Pell City Library invites you to discover the beauty of our Alabama State Parks — and to discover why one just might be your best vacation destination ever — as it welcomes Alabama State Parks Program Director Randy Jinks on March 18.

If you haven’t planned something special for Spring break, or for the warmer weeks ahead, you might want to think about a special excursion to one of Alabama’s scenic State Parks. As we leave the icy rain and freezing temperatures behind, it’s a great time to think about the great outdoors, and some wonderful ways to enjoy our wonderful Alabama climate. To help you with your planning, Jinks will share a wealth of information and some special tips to help you make your trip a memorable one.

Alabama boasts a total of 22 state parks, providing a multitude of activities for young and old. You may be aware of the beautiful white sand beaches of Gulf State Park or the scenic mountaintop hiking trails at Cheaha, but there is so much more.

Did you know Gulf State Park also offers a heart-stopping, adrenaline-pumping Hummingbird Zipline? With its seven towers and six mile-long ziplines, participants can experience breathtaking views of coastal terrain and water. Two knowledgeable, and thoroughly trained guides accompany each group of participants, one to send you off, and another to zip you into the next tower.

If skiing is your passion, you might want to head to Oak Mountain State Park. Many have experienced the excellent fishing, camping, hiking, and biking opportunities at this park, which is the largest (approximately 10, 000 acres) and second most-visited park in the state, but you might be interested to know that Oak Mountain has partnered with Flip Side Watersports to open a wakeboard cable system on Beaver Lake. Located near the campground, this activity is open seven days a week from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

What is wakeboard cable skiing? In this form of skiing, the rider is pulled by a powered cable system in way that simulates being pulled behind a boat, but matched to a rider’s skill level. Riders can obtain a wakeboard pass at Beaver Lake — and the wakeboard, life jacket and helmet are available for rental. Rides times vary from two hours to a full-day pass. Sounding intriguing? Wait — there’s more!

Cathedral Caverns and Rickwood Caverns offer cave exploration for spelunking enthusiasts, and Desoto Caverns offers rock-climbing and rappelling excursions for minimal fees to those who enjoy living life on the edge! In addition, each park offers a plethora of special events year ‘round, and some even boast of resort-type accommodations sure to please even the most discriminating of guests.

Discover all that our state parks offer, and why our state is known as “Alabama the Beautiful” on Wednesday, March 18 at noon at the Pell City Library. The library welcomes Randy Jinks in connection with its ongoing Wild and Wonderful Wednesday series. The program is free and open to the public and light refreshments will be served afterwards.