Georgia

Georgia is in “The Deep South”.  I’m not quite sure what is meant by that phrase but I do know that when you visit Georgia, you will notice most people speaking with a strong Southern accent.  When you eat lunch or dinner anywhere you can order sweet tea and it is definitely SWEET tea!  Southern Hospitality is alive and well. Be sure to try the peach cobbler or peach pie or peach ice cream as Georgia is known as the Peach Tree State.   People expect that you will stay for dinner and every child knows how to say “Yes, ma’am” or ”Yes, sir” in polite company. 

Typical homes in Savannah with
wide verandas on the side of the home.

Two places stick in my mind as my favorites .  This last fall we took a trip which included a visit to Savannah, Georgia which is a great representation of the antebellum south.  There is a large area with historical homes, churches, parks and even an old pirate house.  A free trolley takes you on a loop so you can hop off to explore one area and then hop onto another trolley to go to the next interesting place.  Many of the streets are made of cobbled stones which add to the charm.  The Georgia State Railroad Museum is also in this area of Savannah.  Near the Savannah River Port are many shops to browse through along with a number of restaurants.  Savannah’s National Landmark Historic District is a wonderful place to explore for a day or two.

Two views of the bas relief on the mountain
and the lift to the top.

My other favorite is Stone Mountain State Park, east of Atlanta.  The centerpiece of this park is the memorial to three Confederate Generals.  It is a bas relief carved in the granite of the mountain.  There is a lift to the top and a hiking trail for those who love a challenge.  The park also contains Historic Stone Mountain Village, an antique car museum, a petting zoo, and both picnic and camping areas.  On summer nights a laser show lights the sky for the enjoyment of all.     

One of the Georgia lighthouses.

There are many additional places to visit in Georgia as it is one of the fastest growing states at this time.  The Capitol city of Atlanta is a major air hub and home to many companies including Coca Cola and CNN.  A website of the free or  inexpensive things to do in Atlanta can be found at this web address:  http://www.atlanta.net/visitors/seedo/freeAtlanta.html .  There is a wealth of historical places since Georgia  was one of the original thirteen colonies.   Georgia is a state with a variety of scenery from the beaches and coastal towns on the Atlantic Ocean to the Blue Ridge Mountains in the northern part of the state.    If Georgia is your destination then I suggest you check the Official State website at http://www.exploregeorgia.org.    There are interactive maps for each region of the state to guide you.

Florida

Listening to the tide brush the shore, feeling the cool, salty air through the open window, lying between clean smelling sheets – this is a wonderful way to be lulled to sleep at night.  Waking up to the crash of the waves with the early light brightening the room around you is wonderful.  Spending the day strolling along soft white sand, wading in the shoreline, swimming with the waves, basking in the sunshine  - this is the way to spend a relaxing day.  Welcome to Florida where the beaches surround the state on three sides.

Vintage Postcard prior to Disney World when the
Space Center was called Cape Canaveral

Florida is a state that is probably well known all over the world.  It is a state that seems like a dream come true with tropical or sub-tropical weather all year long, lots of fun places to go, a four hundred year old history and sparkling white beaches.  Oh yes, don’t forget Disney World, the Everglades, The Kennedy Space Center and a few other attractions.  This state is truly a vacation spot.

If you like history, St. Augustine is commonly called the nation’s oldest city and has many interesting buildings to see.  If you love the beach, you have your pick of those on the Gulf of Mexico side or the Atlantic side.  A trip to the Keyes involves a highway that skips along from one key to the next.  This has been the playground for many of the rich and famous for years.       
  

 

Old Spanish Inn



St. Augustine City Gate and Oldest
Wooden Schoolhouse in the USA

Even though I have been to Florida a number of times, there are so many places that I still have not visited.  I’d like to see a manatee and perhaps swim with the dolphins.  An airboat ride in the Everglades sounds like it would be a lot of fun. Epcot Center is one of the places I have never been and would really enjoy seeing. 

Cindrella Castle
Fantasy World

One of the most impressive things about Florida is the abundant plant life.  Everything seems to be green.  The warm temperatures and high humidity allow for so many tropical and sub-tropical species to thrive here.  Summers feel very hot because of that humidity.  Many travelers prefer the spring, fall or winter when it is usually more comfortable.  Occasional dips in the jet stream send cold air to the region but they are uncommon and normally last only a day or two.

White Sand Beaches

Because of the multitude of things to do and places to see, a trip to Florida should be planned in advance to choose your favorite places.  To view all available places, the official state tourism site is http://www.visitflorida.com

Delaware

This project is beginning to make me wonder if I really know what I’m talking about.  I feel like I am completely failing on this state.  It’s not the state – it’s me.  I’m sorry to mess this one up so bad.  It has taken me so long because I keep drawing a blank when I try to figure out what to write.   I honestly don’t know enough to tell you anything.

