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It’s easy to lose track of your fin ances when your days are filled with other responsibilities. As Morgan S tanley Financial Advisors, we can work w ith you to understand your goals and help you create an investment strategy that’s right for you. We strive to help you stay on track for your future so you can focus on all that’s
Whether it is discovering new environments on Earth or pursuing space travel, the urge to discover is essential to the human experience and one that Huntsvillians can deeply relate to. This innate human curiosity expands our knowledge, deepens our understanding of other cultures and the natural environment, and touches our soul in a way that lives on inside of each of us. Exploration is fueled by long-standing evolutionary and psychological needs. And summer seems to fuel these needs even more. In this July issue we explore an architectural masterpiece on Smith Lake that will have you rethinking the traditional American lake house. We see the natural world through the lens of Pulitzer Prize winning Alabama photographer Joe Songer. We go on adventures with avid hiker and explorer Bruce Martin. We dive into caves with Huntsvillian Sabrina Simõn. We explore healing with therapist Stephanie Cashin. And we take a look at our own history as we celebrate America's 250 years. Summer is in full force and we hope you are exploring. Long. Live. Print.
July 2026
PUBLISHER
Amy Bailey | amy.bailey@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Casey Creque | casey.creque@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Susan Rogers | susan.rogers@citylifestyle.com
COPY EDITOR
Mary Nell Cole
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Erin Coggins, Bruce Martin, Joe Songer, Stephanie Cashin, Sabrina Simõn
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Joe Songer, Annelise Stone, Tysen Kay
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Andi Foster
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
A
Perched atop Lookout Mountain, Mentone is one of North Alabama’s most charming escapes. Just over an hour from Huntsville, this picturesque mountain town is known for its waterfalls, hiking trails, local shops, and beloved restaurants like Wildflower Café and Elevation Bistro.
Capturing the spirit of the area is a distinctive cottage retreat offering creekside views, inviting outdoor spaces, wrap around porches and exceptional flexibility for personal use or rental income. Walkable to downtown and surrounded by natural beauty, it’s the perfect place to experience the slower pace and timeless appeal that make Mentone so special.
This July, as America celebrates 250 years of independence, we’re reminded that strong communities are built on trust, perseverance, and lasting relationships. At Keel Point, those same values guide everything we do. For families, business owners, and retirees across Huntsville, wealth management is more than numbers — it’s about protecting what matters most and planning confidently for the future. As a locally rooted firm, we understand the people and values that make North Alabama exceptional. Our team is committed to personalized guidance, long-term partnerships, and helping clients navigate every stage of life with clarity and confidence. This Independence Day, celebrate the freedom that comes from trusted advice and a relationship built to last.
Schedule an introductory meeting today and take the first step toward securing the future you envision for the generations that follow.
At Dental Professionals on Whitesburg, care is more than a service. It is a commitment to our neighbors, our community, and every patient who walks through our doors. We live here, we serve here, and we value real relationships built on trust, comfort, and consistency. Our team brings warmth, experience, and attention to detail to every visit, creating a space where patients feel calm, welcomed, and at home. Your smile has a home here.
BY TYSEN KAY
ARTICLE BY AMY BAILEY | PHOTOGRAPHY
A BALANCE BETWEEN DESIGN, COMFORT AND THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, CROOKED TREE LODGE REINTERPRETS THE TRADITIONAL SMITH LAKE HOME
An architectural masterpiece set high above the cliffs of Smith Lake with a crooked tree as its namesake, the home named Crooked Tree Lodge is striking and deeply personal at the same time. While the architecture makes a strong visual statement, this beautiful work of art still functions as a warm, welcoming place for family to gather, grow, and create memories together.
The homeowners were drawn to Smith Lake because of its dramatic natural beauty; the deep water, steep cliffs, dense trees, and rugged shoreline create a landscape unlike anywhere else in the region. They previously owned a lake home nearby and knew they wanted to build again in a similar part of the lake because of their connection to the area.
Interestingly, they first identified this property while out on the water by boat, marking the site by a distinctive crooked tree near the shoreline that has since become a symbolic focal point of the home itself.
The rawness of the landscape provided the perfect backdrop for the architects, Shelby and Braeden Scally of Scally Design, to create clean, restrained forms set against the timeless character of the natural environment.
This home was inspired by a desire to reinterpret the traditional American lake house through a distinctly New Zealand lens, (Braeden Scally is from New Zealand.) The design draws heavily from the restraint and honesty of rural agricultural buildings found throughout Logan, Alabama, as well as the clean, utilitarian forms common in New Zealand architecture.
Rather than creating a single monumental structure, the home was composed as three simple gabled pavilions that feel grounded in the landscape and connected to the surrounding environment.
“WALKING BETWEEN THEM FEELS ALMOST LIKE MOVING THROUGH THE TREES THEMSELVES, CONSTANTLY RECONNECTING YOU TO THE LANDSCAPE AND THE CHANGING LIGHT.”
“ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DESIGN DECISIONS WAS BREAKING THE 6,200-SQUARE-FOOT HOME INTO THREE DISTINCT PAVILIONS: THE MAIN LIVING SPACE, THE PRIMARY SUITE, AND THE GUEST ACCOMMODATIONS.”
Braeden says, “One of the most important design decisions was breaking the 6,200-square-foot home into three distinct pavilions: the main living space, the primary suite, and the guest accommodations. This approach allowed the home to feel more intimate and connected to the scale of the site rather than overwhelming it.”
The pavilions are linked by fully glazed bridges that create moments of pause and transition while moving through the house. Braeden continues, “Walking between them feels almost like moving through the trees themselves, constantly reconnecting you to the landscape and the changing light.”
