Sunday, June 21, marked the official beginning of summer. And nothing says summertime fun quite like a road trip. Buckle your seatbelt, crank up some tunes and soak in the surrounding scenery.

Alabama is blessed with some breathtakingly beautiful natural resources, which makes hitting the road all the more enjoyable. Add to this our love for good food, then sprinkle in some roadside attractions, and you have all the makings of a wonderful day (or more).

Today we begin a periodic series – Alabama Road Trips – taking you along the routes that offer some of the best sights, and sites, our state has to offer. We also hope to take you down a few less-beaten paths, exploring destinations beyond our more recognized landmarks.

For example, the beauty of Cheaha State Park (shown above and home slider image) is well known, but the natural wonders do not come to an immediate halt at park’s edge. The area around the park has its own special allure, with the numerous mountain peaks of Cheaha offering a splendid backdrop.

The Kitchen from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

So for our first road trip, we are going to skirt the edge of Cheaha, passing through the delightful small towns of Ashland, Lineville and Heflin along the way. It’s time to ramble on.

Talladega to Piedmont (83 miles)

The mood for this trip is set immediately on Highway 77 from Talladega to Ashland. Rather than a curvy mountain road, this is a comfortable drive with the tree-covered mountains of Cheaha standing guard on the left.

If you get to Ashland in the morning, you can stop for breakfast at the Blue and White Restaurant (41033 Highway 77; 256-354-2024). But if it is after 11 a.m., an unexpected lunch option awaits on the courthouse square: a newly opened vegetarian restaurant called The Kitchen at Terra Vero Farms (124 Court Square; 256-354-0290).

“We do our best to provide healthy options for people,” says Cynthia Olmsted, who owns The Kitchen along with her husband, Jason Knight. “We understand that this is new to a lot of people here, so we have introductory dishes like our Macho Nachos or our Happy Cow Veggie Burger.”

The Kitchen also works with the Ashland Housing Authority to operate a community farm that produces organic fruits and vegetables. In addition, Olmsted said the restaurant delivers daily meals to a few elderly residents who are unable to leave their homes.

From Ashland, take Highway 9 toward Lineville. If you have a sweet tooth, stop by Just a Little Frosting (85942 Highway 9; 256-354-3337) in Lineville for a cupcake or that most Southern of deserts, fried pies.

Solid Rock Cafe from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

Highway 9 leads directly to Heflin, but there are two quick side trips that can be made. The Alabama Gold Camp (1398 County Road 5; 256-396-0389) is located approximately 10 miles southeast of Lineville, near the town of Cragford. The camp has several miles of gold-bearing creeks, and prospecting equipment can be rented at the on-site general store. You can also spend the night in the campground or in one of the prospecting shacks, if you’re feeling particularly lucky about finding gold in these hills.

If you do stay the night, or if you are making this trip closer to dinnertime, another worthy stop near Cragford is Red’s Catfish Cabin (689 Catfish Rd; 256-354-7705). Open Thursday through Sunday, Red’s catfish is so delectable it was named by the Alabama Department of Tourism as one of the top 100 dishes in the state.

Back on Highway 9 heading toward Heflin, you pass Ross Family Adventures (3821 Highway 9; 256-310-6019), which offers camping, fishing, horseback riding and concerts. Also nearby is Bennett Farms (1073 County Road 13; 256-463-3344), a fourth-generation farm that has a pumpkin patch, hayrides, an animal petting farm, arts and crafts, a syrup mill and live entertainment.

Tender barbeque and delicious Brunswick stew can be found in Heflin at Marie’s BBQ House (1414 Almon St.; 256-463-3636). Opened in 2004 by Grover and Marie Robinson, this is a true family restaurant, with two of Robinson’s daughters, three granddaughters and one grandson working there. Be sure to try the peanut butter cake.

Some of the best scenery of the trip can be found on the final leg of this journey, from Heflin to Piedmont, as you cut through a valley with the tree-covered ridges of the Appalachian Mountain Range on either side. Along the way you pass the 9,000-acre Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge, which has some of the highest peaks in the state.

Finally you arrive in Piedmont, a popular stop for cyclists because it is located along the 33-mile Chief Ladiga Trail, which runs from Anniston to the Alabama-Georgia state line.

The Solid Rock Cafe (105 N. Center Ave.; 256-447-1960) in downtown Piedmont caters to those cyclists, with bike rentals and even a small upstairs B&B if the trail ride has left you worn out. Located in a 150-year-old building, the cafe also offers fresh coffee, sandwiches (the chicken salad is a highlight) and ice cream.

“We’re all about leaving a great taste in all that we do,” says Greg South, whose wife Jennifer opened Solid Rock in 2005. “We’re one block off the Chief Ladiga Trail, and we really want to encourage folks who ride to come in and enjoy this taste that we have here.”

Stay tuned for our next Alabama Road Trip.