Fresh Air Family Event Calendar

2009 Fresh Air Family Calendar

Thursday, May 14

Fresh Air Family Thursday Hike with Wild South

Moulton, Alabama

Lawrence County

Time: 10:30AM, 8:30 AM Birmingham Caravan

All Day Program

This will be the fifth Fresh Air Family and Wild SouthHike of 2009 hike into the Bankhead National Forest/Sipsey Wilderness. Every third Thursday, we will meet Janice Barrett at the Warrior Mountain Trading Company at 10:30AM for a hike no longer than 3 miles. Bring a sack lunch and plenty of water. Don’t forget to dress appropriately for the weather. It is getting warm so be sure to bring bug spray and sun block. We will return to the Warrior Mountain Company by 3:30 or 4:00PM. Due to the sensitivity of the area, this hike will be limited to 20 children, plus parents. For your information check out this link:

http://members.aol.com/sipseywilderness/info.htm

Meet: at Hobby Lobby in Gardendale at 8:30AM (655 Fieldstown Rd.) Exit 271 onto I-65 North.

Directions: Take I-65 north to Cullman. Exit onto Highway 157 (Exit #310) and head toward Moulton. Drive about 20 miles and turn Left onto Highway 36.

Go about 10 miles to the end of 36, where it intersects Highway 33. Warrior Mountains Trading Company will be on your Right. In fact, turn into the parking lot before you actually get to the traffic light. This is the community of Wren.

Fee notice: Free event

Registration: events@freshairfamily.org or call (205) 401- 0245. Please register by Thursday, May 7. This is in order to have enough guides for our group

Saturday, May 16

Vitamin Water10 Cathedral Caverns Exploration

Woodville, AL

Program Time: 11:15AM

Meet Time to Caravan: 8:15AM

The first thing you notice about Cathedral Caverns is the massive entrance. The huge opening measures 126 feet wide and 25 feet high. And it gets even better. Inside the cavern, you will find Big Rock Canyon, Mystery River and some of the most beautiful formations Mother Nature has ever created. Among them, you will see Stalagmite Mountain, The Frozen Waterfall and Goliath, a huge stalagmite column that reaches the ceiling of the cave some 45 feet above! For more information about Cathedral Caverns, check out their website at: http://www.alapark.com/CathedralCaverns/

Bring a sack lunch and a drink. We will picnic after the tour. Tour begins at 11:15 and lasts approximately 1-1/2 hours.

Meet: To caravan, meet at Mountain High Outfitters, 2800 Cahaba Village Plaza, next to Whole Foods, on Hwy 280 at 8:15AM.

Directions: Turn right onto Hwy 280W. Merge onto US-31N via the ramp to Birmingham. Take the exit onto I-20 W/I-59 S. Take exit 124B to merge onto I-65 N toward Huntsville. Take exit 340 for US-72 Alt/I-565/AL-20 toward Huntsville. Merge onto AL-20 E/I-565 E. Continue to follow I-565 E. Continue on AL-2/US-72. Turn right at County Rd-63. Continue on County Rd-5. Turn left at Cathedral Caverns Rd/Cavern Cove Rd. Continue to follow Cathedral Caverns Rd. Turn right at Cave Rd. Destination will be on the left.

Fee notice: Adults and children over age 4 are $5. Children under 4 are free.

Registration: events@freshairfamily.org or call (205) 401- 0245

Saturday, May 16

Devil’sRace Track at Wade Mountain Preserve

Huntsville, Alabama

Caravan Time: 8:00 AM CST

Program Time: 10:30 AM

This is a short but fairly steep hike with several “resting places” along the trail. Several species of rare plants can be observed along the Racetrack. Join us for an amazing view of NEAL from Devil’s Racetrack atop Wade Mountain. Bring a sack lunch and water and we will picnic on the mountain. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.

Meet: Meet at 8:00AM at Mountain High Outfitters, 2800 Cahaba Village Plaza, next to Whole Foods, on Highway 280. We will leave from the Mt. High Outfitters parking lot at 8:30 AM, so please arrive around 8:00AM to sign in. We will meet Loretta Weninegar at the Land Trust parking lot at 10:30AM.