The home was also designed entirely on one level to allow the homeowners to age in place comfortably over time. Durability and low maintenance were equally important considerations, especially given the lakefront setting and Alabama climate. Every material and detail was selected with longevity in mind.
The orientation of the home was another major driver in the design. The pavilions were carefully aligned due west to frame panoramic sunset views over Smith Lake and to capture the dramatic shifts in natural light throughout the day.
“BEYOND ITS RICH TEXTURE AND DEPTH, THE MATERIAL WAS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT CONNECTED BACK TO BRAEDEN’S NEW ZEALAND ROOTS WHILE ALSO SERVING A PRACTICAL PURPOSE.”
Natural materials were central to the identity of the home. One of the defining elements is the exterior cladding: Thermally modified and sustainably grown pine from New Zealand.
Shelby states, “Beyond its rich texture and depth, the material was important because it connected back to Braeden’s New Zealand roots while also serving a practical purpose. The timber process makes the material highly resistant to rot and moisture, which are essential qualities for a low-maintenance home in Alabama’s notoriously humid climate.”
Inside, European white oak was used extensively on the floors and ceilings to create warmth and continuity throughout the home. Natural stone was layered throughout the project to introduce texture and a sense of permanence, giving the house a grounded, hand-crafted feel despite its clean architectural lines.
Locally sourced Alabama Blue Rubble stone provided a rugged contrast to the dark timber and expansive glass, while the boardformed concrete base anchors the home into the steep hillside in a way that feels both structural and honest.
“THE NATURAL MATERIALS, SOFT LIGHT, AND CONNECTION TO THE OUTDOORS CREATE A FEELING THAT’S
AND PEACEFUL.”
The site itself presented one of the greatest challenges of the project for Scally. Shelby remarks, “The property drops nearly 100 feet from the road to the water, and the homeowners were committed to having the entire home function on a single level. Achieving that required carefully working with the natural contours of the land rather than against them.” She continues, “Mature trees were preserved wherever possible, and portions of the structure were engineered to lightly cantilever over the slope to minimize disruption to the terrain.”
One of the most unique elements in the home is the lighting. The fixtures over the island and staircase were designed by New Zealand lighting designer David Trubridge, whose work has long been admired for its sculptural quality and connection to nature.
“Incorporating those pieces brought another subtle layer of New Zealand influence into the project,” Braeden comments.
“The Abodo Vulcan timber cladding was also especially meaningful because it was sourced from rapidly renewable New Zealand forests, blending sustainability with a strong personal connection to place and heritage.”
When asked what they love about the home Shelby beams, “Every detail was thoughtfully designed and carefully considered, it never feels overly formal. Despite being a highly refined home, it still feels relaxed and approachable; kind of place where you can walk in barefoot after a day on the lake and immediately feel at home.”
That balance between sophistication and comfort was incredibly important to the homeowners and ultimately became one of the defining characteristics of the project.
Because the home was designed with longevity in mind, the homeowners appreciate how effortlessly it supports everyday living and future aging in place. Shelby adds, “For the homeowners the main living pavilion has become a favorite space because of the way it brings everyone together while framing expansive views across Smith Lake.”
And when it comes to favorite rooms, Shelby has an affinity for the bathroom with the freestanding tub. “My favorite room is the primary bathroom. There’s an immediate sense of calm when you walk into the space which feels more like a quiet spa retreat than a typical residential bathroom.” She continues, “The natural materials, soft light, and connection to the outdoors create a feeling that’s both grounding and peaceful.”
Braeden’s favorite space in the home is the entry foyer connecting the main living and guest pavilions. He states, “The solid wood entry door provides a sense of anticipation for what lies beyond, opening to a view of the point across the water, the space reconnects you to the landscape and sets the tone for what will unfold throughout the architecture of the home.”
Scally Design is redefining lake living in the most stunning way. Crooked Tree Lodge will become a focal point for Smith Lake dwellers and an inspiration in design and architecture for all Alabamians.
Scally Design+Construct
105 Washington Street SE Suite 201
Huntsville, Alabama 35801
662.322.4546
A photographic look at some of our state's natural wonders from Pulitzer Prize winner Joe Songer
ARTICLE BY AMY BAILEY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOE SONGER
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird; (Archilochus colubris), a species of hummingbird that migrates parts of Eastern North America for the summer to breed.
Alabama’s natural world is one of vibrant colors and wonder. Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Joe Songer is a longtime Alabama photojournalist best known for his work with The Birmingham News, Al.com, and the Alabama Media Group. Over decades behind the camera, Songer has documented the state’s defining moments — from college football triumphs and tornado devastation to civil rights commemorations, political campaigns, and everyday Southern life. His photography has been recognized for its emotional immediacy and strong storytelling, often capturing ordinary people in extraordinary moments.
Here Joe turns his lens to the natural world capturing our state’s native wildlife. Joe states, "Alabama is such a diverse state and offers many chances to photograph wildlife. Some birds and animals live here year round and some are just migrating visitors. With such variety to choose from, it's hard not to get out and take photos. It's also a huge challenge to catch the 'moments' in the wild. I love the challenge of bird photography, especially hummingbirds that visit our feeders every year. I love the challenge of inflight battles over territory around the feeders. Eagles are another favorite to photograph. They are just so majestic and a true conservation success story as their numbers continue to climb."
From the ruby-throated hummingbird to the vibrant blue feathers of the Eastern bluebird to our state bird, the Northern Flicker more commonly known as the Yellowhammer, Joe celebrates nature in this visual feast for readers. "I've always enjoyed being in nature since I was a boy growing up in rural Pennsylvania. When our family moved south it was always a joy to get into the nearby woods." Joe continues, "Once I took up photography, it was just another reason to get out and stay outside. My wife and I now live on a lake in St. Clair County and enjoy the diverse flora and fauna from our porch. Photographing birds and the deer that frequent our place became a passion shortly after we moved in. As you can tell birds are my favorite to photograph."
