POWERGRAMS

29 As the majestic mountains of the ancient Appalachian chain level out after a 2,000-mile journey down eastern North America, they take one last mighty thrust upward in Alabama. Thousands of years ago the native Creeks named this spot "Chaha" for "high place," in reverence of the old rock formations and surrounding forests, flowers and animals that thrive like in few other places on Earth. On a sunny winter afternoon, dozens of people from kids to seniors – some of them with dogs tagging along – scamper around the perilous edges of Bald Rock, smiling for selfies atop one of Cheaha State Park's most venerated spots. They have reached the cliff with a 60-foot drop-off and 20- mile, 180-degree view after traveling one of three trails, the most popular being a 1,520- foot boardwalk that provides unsurpassed access for such an isolated locale. One of Park Superintendent Tammy Power's most prized possessions is a photo of her pregnant mother standing near the carved-stone Bald Rock sign, not long before Power was born. After 36 years working here, she sees Cheaha as a fellow "living being." "My parents came out here when they were dating," Power says. "Cheaha is in my blood." Eighty-four years ago, Civilian Conservation Corpsmen (CCC) climbed the rugged hills leading to the state's highest point at 2,407 feet. The young workers made most of the roads and trails, dug the 6-acre lake, blasted and cut huge rocks for the bathhouse, original lodge, 11 cabins, two pavilions, 75-foot-high tower and other facilities. Today Alabama's oldest continuously operating park is much like it was when the CCC left the mountain to the masses in 1939. Traveling the two-lane road that takes tourists to Cheaha is an adventure in itself, a rollercoaster ride around hairpin and S-curves, down to valleys and quickly back up to peaks where a vehicle left rolling in neutral can quickly hit 60 mph on the trip down and require extreme braking to avert catastrophe. The speed limit is 40 for good reason other than the road contour: a rafter of a dozen or more turkeys or a series of deer jumping across the road at random is not unusual. Cheaha is surrounded by the Talladega National Forest, which includes nearby Cheaha Falls (3 miles away), Devil's Den (6 miles) Charming Young couple atop Bald Rock after engagement photo session. Bunker Tower built by CCC at Alabama's highest point. OLDEST STATE PARK STILL MAJOR ATTRACTION

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