Directions: Turn right onto Hwy 280W and travel approximately 3 miles to merge onto the Red Mountain Expressway/Elton B. Stephens Expressway. We will merge onto I-20W/I-59S, then merge onto I-65 via exit 340 and travel I-65 North to I-565 to Huntsville; then turn north on Memorial Parkway. Travel the Parkway past Alabama A & M University, through the traffic light at Winchester Road; turn left onto Hollow Road (first road north of Winchester Road). Turn right onto Spraggins Hollow Road. The Land Trust parking lot is on right, just past the third 90 degree turn in the road. Info kiosk in parking lot.

Fee Notice: Free event

Registration: events@freshairfamily.org or call (205) 401- 0245

Saturday, May 16

Tropical Rain Forest Children’s Program

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Birmingham, AL

Program Time: 10:00AM

Experience hands-on education and connect with nature at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens during the Tropical Rain Forest program which will be offered three Saturdays in May. Along with an instructional scavenger hunt, participants will explore the Conservatory and discover plants from which we get chocolate, coffee, lemons, and bananas, to name a few! Participants will also find and describe six different plant adaptations for survival in a tropical rain forest.

Meet: at Blount Plaza, the entrance to the Gardens, at10:00 AM

Directions: From Downtown Birmingham - Take UniversityBlvd (8th Ave S) to Hwy. 280/31 and travel East/South. Continue on 280/31 until exiting at the 280 E exit to Sylacauga. After descending the ramp look to your right and you will see a sign that says Mountain Brook Zoo/Garden; come offat that exit. At the 1st traffic light make a left and take an immediate rightat the fork in the road onto Lane Park Road. Travel 1/4 mile and you will see the entrance to The Gardens on your left.

Fee notice: Free event

Registration: Please register at events@freshairfamily.org or call (205) 401-0245 so we know how many people to expect.

Saturday, May 16

Red Mountain Park Tour

Time: 2:00 PM

This is not a FAF event, but for your information only

The Friends of Red Mountain Park will host a family friendly public hiking tour. There will be two tours, a shorter 2 ½ mile tourand a 4 mile tour. Both will curve around the mountain with highlights of remnants of the former mining operations, including the newly discovered Redding Hoist House, a new tour route and views of oak leaf hydrangeas along the scenic vistas of Red Mountain Park. The guided tour is from 1-2 hours long.

Registration: info@redmountainpark.org – www.redmountainpark.org

Cost: FREE (reservations are kindly requested by not required.)

Background: Red Mountain Park is a 1,108 acre urban mountain top park located on top of Red Mountain in Birmingham. The Park will eventually include walking and biking trails, recreational and picnic areas all within a park and green space environment. When the park is complete it will be one of the largest urban parks in the country, larger than New York’s Central Park.

Directions: Meet at the cul-de-sac at the end of Frankfurt Drive, north of Lakeshore Drive. Frankfurt Drive is the 3rd right turn off of Lakeshore, 1.4 miles past the West Oxmoor Rd intersection. There is small shopping center with a Subway and nail salon on the left. Frankfurt is right past the shopping center. Parking is on the end of the road. A map may be found online at www.redmountainpark.org.

Sunday, May 17

Get a Big Dose of Safety,

The Birmingham Canoe Club is offering paddling instructions - not a FAF event, but for your consideration

Every boater needs to take a basic safety class. This class will cover preparation and planning for a safe paddling trip. Students will also learn self rescue, rope rescue, how to swim in moving water and how to rescue others. Location TBD. Cost is $10. Contact Shep, bshep@uab.edu, 205-934-8934, for more information.

Thursday, May 21

Thursday Hikewith Wild South

Moulton, Alabama

Program Time: 10:30AM CST

All Day Program

http://members.aol.com/sipseywilderness/info.htm

Meet: at Warrior Mountain Trading Company in Wren at 10:30 AM

Directions: Take I-65 north to Cullman. Exit onto Highway 157 (Exit #310) and head toward Moulton. Drive about 20 miles and turn Left onto Highway 36.