This Page: Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis): Often called the “American chameleon,” this bright green lizard can change to brown and is frequently seen in trees, shrubs.
Opposite: Yellowhammer; (Colaptes auratus), designated the official state bird of Alabama in 1927. Alabama is the only state to recognize a woodpecker as their state bird
ARTICLE BY BRUCE MARTIN
IMMERSE IN THE CHALLENGE AND CAMARADERIE THAT THE OUTDOORS FOSTERS
The wind was howling. Darkness was descending rapidly, as was the temperature. 24 degrees and rain. The worst possible conditions in the mountains. I‘d take snow any day. You can just brush it off, no harm, no foul. But freezing rain is a real problem, leaving a growing layer of ice on everything, and increasing the likelihood of hypothermia exponentially. It was an 8-mile day and I had three out of twelve men still out on the trail with my “sweeper”, whose sole job was making sure everyone got in camp. As the lead guide and first in camp, my job was to get a fire going and warm these men up.
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The conditions weren’t exactly favorable to fire-making. I asked a newbie to assist me in the process. It was his first time backpacking, but not his first time to be tested outdoors. This guy was a triathlete. And not just any triathlete. This guy was the best of the best. He’d done the Ironman several times, a grueling trio of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, finishing with a 26.2mile marathon run. You have to be in crazy good shape to complete one of those bad boys.
We crouched over the icy firepit, creating a human wind block in hopes of getting a small fire going. Once we got it going, we could slowly feed it more and more wood until we had a roaring campfire, a fire that would warm the men up and lift their spirits considerably. Hands trembling from the cold, he held the firestarter against the wood, while I cupped a small lighter with just enough flame to ignite one edge. As he leaned in, he said, “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
I couldn’t help but smile. Mission accomplished.
At the end of that trip, all the men gathered at a local pub and recounted the “highs and lows” from the trip. Over and over again, each man said their low and their high were the same thing. Surviving the ice storm. And the smile on every man’s face told the same story.
We did a thing.
In his excellent book, “Wild at Heart” author John Eldridge argues that in the heart of every man lies a question. “Do I have
what it takes?” And the only way a man can really answer that question is by being tested. By overcoming adversity, removing obstacles, getting out of his comfort zone and taking risks. And there’s nothing like the backcountry to test a man.
It’s why I started Born 2 Be Wild back in 2003. Take a few good men into the wilderness; away from the office, away from family, away from news and sports, and no cell signal. Take them on a journey into the unknown and create an immersive environment
1. TRAIN YOUR BODY
Build endurance, strength, and stamina through regular hiking, strength training, and carrying a loaded pack on varied terrain.
2. TEST YOUR GEAR
Don’t let the trail be the first time you use your equipment. Practice with your boots, backpack, clothing layers, tent, and other essential gear beforehand.
3. PREPARE FOR THE WEATHER
Research typical conditions and pack accordingly.
Mountain weather can change quickly, so plan for rain, cold, wind, and temperature swings.
4. FUEL YOUR ADVENTURE
Proper nutrition and hydration are critical. Eat consistently throughout the day and drink water regularly to maintain energy and performance.
5. STRENGTHEN YOUR MINDSET
Expect challenges and discomfort. Mental toughness often matters as much as physical fitness when conditions become difficult.
6. LEARN BASIC OUTDOOR SKILLS
Know how to navigate, filter water, build a fire, set up camp, and handle minor emergencies before heading into the backcountry.
7. TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET
Well-fitted footwear and proper foot care can prevent blisters and injuries that can quickly derail a trip.
where they can connect with God and each other. My hope is we begin the journey as strangers, but end as a band of brothers. I love the challenge and camaraderie that the outdoors fosters, but I also love that it creates space for people to work together. Things like setting up camp, gathering firewood, filtering water, and cooking meals are easier and faster when guys work together.
But I also love to see men help one another when there’s an injury, or someone is struggling physically. I just finished an 18-mile backpacking trip with 10 men on the Appalachian Trail. The first day was a brutal 8-mile day with 3,700 feet of elevation gain. Late in the day, one of our guys got super sick, couldn’t keep food or water down, and was wondering if he could make camp. But without a word from me, other guys jumped in to help carry his pack up the final mountain. On day two, we had a young man struggling with leg cramps, so several other men took a bunch of his stuff and divided it among their packs to lighten his load. The trail has a way of bringing out the best in people.
If you’re up for a little adventure, join me in Patagonia for my last EPIC trip of 2026! We’ll be hiking the iconic W-Trek on November 7-14, 2026. The Torres del Paine W Circuit is a 5-day “glampacking” tour (you only have to carry a daypack.) The tour includes everything necessary for you to just show up and enjoy this amazing experience: transfers from Puntas Arenas to Puerto Natales, 2 nights of accommodation in hotels, 4 nights of accommodation in the park, incredible 5-star meals at backcountry lodges, (breakfast, lunch and dinner), and catamaran tickets to ferry us back to civilization. November is the Spring season in Patagonia and brings out wildflowers, waterfalls, and snow on the peaks! Let’s go trekking in Patagonia! Get all the information and register at: born2bewild.net. I also do private trips. I took a group of father and sons on the Appalachian Trail last year. If you have at least 6 guys that want to do a thing, reach out to me at bruce@born2bewild. net and we’ll set up a custom-made adventure for you and your friends.
Do you have what it takes?
