While Alabama may not share the same reputation for camping as some of the national parks out west, it has a ton of spots that are every bit as interesting. With several exciting outdoor activities and picturesque scenery, these camping grounds are perfect for a weeklong or weekend getaway. Here are just a few of the best.

Gulf State Park

Located in scenic Gulf Shores, Gulf State Park offers almost 500 campsites. If you own an RV or camper, many of these sites offer water, sewer, and electrical hookups, a grill, and picnic area. There are also playgrounds if you have kids, and you’re only a short drive from swimming and water sports in the Gulf of Mexico.

Wind Creek State Park

Spanning over 1,400 acres along the edge of Lake Martin, Wind Creek State Park is a dream location for the camping enthusiast. With 626 campsites, this park is the largest state-operated park in the country. Activities here include hiking, fishing, swimming, and boating. If you’re not a rustic outdoorsy type, there are also seven cabins, laundry facilities, and several bath houses sprinkled throughout the park.

Hidden Cove

Situated on pristine Lake Smith in northwest Alabama, Hidden Cove is a camping resort that provides sites for RVs and tent campers. You can relax by one of their pools, or bring your boat and hit the open water. There’s also an observation desk that provides amazing views of the surrounding area.

If you’re looking to break away from the cubicle or eliminate cabin fever, make sure to visit one of these unbelievable Alabama camping grounds.

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In the past two decades, the craft beer industry in the United States has grown astronomically, bringing exciting new concoctions to beer drinkers around the country. With several microbreweries offering an array of seasonal and traditional beers, Alabama is surprisingly active in the movement. Here are just a few of the best in the state.

Folklore Brewing & Meadery

Located in Dothan, Folklore Brewing & Meadery produces some of the finest beers in the state, as well as mead, which is an alcoholic beverage fermented from honey, water, and other ingredients. A family-owned business, Folklore has six core beers, four seasonal selections, and two rattlers to quench your thirst at their tasting room. Don’t miss their annual Folktoberfest, which features food, live music, and of course, beer.

Blue Pants Brewery

At the Blue Pants Brewery in Madison, you’ll love the creative beers offered as you sit in their 1,200 square foot tasting room or their massive 4,000 square foot patio. At any given time during the year, Blue Pants has nine beers on tap, including flavors such as chocolate oatmeal porter, India pale lager, and a dry hopped pale ale. Their patio also has live music on most weekends, making it a great hangout for travelers and locals alike.

If you’re a lover of fine beers, you can’t afford to miss these fantastic Alabama craft brews. Whether you’re looking to sample something fresh or taste a twist on a classic, these two microbreweries have what you desire. Just don’t forget to designate a sober driver.

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Whether they’re the result of rush hour, an accident, or roadway construction, traffic jams are the worst. Not only do they waste your valuable time, but they also cause unnecessary stress and even road rage. The next time you find yourself in an Interstate car lot, follow these tips to cope with the situation.

Turn on the Radio

As long as it’s not loud enough to become a distraction, the radio is a godsend during traffic jams. Nothing melts away the stress of traffic like your favorite singalongs or albums. If you aren’t in the mood for music, try streaming a podcast or turn on NPR, which offers fascinating stories and up-to-the-minute news.

Be Productive

If traffic has come to a standstill for several minutes at a time, it could be a great time to get some work done. While you should never operate your phone during traffic, you can use this idle time to send work emails, check out vacation ideas, or read some local news. When traffic resumes, put the phone back down.

Remain Calm

One of the worst things you can do during a traffic jam is start to stress out about something you can’t control. To remain calm, call a friend or family member over your Toyota’s hands-free system, meditate, or do something else to occupy your mind. By doing this, you’ll keep your blood pressure, anxiety, and anger under control.

There’s no denying that being caught in traffic is annoying, boring, and awful. Hopefully, these tips will make it just a bit more bearable.

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Maintaining a clean car is easier said than done. It requires planning, discipline, and a commitment to cleanliness that some people aren’t willing to make. If you’d like to step up your game when it comes to car cleanliness, here are a few ways to keep your Toyota looking spotless.

Avoid Meal Time

One of the hardest things for busy people to avoid is dining in their cars. If you don’t have much time, it’s quicker and easier than going to a sit-down restaurant. However, if you don’t remove the garbage every day, it can add up and provide an unsightly and smelly cabin. Try to eliminate food in your car, but if you must, take the trash out daily.