Fee notice: Free event

Registration: events@freshairfamily.org or call (205) 401- 0245. Please register by Thursday, May 14. This is in order to have enough guides for our group

Saturday, May 23

Vitamin Water10 Astronomy Night Star Party

Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve

Tuscumbia, Alabama

Group size is limited to 50; you must register to attend this event.

This event, offered free of charge to the public, will include an afternoon nature hike, a “bring-your-own” cookout, viewing of the night sky, optional camping and a Sunday morning nature hiketo Devil's Hollow, starting at the new alternative parking lot.

The astronomy night is hosted by Dr. Mel Blake, Director, UNA Planetarium and Observatory, and the Shoals Astronomy Club.

There will be multiple telescopes available. Each participant will receive a star wheel, a circular map showing what stars are in the sky on a particular date and where to find them.

Participants are encouraged to bring flashlights with red beams or red gels to help preserve our night vision.

The astronomy will of course be dependent on weather conditions. The other events will go forth regardless. If it is rainy or too cloudy, we will reschedule the astronomy.

Parking space will be limited due to the astronomy, so please car-pool if possible.

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Schedule

Saturday, May 23

2:00pm - Nature Hike, led by Charles Rose & Verna Gates

6:00pm - Cookout

8:00pm - Presentation by Dr. Mel Blake

8:30pm - Viewing of the evening sky

Sunday, May 24

10:00am - Devil's Hollow Nature Hike, led by Charles Rose & Verna Gates

We’ll meet in front of the Lacefield’s house to caravan to the Devil’s Hollow parking lot.

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Cookout: We will provide firewood and some grills to place over the cooking fires. Participants should bring their own food, beveragesand cooking utensils. The Lacefields are providing a number of chairs, but bring your own, if convenient.

Camping: Vehicles to be parked at the camping area need to be on site and parked by 4pm.

Hiking: Bring water and snacks. (Sunday, you might also want to pack a lunch.) Wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes. Moderately rigorous: at least a 2-mile hike, with up-hills & down-hills. See waterfalls, including the 60-ft. “Big Waterfall”, scenic vistas, huge flower-strewn boulders and cascading creeks.

Expected to be in bloom at this date are American Columbo, Indian Pink, Indian Hemp, White Milkweed, Climbing Milkweed, Common Anglepod, Climbing Milkvine, Greater Tickseed, Prairie Fleabane, Smooth Oxeye, Two-Flowered Cynthia, Oxeye Daisy, Small's Ragwort, Black-Eyed Susan, Southern Rosinweed, Venus' Looking Glass, Strawberry Bush, Mountain Laurel, Flowering Spurge, False Tall Indigo, Common Yellow Stargrass, Blue-eyed Grass, Downy Wood Mint, Heal All, Hairy Skullcap, Wild Garlic, Southern Sundrops, Hairy Phlox, Smooth Phlox, Fringed Loosestrife, Vasevine, American Ipecac, Foxglove Beardtongue and more.

More info: Jim & Faye Lacefield (256) 381-6301 or Charles Rose (356) 366-1937.

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Dr. Mel Blake is an Assistant Professor of Physics at the University of North Alabama and Director of the UNA Planetarium and Observatory. Mel's research area is mainly in time-variable phenomena in astronomy including binary and variable stars and active galaxies. Recent efforts include studying the close binary star UU Psc at David Dunlap Observatory in Richmond Hill Ontario. He has also worked at Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute in Rosman, North Carolina. At UNA, Mel is preparing a research project with students to study long-term evolution of stars and variability in star forming regions.He teaches courses in introductory astronomy and physics.

UNA Planetarium website: http://www.una.edu/planetarium/

The Shoals Astronomy Club meets at the UNA planetariumthe last Thursday of each month at 7:00pm. All are welcome. No previous astronomy experience is needed.