A Story of Chance, Exploration, and Cave Magic
ARTICLE BY SABRINA S. SIMŌN, NSS #53384
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
NATHAN WILLIAMS
When I arrived in Huntsville twenty-four years ago from the flatlands of Florida, I had no idea what to expect. One weekend, I went exploring. I drove out 72 and hit I-24 just to drive through the gorgeous rolling hills and into Tennessee. By chance, I saw a billboard on the side of the road that said, “Come See Raccoon Mountain Caverns.” With hours to burn, I took the exit. I’d never
been in a cave before. I purchased a ticket and wandered through with a guide while she pointed out types of speleothems, and I asked numerous questions. After the tour was over, I asked the guide about the optional wild cave trip that was three hours long. She said bring boots and long pants, they would provide kneepads a helmet, and gloves. I booked the tour for the next weekend. Then I came back the next weekend, and they took me on an extended tour lasting five hours. I came back again the following weekend, and they showed me an entirely new branch of the cave. Seven hours later, a couple of the guides asked, “Want to see this other cave nearby?” “You mean there are more?” Thousands in TAG, they told me. By the following month, I had bought gear, knew that TAG stood for Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia, joined the Huntsville Grotto, and started learning vertical—so I could explore more parts of more caves in all the limestone hills. Heading down into a green, lush, fern-strewn sink, over moss-covered, decaying logs, in the middle of summertime for a cave trip is nothing short of magic. It’s like walking into a grocery store—the doors open and you are slapped with a blast of cold air—only this is better because you just hiked in 92°F heat and now you wade down into a pool of cold AC. Caves quite literally breathe; they blow what feels like air conditioning when it’s hot and suck in air from the outside in winter—because the temperature in the cave stays constant. At our latitude, they range from about 56°F to 62°F, with a few interesting exceptions. While you gear up, you’ll smell the entrance. It’s a wonderful earthy combination of greenhouse, leaves after a rainstorm, pottery clay, and a fresh glass of ice water. After one last gear check, you’ll click on your light and put a boot across the drip-line, squinting into the dark. You say goodbye to the outside world at the twilight zone. Whatever gear and skills you packed in is what you have, including your sense of adventure and caution. Whatever quiet beauty that waits below is unique for every cave trip—and it’s all contained in an underground world like no other.
All caves have such different forms of beauty and challenges. I have had my fair share of “wow” moments, that feeling where you are more alive than just passively existing on the earth. I can say I count myself extremely lucky to have explored, surveyed, and helped photograph a group of Mayan Caves in Central Yucatan over the course of multiple field seasons for archaeologist Dr. Donald Slater. Rediscovering an ancient Maya petroglyph, finding a sacrificial obsidian point by almost sitting on it, and rappelling into a domed cenote filled with clear blue water and not a lick of land definitely were wow moments. Surveying in Lechuguilla Cave in Carlsbad, NM, was an incredible experience too. Spending eight days underground in one of the most epic caves on earth is really a vibe. Taking my daughter on her first cave trip at six months old, and then taking her when she could walk around and explore on her own is an indelible memory. Helping my friend and cave photographer Nathan Williams, take souvenirs of caves in photo form from some of my local favorites like Tumbling Rock, Stephen’s Gap, and Fern has been incredibly memorable. There is so much time, sweat, camaraderie, and planning that goes into cave photography trips, and I am thrilled and honored I’ve gotten to help with so many.
Prepping for a cave trip depends on the difficulty of the cave and the cavers. An easy cave can turn difficult without proper gear. Basic gear is always a helmet with 3 sources of light, gloves, kneepads, proper synthetic clothing, boots, and a pack. But it’s not just about what you pack in or even the logistics of getting to the cave. Even if you have a map, it’s always better to bring someone who has intimate knowledge of the cave because there will always be tricks to rigging the drop, a hidden route, a deep pool, or a side passage not to be missed. That type of knowledge is hard won, either passed down from armchair cavers or discovered along the way. I always pack my gear the day before, check and double-check, and then add more. I am always the one with the extra snacks, an emergency kit, extra batteries, a spare WAG bag, and the electrical tape to fix someone’s boot sole that’s flopping. I get cold quickly, so I pack extra layers and wear sturdy neoprene Muck boots. If deep water is involved, that ups the ante, so I might wear a cave suit or wetsuit underneath. Different trips all require specific gear that you have to haul to the cave, through it, and back out to the car, so it’s the push and pull of trying to pack light, but be extra prepared. There have been times when I have doubted my skills and physical aptitude in the moment.
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Challenges like exposed climbs, being a short person stemming a canyon with 30 feet of air beneath me, passing a knot on rope, or having to take my helmet off in a low-air-space water-filled passage so I can suck the ceiling for air are not my kind of fun. For me, they are mostly mental challenges. I take them slowly and carefully with some nervous laughter and a side of adrenaline. I have talked many a friend over the lip of their very first drop, given a knee for a climb up, or spoken words of encouragement while climbing rope beside someone. Having fellow cavers that you quite literally trust with your life, that give you a spot on a climb, a knee to stand on, or a hand to grab, build the tightest-knit friendships—and a lot of times that’s honestly the best gear you can bring on a cave trip.
Caves don’t brag or ask for attention like waterfalls, volcanoes, or oceans. They hide and grow speleothems quietly in the dark. Water sculpts passages, forms rivers, tumbles pebbles, and miles of borehole open up. Water levels drop, layers of limestone collapse into breakdown, and different intersecting passages meet. Pits open on the surface following the flow of water and the acid brought down through the detritus on the surface. Geologic time passes, and the cave just exists, waiting. The world has been mapped, all the mountains have been climbed, we know what the bottom of the ocean looks like, and space is being explored, but there are caves beneath us right now that are still just waiting. I’ve been the first person to walk into a room no one has ever seen, and shine a light on the wonders that have been patiently waiting in the darkness. And then I’ve shouted, “Come over here! You have to see this!” to my caving buddies. And I want to do it again. That need for exploration and discovery is an indelible part of being human. Caves are one of the last unexplored places on Earth. Being able to share a hobby like caving—correction—a passion like caving with friends old and new and anticipating the next adventure together is nothing short of caving magic.