Put It in a Garage

If you live in an urban setting, it’s not always possible to keep your car in a garage, yet doing so goes a long way in lengthening the life of your car. Not only does it stay clean, but it also keeps it out of the elements. For a cheap alternative, consider building a carport to house your Toyota.

Create a Washing Schedule

Most people avoid washing their car out of sheer laziness or time constraints. However, a clean exterior keeps your car looking better and eliminates corrosion and other impurities from wrecking your paint job. To stay on course, create a washing schedule. If you don’t have time to wash your Toyota, at least you can run it through a car wash.

Keeping your Toyota clean not only provides a comfortable method of transportation, it also helps maintain the resale value of your car. Just remember to do it regularly, and you’ll love your car that much more.

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After the oppressive heat and humidity of an Alabama summer, the fall provides comfortable temperatures that are perfect for an outside adventure. Luckily, there are several fall festivals throughout the state that offer family fun, food, and drink throughout Alabama. Here are just a few of the best.

National Shrimp Festival

2016 marks the 45th edition of the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, which brings over 250,000 visitors annually. The food offerings at this festival will undoubtedly remind you of Bubba’s list of ways to prepare shrimp from “Forrest Gump,” with everything from jambalaya to fried shrimp to barbecue. This year’s event takes place Oct. 13 through Oct. 16. Admission is free.

Thornsby Swedish Festival

Although Alabama doesn’t seem like a hotbed of Scandinavian immigrants, many moved to the state in the late 19th century to start a new life. Started in 1988, the Thornby Swedish Festival in Thornby, Alabama, honors the roots of many of the city’s citizens. Highlights at this festival include a beauty pageant, a parade, a car show, and the famed Viking 5k, where participants dress up like Vikings.

National Peanut Festival

Although Georgia is often regarded as the peanut capital of the country, Dothan, Alabama is the place of the National Peanut Festival, which attracts over 150,000 visitors annually. Taking place from Nov. 4 to Nov. 13, the festival celebrates everything peanut, including food, drink, carnival rides, games, and live entertainment.

If you’re a fan of festivals, don’t miss these events in Alabama this fall. Once you get there, you’re guaranteed to have an experience you’ll remember for years to come.

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Alabama is full of beautiful stops, with plenty of road trip destinations that are sure to please.

Little River Canyon

Nestled in the Southern Appalachians with a river flowing atop Lookout Mountain, Little River Canyon is one of the most beautiful road trip destinations in Alabama. Located in Part Payne, just off Highway 35, the scenic drive lines the canyon where you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the bluffs and sandstone cliffs. Scenic overlooks allow you to stop and breathe in the fresh air. Hike to the top of the falls where you can swim in the cool waters or opt for a hike down through the forested uplands to see the beautiful waterfall.

Rockets and Brews

Take a tour of breweries and rockets by planning a road trip through Huntsville. Located in the northern part of the state, Huntsville boasts a burgeoning craft beer scene where you can visit local breweries such as Yellowhammer Brewing. The taproom and biergarten has a great outdoor space where you can sip beer while listening to live music. You also can’t miss a trip to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center where you’ll be privy to an inside look at the state’s contributions to the country’s space program

The Coast

On the other end of the state, the Gulf Coast beckons you to take a road trip to splash around in the turquoise blue waters and sink your toes in the sugar-white sand beaches. Drive along the coast through Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, or cross Mobile Bay to Dauphin Island.

Hop in the car and wind your way through the state’s many great spots on your next road trip.

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The Toyota Land Cruiser is a one-of-a-kind full-size sport utility vehicle. It boasts a powerful V8 engine, as well as numerous technologies that make it capable and luxurious with a go-anywhere attitude. Despite its luxurious interior, tech, and infotainment, the Land Cruiser is built to go to where others turn back.

Flagship Style

The Land Cruiser comes with an amazing amount of standard features such as LED lights, a broad chrome grille, and solid running boards. Rolling on 18-inch alloy wheels, the Toyota Land Cruiser is powered by 5.7-liter gasoline V8. This motor can crank out 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. A refined eight-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four tires through an amazing full-time four-wheel drive system.

Genuine Performance

The Land Cruiser has genuine off-road credibility with a locking center differential that directs power to both axles, regardless of traction. A five-speed crawl ratio and Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Select system provides amazing traction to all four wheels in rough conditions. The Land Cruiser is able to tow a weight of 8,100 lbs.

Luxurious Interior

Ease into the Land Cruiser and be enveloped by the luxurious leather upholstery and soft-touch materials. Wrap your hands around the leather steering wheel. Enjoy the ease of having all your entertainment options at the touch of your fingertips with the standard 9-inch touchscreen featuring Toyota’s Entune infotainment system, and make use of the Qi wireless charging system for your cell phone.