More about Shoals Astronomy Club: http://www.una.edu/planetarium/shoalsastronomy/shoalsastro.html

Charles Rose is President of Shoals Environmental Alliance, a Shoals Audubon Society board member and active with Shoals Wildflower Society. He is the coordinator and a walk leader for the annual Spring Nature Outings series in the Shoals area and has also led hikes for Alabama Outdoors, Fresh Air Family, Shoals Audubon and Wild South.

Verna Gates served for many years as President of the Birmingham Wildflower Society. A self-taught ethno-botanist, she is the founder of Fresh Air Family.

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Directions toCane Creek: From Muscle Shoals, take US-72 W. At the Colbert County Farmers’ Co-Op (3.4 miles west of US-43), turn left onto the access road & go down the hill to Frankfort Rd. Turn left (south) on Frankfort Rd. & go 7.25 miles. After passing Piney Grove Church of Christ (on the right), go ¼ mile & turn right on Loop Rd. (CR 41). Go .1 mile & veer left onto the gravel road as Loop Rd. bends to the right. Follow the gravel road past the chicken houses (on the left) to the Lacefield’s Spanish-style house.

From Birmingham:

Take I-65 north. Go about 50 miles.

Take the AL-157 exit (Exit 310).

At the end of the exit ramp, turn left onto AL-157 N (toward Moulton, AL.)

Go about 55 miles (passing through Moulton.)

AL-157N will merge with US-72 W & AL-20 W, then go another 4.3 miles.

Coming into Muscle Shoals, you will arrive at a large intersection where AL-157 N turns right. Don’t turn here; continue straight onto US-72 west.

Go 3.4 miles on US-72 W.

At the Colbert County Farmers’ Co-Op (on the left), turn left onto the access road & go down the hill to Frankfort Rd.

Turn left (south) on Frankfort Rd.& go 7.25 miles.

After passing Piney Grove Church of Christ (on the right), go ¼ mile & turn right on Loop Rd. (CR 41).

Go .1 mile & veer left onto the gravel road as Loop Rd. bends to the right.

Follow the gravel road past the chicken houses (on theleft) to the Lacefield’s Spanish-style house.

From Huntsville:

Take I-565 west for about 10 miles

I-565 becomes AL-20 west. Go another 5.3 miles, crossing the Tennessee River into Decatur.

Immediately after exiting the bridge, turn right at the light, continuing on AL-20 west for another 41 miles to Muscle Shoals.

Arriving at a large intersection, continue straight asthe road becomes US-72 west.

Go 3.4 miles on US-72 W.

At the Colbert County Farmers’ Co-Op (on the left), turn left onto the access road & go down the hill to Frankfort Rd.

Turn left (south) on Frankfort Rd.& go 7.25 miles.

After passing Piney Grove Church of Christ (on the right), go ¼ mile & turn right on Loop Rd. (CR 41).

Go .1 mile & veer left onto the gravel road as Loop Rd. bends to the right.

Follow the gravel road past the chicken houses (on theleft) to the Lacefield’s Spanish-style house.

About Cane Creek: Dr. Jim Lacefield and his wife Faye own and maintain Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve and offer it free of charge to the public all year round for hiking, camping and other activities. It is located in Colbert County, AL, about 8 miles south of Tuscumbia. With the new addition on its north side, the preserve now totals more than 700 acres. It contains 12 miles of hiking trails, with another 3 miles currently under construction in the new addition. The preserve features canyons, huge boulders, waterfalls, scenic vistas and rare wildflowers, such as French's Shooting Star.

Registration: Please email events@freshairfamily.org or call (205) 401-0245

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Letterboxing and tour of Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park

McCalla, AL

Program Time: 10:00AM

Caravan Time:

Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park has more than 1,500 acres in three counties set aside for hiking, camping and outdoor recreation. A miniature railroad chugs through the pines. Steeped in history, Tannehill feels timeless. The cotton gin, pioneer farm and working gristmill preservea long-gone way of life. Hiking trails retrace historic roadways. Artifacts of Alabama’s 19th century iron industry displayed in the Iron and Steel Museum put in perspective the massive stone furnaces, Tannehill’s awe-inspiring centerpiece. Located in this Historical State Park are several letterboxes, and after picnicking, we willjoin Nancy Hicks in a beginners course in locating these hidden treasures!

