The Montgomery Advertiser from Montgomery, Alabama • 61

(Lift iHmttgoratrg naUstt ALABAMA JOURNAL Tiravell 1 SUNDAY. MAY 4. 1980 North Alabama's state parks 'ready and waiting9 for visitors --2si portunity to stay overnight in rustic cabins, walk along hiking trails, or picnic and enjoy playground facilities and primitive ramping. The famed Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville is just a short distance from the park. In Huntsville, the Twickenham toric Tour is available.

The self-conducted tours show homes in the iiuiivaviuc aiCM UIM1U I. For visitors to the area on week- iys, Scottsboro's First Monday (and the Sunday before) is a century-old event. From daylight until late afternoon, items of ull kinds are swapped and solcl. Located just 35 miles from Huntsville, six miles northeast if Guntersville, among the rolling of northeast Alabama is Lake Gun tersville State Park. Located just eight miles northeast of Fort Payne on Alabama 89 Is DeSoto State Park, where back-to-nature activities are emphasized, said Doyle Benefield, park superintendent.

Nearly 5,000 acres of recreational opportunites await the DeSoto State Park visitor. Besides hiking, other park activities include swimming, boating, fishing and picnicking. The park has 25 resort inn units, 22 family cottages and 78 campsites. The rooms and cottages range from $24 to $40, depending upon the number of people staying in the room. The gas crunch and the declining economy also have failed to cut down business in DeSoto State Park.

"We haven't noticed any real difference because of these problems," said Benefield. "People have got the money and they are going to spend It." i Near DeSoto State Park is Cloud-4 mont, a ski resort with two winter slopes. skiing on a lighted slope is available. Golfing, camping or stagecoach rides also are offered resort visitors. Southwest from Fort Payne, a 45-minute tour of Manitou Cave, the religious and cultural center of the Cherokee Nation, reveals ceilings from 9 to 90 feet high.

Little River Canyon, southeast of Fort Payne via Alabama 35, is the deepest gorge east of the Rockies. There is also a zoo, park and camping area for visitors. In Huntsville, Monte Suno State Park offers a getaway atmosphere with big city advantages. The park has been in existence since 1935. Its 2,140 acres provide the visitor an op By JULIE JOHNSON Journal Staff Writer If you want to get away for the weekend, but are short on funds and long on ideas, why not go north? To north Alabama, that is, where four state parks provide recreational ac-tivites and overnight accommodations for the entire family.

Joe Wheeler, DeSoto, Monte Sano and Lake Guntersville state parks are ready and waiting. Joe Wheeler State Park is located in Rogersville, between Florence and Athens. According to general manager Harold Rice, his park's business is even better than last year. "If people are going to go out for a vacation, then they are going to go now while they can still afford it," Rice said. Wheeler State Park, overlooking Wheeler Lake, is situated in the heart of smallmouth bass territory.

This park not only offers swimming, boating and fishing, but also offers visitors lighted tennis courts, golf, bicycling, hiking and picnicking. Wheeler Lodge and Convention Center is a three-story redwood and stone building with a two-level parking area. The 75-room Wheeler Resort Inn, 26 cottages, and 116 campsites with electrical, water and sewage hookups offers lodging choices for park visitors. The Joe Wheeler Home, near Hill-sboro, is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday. The Confederate Army hero's home contains antiques of the period and rare china that was buried during the Civil War to protect it.

1 A it -l -v it The park ranges over 5,559 acres of ridge tops and meadows. Lake Guntersville State Park encompasses the 66,470 acre Guntersville Reservoir. With its 18 hole championship golf course, lighted tennis courts, beach complex, lishing center, hiking trails and day-use area, the state park offers total recreational activity, Atop the park's highest point, the 100-room resort Inn olfers a panoramic view of Lake Guntersville. Eighteen Swiss chalets, 16 cottages with kitchenettes and 322 campsites provide lodging for park visitors. These four North Alabama State Parks are just a part of the 20 state parks available for vacationers.

The Alabama State Park system spreads from the Gulf Coast to the foothills of the Appalachians. Park systems provide 1,500 campsites, 150 cabins and Vr-ri in 'Air' tSlifhJii umm I mi Superintendent Benefield conducts nature study for visitors to DeSoto State Park the park emphasizes back-to-nature activities, including hiking, fishing and swimming oju irauil limn iwi uvi iiiiiii giu am. 'ackaue includes 3 4 14 Karat Gold Spectacular! days. 2 nights at any of participating Holiday Inns I'LUS a ticket for me full day at fabulous SIX FLAGS OVER GEORGIA. Special discounts on extra tickets and Fly-in Special Spirit Rent A-Car.

Available at Holiday Inn Airport only! Unlimited mileage, add $18.00 per day plus tax. The British are coimiri9 Beginning June 1, British Caledonian Airways can fly you nonstop to London. You'll find us delightfully different. Even refreshing. Because the moment you step on board any of our wide-bodied aircraft, from First Class to the Executive Suite0 to Economy, a true British experience begins.

In the way we talk. In the way we dress. In our genuinely warm, friendly service. The fact is, wer British. Discover how we're bringing London closer to you.

Plus Scotland, France, Belgium, Africa, Holland, and the rest of the world. Call your travel agent or British Caledonian Airways. (iir reset vatiniis or information this or other Holiday Inn piiikatfi's to Atlanta, call your TKAV rX AGENT or phone 1-800-241-5478 (t'orgia residents call colled OPEN SUNDAY OPEN SUNDAY OPEN SUNDAY All ShipsAll Potts of Call 3-4-7-10 and 14 days (or longer) DELUXE CRUISES Call Toll Free 800-327-0551 Some areas dial (1 1 first uiim in 1 7 dayH week inrl. Sun CARIBBEAN or longer Jamaica Rico Haiti The Virgin 3 A 4 Oav Cruises to Isles, etc. promio Montgomery Miami mc airfare, taxes to Miami translers NASSAU FREEPORT BAHAMAS to Miami '190 lo Low British Caledonian Mail Couoon to.

cow toocnura AAAflCO Cfu.u Canla, 161 IVlh Sl'Ml PO lu 64 61SB Miwm r-tofida 33164 0 in time ff 0 Mother's regular prices of selected 1. Airways ATLANTA TO LONDON NONSTOP. a3m i Try Our Classified It Works Let the experienced ttaff of Leisure Travel plan an unforgettable trip for you! PARIS ORIENT Visit the very beautiful and mysterious lands of the Orient. Your vacation begins aboard Japan AFRICA Do you enjoy blg- hunting and ots of adventure? Leave from New York aboard African Air. Wing away to "CAY PARIS" aboard Air France Airlines.

Air Lines. It's like having a sale on money! Only it's better real gold, spun into those beautiful neckchains that make fashion news! Plus! 10 to 33 off regular prices of other selected 14 karat gold jewelry! inillllMIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlTlim AROUND THE WORLD Always dreamed of seeing the world? Let PAN AM fly you to all of your favorite countries. 8 rjr; 1 save A'j CASH Enjoy It ro witfi Zaiet crest li VISA American Uo'W Carte Blanche Dinen CluD LayOway c7 a am "Your International SpecialltU" LEISURE TRAVEL if a I- The Diamond Store Prattville Square MONTGOMERY MALL NORMANDALE EASTDALE MALL SiSjffiiV ph. 363-0341 ,1.