups, jellies, sauces, wine related gifts, and wine making supplies. A free winemaking class is offered on the first Saturday of each month. Wills Creek wines are also sold in stores throughout Alabama. Wills Creek Vineyard is located at 10522 Duck Springs Road.

Wenker??s Vineyard, located at 1295 Martling Gap Road in Albertville, is a little different. They grow several varieties of Muscadines and Scuppernongs and allow visitors to pick their own grapes. After picking, they will crush and press the grapes as a courtesy to their customers. Wenker??s does not sell wine, but does sell wine making supplies,replica uggs, in addition to jellies, jams, honey, candles, and Muscadine and Scuppernong cider,nike shox. They are open 7 days a week in September and October, which is Muscadine season. Hours are 8am-5pm.

Visitors to Alabama??s wineries may be pleasantly surprised at the quality of the wines. Wine lovers may discover a new favorite among the offerings.