From Florida Heat to Mountain Peace...

mountainwoodcottag
Dec 3, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Dec 4, 2025

Special Guest blog

We could describe the peace and quiet of MountainWood Cottages all day, but the true magic is best shared by someone who has experienced it. We are thrilled to feature a special guest story today!

We're delighted to introduce Cristin Tamburello. In the story below, Cristin shares the surprising moments that made her family's retreat to Hitherside of Mountainwood Cottages in Mentone, Alabama, so restorative. She truly captured the essence of unwinding.

If you've been searching for the perfect sign to take a deep breath and book your own escape, this is it!

Please give a warm welcome to Cristin Tamburello, and enjoy her story!

There’s something thrilling, yet quietly simple, about family road trips. Living in Florida, we’re surrounded by endless sunshine, beaches, and palm trees—but sometimes our hearts long for something different, something more. Things like rolling hills, cool mountain air, and a slower, gentler rhythm of life.

It was years ago when I first stumbled across a little cottage called "Hitherside". I remember

scrolling through the photos, drawn in by the soft light, the rustic charm, and the peacefulness that seemed to linger in every image. That quick glance turned into curiosity and led me to discover a small mountain town called Mentone, Alabama—a place that felt set apart, still, and timeless. It called to me in unforgettable ways.

The years passed quickly, but Mentone never really left my mind. Life stayed busy, as it always does, and the idea of going felt like one of those “someday” dreams you just tuck away. But this year, we finally decided that someday was now. We booked the cottage and began planning our journey to Mentone—the place that had softly stayed in my heart for so long.

Upon arrival at the cottage, the first thing that struck me was the silence. Coming from a place where you constantly hear voices, cars, lawn equipment, and all kinds of distant noise, the stillness felt almost unreal. It reminded me of that moment after a heavy snowfall, when everything seems wrapped in a giant soundproof blanket. That profound silence added a whole new layer to the feeling of peace.

My family was excited to explore the area, but we quickly realized that it was the little things that took up the most space in our hearts—hot cocoa by the fire, burgers on the grill, and endless walks through the woods, taking in the scenery and hoping to spot some wildlife. Just a very short distance down the road from the cottage is Brow Park—a sunset lover’s dream, or any time of the day, for breathtaking views of the valley below. Only a couple of minutes beyond that is downtown Mentone, with its unique, picturesque shops and friendly faces—the perfect place to grab a treat or a trinket.

A fun destination off the main path was DeSoto State Park. We parked near the picnic area and were almost instantly met with the beautiful DeSoto Falls, which is one of Alabama’s tallest waterfalls. The access was so easy, with plenty of places to sit, eat, hang out, and enjoy the surrounding beauty.

Desoto Falls, https://www.alapark.com/parks/desoto-state-park

An even more fun destination was Little River Canyon National Preserve. I must say that this place really took the cake as our favorite landing spot. You’re immediately graced with astounding views of Little River Falls after a short walk down the boardwalk from the parking area. Then you’ll find a 0.75-mile pathway through the woods leading to a 137-step stone staircase that takes you down into the canyon. Here you’ll find another spectacular waterfall called Little Falls. You can really get up close and personal with this one. There are plenty of areas to sit, rest, and take in the magnificent sights down there before you begin your trek back up to the top. It was truly an awe-inspiring experience.

Next, we drove about 11 miles down Little River Canyon Rim Parkway, where they have several marked stops to pull over and check out some amazing overlooks of the canyon below. Each stop is named and has a parking area. The air was so pure and alive at these overlooks. The wind seemed to carry the songs of the mountains so perfectly, and watching the birds soar in the wind over the canyon was just mesmerizing. On the way out of there, we stopped at "Rim of the Canyon Cafe and Grocery" to rest and recharge.

We visited quite a few other quick but notable spots during our stay:

We made a pit stop at Sallie Howard Memorial Baptist Church. If you’re looking for an old,

historical, and holy place to stop and breathe or pray, this is where you need to go. The doors are always open, and there are beautiful paths around the establishment for walking, reflecting, and taking photographs.

We also took frequent trips to downtown Fort Payne during our stay, mostly for supplies but also for some exploration. We checked out the Fort Payne Depot Museum and City Park, which are right across the street from each other. The museum was closed during our stay, but we still enjoyed looking at the exquisiteness of the building. The park was fun for a quick walk and some photographs, especially since we caught it decorated for Christmas. And we also really enjoyed learning that the creator/illustrator of Pete the Cat is from Fort Payne and painted the huge mural that we saw in town.

The main road is perfectly lined with cute shops, restaurants, and rich history.

Overall, I’d say that the cottage was the best part of our trip—a quaint, delightful haven in the heart of the woods that you’ll find traveling up a ribbon of roads twisting and turning to the top of the mountain. It was everything my soul needed and more. The smell of burning logs, autumn leaves, and valley-swept air wafting around every corner will stick with me forever.

Mentone’s mark on the map may be small, but its charm surely runs long and wide. I give all the glory to God that we were able to make this trip happen when we did, and I am so grateful for it.