A memorable family adventure may be closer than you think. In her new book, Fresh Air Family: Alabama: 75 Engaging Outdoor Experiences, Alabama author Verna Gates offers families a starting point for exploring the state together.
Gates, founder of Fresh Air Family, brings together 75 destinations stretching from North Alabama’s caves and mountain trails to the Black Belt and Gulf Coast. Along the way, readers will find opportunities to connect with nature, explore history and make learning part of a day outdoors.
For Birmingham-area families, familiar destinations include Ruffner Mountain and Oak Mountain State Park. Farther afield, the guide features Huntsville Botanical Garden, Moundville Archaeological Park, Gulf State Park and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. The range gives readers options for exploring close to home or planning an outing elsewhere in Alabama.
The book is designed with multiple generations in mind, offering experiences that can include young children, teenagers and grandparents. Readers can choose outings based on interests, seasons and age groups, helping families find an adventure that fits their particular crew. Gates also addresses the practical side of getting everyone out the door. A before-you-go packing list and suggestions for keeping children engaged on the trail accompany hands-on activities incorporating science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
Nature scavenger hunts, sketching and wildlife observation offer ways to encourage curiosity and give children an active role in the experience. Photographs by Gates and Pam Venz introduce the destinations and landscapes families can discover.
Published by Menasha Ridge Press, an imprint of Birmingham-based AdventureKEEN, the full-color paperback runs more than 200 pages. Released Oct. 27, it is available at bookstores.
For families looking for something different to do together, Gates’ guide offers 75 places to begin—and a reminder that Alabama’s natural beauty and history provide plenty of reasons to head outside.
