GA Archives - There Goes Connie

Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA

09/19/2016 By: CCPearsoncomment

Steve and I had not been to Callaway Gardens since the first year we were married — 1971. At that time, we were dirt-poor college students who just wanted to spend a few idyllic hours riding around (gas was only about 25-cents a gallon, remember?). We drove about an hour, went through the gates and starting oohing and ahhing about the beautiful surroundings and dreaming of a time in the future when we could return and actually STAY for a day or two. And, believe me, considering our circumstances, it was one of those times when we could have sung “To Dream the Impossible Dream.”

Forty-five years later, we’ve learned to have a budget category specifically for TRAVEL, and we felt a strong need to “get away and just be.” Callaway Gardens seemed like the perfect place . . . and it was.

We hit it at just the right time for our purposes — their SLOW season. In the spring, thousands of azaleas bring in the crowds, and during the holidays the dazzling light shows attract visitors from miles around. Summer finds it bursting with families — mommas and children enjoying the beach area, while Dad plays a round of golf on one or both of the championship courses. I’m sure Callaway Gardens is beautiful in all of those seasons, but for us, the 2nd week in August with all the kids back in school and the families back at home, the quiet was very, very welcome.

A Plumleaf Azalea, one of Callaway Gardens’ signature flowers.

Caladium leaves.

We stayed in one of the Mountain Creek Villas, but you might prefer a cabin or a hotel-like room in The Lodge and Spa or at Mountain Creek Inn. Our villa had a comfortable living area with a flat-screen TV, full kitchen, fireplace and wi-fi access. The bedroom also had a fireplace and wonderfully soft beds.

Exterior of a Mountain Creek Villa which blends in to the wooded environment.

Living area in one of the Mountain Creek Villas.

Throughout the thousands of acres, visitors can enjoy miles of hiking and biking trails. We chose to rent a golf cart for a half day which allowed us to pull over and take photos at the slightest whim.

Callaway Gardens has a strong commitment to education. The Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center and the Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center have remarkable displays with specially-scheduled events. The Birds of Prey shows at the Discovery Center are sure to inform and entertain you. Fair warning about the Butterfly Center. It is hot, hot, hot!!!! And so humid you are bound to see your own sweat popping out within the first few minutes of entering the large glass butterfly-filled pavilion. The admission fee into Callaway Gardens includes entrance to these two places also.

Butterflies feasting on fruit at the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center.

Birds of Prey Show at the Discovery Center.

We tried 3 different eating places while we were at Callaway. The Plant Room Restaurant is inside the Mountain Creek Inn and offers a lavish breakfast buffet. It was good, although somewhat pricey. The food at the Country Kitchen inside the Country Store on Hwy. 27 was both delicious and reasonably priced, plus you get the added bonus of a gorgeous mountain view out the windows –which I suspect is spectacular in the fall. The Gardens Restaurant is open for dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays and has a chef-driven, gourmet menu.

Our table at the Gardens Restaurant.

Dining room at the Gardens Restaurant.

Brie en croute – a mouthwatering appetizer at the Gardens Restaurant.

Pork tenderloin, carrots, asparagus and peaches. Beautiful entree at the Gardens Restaurant.

There are several restaurants in nearby Pine Mountain. We tried the Oyster House. It was nothing to “write home about” but certainly adequate. Most of the seafood was fresh, and the prices were okay. Can’t you just sense my enthusiasm? Ha! We passed a Mexican place and a barbecue cafe, so there are other options if you’re interested.

Oyster Po Boy and Clam Chowder at The Oyster House, Pine Mountain, GA.

If you are a history buff, particularly a Presidential history buff, then Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Little White House is about 30 minutes away in Warm Springs, GA and Jimmy Carter’s hometown of Plains, GA is about 90 minutes away. In this Presidential election year, it is very eye-opening to remember those who served in that office in the past. Just sayin.’

FDR’s Little White House.

This area in Georgia is certainly worth a few days of your time. It is beautiful, and you’re almost guaranteed to learn something new.

