(Photo) Trail leading to Noccalula Falls.

Piece 1: Noccalula Falls Park. Located about an hour south of Scottsboro AL, Noccalula Falls Park encompasses 500 acres of land. Opened in 1953 by the city of Gadsden AL, it is a must-see destination in Northeast Alabama. The 90-foot waterfall at Noccalula, a natural wonder and the park’s feature attraction, spills over a rocky ledge and cascades down a face of sandstone and shale.

The most enduring tale associated with the site is that of Princess Noccalula, a young Cherokee maiden who, on the day of her arranged marriage, chose to end her life by leaping from the top of the falls into the chasm below.

Noccalula Falls Park charges a modest admission fee, which grants access to a botanical garden, a pioneer village, a fun train ride, a petting zoo, and hiking trails through a lush landscape leading to great views of the waterfall.

The best time to visit the Falls is during the winter and spring season when there is the most water flow. Seasonal events at Noccalula include holiday light displays to arts and craft fairs.

Wear comfortable shoes appropriate for walking on uneven (and sometimes slippery) ground, and don’t forget your camera!

Unclaimed Baggage Display

Piece 2: Unclaimed Baggage/Payne’s. Unclaimed Baggage started in 1970 when Doyle Owens borrowed a pickup truck and $300 to go to Washington, D.C. and purchase unclaimed bags from the bus industry. He displayed the contents from the bags on card tables in a rented house in his hometown of Scottsboro AL, and offered them for sale.

The business concept was successful and Unclaimed Baggage soon moved into a permanent location, selling a larger variety of items (including clothing, electronics, and jewelry) from lost and abandoned luggage salvaged from transportation companies across the United States.

Unclaimed Baggage has now evolved into complex that covers an entire city block, attracting over a million visitors each year.

Our favorite part of visiting Unclaimed Baggage is seeing the remarkable collection of things on display in the museum located within the retail store, including “Hoggle” (the beloved Jim Hensen puppet from the fantasy film Labyrinth), ancient Egyptian artifacts, a basketball signed by NBA legend Michael Jordan, medieval suits of armor, and musical instruments from all over the world.

Another Scottsboro AL highlight is Payne’s. Originally established in 1891 as a drug store, the business has now evolved into a soda fountain and sandwich shop.

Located at 101 East Laurel Street on the north side of the town square, Payne’s occupies a ground-level space in a Victorian style two-story painted brick building. Its interior atmosphere is nostalgic with a 1950’s retro decor, taking customers back in time when soda fountains were a staple in many American towns during the early and mid 20th century. Payne’s also retains some of its drug store identity, with wooden shelves lined with vintage pharmaceutical bottles.

During our visit to Payne’s, we decided to share two sandwiches, a grilled veggie wrap and a sourdough pumpernickel Rueben piled with lean corned beef. For dessert, we split an Elvis sundae that featured peanut butter and freshly sliced banana. Finally, the shop has a good selection of merchandise, including colorful t-shirts with the Payne’s logo.

Becky and Barney Fife at Mayberry Festival

Piece 3: The Mayberry Festival. Located about 40 minutes east of Scottsboro is Valley Head AL, which hosts an annual Mayberry Festival. This yearly celebration and nostalgic journey is inspired by a beloved staple of 1960s television, “The Andy Griffith Show.”

The Valley Head festival’s roots trace back to a group of dedicated fans who wanted to bring the charm and simplicity of Mayberry to life. The event site is replete with Mayberry landmark signage, entertaining character impersonations (including Barney Fife, Floyd the Barber, Otis, and Ernest T. Bass), classic car displays, a replica Mayberry patrol car, live music, square dancing demonstrations, arts and crafts booths, and a variety of food vendors.

We enjoyed all aspects of the Valley Head Mayberry Festival, particularly the four-part harmony gospel music performance (which we watched while sharing an RC Cola and mini Moon Pie). It was also fun to see the pickle and pie tasting contests. Finally, don’t leave without getting one of the decorative event t-shirts to memorialize your visit!

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