Sanlan Home

I can’t believe how happy I am to be here at Sanlan in Lakeland Florida. Quite a change from the meltdown I had when we arrived last year and I wasn't sure if I could make this my home for a few months. This time I couldn't wait to get set up and tour around to see what was new and who was here! It didn't take long to make the place liveable. We have spent the last few days shopping it seems. Trips to our favourite stores have been keeping us entertained and setting us up in this home for the next 4 months. I saw this clock last year and regretted not buying it so snapped it up when I saw another one. So helpful in this busy life! We have biked to Bartow, walked the trails, picked tangerines (that is where John is heading in this picture but you have to look closely to see them on the tree ahead of him),golfed and met with friends so I guess shopping is not all we have done.


Yes, the plam tree is up and lit every night and we actually have a real one right next to us too!


I will have to try to get a closer picture of this fat alligator; this picture doesn't do him justice. To tell you the truth he is so big that I was intimidated to get much closer. Last year a gator often lay in the same spot (a small lake near the Park entrance) in the heat of the sun but if this is the same one he must have eaten a lot over the summer! No pets or people I hope!

Georgia Veterans State Park Nov. 8 -13/08

This is a great park to be visiting at this time since Veterans are being honoured and remembered here. On Saturday an interesting group set up World War 2 historical displays. They are called Kelly’s Zeroes. Historical re-enactment is what they do and it gave me quite a feeling to walk among them. Young men and women were dressed in period uniforms; firing old weapons, driving old jeeps and behaving as if at war. This gave me the feeling of a time warp. A Blackhawk helicopter had landed as well and I couldn’t believe the wind and noise it created when it took off. Hold onto your hats and plug your ears!

Sunday was another beautiful sunny day and we set out walking and biking exploring and getting reacquainted with this wonderful park. At this time of year the lake is partially drained and the cypress tree roots are more exposed. Also, their leaves/needles are a deep rusty orange colour, something we have never seen before. We saw a red-tail hawk catch a frog and later a small buck ran along the driving range. We left the park on a rainy and foggy morning and a doe and 2 fawns were crossing the tracks.

Actually we have not had any rain or even cloudy weather since we left home! We golfed here and took a power cart for $25 each. It was great and I was able to swing fairly well considering 3 weeks ago I could barely walk.

It is very peaceful and beautiful here, overlooking Lake Blackshear. The golf course is wonderful. Walking and biking are not too strenuous but extremely enjoyable in this setting. It has been cooler than usual for this time of year but our site gets the afternoon sun and heats up really nicely. Life is good.

Sam Shortline Excursion Train Nov.7/08

We first saw this train at Georgia Veterans State Park last year and ever since have thought it might be fun to take a trip. The train left Cordele at 9:30 and we didn’t return home until 5. It was a long day but entertaining. There is nothing fancy about the train; it is mainly run by volunteers except for the engineer and mechanic. It makes about 90 runs a year. Americus is a town with 2 restored buildings; the Windsor Hotel and the Rylander Theatre. There are restaurants and shopping. We had lunch at Forsythe’s a typical small town bar/restaurant.

Then we went to the Habitat for Humanity Visitor Centre. That is the other (only?) claim to fame of Americus. There is a Global Village there with sample homes built by Habitat in countries all over the world. A replica of a tin shack community typical of poverty stricken Africa has been built there as well. It was quite an eye opener.

Plains Georgia was our next stop. I think it is about the size of a blink and that may be generous. Of course this is Jimmy Carter’s home town and he still lives there. There are a few shops catering mainly to antique hunters and you can buy all kinds of Jimmy Carter souvenirs and books. I didn’t realize he had written so many books. Oh, don’t forget the peanuts! I had some delicious peanut flavoured ice cream! We were only there for an hour but any longer might have been monotonous.

Would you want to live on the other side of the tracks? This cliché took on more meaning for me yesterday. As we chugged along through small town America I was struck by the, homes, trailers, shacks, industries, and small businesses that were in ramshackle condition. You do see some of this while traveling back roads by car but not to this extent.

The train had at least 8 cars and it was about half full. Churches, schools and other groups arrange to take this excursion along with a handful of brave tourists like ourselves. We were sitting near the most fun group of all; I think from a group home. They loved the train: clapping when lights came on and off, imitating the choo-choo sounds and grooving to the train style Chatanooga Choo-Choo music that came over the P.A.

All in all it was day of getting real!

More Georgia!

Georgia on my mind again!

John and I can’t seem to stay out of Georgia! This is the Southwest part of the State and we are seeing places we haven’t seen before. Driving south from Atlanta we headed to Pine Mountain, a village, and also the name of the RV Park here. It looked interesting in the brochures and we are not disappointed.

We did a scenic drive on a ridge road through nearby FDR State Park. The valley views of acres of forest in full fall colour were spectacular. Three years after contracting polio in 1924, FDR discovered Warm Springs (real springs and now a town) where he bathed with hopes to be cured. He fell in love with the area and built a home here. He came often to the area in future years to enjoy the beauty of nature and the peaceful rural life. Many important decisions were made by him in this inspiring setting.

Nearby Callaway Gardens is described as a 13,000 acre “natural four season playground.” The land used to be farmed, mainly cotton of course, but the Callaway family bought it and rejuvenated the land, transforming it into forests and gardens. To me it was the highlight of this side trip. We set out this morning with bikes and a picnic. Gardens are a major feature of this area with acres of azaleas, magnolias, a horticultural centre, vegetable gardens and much more. At this time of year we couldn’t appreciate it all but there is still plenty to see even in November. Native trees and fall flowers are in full colour and the horticultural centre also houses plants, flowers and trees from all over the world. Amazing!

The butterfly conservatory is beautiful. Most species are imported. I loved walking around the jungle-like environment with colourful butterflies silently flying inches from my face. Parrots are housed there as well as hummingbirds.

Birds of prey also flew around us! There was a show at the amphitheatre where trained raptors swooped around us flying freely. The trainers commanded them but they seemed so free. Today we saw a red-tailed hawk, a barn owl and a great horned owl performing. Incredible.

We visited this chapel in the woods. Real people do get married here. It is stunning.

Within Callaway Gardens there are 2 golf courses, miles of hiking and biking trails, and several lakes including a swimming beach with water sports, lodges, inns, shops, restaurants, condos, homes and who knows what else! This is such a huge natural retreat and so beautifully laid out that you do not feel crowded. We didn’t anyway, but we heard that the Christmas Fantasy of Lights is a huge attraction. I would love to come here to see that but I think the spring or early summer would be best to see those seasonal flowers in bloom.
Check it out! CallowayGardens.com