Weekend Getaway to the Black Belt: Trip One

For a pleasant weekend getaway, try heading south. No, not the beach, the Black Belt of Southwest Alabama. There's much to see and do-and close enough to make the trip with less than a tank of gas. We'll continue to add new trips to our list as the next year progresses.

For now, try this simple, one or two night getaway into the true heart of Alabama for an authentic experience of the Deep South. Don't have time to get away for a night? Well, you should, but if you just can't pry yourself away, try a daylong trip.

Begin your weekend getaway heading to Selma, Alabama. Approximately 85 miles from Birmingham (or a little over 200 miles from Atlanta, Georgia). Once you've arrived in Selma, plan to park near the river and just stroll around the downtown area. Park near the historic and recently renovated Saint James Hotel, directly on the river along Water Street and less than a block away from the famous Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Try some down home cooking at one of the local eateries in Selma (during the week, try the Downtowner for an excellent "meat-and-three," a true Southern staple). There are excellent dining choices in Selma for a variety of traditional Southern fare, including BBQ, fried chicken and catfish, along with more exotic choices.

Enjoy a quiet afternoon shopping in some of Selma's antique stores and specialty shops. Don't miss an opportunity to explore the Voting Rights Museum (www.nvrm.org). Located near the foot of Edmund Pettus Bridge, the museum offers a pictorial history of voting rights struggle. It displays an exceptional record of events and participants that made Civil Rights history. Try the "windshield tour" or the "ghost tour" brought to you by the official website of Selma.

Enjoy a relaxing evening in one of Selma's hotels or start your journey south. A 30 mile drive south, will put you near Orrville, Alabama (a small stop along your route). For a memorable evening, spend the night at the River Oaks Bed and Breakfast (www.riveroakslanding.com).

From Selma to Gee's Bend, plan on a little over an hour of travel time and approximately 45 miles. Once in Gees Bend, take a 20-minute ferry ride up the Alabama River. Along the way, enjoy the scenery and watch for birds. You'll often see herons and egrets. Several bald eagles nest nearby. And, in January and February, white pelicans gather in the hundreds along the river.

Land in Miller's Ferry, approximately 10 miles from Camden. Once in Camden, stop by Black Belt Treasures (www.blackbelttreasures.com) for some excellent shopping. The shop offers artists throughout the Black Belt a place to sell their goods.From Gees Bend quilts and other textiles to beautiful hand-carved duck decoys (along with paintings, furniture, pottery and specialty food items), you can get all of your Christmas shopping done in a hurry. If you feel adventurous, spend the night at Roland Cooper State Park for excellent riverside camping. Gaines Ridge, an old plantation-era home turned restaurant, provides a tasty option for dinner (call ahead to confirm hours).

Once you've arrived in Camden, the trip back to Birmingham is a little less than 130 miles, and you have two choices: back through Selma along Highway 41 or through Marion up Highway 5. Either way, you should expect to spend approximately 2.5 hours of drive time. Going through Marion provides some excellent antique shopping opportunities and the opportunity to see some additional Alabama originals: Judson College and the Marion Military Institute to name just two. Most of the antique stores are located in downtown Marion in the Courthouse square.