Planting of long leaf pine trees

About 120 acres was cleared in March 2015 on what is called a CLM property, owned and maintained by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. It is a slay pit area near Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve in Atmore, Ala. As part of conservation efforts by the Tribe, they planted long leaf pine trees to benefit wildlife and nature. It's a pretty interesting process, as you will see below.

How to eat like a local: 4 tips for finding good food on vacation

    

  When on vacation, one of my favorite things to do is check out local eateries and find new restaurants to try. But when visiting a new city or town, what is the best way to find these nuances?

Sure you can eat at national chains, such as Applebees, Outback and Chilis. But to really experience the local flair, you have to do some research, which can make your time there a bit more exciting. Here are a few ways to discover where the locals go:

• Ask the locals! Go to a chain restaurant, order an appetizer or drink and ask the staff where they would go to try something new. Most waitresses, waiters and hostesses know a few off-the-beaten-path places they can recommend, such as diners and coffeehouses. Living in a tourist town has its perks, and the local people usually enjoy telling newcomers about the cool places in their city.

• Find a bar and chat up the bartender. Most hotels will have entertainment brochures, so pick a place and hang out for a while. Just like the chain restaurants, the bartenders are going to have the inside scoop about good eating … and they usually never steer you wrong. Bartenders are full of stories and love telling tourists about their great city. Not into the bar scene? That’s OK. Hotel staff where you are staying should be able to give you a couple of their favorites. And if your hotel has a restaurant in the lobby, ask where to find the best Mexican food or where to eat the perfect steak.

• Online search engines. Google, Bing and Yelp are good places to start if you want to quickly find a place to eat or hang out. However, you will have to weed through the national brands to unearth popular local establishments. And that can take some time. But reading reviews about places you never heard of can help in decision making about where to go.

• Go on a driving excursion and make note of restaurants that sound unfamiliar. You can discover local spots without talking to anyone. If you didn’t drive your own car, rent one for a day. Getting “lost” trying to find a local venue can be an adventure all on its own. And you just might find a treasure in the unknown.

     Try it out — you are on vacation and need a change of pace. New foods and places await to be revealed. Some cities even have famous “hidden gems” they broadcast to tourists, claiming to have “the best burgers in town” or “Southern cooking at its finest” or maybe “the freshest seafood on the coast.” Even if you are just passing through a town, you can eat at McDonald’s or Taco Bell any day. But you might not get another chance to eat “the most awesome Indian taco in the South.”

Summer vacation is coming: Find 6 ways to save money while traveling

    Almost everyone tries to find a way to save money. Whether it be on groceries — i.e. using coupons or comparison shopping — or maybe it’s looking for the cheapest gas prices, shopping for clothes, shoes, office supplies and electronics. But saving money while traveling tends to be more of a challenge for some. And with the busy summer vacation season approaching, planning ahead can save you time and money where it counts most.

    You have a budget for a reason. However, many find it difficult to stick within the confines of that budget and end up pulling out the credit cards and getting deeper into debt. By following a few simple rules, traveling on a budget can be fun and rewarding without breaking the bank. And should an emergency pop up, you will have the funds to cover unexpected costs without dipping into your vacation pool.

• Book hotels online or call and ask for rates instead of picking one as you drive into town. This can be tricky if you don’t have set plans or dates for your trip. On a whim, you might decide to head out of town for a three-day weekend so you might not have a destination in mind. But with a few minutes spent thinking about where to go then looking up lodging facilities could save you from finding out a big event or convention is happening at your destination and there are few or no rooms available.

• Pick a handful of activities and entertainment to spend money on and use your time wisely to avoid getting bored. If you are going to a resort, usually there are a plethora of amenities to choose from without ever leaving the property. But if you want to take advantage of resort amenities without forking out tons of extra cash to stay there, try finding a motel close to where you will be spending your time.

