My husband and I enjoy visiting DeKalb County’s two “big” cities, Mentone and Fort Payne, every year. They are small towns known for their artistic flair. You should know Fort Payne, home of the musical group Alabama. If you didn’t know that, I’m sorry for your raising. When my husband and I were in high school (Minor High School – the closest thing to heaven is the class of ’87), we performed what we believed to be one of the best marching band football shows the state had ever seen with hits like Alabama’s “My Home’s In Alabama.” More years than I’d care to speak of my youngest son performed in his marching band’s halftime show with the same tune paired with “Mountain Music.”

Fort Payne is more than the birthplace of the state’s most famous musical group. The Fort Payne Depot Museum is like many of the small historic buildings in once bustling areas. Filled with artifacts ranging from military uniforms, old pictures (love!), Native American artifacts, jewelry, various documents, to local history, there’s something you’ll find interesting. My favorite part is the building itself as it appears to be a mini castle from the distance, made of stone with a turret.

Fort Payne is also famous for its sock production. Believe it or not, Fort Payne was once the “Sock Capital of the World.” While the factories are gone, there is a small museum to showcase various parts of the town’s history, including its sock production heyday. The images above are some of the sock quilts located in the Fort Payne Hosiery Museum. You can’t miss it. It’s on the other side of the street from the Depot Museum and a block away from the Alabama memorial, dedicated to the founding members of the group. It’s also next door to the Fort Payne Opera House, both of which are managed by Landmarks of DeKalb County, Inc. The employees and volunteers behind these museums are helpful, kind, and excited to share the town’s history.

As in most places when there is little money but needs are great, people started making quilts out of whatever was available. There were plenty of left-over sock tops, and why should they go to waste? I imagine the quilts are quite heavy but perform well on cold northeast Alabama nights.

In describing Mentone, think of your slightly wacky great aunt with the multicolored bead necklace and flip flops who wears what she wants and really doesn’t mind you thinking she’s eccentric. She’s fun, she’s vibrant, and she’s not going anywhere – enjoy! Perched atop Lookout Mountain, Mentone boasts scenic views, clean air, and waterfalls (Little River Canyon). I’ve heard people liken Mentone to a small Gatlinburg, but that’s stretching it. There aren’t many retail places in Mentone, with the most in-and-out business being Mentone Market: gas station, restaurant, and mini store with everything from camping essentials to gourmet jams to regionally made gifts and t-shirts. It’s a wonderful place and I feel a bit guilty about giving employees a hard time about their t-shirt stock. (Really, big girls need logo shirts too.)

Mentone has one main drag with little (and I mean little) shops along the four or more blocks of “town.” There is an excellent art showcase, Mentone Arts Center, in the center of town with works by regional artists, many of whom focus their talents on nature. Next door is a delicious (but pricey) Italian-style restaurant, Elevation Bistro. And we always make a trip to the world-famous Wildflower Cafe to sample their tomato pie and BBQ bacon cheeseburger – possibly the best in the state.

Mentone is also home to one of the most unusual churches I’ve ever seen. Sallie Howard’s Chapel is built around a huge rock, taking up almost half the church’s interior and exterior. Because you may not believe me: see this.

A friend who has a second home in Mentone described the area best: Once you start up that mountain to Mentone, you feel all the pressures of work go away. You breathe in the sweet, clear mountain air and your worries are all behind you.

Most people rent one of the many Airbnb or Vrbo cabins in the area while others enjoy the various options offered by DeSoto State Park. You can’t go wrong either way. Each time I visit my blood pressure drops and a calmness sets in. It is truly a transformative place.