Meet:

Directions: Tannehill is located off Interstate 59, 12 miles southwest of Bessemer, less than 30 minutes from downtown Birmingham. Take I-59/20 to Exit 100 and follow the signs (appoximately 2 miles) or you can take I-459 to Exit 1and follow signs (approximately 7 miles).

Fee: There is a $3 perperson admission into the gate, and a $5 person admission for the tour. Children under school age are free.

Registration: events@freshairfamily.org or call (205) 401- 0245 Please register and send in fee by Saturday May 16, 2009

Saturday, May 23

Waggin' Trails Dog/Master hike

Oak Mountain State Park

Pelham, Al

Time: 9 AM to 3 PM

Bring your best friend for a nature hike along the trails at Oak Mountain

State Park. Naturalists will be pointing out trees and flowers along the way

as our canine friends checkout their blogs (sniffing). There will be plenty

of puppy treats and goodiesalong with lots of great health information for

both of you! Learn how to safely hike with your best friend in this dog/master hike. Experts from our sponsor, Veterinary Diagnostics and

Cardiac Evaluations will be on hand to discuss canine health.

Directions: Oak Mountain State Park, Take I-65 to exit246, Cahaba Valley

Road/Highway 119, turn left at left at Cahaba Valley Road, right at Indian

Trail Road, left at Park Nature Center Road. Turn ontoJohn Findley Road and

follow it to the North Trail head. We will take the Blue Trail.

Fee Notice: $2 per dog, entry fee to the park: $3 for Adults, Children 6 to

11 years of age: $1, Senior Citizens $1.

Registration: events@freshairfamily.org or call (205) 40

Saturday, May 30

Lindsey Office Furnishings’ Trip to Shark Tooth Creek

Aliceville, Alabama

Pickens County

Time: 10 am to 2 pm

Time: 8 am for Birmingham Caravan

Seventy million years ago a great deal of the state of Alabama was part of the Gulfof Mexico. It is believed that the area around Aliceville was once a barrier island, much like present day Dauphin Island, and that the shark teeth washed ashore, eventually to be buried by geological processes. Today teeth from16 different species of sharks can be found in Shark Tooth Creek. We will meet Mr. Ken Owens at the pavilion by 10:00am. Then Mr. Ken will give a short talk explaining why there are shark teeth in this area, 300 miles from the beach! He will show everyone some examples of the shark teeth and fossils they will be looking for and answer any questions. At that point everyone gets on board the "Shark Tooth Creek Express" for the short hayride down to the creek. Everyone is allowed to pick out their favorite 15 teeth to take home. We give a 100% guarantee that everyone will find shark teeth.

Meet: We will meet at Mountain High Outfitters on Hwy 280 next to Whole Foods at 8 am. Bring a sack lunch, bug spray, sunscreen, a towel and a drink. Wear Crocs or water shoes(or bring a spare set of tennis shoes).

Directions: We will go east on Hwy 280 and then south on I-459 and take exit 6 toward Helena. We will travel south to Tuscaloosa and then about 30 miles to the Eutaw/Aliceville Exit 40. At the top of the ramp take a right on 14 west. Go 5 miles to an intersection where you will need to take a right to continue on 14 West. Go 11 miles where you will see catfish ponds on your left. The Shark Tooth Creek sign and drive are on your right. Come up the hill 100 yards and take the slag road out to our pavilion.

Fee: A $7.00 per person fee will be due by May 25, which is half price of the normal $15 fee. Please mail your check to Fresh Air Family, Inc. at P.O. Box 321038, Birmingham, AL 35232.

Registration: events@freshairfamily.org or call (205) 401- 0245 Please register and send in fee by Saturday May 16, 2009.

