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.