If someone tells you to go touch grass, touch mud instead. Try caving! Cavers are a very friendly and welcoming group of people, and they come from every walk of life. If you are curious bout going caving, I highly recommend you go sit in on a meeting of
the Huntsville Grotto, our local caving club, and bring a friend if you’re nervous. They meet every first Wednesday of the month at the National Speleological Society, which is right here in Huntsville. Yep, Huntsville is home to the national group, also! The Huntsville Grotto schedules several monthly trips, one of which is for beginners to try and learn more about caving from experienced cavers. Be sure and check out The Southeastern Cave Conservancy too, they own and take care of many of the premier cave preserves in this area and further afield. They do a great job protecting caves for the future. SCCI permits are required to explore any caves in their care. And you can always come find me, and I’ll take you caving, I’d love to show you a new world right beneath your feet!
“Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time." - Cave Motto
Follow along @brinabrat.
Waterfalls, canyons, mossy forests, mountain overlooks, and wild backcountry all within minutes or a couple hours of Huntsville
This year Alabama celebrated the Year of Trails and, of course, North Alabama has some of the South’s most underrated hiking - waterfalls, sandstone canyons, mossy forests, mountain overlooks, and wild backcountry all within minutes or a couple hours of Huntsville. “Alabama’s outdoor recreation opportunities are unique. From the tail end of the Appalachian Mountains in North Alabama to the state’s Gulf Coast,” said Paul DeMarco, President of the Alabama Trails Foundation. “Whether hiking, biking or paddling there is something for everyone.” Here are some of the best trails for scenery, challenge, and pure Alabama beauty.
The legendary North Alabama hike. The trail descends into a massive limestone gorge nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of Alabama,” ending at waterfalls, caves, and the famous natural amphitheater. The hike back out is steep and strenuous, but absolutely worth it.
The Sipsey is often called the “Land of 1,000 Waterfalls,” and Borden Creek Trail is one of its best introductions. Expect creek crossings, caves, sandstone bluffs, giant trees, and lush wilderness scenery. Reddit hikers consistently rank Sipsey among Alabama’s most beautiful hiking areas.
ARTICLE BY AMY BAILEY
Monte Sano is Huntsville’s hiking crown jewel. Trails like Stone Cuts, Sinks Trail, North Plateau, and McKay Hollow combine mountain overlooks, rock formations, fernfilled ravines, and peaceful forest paths. It’s ideal because you can choose easy scenic walks or tougher elevation-heavy loops.
One of the most unique hikes in the Southeast. Huge moss-covered canyon walls, waterfalls, caves, giant boulders, and the famous glowing “dismalites” at night make this trail feel prehistoric. The canyon stays cool even in summer
Perfect for a moderate afternoon hike near Huntsville. Alum Hollow features streams, suspension bridges, rock shelters, and a seasonal waterfall tucked into the mountain. Especially beautiful in spring and after rain.
A favorite for wildflower hikes and quieter mountain scenery. The preserve includes steep ridge climbs, rocky overlooks, and peaceful forest sections that feel far removed from the city. Fall colors here are spectacular.
ARTICLE BY STEPHANIE CASHIN
I would recognize the sound of the Tipton Lodge screen door slamming anywhere.
And while screen doors slam all over the South that particular screech meant I was somewhere safe.
It meant campfires and cold creek water and night hikes and the particular kind of tired that comes from moving your body in the real outdoors. It meant summer camp.
I was a camp kid long before I was a therapist and the more I’ve learned about the nervous system, stress responses, and regulation and what it takes for a human being to feel safe, the more grateful I am for those chapters of my life.
I see it in my sessions. Women who are doing everything right, the supplements, the sleep hygiene, the journaling and still feel like they’re running on empty. I’ll ask When did you last go outside? Not to run an errand. Not to walk to your car. Outside — in the actual, physical, living world — and just be there for a few minutes?
Too often the response is… not lately. We’re moving from one meeting to the next, fluorescent offices to Zoom screens, and our nervous systems are keeping score.
There is a growing mountain of research confirming what many of us already feel in our bones: nature exposure is associated with measurably improved mental health, lower stress hormones, better sleep, sharper cognitive function, and reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression. The research is catching up to something the human body has known for a very long time.
Your nervous system was never designed for indoors. And somewhere, if you’re quiet enough, you already know this.
Once a week, we’d hike to the top of a mountain — singing silly songs the whole way up, a Vespers service at the summit — and then hike back down in the dark. No flashlights allowed.
Our eyes had already adjusted. Slowly, without any of us noticing, the darkness had become navigable.
I use that image in therapy a lot. Healing isn’t a light switch. It’s your eyes adjusting.
And the outdoors the literal, physical outdoors is one of the most powerful environments we have for that adjustment to begin.
The sound of moving water activates the parasympathetic nervous system — the “rest and digest” branch that tells your body it is safe. Blood pressure drops. Heart rate slows. Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, eases. Walking in nature provides bilateral stimulation — left foot, right foot, a rhythmic alternating activation of both hemispheres of the brain. The same mechanism used in EMDR therapy, one of the most evidence-based treatments for trauma . When you take a walk outside, you aren’t just getting exercise. You’re helping your brain process what it’s been holding.
And then there’s the campfire.
