50 State Challenge - ALABAMA

Today marks the start of the 50 state challenge. Everyday I am going to pick a state and feature one amazing/unique thing that the state has to offer.

ALABAMA

View from the inside of Russell Cave

I feel as if Alabama is a forgotten state. When's the last time you heard someone say "I'm going on a vacation...... to Alabama" Yeah, you probably never heard that sentence before. Surprisingly enough there is actually a lot of cool things to do in Alabama and one of them is exploring the Russell Cave System on the Alabama/Tennessee border. 

One of the entrances to Russell Cave in Alabama

The Russell Cave System is located in the northern part of the state near the town of Bridgeport. The cave was once used as a shelter by prehistoric Indians who many believe where the first human settlers in the South. 

Fun Facts:

• Russell Cave was formed over 300 million years ago at the bottom of an inland sea covering the region. 
• A natural spring flows into the cave and flows underground for about 2 miles.
• Flint points and charcoal from campfires found in the cave date back to 6550 - 6145 BCE
• Russell Cave provides the most thorough records of any prehistoric culture in the Southeast.
• Russell Cave is home to a rare species of scorpions that exist nowhere else in the world other than Russell Cave.
• During the first weekend of May, a Native American Festival is held by the cave. The festival includes, storytelling, dancing, and historical reenactments

An artist depictions of the first settlers in Russell Cave

Russell Cave offers adventures two trails (The Nature Trail, The Backcounty Trail). The Nature Trail is  half a mile long paved trail.  The Backcountry Trail is 1.2 mile unpaved trail. Both trails offer excellent views the forest, flowers and Montague Mountain.  Guided tours are also offered by the Nation Park Service Interpretative Rangers. 

Russell Cave is located at 3729 County Rd 98, Bridgeport Alabama.