Saturday, May 30

Vitamin Water10 Wild Cave Adventure

Sequoyah Caverns

Valley Head, AL

Program Time: 12:00

Meet Time to Caravan: 9:00 AM

Join us for an exciting and intense trip into parts ofthe cave that only a few get to see. Experienced guides will educate and amaze you with all the underground wonders of the caverns. You will be awed by the beauty of the many reflection pools and fascinating passageways of this ancient cavern. As you make your way through the alcoves you’ll see how nature has turned the caverns into a wonderland of formations and intricate rock designs. Be sure to wear old clothes that you don’t mind getting permanently stained. Tour is only available to those ages 8 and above. Bring a sack lunch and drink. We will picnic before the tour. Tour lasts approximately 2.5-3 hours.

Meet: Meet at Mountain High Outfitters, 2800 Cahaba Village Plaza, next to Whole Foods on Hwy 280 at 9:00AM.

Directions: Turn left onto US-280E. Take the ramp ontoI-459 N. Take exit 33B to merge onto I-59 N toward Gadsden. Take exit 222 for US-11 toward Fort Payne.Turn left at AL-7/Greenhill Blvd NW/US-11. Continue to follow AL-7/US-11. Turn left at County Rd 731. Turn right at County Rd-512. Turn left at County Rd 731. Destination will be on the right.

Fee notice: $30 per person

Registration: events@freshairfamily.org or call (205) 401- 0245

Sunday, May 31

“Tree Identification 101” Nature Walk,

TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation

1:30pm

Meet-Nature Trails parking lot. Led by Jack Paul. Learn local trees & basics of tree identification. 366-1937.

Registration: Please register at events@freshairfamily.org or call (205) 401-0245 so we know how many people to expect.

Saturday, June 6

Fresh Air Family Tour Historic West Blocton Beehive Coke Ovens Park

And Visit theCahaba Wildlife Refuge to View the Cahaba Lilies

West Blocton, Alabama

BibbCounty

Time 10:30AM, 9 AM Birmingham Caravan

ALL Day Program

The ovens in West Blocton were built by Truman Aldrich, who organized the Cahaba Coal Mine Co. in 1883 in Blocton. The town of West Blocton eventually grew up nearby. On the site, Aldrich built 467 ovens that produced 600 tons of coke a day. "The heat was so intense that they only operated every other oven at

a time. Salter said. The beehive coke ovens draw their name from their shape. They operated at full strengthfor only about 20 years, but they were critical to the
development of the iron and steel industry in the Birmingham area.
Coke is one of three ingredients needed to make pig iron, the source of steel. The other ingredients are limestone and iron ore. Coal was poured into the coke ovens and heated to 2,800 degrees to burn off the impurities, leaving coke, which is almost pure carbon.

The Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge is adjacent to the West Blocton Beehive Coke Ovens Park. The largest known stand of the imperiled shoals lily (known locally as the Cahaba lily) also occurs within the Refuge. During summer months, this beautiful plant blooms and people come from across the region to view this magnificent display of nature. There is even an annual Cahaba lily festival that draws thousands of visitors to the area the last Saturday in May.

Marty Schulman, naturalist, will lead a tour of the historic beehive coke ovens. We will lunch at the park and then drive a short distance to the Cahaba River Wildlife Refuge to view the Cahaba Lilies. In order to get up close, we will wade into the Cahaba River. Bring a picnic lunch, plenty of water, shoes to wade in, a change of clothes, a towel, sunscreen, bug repellant and a hat.

Meet: Meet at 9:00AM at Mountain High Outfitters, 2800 Cahaba Village Plaza, next to Whole Foods, on Highway 280. Program begins around 10:30AM and will end around 2:00PM.

Directions: Turn onto Hwy 280W, get into the right hand lane and turn right onto I-459 South, follow it for approximately 19 miles, until you merge onto I-59 South.

Drive about 9 miles until you see exit 97, exit and turn left onto US-11, go about 3 miles and turn left onto AL-5. You will travel about 7 miles to turn left onto CR-24.

Drive about 3 miles and look for the gated entrance tothe West Blocton Beehive Coke Ovens on the left.