I’m convinced — only slightly joking — that if I could always have the smell of campfire in my hair I could take on anything. Gathering around fire is one of the oldest forms of collective nervous system regulation in human history. The warmth, the light, the shared presence, the quality of stillness that fire creates in a group of people. Your body recognizes this as safe. Deeply, ancestrally safe. The smell is a signal your nervous system reads before your conscious mind catches up.
“Your nervous system was never designed for indoors. And somewhere, if you’re quiet enough, you already know this.”
“Nature as a healing practice doesn’t require anything from you. A tree doesn’t ask you to have your life together before it offers shade.”
Research has given us a number: 120 minutes per week in nature is associated with significantly improved health and wellbeing. That sounds like a commitment. But, break it down and it’s 17 minutes a day — less than most of us spend scrolling before we get out of bed.
The time doesn’t have to be consecutive. A morning walk to the end of the block, ten minutes on your lunch break, a slow loop around Big Spring Park on a Saturday, the Botanical Gardens on a weekday when it’s quiet and the light is right.
The research doesn’t require a mountain. It just requires that you actually go outside — and that when you do, you are present while you’re there.
That difference matters though, being outside isn’t the same as being in nature. Standing in a parking lot checking your phone doesn’t land in the body the way sitting near water does, letting the sound actually reach you. The invitation isn’t just to get outside — it’s to arrive there. To let your senses do the work they were built to do.
Sunlight helps regulate cortisol rhythms and mood. Immune function improves with regular outdoor time. Vitamin D, blood pressure, sleep quality — the list is long and the prescription is free. The “silly little mental health walk”? Research calls it one of the most cost-effective, side-effect-free interventions we have.
Nature as a healing practice doesn’t require anything from you. A tree doesn’t ask you to have your life together before it offers shade.
So much of what I do in therapy is help people relearn how to trust their own internal signals, sorting noise from what actually needs attention.
To tell the difference between a nervous system responding to real danger and one that has been indoors, overstimulated, and under-rested for too long.
Sometimes I see women who have been white-knuckling their way through the day for so long they’ve lost the thread of what calm even feels like.
And what strikes me, over and over, is how quickly the body remembers when you give it the right environment. A session outside, or even just the conversation about the last time someone felt genuinely at ease in their own body, almost always involves nature somewhere in the story.
A lake. A trail. A porch. A sky.
Nature has a remarkable way of doing the work without any language at all. You don’t have to name what’s wrong. You don’t have to understand it. You just have to show up to the right environment and let your body remember what it already knows.
I think about the kids I was with at camp. The ones who arrived anxious or closed off or carrying things they had no words for yet. Something happened on those trails. Around those fires. On the porch at Tipton Lodge under a sky full of stars. Nobody was doing breathwork or processing their childhood. We were just outside, surrounded by people we trusted, in a place our bodies recognized as safe. And somehow, without anyone planning it, we came home more ourselves.
Maybe for you it wasn’t camp. Maybe it was a grandmother’s back porch, or a particular creek, or the way a certain ball field smelled after summer rain.
That is still available to you. Right now. This summer.
Anyone who’s doing this brave work will tell you that. It doesn’t follow a plan or announce itself on a schedule.
Sometimes it sounds like a screen door.
Sometimes it’s the smell of sunscreen and pine needles and lake water that tells your body, before your brain has caught up: you’re safe here. Sometimes it lives in the pause between your left foot and your right one, on a trail you’ve walked a hundred times.
I sleep on my parents’ screened-in porch a few nights every summer and I come back to myself a little every time. The screen door still sounds exactly the same.
Your nervous system knows what it needs. It’s always known. We just have to give it 17 minutes to remember.
If you’re tired of holding everything together, you’re not alone. You’re capable, but overwhelmed. When burnout keeps circling back and “I’ll figure it out” no longer works, it’s time for support. You deserve a therapist who sees the full picture... your hormones, trauma, sleep, cycles, and emotional health. Together, we’ll help you find lasting peace so you can feel like yourself again.
therapyhuntsville.com
256-701-5292
@thehuntsvilletherapist
2327 Pansy Street SW
ARTICLE BY AMY BAILEY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNELISE STONE
WHAT GAVE YOU THE IDEA TO START WIENER VON BRAUN’S?
We moved from Chicago in 2022 and were looking for a good dog spot. Knowing the history of our new city, and my love of a good pun, I said ‘Someone should just open a joint here called ‘Wiener von Braun’s’ It was a running joke for six months until I thought, ‘Ya know, I’m going to jump on this before someone else does!’
WHAT HOT DOG EXPERTISE DO YOU BRING TO HUNTSVILLE?
While culinary skills didn’t run deep in the Farrell household growing up, Portillo’s did cater a lot of family dinners. Hot dogs were essentially one of the basic food groups we were raised on.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FLAVORS AND WHY YOU CHOSE THEM FOR YOUR MENU.
I wanted to keep the menu as tight as possible while providing the best ingredients. Our chili is homemade, our relish is homemade, and our Bavarian pretzels are overnighted bi-weekly from a mom & pop joint out of Milwaukee.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE HOT DOG?
If it’s over 80 degrees the Chicago Dog, under 80 we’re going with Chili Dog.
WHAT CONDIMENT CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
I have to say our Aunt Ginny’s Green Tomato Relish… it’s a family recipe we found in our Great Aunt Ginny’s cookbook. I initially was putting it on steak, scrambled eggs, and thought, ‘this would be great on a dog’.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SUMMER MEMORY RELATED TO HOT DOGS??
5th grade… the boys and I would come back to our house after playing a quick 9 in our junior golf league for some pool basketball. Mom would have some dogs boiled up and ice cold Dr. Peppers in the fridge. We were living like kings.