Safety Technology

The Land Cruiser is equipped with numerous features to keep you and your passengers safe. Aside from traction and stability control, you’ll also find trailer sway control and hill start assist on Land Cruisers. Additionally, parking sensors make parking a simple task. A forward collision system goes the extra step and detects and applies brakes for vehicles and pedestrians.

With so many excellent features, it’s no wonder Land Cruisers are a favorite.

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Summer is a time for vehicular fun and adventure as millions of families pile into their cars and hit the road for activities, errands, commutes, and annual summer road trips. Keep in mind a few helpful tips for summer driving in order to make sure both you and your car beat the heat.

Check Coolant Levels

Heat is an enemy of all things mechanical, so it’s important as the hot months roll in to check the level of coolant in your engine. Running the engine with too little coolant can lead to overheating. If you are low on coolant, add a 50-percent mixture of the proper antifreeze and distilled water.

Service the Air Conditioning

To ensure that you and your passengers are kept as cool as your engine, have your vehicle’s air conditioner serviced. Change the cabin air filter and recharge the system with the proper refrigerant to the correct pressure in order to have an efficient and effective AC system.

Change the Oil

Correct oil quantity and quality is a prerequisite of a properly functioning engine. In the summer months, high temperatures and extended periods of use put additional loads on the motor oil. Change your oil heading into summer and check it with every fill up.

Slow Down

One step you as a driver can take to insulate your car from summer’s heat is simply to slow down. By operating the vehicle at a lower speed and RPM you conserve fuel, reduce tire wear, and lighten the engine’s load.

By following these tips, your car will be ready for some summer fun.

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There’s nothing quite like taking a road trip with family and friends, and the best part is that it doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some money saving tips to try next time you plan a trek.

Find Cheap Gas

When planning out your trip and factoring in gas prices, download one of the many apps, such as GasBuddy or Fuel Smart, to find out where the cheapest gas is along your route. These apps will show you current gas prices and you’ll know if adjusting your route slightly will save money on fuel.

Time It Right

Traveling during peak season and holidays is always going to cost more, as fuel prices and hotel rooms will always be more expensive. If you can travel during off-season, you’ll find better rates all around. Another tip is to start driving early in the morning, as you’ll save time and money because you’ll avoid the traffic.

Stay on the Cheap

When traveling with friends, it’s often more cost-effective to book a stay at a condo or house. You can pool your money together making each person’s cost lower. Additionally, you’ll have a kitchen where you can cook and eat many of your meals, which will save money because you won’t have to dine out.

Be Entertained on the Cheap

You don’t need to spend a fortune on entertainment while road tripping, as there are many free or low-cost options in every state. Museums are typically free or ask only for a small donation, beaches are free and give you an entire day’s worth of fun in the sun, and state parks have numerous recreational opportunities that are very affordable.

Plan ahead and you’ll find that your next road trip is more affordable than you imagined.

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The coast of Alabama is known for sugar-white sand beaches and warm, beautiful turquoise blue waters. Here are three of the best short towns to check out in the state.

Orange Beach

Orange Beach is situated in the southernmost part of Alabama. A family-favorite, the beach boasts 8 miles of sandy beaches and warm waters that are just right for swimming, paddling, or sailing. Don your gear and scuba dive on Lulu, an artificial reef and the state’s first purpose-sunk ship wreck, or enjoy a cruise where you may just spot a dolphin or two. Fisherman can cast for tuna, marlin, and red snapper, and land-lovers can race go karts at the Adventure Island amusement park. Don’t forget to stop by The Wharf to ride the 112-foot-high Ferris wheel.

Gulf Shores

Home to beautiful sandy beaches and gentle Gulf waters, Gulf Shores is a family-friendly beach with numerous recreational opportunities as well. Spend the day building sandcastles and playing in the surf, or head to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo to get up close and personal with the animals. Feel the adrenaline rush as you slide down the 60-foot-high body slide at Waterville USA, or enjoy a relaxing round of golf at the Gulf Shores Golf Club.

Dauphin Island

Take the 3-mile-long bridge across Mobile Bay to reach the barrier island of Dauphin Island. This beachfront community not only has sandy beaches, but it’s also home to Dauphin Island Sea Lab where you can visit the public aquarium, listen to talks about seal life, or join an excursion to the salt marshes or dunes.

You won’t be disappointed by the sunsets at these beautiful Alabama beaches.

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