Tweet
BMWMOAL March Meeting @ Fort Toulouse, AL
IMPROVED Weekend Forecast
Updated: Mar. 21, 2013, 5:13 pm CDT
Fri., Mar 22
Few Showers
High - 58°F
Low - 49°F
Chance of rain: 30%
Wind: ESE at 9 mph
Sat., Mar. 23
Cloudy
High - 69°
Low - 58°
Chance of rain: 20%
Wind: ESE at 6 mph
Sun., Mar. 24
Partly Cloudy
High - 70°
Low - 38°
Chance of rain: 20%
Wind: WSW at 9 mph
Final confirmations are still being nailed down, so some things may change - but here is what we have so far.
Most people arrive on Friday afternoon or evening if they can, or early on Saturday if they can't get there before that.
Located just south of Wetumpka where the Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers meet to form the headwaters of the Alabama River, visitors will find over 6000 years of history at Fort Toulouse-Jackson National Historic Park. One of the areas best tourist attractions, the park is open year round and everyone is invited to enjoy 165 acres of living history and natural beauty. Tour the French and American Forts, or the Mississipian Indian Mound site or just relax and take a walk along the William Bartram Arboretum trail, named for the famed 18th century botanist. Top off your trip with a visit to the Grave's House where you'll find a bookstore and museum featuring archaeological collections from French colonial, early American and prehistoric Indian items. The park also hosts a full service 39-site campground overlooking the Coosa River. Camping fees will be paid directly to the Park.
There are plenty of restaurants and grocery stores nearby - so most individual meals will be on your own.
On Saturday morning, there will be a short guided walk around the park, showing the recreated 1750's French Colonial Fort, the remnants of the 1814 American Fort, and the 1,000+ year old native American Indian Mound.
There is also a planned approximate 115 mile ride on Saturday from mid-morning to mid/late-afternoon. Here is a link to the "planed" ride http://mapq.st/XOsysN.
Stop "B" on the map "Quality Food Mart" is a small mom & pop type convenience store that has "ethanol free" gasoline, and biscuits, burgers, etc.
The ride from "B" to "D" on the map is the ride from "Equality to Richville" (or "Richville to Equality" if you run it the other direction).
The ride from "C" to "F" on the map is some of the best motorcycle friendly roads in the region!
Stop "G" on the map is "Smokey T's BBQ" and is a "suggested" lunch stop. (The actual location for lunch may change).
Stop "H" on the map is "Durbin Farms Market" with the best Peach~Pecan Ice Cream in the State!
Stop "I" on the map is "Confederate Memorial Park".
Confederate Memorial Park is the site of Alabama's only Old Soldiers Home for Confederate Veterans. In operation from 1902 to 1939, the home cared for elderly veterans, and wives and widows of veterans. The site included 22 buildings consisting of cottages, a hospital, dairy barn, mess hall, an elaborate water and sewage system, and Memorial Hall, an administration building which held offices, a library, and a large auditorium. The home served between 650 and 800 residents. The majority of veterans served in Alabama outfits, but many were from other Confederate states and moved to Alabama after the war. The last veteran died at the home in 1934. The facility closed in 1939 when the five remaining widows were moved to Montgomery for better care. The park 102-acre site features two cemeteries; Mountain Creek Post Office; Marbury Methodist Church; nature trail; covered pavilions; and a new state of the art museum containing artifacts from the Alabama Old Soldiers Home, and uniforms, weapons, and equipment used during the Civil War. There is a $5. entry fee per person into the museum / $4. for those 65+, or with a military or student ID; and a $1. discount if we have a group of ten or more.
We're considering grilling hamburgers for Saturday night dinner, for split costs - but that is not yet a guaranteed deal. Plan-B is to gather at a local restaurant.
Hope to see everyone there!
Updated: Mar. 21, 2013, 5:13 pm CDT
Fri., Mar 22
Few Showers
High - 58°F
Low - 49°F
Chance of rain: 30%
Wind: ESE at 9 mph
Sat., Mar. 23
Cloudy
High - 69°
Low - 58°
Chance of rain: 20%
Wind: ESE at 6 mph
Sun., Mar. 24
Partly Cloudy
High - 70°
Low - 38°
Chance of rain: 20%
Wind: WSW at 9 mph
Final confirmations are still being nailed down, so some things may change - but here is what we have so far.
Most people arrive on Friday afternoon or evening if they can, or early on Saturday if they can't get there before that.
Located just south of Wetumpka where the Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers meet to form the headwaters of the Alabama River, visitors will find over 6000 years of history at Fort Toulouse-Jackson National Historic Park. One of the areas best tourist attractions, the park is open year round and everyone is invited to enjoy 165 acres of living history and natural beauty. Tour the French and American Forts, or the Mississipian Indian Mound site or just relax and take a walk along the William Bartram Arboretum trail, named for the famed 18th century botanist. Top off your trip with a visit to the Grave's House where you'll find a bookstore and museum featuring archaeological collections from French colonial, early American and prehistoric Indian items. The park also hosts a full service 39-site campground overlooking the Coosa River. Camping fees will be paid directly to the Park.
There are plenty of restaurants and grocery stores nearby - so most individual meals will be on your own.
On Saturday morning, there will be a short guided walk around the park, showing the recreated 1750's French Colonial Fort, the remnants of the 1814 American Fort, and the 1,000+ year old native American Indian Mound.
There is also a planned approximate 115 mile ride on Saturday from mid-morning to mid/late-afternoon. Here is a link to the "planed" ride http://mapq.st/XOsysN.
Stop "B" on the map "Quality Food Mart" is a small mom & pop type convenience store that has "ethanol free" gasoline, and biscuits, burgers, etc.
The ride from "B" to "D" on the map is the ride from "Equality to Richville" (or "Richville to Equality" if you run it the other direction).
The ride from "C" to "F" on the map is some of the best motorcycle friendly roads in the region!
Stop "G" on the map is "Smokey T's BBQ" and is a "suggested" lunch stop. (The actual location for lunch may change).
Stop "H" on the map is "Durbin Farms Market" with the best Peach~Pecan Ice Cream in the State!
Stop "I" on the map is "Confederate Memorial Park".
Confederate Memorial Park is the site of Alabama's only Old Soldiers Home for Confederate Veterans. In operation from 1902 to 1939, the home cared for elderly veterans, and wives and widows of veterans. The site included 22 buildings consisting of cottages, a hospital, dairy barn, mess hall, an elaborate water and sewage system, and Memorial Hall, an administration building which held offices, a library, and a large auditorium. The home served between 650 and 800 residents. The majority of veterans served in Alabama outfits, but many were from other Confederate states and moved to Alabama after the war. The last veteran died at the home in 1934. The facility closed in 1939 when the five remaining widows were moved to Montgomery for better care. The park 102-acre site features two cemeteries; Mountain Creek Post Office; Marbury Methodist Church; nature trail; covered pavilions; and a new state of the art museum containing artifacts from the Alabama Old Soldiers Home, and uniforms, weapons, and equipment used during the Civil War. There is a $5. entry fee per person into the museum / $4. for those 65+, or with a military or student ID; and a $1. discount if we have a group of ten or more.
We're considering grilling hamburgers for Saturday night dinner, for split costs - but that is not yet a guaranteed deal. Plan-B is to gather at a local restaurant.
Hope to see everyone there!
Comment