Brian Farrell, Owner 708.408.6812
FB/IG: @wienervonbrauns www.wienervonbrauns.com
A little history of our Rocket City
ARTICLE BY AMY BAILEY
This year America celebrates 250 years. Marking the signing of the Declaration of Independence to establish our original 13 colonies, this 4th of July we look at our hometown of Huntsville and Alabama’s first capital. From early pioneers to the first state capital; from divided politics during the Civil War to a world record setting cow; from famous actress Tallulah Bankhead to the underground music scene of the 1990s; from putting the first man on the moon to the largest city in Alabama thanks to aerospace, defense and technologyhere are Huntsville history facts to know as we salute not just American history, but Huntsville history too.
Huntsville became Alabama’s largest city in recent years thanks to growth in aerospace, defense, and technology.
Huntsville founder LeRoy Pope was a relative of the English poet Alexander Pope from Twickenham, England. So when LeRoy Pope purchased the land surrounding the Big Spring in 1809, he named the settlement “Twickenham”. As anti-English sentiment mounted leading up to the war of 1812, the area was renamed Huntsville in 1811 after pioneer John Hunt who first settled the area in 1805 near the spring.
Huntsville hosted Alabama’s very first constitutional convention in 1819 and briefly served as the state capital. From July 5 through August 2, 1819, forty-four delegates representing twenty-two counties of the Alabama Territory gathered in Huntsville to draft the document that would pave the way for Alabama’s admission into the Union as the 22nd state. The convention took place in what is now known as Constitution Hall, near downtown Huntsville.
During the Civil War, Huntsville became one of the first Alabama cities occupied by Union forces because of its critical railroad connections. Known for divided loyalties, Huntsville escaped major destruction, and still has the South’s largest collections of antebellum homes. Huntsville Depot is one of the oldest surviving railroad depots in America, and Civil War graffiti from captured Confederate soldiers can still be seen on the walls today.
Lily Flagg is one of the most beloved figures in Huntsville history - and she was a cow. In 1892, she set a world record producing more than 1,047 lbs of butter in a year, making international headlines. Her owners celebrated in extravagant fashion. Owner General Moore painted his downtown mansion butter yellow and hosted enormous parties in Lily Flagg’s honor. Her name is still found allover Huntsville.
The city became known as “Rocket City” after German rocket scientist Wernher von Braun and his team came to Redstone Arsenal in the 1950s to develop rockets for the U.S. Army and NASA. Marshall Space Flight Center helped develop the Saturn V rocket that eventually carried astronauts to the Moon during the Apollo missions. While today Huntsville is responsible for the SLS (Space Launch System) of our current and future outer space travel.
In the late 80s-90s, venues like Tip Top Cafe became legendary music spots. Bands such as 311 and Widespread Panic performed there during their rise to fame, creating a strong underground music culture. Huntsville’s music scene now includes Grammy-award winning music Producer Kelvin Wooten, singer/ songwriter Victoria Jones, the legendary Microwave Dave, and songwriter Jim McBride who co-wrote major country hits including “Chasing That Neon Rainbow” for Alan Jackson.
Huntsville became Alabama’s largest city in recent years thanks to growth in aerospace, defense, and technology. In 2025 the decision to move Space Command to Redstone Arsenal marked one of Huntsville’s biggest milestones, bringing 1,400-1,800 jobs. Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly also announced plans for a $6 billion manufacturing campus, while companies like L3Harris Technologies, Lockheed Martin, and Performance Drone Works launched major innovation centers, boosting Huntsville’s role in defense, hypersonics, drones, and national security technology.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
Winnipeg in the winter, and a 17-year-old waits 45 minutes in the cold for Keanu Reeves. Her fingers are numb. She is not there for an autograph. She is there to ask him to appear in her audition tape for MuchMusic, Canada’s MTV. When he finally agrees, she writes her number on a gum wrapper with a borrowed lip liner.
He calls days later.
That 17-year-old was Jen Cohen — fitness expert, host of the Habits & Hustle podcast, and best-selling author. She has built a career on the premise her frostbitten afternoon proved. She calls the practice the 10% Target: 10 attempts at whatever you want most in life.
The premise is simple. Most people never make one attempt. Almost nobody makes two. The math works in favor of the person who keeps going.
The top-rated Habits & Hustle podcast has logged hundreds of conversations with high performers and the people who study what the body does to the mind. Her TEDx talk, The Secret to Getting Anything You Want in Life, has traveled widely inside Fortune 500 sales-training rooms. On the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Cohen sits down to share the working rules that are the foundation of her latest book, Bigger, Better, Bolder.
“You have to be the CEO of your own life.”
FEATURING JEN COHEN
Discover the full 10% Target Mindset framework.
1 2
The door opens, or another door does. The unmade attempt and the refused one leave you in the same place — except one of them teaches you something.
Cohen frames her habits as a wager: How do I stack the deck so I win more than I lose? The workout happens first, and the food decisions follow. The email follow-up gets sent, and the answer arrives. The choices compound in a single direction.
3
No one is born with it. The people who look disciplined are running a routine they have rehearsed long enough that it no longer feels like effort. The reps are the skill. Miss them, and the skill fades, the same as any other.
4
Confidence does not arrive by repeating the word. It arrives after the body has done the thing — the workout finished, the cold walk endured, the email sent. The mind takes its cues from what the body proves it can do. Talk follows action, not the other way around.
5
The first decision sets the slope of the rest. Skip the Monday workout, and the rest of the week tends to follow. Hold the line on Monday, and the slope tilts the other way.
3 Ledge View Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35802
8 BD / 11 BA / 13,716 SQ.FT. | Experience elevated living in The Ledges, Huntsville’s premier gated golf community. This private estate offers stunning bluff views, refined architectural details, multiple suites, elevator access, and access to resortstyle amenities for true luxury living.