I have driven through Delaware many times but the only time I actually was”there” was when my Dad had to attend a meeting of some kind at Dover Air Force Base when I was about 13.  (60 years ago!)  I was at that miserable stage when nothing was interesting to me and I was just aggravated and wanted Dad to hurry so we could go home.  Therefore, I have no real impression of Delaware that can tell you anything you can’t figure out for yourself.  Below are just a few things that might begin to give you a picture of Delaware. 

Fun Map of Delaware

 Delaware is the second smallest of the United States, just a bit larger than Rhode Island.  At its narrowest spot, it is only 9 miles wide (14 kilometers).  It is not quite 100 miles (about 154 kilometers) from North to South and is only 35 miles or 56 kilometers at the widest point from West to East.  In this compact state are 900,000 people making it the sixth most populous state. 

Its unique location allows Delaware to have both fresh and salt water beaches along with all kinds of water sports.   Beaches and summer water sports are a favorite attraction.

The second longest twin span suspension bridge in the world is the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

There is no commercial air service in the state because it is close enough to other airports that it is not necessary to provide this service locally.  Passengers normally fly out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  or Washington, D. C.

The World Championship Punkin Chunkin Contest is an annual event along with other unique fairs and festivals.  This is televised and is a fun event because it is so unusual.  Contestants build all kinds of machinery to throw their pumpkin as far as possible.  That means catapults, cannons and other engineering contraptions. 



Zwaanendaek Museum in Lewis, Delaware
Built to celebrate the Dutch settlement here in 1631.



Dover Air Force Base is the entry point for deceased members of the military service fallen in  the line of duty.

The state has developed several self tours depending upon your particular interest.  You can try out the Geocaching Trail, The Wine and Ale Trail, History Trail or the Culinary Trail.  All of these are shown in detail on the Delaware tourism site located at:

http://www.visitdelaware.com

Connecticut

Kent Station in Kent, Connecticut, now operating
as Connecticut Antique Machinery Association Museum

Connecticut has it all – beaches, mountains, parks, cities, quaint little towns, a beautiful river valley, lots of history, artists and art shops, casinos, amusement parks, several train rides and both train and trolley museums, art, history, the maritime trades, and many others.  All this and more in one little state located in New England.

 When I started on this week’s state I realized that most of my memories and impressions of Connecticut are from a very long time ago.  I was in college at the University of Bridgeport and then I lived in Hartford working prior to marrying my husband.  Since we’ve been married more than 50 years, then you know these memories are really old ones.



Air View of Stonington Borough,
the oldest borough in New England

Although the years have gone by, Connecticut is still basically the same place.  The cities have grown in size and I’m sure there are more little towns near New York City than there were then, but the countryside is still the same.  The history that was made in this area has only grown a little older.  Since Connecticut was one of the original colonies, its history dates back before the Revolutionary War.  In almost every town in Connecticut are statues, monuments, historical buildings and museums telling the stories of how Connecticut became one of the United States.



Point O'Woods Beach
South Lyme Connecticut

The United State Coast Guard is based in New London and there is a long maritime tradition.  Mystic Seaport is an excellent destination with many attractions including an excellent maritime museum. 



When I was in college at Bridgeport, our dorm was a massive three story home that rumor said was part of the original P. T. Barnum estate.  (No idea if that was true or not.)  The P. T. Barnum Museum and many old Victorian style homes are in Bridgeport.   Our dorm overlooked a large grassy area and beyond that was an access to the beach on the sound.  It was a fun place to go to school although I only stayed one semester due to lack of money.  At that time, school loans were something most girls just wouldn’t consider.  It was an era when most girls only worked or attended school until they married.   Aren’t you glad times have changed?

After I left school I moved to Hartford, the State Capitol, to work in an office that did research for the insurance industry.  One rainy Sunday my boyfriend (now my husband) drove down to visit me.   We wanted to get in out of the rain.  Since I lived in a girl’s rooming house with little privacy in the lounge area, we decided to see the Mark Twain House which was a short distance away with only a small entry fee.   It was a fascinating afternoon touring the home.  I believe they had just started giving tours at that time as we were the only people there.  The one thing that impressed me the most was the fireplace.  He wanted a window above the fireplace in the dining room so he could see the snowfall while enjoying his meal and the warmth from the fire.  The architect worked with him and they routed the flue around the window instead of having the chimney go straight up like an ordinary fireplace.   Mark Twain had a vivid imagination and many of his unique ideas are showcased in the home.  The home is still in Hartford and I’m sure the tour is still a marvelous one.  In addition to the house, there is also a museum now.

Their website is http://www.marktwainhouse.org/

A large portion of the population of Connecticut is in the extreme southeast corner of the state, near New York City.  This area is home to many who work in the city and prefer living in the country or smaller suburban towns.

As always, I recommend you check out Wikipedia or the state tourist website for specific information on places that you might enjoy.   The website for Connecticut tourism is:

  http://www.ctvisit.com/     This is an interactive site including a map of each area highlighting the places to visit.