Outdoors
Good Dirt
The Great Outdoors Early spring, my daughter Banks and I planted red potatoes and Vidalia Onions. I confess, I should remember the particular type of red potato, but they had no marquee value. I just know they are red. Vidalia, on the other hand, is the Corvette of onions. Sweet and saucy, the Vidalia, a …
Love at First Sight
The Great Outdoors Hannah and I met as college freshmen at the University of Montevallo. The campus has a quiet grandeur. Frederick Law Olmsted- the same landscape architect behind Central Park, the U.S. Capitol grounds, and the Biltmore Estate- designed its central core. From the Main Quad, the land gently slopes past King’s House and …
Christmas Gift Giving Made Easy
Christmas Gift Guide 2025 Presented by: Mark’s Outdoors Don’t miss Mark’s Outdoors Black Friday Sales! Holiday shopping can be a hard task to face. Let the staff at Mark’s Outdoors make it easier for you with great gifts at great prices for your family and friends! We are having one of the largest Black Friday …
County Fairs & Ferris Wheels
The Great Outdoors It’s late October in Andalusia. The sun sets over the Midway’s bright lights. The hot afternoon begins to cool, and the County Fair comes alive. Hand in hand, my wife Hannah and I cross the parking lot. Our daughter Banks and two of her girlfriends prance ahead. “Let’s ride the Ferris Wheel,” …
Bringing Order & Beauty to Your Outdoor Spaces
Our House Are you longing for your home’s outdoor spaces to bring you joy instead of stress? Willow Cove Designs is a local landscape design company that can help you tackle your landscape needs with precision and expertise. Whether you are looking to create a backyard haven for entertainment or even wondering what plants would …
Deer Season Prep = Deer Season Success
The Great Outdoors presented by: Mark’s Outdoors With deer season opening on October 15, now is the time to make sure you are prepared to hunt. Making yourself a checklist will help insure that you have everything you need to make your opening day a successful one. Go ahead and pull out all your camo …
Packed & Ready for the Next Excursion!
The Great Outdoors Vacation, vacation, vacation. That’s what summer is all about, right? Whether you are spending time with the family at the beach soaking in the strong summer sun, or looking for that next hill to climb to check off your summer bucket list, you need to be prepared with the best-equipped luggage. Summer …
Hurricane George
The Great Outdoors Hannah and I were married at The Cottle House in Andalusia, Ala. in 1998, the first “event” ever held at the now well-loved venue. The old house, restored by her parents, George and Brenda Gantt, stood proud on Gantt land, full of vintage charm and Southern grit. George had poured himself into …