My Real Live American Girl Dolls

10/14/2015 By: CCPearsoncomment

I am blessed to have SEVEN beautiful, healthy, smart granddaughters. When the oldest (Allie, who will be 15 next month) was at the doll-playing stage, I was out of the loop and didn’t know about American Girl dolls. Don’t worry, though. She was definitely spoiled by her grandparents — just in a different way. But, by the time Maggie turned 7 — we share a birthdate, by the way — I was ready to start a new Grandmomma/Granddaughter tradition. It was time for an outing to the American Girl store near Atlanta to make a selection. Since we were BOTH celebrating and since the store was a long distance from Athens, I decided to make this an overnight trip. We checked into the Alpharetta Marriott, a place that “just happens” to offer an American Girl package complete with pink sheets and a doll bed.

We checked into the hotel, got “all dolled up,” and made our way to the store. What an amazing place for a little girl and her doting grandmother! After MUCH deliberation, Maggie chose Caroline and started reading her book and taking care of her immediately. By then, it was time for dinner, so I asked, “Do you want to eat fast food or go somewhere fancy?” She wisely requested “somewhere fancy,” and we found a Cheesecake Factory near the hotel. Thus, the second part of our 7th birthday tradition was born. Thank goodness for great kids’ menu AND for the free desserts they bring for Birthday People. Way to go, Cheesecake Factory.

Then, in 2015, two serendipitous things happened. 1) Our son Matt and his family moved to Franklin, TN and 2) A new American Girl store opened this spring in the Cool Springs Galleria. Hurray for not having to drive so far! Granddaughter Birti agreed to wait until the store opened to have her outing with me. After carefully deciding on Grace, we headed to the nearby Cheesecake Factory (also opened very recently), and Birti added the “touch” of including the doll in the lunch. We had a great time. . . and the lemon meringue pie cheesecake was to-die-for.

Just this past weekend, Granddaughter Megan turned 7 AND came to our house for the weekend. Birti got to come, too, because their brothers were going to Auburn for a football game experience with Granddaddy. (You didn’t think we’d leave the boys out, did you?) Birti was very helpful in showing Megan the ropes and pointing out dolls and accessories she might have otherwise missed. Megan took her time deciding on a doll. She went in thinking she’d get Mary Ellen, but as soon as she saw Julie, she was smitten. You could see it on her face.

It was another memory-making day that I consider to be “worth every cent.”

But, okay. I should probably confess that this whole American Girl doll/eating at the Cheesecake Factory event is allowing me to live out my own fantasies, besides having fun with the girls. I loved dolls as a little girl, and I guess I still haven’t outgrown it.

Three more granddaughters to go. Penelope will be 7 in February 2016, Bethany in February 2017, but Bethany just turned 2. She has awhile to go yet. Better keep saving my money.

Savannah with My Silver Fox, Day 1

07/06/2015 By: CCPearsoncomment

For an anniversary get-away not long ago, my Silver Fox and I decided to drive to Savannah, a place that was new to us. We chose to make reservations at a beautiful Bed and Breakfast place called Presidents’ Quarters Inn. Each of the 16 rooms is named for a U.S. President. We got the Lyndon B Johnson Room — and no, that would not have been our choice because he is most definitely NOT our favorite president, but it has a king-size bed and was within our budget, so there. It’s actually a very comfortable and spacious room as you can see below.

This pretty courtyard is where breakfast is served when the weather allows.

After getting settled in, we decided to walk down to the river and eat at a casual place called Huey’s on the River. It was delicious!
Steve and I love raw oysters, but we’d never had them steamed. They’re messy and look as if they’ve just been scooped up from the swamp, but they were plump and tasty. Yes, we do tend to be adventurous eaters — within reason.

Steve had the shrimp and grits. He said it was great.

I’m allergic to shrimp, so I had an oyster po-boy with a side order of red beans and rice. Can’t get enough of those oysters.

After dinner, we took a stroll along the river and thought about how much better we like “our” river — the one that runs right in front of our house. 🙂 But, this one is nice, too.

The place Savannah most reminded us of at that point was Guayaquil, Ecuador — just not so hot. We couldn’t help but remember the Malecon and the many great volunteer teams that flew into the airport and began or ended their mission project in that city. We found similarities to New Orleans, of course, too. Our impressions expanded the more we explored.

Oh yeah. The hotel people did a turn-down service while we were out for dinner, and there were some yummy chocolate treats on our pillows. What a great way to end the day. 🙂

Stay tuned for Part 2.

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