Fee Notice: Donation $5 suggested.

Registration: events@freshairfamily.org or call (205) 401- 0245

Saturday, July 11

Fresh Air Family Presents: Dr. Bob's TravelingSnake Show

Alabama Wildlife Center

Oak Mountain State Park

Pelham, Alabama

Shelby County

Time: 9:45AM

Morning Program

Don't miss Dr Bob's Traveling Snake Show! It's a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with some of Alabama's native snakes. Holding the snakes is a popular activity for children and youth. Bob Hastings is a retired college professor and is currently working with the Alabama Natural Heritage Program as the coordinator of the state’s red –cockaded woodpecker Safe Harbor program. He is also an Authority on the biodiversity of Alabama and the SE U.S. He presents numerous educational talks and slide shows on the snakes of Alabama. He has received numerous awards for environmental education, including the 2002 National Wetlands Award in Education/Outreach by the Environmental Law Institute. Bob has been a member of the Alabama Sierra Club state Executive Committee since 2003 and is a member of the National Sierra Club’s Environmental Quality Strategy Team.

Meet: We will meet at the Oak Mountain Wildlife centerat 9:45AM for the 10:00AM show.

Directions: From Birmingham take I-65 South to exit 246 (Cahaba Valley Road). Make a right onto Cahaba Valley Road / AL 119 and travel 2 miles. Turn left onto CR 33 and go 2.5 miles to the park entrance.

Fee Notice: $5 per person. There is an entrance fee for Oak Mt State Park: adults $3.00, children 6-11 $1.00, seniors 62 and over $1.00.

Registration: events@freshairfamily.org or call (205) 401- 0245

Saturday, July 18

Fresh Air Family Trip to Shark Tooth Creek

Aliceville, Alabama

Pickens County

Time: 10 AM, 7:30 AM Birmingham Caravan

Seventy million years ago a great deal of the state ofAlabama was part of the Gulfof Mexico. It is believed that the area around Aliceville was once a barrier island, much like present day Dauphin Island, and that the shark teeth washed ashore, eventually to be buried by geological processes. Today teeth from16 different species of sharks can be found in Shark Tooth Creek. We will meet Mr. Ken Owens at the pavilion by 10:00am. Then Mr. Ken will give a short talk explaining why there are shark teeth in this area, 300 miles from the beach! He will show everyone some examples of the shark teeth and fossils they will be looking for and answer any questions. At that point everyone gets on board the "Shark Tooth Creek Express" for the short hayride down to the creek. Everyone is allowed to pick out their favorite 15 teeth to take home. We give a 100% guarantee that everyone will find shark teeth.

Meet: We will meet at Mountain High Outfitters on Hwy 280 next to Whole Foods at 7:30AM. Bring a sack lunch, bug spray, sunscreen, a towel and a drink. Wear Crocs or water shoes (or bring a spare set of tennis shoes).

Fee: A $15.00 per person fee will be due by July 3rd, Please mail your check to Fresh Air Family, Inc. at PO Box 321038, Birmingham, AL 35232.

Registration: events@freshairfamily.org or call (205) 401- 0245 Please register and send in fee by Saturday July 3, 2009.

Saturday, October 10

Fresh Air Family Presents: Batty about Bats with the Batlady

Alabama Wildlife Center

Oak Mountain State Park

Pelham, Alabama

Shelby County

Time: 9:45AM

Go bats after a mammal you never could be so cute! Join Vicky Smith AKA "The Batlady" for a presentation that introduces everyone to these unique and wonderful flying mammals. The different types of bats are compared looking at their physical differences, their different diets and different habitats. Hands on activities are used to illustrate certain points of the program. Volunteers will be needed. She might even bring a few flying friends along to help out.

Meet: We will meet at the Oak Mountain Wildlife centerat 9:45AM for the 10:00AM show.

Fee Notice: $5 per person. There is an entrance fee for Oak Mt State Park: adults $3.00, children 6-11 $1.00, seniors 62 and over $1.00.

Registration: events@freshairfamily.org or call (205) 401- 0245