Dismals Canyon (www.dismalscanyon.com/thecanyon/index.html) offers a quiet and unspoiled oasis in Alabama’s last secret hiding place. It is in a secluded wilderness filled with natural phenomena tucked deep within the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Our visit is a step back to the time when the earth was clean and the water was clear. Aside from the necessary clearing of the trails, the area is now - as it has been for centuries - completely natural. Its waterfalls, natural bridges, cliffs and boulders give this place a mysterious ambiance. Until an ice storm destroyed one of them, twin Canadian Hemlocks towered up from the canyon floor. One of them remains and looks sturdy and healthy for its 350 years. It is 138’ tall, 8’9” around and has a crown spread of 50’. It is the largest of its species in Alabama and thought to be the largest anywhere in the world.

The hike through Dismals Canyon is about 1 ½ miles, but not difficult and will take about 2 hours allowing time to stop to admire the wonderful scenery. There is an admission charge of $ 9.00 for adults with a $1.00 discount for seniors 60 and older.

Please let Connie know which night(s) you plan to camp and which meals you want. Also, please tell her if you are going on the Saturday morning ride.

What are the plans for meals on Saturday night? Costs?

CHOOSE ONE PLEASE and E-mail your reservation to bamabmw@aol.com

1. Smoked Chicken with White BBQ sauce
2. Cypress Inn Catfish

Sides will be Hush Puppies, Green Beans with Almond Butter, Country Club Squash, Rolls and Muffins. The meal will be AROUND $10 per person. CASH and please have change.

What are the plans for breakfast on Sunday morning? Costs?

We will have coffee and some homemade items for breakfast before the meeting. Remember, the meeting time has been voted on to change to 8 AM instead of 9AM. Breakfast items should be ready around 7AM. Breakfast price to be determined. It will be a small cost. cash - and please have change.

Costs for camping?

Camping fee is $12.00 per site and they will allow two tents per site so buddy up to start with and arrive together. One RV per site. There are 28 sites with varying electrical amp and water, and there is a primitive camping area large enough for about 10 tents. They do not accept reservations and there is a $3.00 per person park admission fee which is well worth the price for access to the museum.

Are any rides planned? If yes, provide the details, times and ride leader(s).

Saturday ride - details on that by Travel Director Gary Dubois. Watch the forums for those details. Click on forums and find the Moundville meeting thread, or happenings, or ABEES listings.

Does the campsite have showers?

Yes and............
The campground has 11 sites with 30 & 20 Amp Electric service and water, 12 sites with 50 & 20 Amp electric service, water, and 5 sites with 50 & 20 Amp electric service, water & sewage. There is also a Primitive Camping area with a area large enough for around 10 tents.

Is lodging available for the non-camper types? Location, costs.

It's 14 miles south of Tuscaloosa, please check local listings of your favorite brand hotel.

Any other comments about activities that are panned or available at the Moundville meeting.

The April Meeting is scheduled at the campground in the Moundville Archaeological Park, in Moundville, Alabama. The park is located 14 miles south of Tuscaloosa, on Highway 69 South. From Highway I-20/59 take exit 71A and proceed 13 miles south. The park entrance will be located on your right on Highway 69.

The park originally opened in 1939 as Mound State Monument, and is currently operated by The University of Alabama. Today, the museum houses artifacts and interpretive exhibits providing information on more than 60 years of archaeological excavations and investigations. The theater offers a series of videos on Moundville and the history of Southeastern Indians. The museum store has reproduction pottery, Native American crafts, and artwork for sale along with a variety of books and videos.

Here is a link to an article printed a few years ago on the museum and another to a link on the City of Aliceville's web site.

http://www.alfafarmers.org/friendsnfamily/friendsnfamilyStory.phtml?id=4103

story on the Aliceville Museum

http://www.cityofaliceville.com/MuseumMain.htm

link to museum's web page.

The cost of the museum tour is $4 adults, $3 seniors and $3 students. Their address is:

104 Broad Street
Aliceville, Alabama 35442
Phone: 205-373-2363
E-mail: museum@nctv.com

If you are not interested in taking the group ABEES ride and would like to tour some points of interest in Tuscaloosa. I suggest either the Paul Bryant Museum, or the Westervelt Warner Museum of American Art. I will have maps with directions available for your use. Here are the links to these museums for your review:

Westervelt Warner Museum of American Art - http://warnermuseum.org

Paul W. Bryant Museum - http://bryantmuseum.ua.edu/

Click here for details

Check out the Nashville club website www.bmwmcon.org which our own Steve Schuckman does for them. For our new folks, Steve is our Webmaster.

Lee has requested a head count by the 20th of October so do not wait to sign up till that Thursday PLEASE ! I will be sending out the E-news for the head count soon. AND he would like to know if you will arrive on Friday or Saturday.

If you try to make reservations before November 13 and are told that the rooms and chalets are booked, or are told that there will be a two night minimum stay, first make sure you give the person the Group Code but if still unable to book then e-mail Darlene at dmassey@amerex-fire.com and she will call the Sales Manager to resolve the issue.

Reservations after November 13 will probably require a two night minimum.

For dinner we will have a private buffet line that will be serving the following:

• Steamship Round of Beef carved on the buffet line
• Baked Chicken
• Coleslaw
• Broccoli Salad
• Tossed Salad
• Antipasto Salad
• Potatoes Au Gratin
• Italian Green Beans
• Squash Casserole
• Triple Hummingbird Cake
• Fruit Cobbler
• Coffee, tea, rolls & butter

Cost for dinner will be $12.95 each and 20% service charge and 8% sales tax for a total of $17.78 per person.

The lodge also now has a bar and drinks are priced at:

• Mixed drinks - 4.25ea
• Domestic beer - $3.50
• Imported beer - $4.25
• Most wines are 4.75 glass, some 5.75

Hotel rooms in the lodge have two queen beds and are $98 plus tax per night. The chalets sleep 1-6 people. Each is equipped with a living room with fireplace, cable TV and DVD player, kitchen, bath, and two bedrooms. One bedroom has a King bed and one has two Double beds. Cost for the chalets is $140 plus tax.

Not a bad price if you share one with another couple.

The Huntsville crowd currently meets at 6:00 pm each Friday night at West End Grill off of Madison Pike just east of Research Park Blvd (This change is due to the recent closing of the Green Hills Grill). Stop by for food and conversation.

The monthly Montgomery, Alabama area breakfast (and possible ride) is the second Saturday of each month, at Flip's Uptown Grill in the Sturbridge Shopping Center at the corner of Vaughn Road and Taylor Road. We will meet for breakfast at 8am and those who choose to ride afterwards can plan to do so at that time. All brands of motorcycles and cars welcome.drive whatcha got. Flip's has a complete madeto- order breakfast menu. Bring bucks and come hungry!

Saturday mornings at the Oasis Truck Stop at Wilcox Rd Exit I-10 about half way between Mobile and Pensacola, every Sat. morning. Riders are usually there from about 7:30am until 9- 9:30. Rides are concocted for afterwards. Contact John at johnart1@aol.com for details.