Brannon, Daniel H

The rumble of a motor is a sound that we may take for granted today, but when motorcycles first appeared, the noise attracted lots of attention in more ways than one. When you visit the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, you can travel back in time and retrace some of the most significant aspects of the history of these vehicles. The museum is the home of the world's largest motorcycle collection that now features over 1,200 vintage and modern bikes. These range in age from a motorcycle that dates back to 1902 to the current models produced this year. Also, see common street bikes as well as rare Gran Prix race machinery when you visit this highly engaging facility.

Twice a year NASCAR fans rev it up and go to the Talladega Superspeedway for some highly adrenalized excitement! Every spring and fall, the Talladega Superspeedway gives fans what they want in the form of the biggest, fastest, most competitive motorsports action in the world. This is where many records for speed and competition have been established. So be ready when the checkered flag goes up, as the action will be non-stop!

The grooves are still spinning at Charlemagne Record Exchange in Birmingham. The staff gets kudos for not only being extremely knowledgeable, but they are uproariously funny and always try to help you find what you're looking for. And there is plenty of vinyl through which you can rummage. Various LPs and 45s are stocked, and you will want to flip though them all—you never know what you will find. If you select a few discs that you would like to preview, the listening station complete with a turntable and headphones will allow you spin it before you take it home!

Venture out into wide open spaces when you make plans to spend some quality time outdoors at Oak Mountain State Park. The popular attraction is the state's largest park and offers plenty for the nature lover to enjoy. In addition to offering some of the finest mountain bike trails in the country, you'll also find vacation cottages, golf, improved camping, picnicking, tennis, swimming, hiking, backpacking and horseback riding facilities. The park is also the home of the Alabama Wildlife Center.