By Bill King
Pastor and humorist
My wife, Jean, and I recently spent three days on a magnificent mountain that has, or is near, beautiful bluffs, gorgeous gorges, carved canyons, cavernous caves, wonderful waterfalls, wide waters, babbling brooks, crooked creeks and at least one rambling river that runs on top of a mountain — all at the southern end of the Appalachians.
The area had enough antique stores to keep us busy when we weren’t enjoying all that natural beauty that God spent so much time creating. Much of this is alongside the Tennessee River, but we never left Alabama. All of these things can be found in Northeast Alabama, primarily in DeKalb and Jackson counties.
Middle of the 1940s
I have never actually believed in the phenomenon of time travel, but our amazing destination took us back in time. Our mode of transportation was not a time machine but a house. When we entered the front door of the bed-and-breakfast farmhouse located on top of Sand Mountain near the towns of Pisgah and Rosalie, we suddenly found ourselves in the middle of the 1940s.
The house was originally built by Buck and Ima McCormick, back in 1944, on their 40-acre farm. Their World War II-era house originally consisted of only four rooms. Since that humble beginning, more rooms, including an indoor bathroom, have been added. Out back is a beautiful open-air pavilion with period pieces, plus a wooden tower that overlooks the garden, cattle and donkeys.
Our hosts provided some of my favorite goodies from my childhood. There was a basket filled with RC Colas and Moon Pies, Grapico, Fanta Orange and Cracker Jacks. Each morning, we listened to the songbirds chirping outside our window while we drank coffee and enjoyed a muffin (or Moon Pie).
With Fort Payne in the valley below, Mentone on neighboring Lookout Mountain and Scottsboro in the other valley, we had our pick of places to visit. Next time we will plan a longer stay.
If you have never visited this part of our great state, you have missed beautiful treasures just waiting for you to discover them. If this all sounds like the kind of places you would like to visit and explore, I certainly understand. I might even see you there!
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