    For example, Muskogee Inn, just 1/8 of a mile north of the entertainment center at Wind Creek in Atmore, offers rooms for a fraction of the cost and gives guests a free play at the casino. The hotel also provides complimentary shuttle service for guests to take advantage of the spa at the resort, as well as the cooking studio, bowling alley, cinema and much more. Plus, it’s right off I-65 for better highway access when you get ready to leave.

•   Stop for fuel at truck stops. These venues typically have lower gas prices than regular stations in town. You might think these places are just for truck drivers but they are not … a variety of travelers use these plazas as a place to stretch and relax and get out of the car for a while. At Creek Travel Plaza in Atmore, this rest stop is more than just gas and convenience store items.
  This facility houses a sit-down diner styled in 1950s décor, a lounge with plush chairs and TV, a laundry facility and showers, as well as a fast food chicken restaurant, a beautiful picnic area to enjoy the outdoors and also offers souvenir items. It even has a designated place to walk your pets.

•  Eat at local restaurants in the city you are visiting instead of big-name chain restaurants. By patronizing a local eatery, you can save on meals because most know the value of good quality food and hard-earned dollars. Mom-and-pop restaurants generally have regulars who come in so ask what the specials are and what they would recommend.

•  Visit free museums and learn more about the city you are in, or tour historic landmarks and get better educated. Sometimes the best vacations involve a little history lesson. Even if a museum isn’t free, find one that peaks your interest that is affordable. Remember, stay within your budget, so if you want to visit a museum but realize it puts you $30 over budget, mark something else off your list or save the museum for another trip.

•  Only purchase a few memorable souvenirs and gifts. Buying keychains, coffee mugs, T-shirts or hats in every shape, style or color at every place you visit can have your wallet feeling empty and your car stuffed with extras you don’t really need. 

    If you follow these and other travel saving tips on your next trip, you will be prepared for your journey and emergencies if they arise.

Concerts and BBQ: A Southern tradition

     Barbecue and country music … two things that are staples in the state of Alabama. With spring on its way in and summer just around the corner, what better way to get out and enjoy the weather than to take in a concert or two and eat some good food.

     Head on up to Atmore, Ala., to the Wind Creek Casino and Hotel on March 28, 2015, for the Biggest Backyard Barbecue Competition and Tasting. This event features country music duo Thompson Square, as well as Ronnie Milsap, and includes free tastings of the people’s choice competition at the Throw Down Backyard Barbecue. Milsap performs at 6:30 p.m., and Thompson Square goes on stage at 8 p.m.

     Atmore will be alive with things to do all season long, but you won’t want to miss this great spring kick-off event. Tickets range from $20 to $50. Don’t want to spend a lot on a hotel stay? No problem! Stay just 1/8 of a mile from the venue at Muskogee Inn, where you get complimentary shuttle to and from the event, plus a free play at the casino, all for a fraction of the cost.

     If barbecue isn’t your thing and you need to kill time before the concerts, the City of Atmore has declared March 28 “Welcome Home Vietnam Veteran’s Day.” The Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post 7016 will host a Welcome Home Ceremony at 4 p.m. at Heritage Park. Everyone is invited to attend as the community gathers to honor our heroes.

     And for those who want to spend the day getting in tune with nature, check out Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve, tucked deep into the woods just 20 minutes from Wind Creek Casino and entertainment center. Go hiking on one of the trails and observe birds, trees and other wildlife. Or maybe pack a picnic lunch and relax near the creek on the beach, which offers cool, clean water perfect for swimming or just lounging and soaking up the sun. Dig your toes in and stay a while.

     There are also miles and miles of campgrounds, both rustic and modern. Bring your tent or RV and set up camp.

     So get your taste buds ready and your toes tappin’ to some music and come enjoy the outdoors.

                                                                                     Thompson Square and Ronnie Milsap in concert

 

MMMM good! Barbecue tasting and judging at the Throw Down in Atmore, Ala.