AL Archives - There Goes Connie

Why in the world would a Baptist deacon and his choir member wife drive to Tuscumbia, AL on a Friday afternoon to have supper at a place called the Rattlesnake Saloon??? We don’t drink alcohol. We like a few country songs, but not many. And we certainly don’t “boot-scoot!”

When you write a travel blog as well as articles for other publications, and when you are “eat up with curiosity,” you begin to rationalize your way to strange places. Somehow, the picture of Eve eating the apple and then offering it to Adam just came to my mind. Yikes.

We had “A Tank of Gas and a Day Off” (as in the name of one of my blog categories), we knew we wouldn’t be drinking, and we do like discovering new places. So, off we went.

front view from across the road

looking inside the cave in front of the hitching post

Here are my positives from this outing:

The cave is fascinating and large. Definitely a unique place to have an entertainment venue.
The drive TO Seven Springs Lodge and Rattlesnake Saloon is rural, curvy, remote, and picturesque.
The employees — the Saloon Taxi driver, the girl in the Gift Shop, the security guards, the waitresses — were all friendly.
We must have not looked even REMOTELY like folks who came to drink and boot-scoot. When each person got off the back of the pickup truck (a.k.a. Saloon Taxi) to go into the cave, they were asked to show ID and their hands were stamped. No one even approached Steve and me. (Insert shrug and raised eyebrows here.)
The Cowboy Buttons (their name for fried mushrooms in the Saddlin’ Up portion of the menu) were good.
The brakes and the transmission on the Saloon Taxi worked properly on the steep incline going to and from the cave, and we were fortunate that the road was not wet or muddy.
It was pleasantly cool inside the cave, plus there was a nice breeze blowing fall leaves off of the trees outside.
The rattlesnake skins and large mounted rattlesnake about to strike a rabbit inside the saloon/kitchen building were intriguing and added significantly to the ambiance.
The band playing on the evening we went had a good sound, although we only stayed for a couple of songs. A calendar on the website lists upcoming groups.
The prices of the food are reasonable.
They don’t start serving alcohol until 5 p.m., so lunch would be “safe” if you wanted to bring young children to eat and explore.
The employees don’t have to wash any dishes. It’s strictly a paper plate/plastic fork setting.
Dress is entirely casual. Think cowboy boots and jeans.
It’s very near the Coon Dog Cemetery, so you can see two unique places in one day.
The Foster family who owns all of the land has found a winning combination. People from 30 countries and all 50 states have visited since they opened in 2007. Wow.
The adjacent Seven Springs Lodge has a large horse park, land for hunting, and camping facilities — 6000 acres in all. There are even Chuck Wagon Races on Mother’s Day.

A couple of negatives.

Don’t go expecting to eat healthy.
The first song of the band we heard was “She Loves Me Like Jesus Does.” Questionable theology, but once I got home and looked up the lyrics, they weren’t too, too bad.

So now you have my take on this place, and you are free to make up your own mind.

The biggest weekend on the calendar for folks in and around Athens, AL is coming up very soon. October 2-3, 2015 – the campus of Athens State University will play host to The Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention. It is an event with music, crafts, competitions, and plenty of food vendors. (One quick note. The Athens Grease Festival previously scheduled for September 26, 2015 has been postponed to June of 2016 because of construction projects going on in downtown Athens).

Don’t get me wrong. I’m sure the food vendors at Fiddlers will have some delicious items for sale. But, let’s say that you and your family decide to come to town a day early or spend the night afterwards before driving home. Athens has its share of chain restaurants, to be sure, but what if you’d like to “eat where the locals eat.” Maybe you want to try restaurants and eateries that are uniquely Athenian. If so, here are some recommendations (in no particular order):

1) LuVici’s at 105 N. Jefferson St. very near the square and adjacent to U.G.White’s General Mercantile (a very interesting place to browse). No, it is not pronounced “loo-vee-chee’s.” This is not an Italian restaurant. This is “loo-vy-see’s,” and it’s all about Southern cooking.

2) Casa Blanca*. If you’re in the mood for Mexican food, Casa Blanca has two locations – on the square and on Highway 72.

3) Village Pizza*. On the square. Delicious.

4) Wildwood Deli. A few steps off the square on Market St. Small place. Good food. I hear they even serve Gigi’s Cupcakes. Yum!!!

5) Drucilla’s — 2 blocks from the college or 2 blocks from the square on North Marion St. An easy walk. Beautiful vintage charm mixed with tantalizing smells and tastes.

6) Dub’s Burgers on S. Jefferson St. A long-time Athens tradition. You can’t really say you have visited Athens until you’ve tried a Dub’s Burger.

7) Catfish Cabin*, right where S. Clinton St. runs into Highway 72. Unlimited hushpuppies. Oh my!

8) Hickory Barn Bar-B-Que* — on Hwy. 72 W a few miles out of town. Some of the best smoked chicken you will ever eat.

9) 306 Barbecue* — on Hwy. 72 E, also a few miles out of town going toward Madison. Very popular with the locals. A surprisingly wide menu.

10) Clark’s Restaurant* — located right behind Cracker Barrel, within sight of Hwy. 72 E. Great catfish and comfort foods.

Is your mouth watering? Have you marked your calendars for October 2-3? I’m sure I’ve left out some good places. Athens folks, be sure to chime in with additional suggestions. Let’s put it this way. If you leave Athens hungry, it will be YOUR OWN FAULT. 🙂

Get your hotel booked NOW. Google “hotels in Athens, AL” and you’ll find quite a few choices, most are located near Exit 351, off of I-65. Better yet, look up a long-lost relative or friend and hint politely for the use of their guest room. Athens folks can be mighty friendly when you give them a chance.

Oh, and one more thing. If you’re going to be in town on a Sunday morning, I’d love to invite you to my church, First Baptist. It is located right beside the Athens State University campus, at the corner of Hobbs and Clinton Streets. We have a new pastor, Dr. Joel Carwile. I believe you’ll enjoy him and the music (consider this a blatant commercial for the choir, of which I am a proud member). The service begins at 10:30 a.m. We’ll get you out in time to head to one of these nice restaurants. The ones marked with an asterisk are open on Sundays.

See you soon in my hometown.

Rattlesnake Saloon in Tuscumbia, AL — To Go or Not to Go?

October 2-3, 2015 – FIDDLERS” in Athens, AL — 10 Restaurant Suggestions AFTER You’ve Tried All the Vendors

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