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