Hard to believe I am about two weeks away from the annual “Spann’s Best Way To The Bama Beaches” series. If you are new to this, every May I write about a creative, scenic way through the heart of Southwest Alabama for people traveling to the Alabama Gulf Coast. Why drive I-65? In the words of Dooby the cab driver on “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles”, “all you see on the interstate is interstate”. Every year I try to carve out a trip that features great food, some Alabama history, stunning scenery, and a few surprises along the way. Sure, it takes longer, but you have to love the roads less traveled.
This past Saturday I did a little “research” for this year’s article. Actually, it was a great excuse to get out of the office after four consecutive days of severe weather and breathe some fresh air. First stop was the Sunshine Farms “U-Pick’Em” strawberry patch, off Chilton County road 37 near Fairview. Tim Minor, who runs the farm, told us he was seeing one of the best crops ever. He sure isn’t kidding; we spent some time and picked several baskets of the delicious berries on a sunny Saturday morning. We weren’t the only ones with that idea; seemed like everyone wanted to be in “Strawberry Fields Forever”. A very nice crowd.
From Sunshine Farms, it was on south into Autauga County and the community of Billingsley, and over to U.S. 82 for a quick jog over to Jim’s Pit Barbeque, which in my humble opinion has the best BBQ in Alabama. That is a very strongly worded statement for someone like me who hangs out at BBQ joints. Jim’s is on U.S. 82 just a few miles north of Billingsley, toward Maplesville. Like the strawberry field, the joint was packed. Guess great minds think alike.
To get to Sunshine Farms, head west out of Clanton on Alabama 22 (like you are going to Maplesville. Turn left onto County Road 37, and go about five to seven miles, and it is on the left.
Be looking for my 2006 version of “Spann’s Best Way To The Bama Beaches” coming soon!
This past Saturday I did a little “research” for this year’s article. Actually, it was a great excuse to get out of the office after four consecutive days of severe weather and breathe some fresh air. First stop was the Sunshine Farms “U-Pick’Em” strawberry patch, off Chilton County road 37 near Fairview. Tim Minor, who runs the farm, told us he was seeing one of the best crops ever. He sure isn’t kidding; we spent some time and picked several baskets of the delicious berries on a sunny Saturday morning. We weren’t the only ones with that idea; seemed like everyone wanted to be in “Strawberry Fields Forever”. A very nice crowd.
From Sunshine Farms, it was on south into Autauga County and the community of Billingsley, and over to U.S. 82 for a quick jog over to Jim’s Pit Barbeque, which in my humble opinion has the best BBQ in Alabama. That is a very strongly worded statement for someone like me who hangs out at BBQ joints. Jim’s is on U.S. 82 just a few miles north of Billingsley, toward Maplesville. Like the strawberry field, the joint was packed. Guess great minds think alike.
To get to Sunshine Farms, head west out of Clanton on Alabama 22 (like you are going to Maplesville. Turn left onto County Road 37, and go about five to seven miles, and it is on the left.
Be looking for my 2006 version of “Spann’s Best Way To The Bama Beaches” coming soon!
on April 25, 2006, 6:33 am
Between your love of the back roads and your love of BBQ, you ought to join a motorcycle club. We love them both too.
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