A Tourist Attraction Built on Lost Suitcases

You’ve got to wonder about a state where one of the biggest tourist draws is… lost luggage. America is weird, but Alabama’s Unclaimed Baggage store might just take the crown. Tucked away in Scottsboro, this retail oddity specializes in selling the contents of bags that never made it back to their owners.

If You’re Nervous About Losing Your Own Bag…

I get it—flying to a store full of lost luggage feels like tempting fate. What’s to stop your own suitcase from

joining the lonely, unclaimed masses while you’re browsing the racks? If that thought makes you twitchy, good news: they have an online shop. You can treasure‑hunt from the safety of your couch.

A Business Born From a Pickup Truck and $300

The store has been around for more than 50 years, and its origin story is peak American entrepreneurship. In 1970, Doyle Owens borrowed a pickup truck and $300, then bought his first load of unclaimed bags from a Trailways bus station. By 1978, he’d struck deals with airlines—starting with Eastern Airlines—and the volume (and the weirdness) exploded.

When the South Became a Ski Destination

One of the store’s most famous traditions began in 1981: the annual Ski Sale. Alabama isn’t exactly known for snow, but the store had mountains of lost ski gear looking for a home. Winter sports fans flocked in, and the event became so popular that people now camp out in the parking lot on the first Saturday of November just to be first through the door.

More Natural Wonders of the USA

The list goes on for US Natural Wonders but we are making progress. We left off with New York, My Home State at number 38. So back to the list to see what’s next

#39 Louisiana – Atchafalaya River Basin

I’ve been to Louisiana so I’ve checked that state off my list however I did not go to the Atchafalaya River. I spent my limited time in New Orleans and the Mississippi River. We planned a trip to the bayou but the remnants of a hurricane blew through and the excursion was canceled. May have to consider a return visit.

Bayou Bridge , City Park, New Orleans Photo Credit Deb Neumann

The Atchafalaya is located near Simmesport, La and runs for 140 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. There are nearly 1 million acres making this swamp larger than the Florida Everglades. The Atchafalaya is home to the largest nesting concentration of bald eagles in the south central US. Other animals that make their home here are black bear, fox, muskrat, beaver, otter and racoon. Of course there are alligators. IN fact there are around 65 species of reptiles and 250 species of birds. Sounds fun.

File:Atch Egrets-2-LL.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Photo credit- Wikimedia Commons

# 40 Alabama – Cheaha State Park

Still on my list to visit is Alabama so maybe I will be able to visit Cheaha State Park. It’s near Talladega National Forest. Cheaha State Park in Clay and Cleburne, Alabama is a 2,799-acre site named after the Cheaha Mountain, which is the highest point in the state. This park is only 30 minutes away from several historic downtowns (Oxford, Heflin, Anniston, Talladega, Lineville, Munford, and Ashland)

Cheaha State Park, AL | faungg's photos | Flickr

Photo Credit- Faungg’s photos / flickr

The park recommends traveling on the Talladega Scenic Drive (Alabama Highway 281) which is well maintained, wide, and easily driven by large recreational vehicles. AL Hwy 49 is also a great route and it connects with AL Hwy 281.

#41 South Carolina – Congaree National Park

Another State/ wonder to add to my bucket list. Congaree National Park is one of the most intriguing spots in South Carolina because of its colossal ancient hardwood forest. There’s an abundance of wildlife to view. You’ll have a chance to see all sorts of birds and deer, raccoons, and if you are lucky, even bobcats. The waters are inhabited by alligators, amphibians, snakes and fish. The Congaree National Park features 15,000 acres of wilderness for camping, canoeing and kayaking to name only a few adventures.