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26 Acre Estate in Southeast Alabama
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118 Creekmound Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35806
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5 BD / 4 BA / 4,304 SQ.FT. | Beautiful 1-acre property with open-concept living, vibrant interiors, wood floors, cozy gas FP, and a well-appointed kitchen with quartz, island, and walk-in pantry Primary suite w/ huge closet + laundry Loft, family room, and great outdoor space backing to Indian Creek.
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19.86 ACRES | Trojan Station RV Park in Troy, Alabama is a newly developed hospitality asset opened in November 2023 The 19 86-acre property offers 76 RV sites with highway frontage, strong visibility, expansion potential, and demand driven by Troy University and the Troy Sportsplex.
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EVERY THURSDAY IN JULY
Biergarten at the Rocket Center
US Space and Rocket Center | 4:30 PM
This is a dog friendly, family event featuring German food, local beer, live music, and outdoor seating beneath the towering rockets. Enjoy classic fare like schnitzel, bratwurst, and pretzels along with traditional German music every week in July!
EVERY FRIDAY IN JULY
Golden Hour at The Gardens
Huntsville Botanical Garden | 5:00 PM
This relaxed summer series features live music, picnic-friendly lawns, drinks, and evening garden access. It’s one of Huntsville’s best low-key outdoor gatherings and perfect for families or date nights. More info at hsvbg.org
JULY 1ST
Rickey Smiley: Karaoke Night
Levity Live | 7:00 PM
Comedy legend and radio host Rickey Smiley is bringing his “Karaoke Night” stand-up show to Huntsville. Be prepared for a good laugh as the event will feature his signature brand of humor alongside audience participation. For tickets and seating availability, check the event page on levitylive.com
CONTINUED
JULY 4TH
Downtown 4th of July Celebration
Big Spring Park | 4:00 PM
Celebrate America's 250th birthday downtown with an American Eras Parade, food trucks, live music from Groove and Jazz McKenzie, and a fireworks spectacular to end the night.
JULY 5TH
Huntsville City FC
Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium | 7:00 PM
Go for the match, stay for the fireworks! Huntsville City FC takes on Chicago Fire FC on Americana Night at home. Tickets available at MLSNEXTPro.com
JULY 9TH
Jordyn Brummett Gallery Opening
The Little Green Store and Gallery 5:00 PM
This month's gallery presents the original pottery works of Jordyn Brummett, owner of The Vessel Ceramic Studio and Bisque by The Vessel. @thelittlegreenstore @thevesselhsv
JULY 10TH
Jerry Sienfeld
Mark C. Smith Concert Hall | 7:00 PM
Prepare for an evening of memorable humor as one of comedy's most iconic voices brings his stand-up to Hunts ville! Tickets available at the VBC Box office or online at
JULY 18TH
Snail on the Wall | 10:00 AM
Begin at any of the local Indie book stores to pick up your passport and purchase a limited edition tote, get a stamp at each location with a pur chase, and turn in your passport for a chance to win prizes! participation locations include: Snail on the Wall, Booklegger Books, The Bookwyrm, Blushing Books, and Blue Apple Books.
JULY 22ND
Creed
The Orion Ampitheatre | 7:00 PM
ARTICLE BY JESSICA HOLMES
Your skin remembers every sunburn, skipped SPF day, and dehydrated beach afternoon. Small daily habits like sunscreen, hydration, protective clothing, and regular skin checks add up to healthier, stronger skin long-term. Southeastern Skin Cancer and Dermatology gives tips to help you maintain your glow, prevent premature aging, and reduce future skin damage risk while enjoying the summer sun!
1. SPF every. single. day.
Even when it’s cloudy. Even when you’re “just driving around.”
Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ and reapply every 2 hours when outdoors. (What we recommend: EltaMD)
2. Don’t forget your lips!
Sunburned lips? Sounds like the worst. (What we recommend: Colorescience Peptide Lip Shine SPF 30)
3. Hydrate like your glow depends on it, because it does. Heat + sun exposure can dehydrate your skin FAST. Drink water and use lightweight hydrating skincare to keep your barrier healthy. (What we recommend: Skin Better Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment)
4. Wear the cute hat!
Wide-brim hats, sunglasses, and UPF clothing are doing more for your skin than expensive correction treatments later. Prevention > regret.
5. Get your skin checked
New mole? Spot changing color? Something that won’t heal? Don’t ignore it. Annual skin checks are one of the best things you can do for your health.
Southeastern Skin Cancer & Dermatology is a patient-focused dermatology practice committed to delivering comprehensive skin care with professionalism, efficiency, and attention to detail. Our priority is the prevention, early detection, and treatment of skin cancer, while also providing expert care for a wide range of medical dermatology concerns.
Alongside our medical services, we offer advanced cosmetic treatments to help our patients feel confident in their skin. By combining clinical expertise with a welcoming and approachable experience, our team is dedicated to providing trusted care for both the health and appearance of your skin.
Imagine living INSIDE a 500-acre city park
Not near it. Not next to it. Inside it. At Hays Farm, nature isn’t just a backdrop—it’s your front yard, backyard, and everyday escape. With over 10 miles of scenic trails, lush green spaces, and a city-maintained 500-acre park, you get all the beauty without the upkeep.
But there’s more than just nature—Hays Farm is designed for the way you want to live, with resort-style amenities and two distinct neighborhoods offering a variety of lot sizes and price points. And when you’re ready for shopping, dining, or entertainment, everything is just minutes away.
Come experience life inside a 500-acre city park—yes, we really mean inside the park. Contact us today to find your dream home, perfectly nestled in nature at Hays Farm.