Field Trip

So here is how you promote your mental health in Heflin, Alabama. When you have a chance you go on a Field Trip. I take my inspector with me, He is an Auburn fan but still he is a nice guy. Our first notable Field Trip was to a vineyard in Fruithurst, Alabama. Fruithurst has had vineyards since before Civil War times. This one is owned by a guy who is an American Airline pilot and his cousin. The cousin may have some experience with some other cash crops. They only grow muscadines and they have a winery there. We were given a private tour including a wine tasting. I know it was only 10 a.m. but you have to do what you have to do. They invited us back to watch them harvest the grapes the next week. Here is a video.



Our latest trip was today, we went to Turkey Heaven Mountain. It is a minor mountain east of Cheaha.

Before we got to the mountain we could see it and noticed a house hanging right at the top. We drove up and found the house. It had signs everywhere saying "NO TRESPASS". Well I knew they were talking about other people, not me.

We entered the gate in a stone wall, there was a stone courtyard with several outbuildings. The whole compound sits on 40 acres and is surrounded by retaining walls except where the gate is. The owner came out and was the most gracious host to two uninvited guests.

He is retired military and must have done it well.

It is a multi million dollar home on a multi thousand piece of land with a multi billion dollar view. Here are pictures and they don't do it justice.
















It is their design based off of French farm houses that they saw in Europe while he was in the Army.

They have 2 generators for power in bad weather and the house had to be designed for 140 mile per hour winds due to the elevation (over 1600 feet).

There are fire pits with benches located so that you can sit and look out over the vistas. The owners, the wife came out after a while, were great and I don't know why Southern Living is not knocking on their door.

I am working here but these "Field Trips" keep us sane.