Muse Award
Author
Melea Hames

A 1995 Auburn University graduate, Melea has been a social media manager in the tourism industry since 2010 at Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association. At AMLA, Melea is responsible for creating content on Visit North Alabama’s social media platforms, writing blog posts on the website, coordinating the North Alabama Ambassador Program, and speaking at various events and meetings about social media. Melea is also the host of Unexpected Adventures in North Alabama, AMLA’s new podcast, produced by Relic Agency. The podcast won a 2022 Muse Award - Silver in the Audio/Podcast category. Melea was honored in October 2023 with the Tourism Promoter of the Year Award from the Alabama Restaurant & Hospitality Association for her work on the podcast.

Prior to working for AMLA, Melea received her Masters at UNA in Secondary Education and taught middle school English and coached middle school cheerleaders for three years. She also taught English at Calhoun Community College for 8 1/2 half years. Before that she worked in public relations for an advertising agency in Atlanta, a minor league baseball team in Columbus, Georgia, and for Auburn University in the development office. In 2020, Melea created her very own social media marketing agency called M and M Social. She loves to write, travel, walk in the park (she walked over 600 miles in 2020), go to Auburn games, and read books about WWII.

Places to Hike in North Alabama

North Alabama certainly is not lacking on beautiful places to hike. Check out these amazing locations and the hiking tips we have listed at the bottom of the post. And get out there and explore! Bankhead National Forest Venture into the heart of North Alabama’s wild side at Bankhead National Forest…

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Holiday Events in North Alabama

Twinkling lights, Christmas trees, Santa...the holiday season is officially ON! There are so many fun events all over north Alabama to celebrate Christmas and the holidays, so check out these events and add them to your must-do list this holiday season! Light Up Your Holidays at the Galaxy of…

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Sweet Celebration: National Dessert Day in North Alabama

Every year, dessert lovers unite on National Dessert Day to celebrate the sweetest part of any meal: the finale. In North Alabama, this is the perfect excuse to embark on a delicious tour through some of our region’s most beloved dessert makers. From creamy ice creams to homemade pies, rustic…

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Covered Bridges of North Alabama

Covered bridges are scattered all around North Alabama and remind us of the way things used to be. Blount County has the most in North Alabama, which has earned the county the "Covered Bridge Capital" title. There's a Covered Bridge Festival each October to honor and remember Blount County's covered…

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Haunted North Alabama

There are so many reasons to love October: cooler weather, leaves changing, and all things haunted. Check out these cool - and maybe a little bit scary - haunted events all over north Alabama. Athens Haunt Walks Get ready for a spine-tingling adventure as the Athens Haunt Walk & Wagon Tours return…

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Best Places to Get a Pumpkin in North Alabama

Fall = pumpkins. Right?! Check out some amazing places to pick out a pumpkin and to have some fall fun while doing so! Boyd Family Farm Get ready for some fall fun here at Boyd Family Farm! Enjoy a unique fall farm experience for the whole family with pumpkins for sale, a petting zoo, farm photo ops…

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