Day 6 of the Southeast Rhombus Rally Caravan with Friends – Georgia to Northern Georgia

We stayed an extra night after the Georgia Good Sam Rally ended. It was a very quiet Sunday night at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter. This facility is pretty awesome! It covers over 1,100 acres. Since it’s opening in 1990, it has hosted the Georgia State Fair, RV rallies, concerts, rodeos, conferences, trade shows, horse and livestock shows. It’s location in Perry, known as the “crossroads of Georgia,” is perfect to host these events. The fairgrounds are located near the intersections of I-75, GA 127, US 341 and US 41.

We departed the facility and headed north on I-75 for 7 miles, where we went east on GA Route 96, also known as the Veterans Memorial Highway. Along Route 96, were some large homes and tons of pink brick between the sidewalk and the curb. This brick work stretched for miles and miles and miles. 

This drive provided us a drive through picturesque rural countryside filled with cotton fields, peach and pecan orchards. Part of this road is also part of the Andersonville Trail.

Robins Air Force Base and the Museum of Aviation are located off Route 427, also known as General Robert L Scott Highway. Robins AFB is the largest industrial complex in Georgia. The base covers almost 7,000 acres, including Georgia’s largest runway. The runway is 12,000 feet long! Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, the host unit at Robins Air Force Base along with the 78th Air Base Wing and more than 60 other units contribute to the combat superiority, readiness, and sustainability of the Air Force war fighting team. General Robert Scott was one of Georgia's most prominent World War II heroes, as well as a best-selling author. A fighter pilot in World War II, Scott returned to Georgia to become an integral part of the state's war effort, and he was later instrumental in the founding of the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base. Scott was in flight school when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. By then a major and he wanted to fly combat missions, but at the age of thirty-four he was at first deemed too old. He published God Is My Co-Pilot, a best-selling memoir of his experiences. Published in 1943, it is still regarded as a classic wartime memoir. Warner Brothers bought the rights to the book and made a movie of the same name starring Dennis Morgan as Scott. In 1986 Scott returned to middle Georgia and became involved in building the Museum of Aviation, which has since become the second largest air force museum in America and home of the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame. During the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Scott carried the Olympic torch along a section of Georgia Highway 247 named in his honor.  

Along Route 96, we took a jaunt through Jeffersonville. It is a unique town with the train depot as its city offices and a Confederate monument in front of the County Courthouse. The earliest community in the boundaries of Jeffersonville was called Sandy Bottom, incorporated as Raines’ Store and later changed to Jeffersonville, around 1850. The Georgia Legislature moved the Twiggs county seat from Marion to the City of Jeffersonville. On February 6, 1901, the Twiggs County court house in Jeffersonville burned to the ground, destroying all the records. First erected in Marion, then moved to Jeffersonville, that two-story building was constructed of very heavy timbers and had been recently renovated. The fire was visible from Macon, over twenty miles away. 

Outside the courthouse is a Confederate memorial. The Inscriptions read: To the Twiggs County soldiers and those who sacrificed all to establish the independence of the South 1861-1865. In memory. Twiggs Volunteers Capt. Jas. Folsom, 4th Ga. Reg. - Twiggs Guards Capt. Jno. Barclay, 6th Ga. Reg. Faulk Invincibles, Capt. E.S. Griffin, 26th Ga. Reg. - Slappey Guards, Capt. U.A. Rice, 48th Ga. Reg. It was erected in 1911 by the Twiggs County Chapter Daughters of the Confederacy. The monument was relocated in December 18, 2014 and dedicated on April 12, 2015 at the Courthouse. On April 25, 2010, Jeffersonville’s public library burned to the ground. A new library on Main Street opened its doors in 2013. The distinction of Longest Serving Sheriff goes to Sheriff Earl Hamrick who served Twiggs County and Jeffersonville for 48 years behind the badge. In 1962 Jeffersonville’s Volunteer Fire Department became first Volunteer Fire Department certified by the State of Georgia.

Route 96 ends or starts, depending on which way you are traveling at Route 441. Route 96 ended and we headed north on 441. Following Pattye & Bully, we came into the town of Milledgeville. The city of Milledgeville has a rich history, especially for those interested in the history of the Antebellum South and the Civil War. Its history began in 1803, when the state of Georgia searched for a site for its new capital.  Because this area offered a central location and ample springs, it was the perfect spot. The planned capital city took shape and was given the name Milledgeville in honor of John Milledge, governor of Georgia and donor of the land for the University of Georgia. Located on the fall line of the Oconee River, Milledgeville is the only city in the U.S., with the exception of Washington D.C., actually designed to be a capital city. For more than 60 years, it remained the capital.  When the capital moved to Atlanta during reconstruction, Milledgeville experienced an economic downturn. The results of a slow growing economy contributed to a wealth of well-preserved federal style architecture enhanced by noteworthy Greek Revival, Victorian and Classic Revival houses that inhabit the city still today.

Lake Sinclair is a man-made lake near Milledgeville. Located in the central region of Georgia, on the Oconee River, Lake Sinclair stretches through the three counties. It was created in 1953 and offers over 400 miles of scenic shoreline, winding coves and inlets as well as several vast stretches of open water. The lake encompasses over 15,000-acres and provides both electricity and recreation.

In Eatonton Georgia, you can find the Uncle Remus Museum. Who is Uncle Remus and why does he have a museum? Uncle Remus is the fictional character and narrator of a collection of African-American folktales adapted and compiled by Joel Chandler Harris, published in book form in 1881. The Uncle Remus Museum strives to educate visitors about the life and work of Joel Chandler Harris using historic storytelling, period artifacts, dioramas of the more famous Uncle Remus character. Other characters include, Brer Rabbit a trickster who succeeds by his speed and wits rather than by brawn. Br'er Fox considers himself the smartest animal despite being duped continuously. Br'er Wolf, is Brer Rabbit's second-most common antagonist. Brer Tarrypin is a friend of Brer Rabbit who joins him in his mischief and even outdoes him at times. Br'er Bear considers himself the strongest of the animals even though he is frequently duped by smaller creatures. Aunt Tempy, referred to by Uncle Remus as Sis Tempy is a housekeeper of equal authority with Uncle Remus who is elected to accompany the boy on his visits to Uncle Remus. If you have never read Joel Chandler Harris stories, you should.

While we were on this two lane adventure, there was a gas pipeline rupture in Alabama making gas prices soar. One of the stations that we passed has very high prices, as demonstrated in this one picture. I would say that this might be considered price gouging! We headed about 30 miles north and found gas for a more reasonable price. We did have to pass several gas stations that were out of all grades of unleaded gasoline.

Route 441 was a great road to travel. It was good road, some two lanes and partially four lanes. The scenery was amazing and very enjoyable drive. Parts of Route 441 is the Antebellum Trail. The Antebellum Trail is a 100 mile trek through seven historic communities that escaped Sherman’s burning march through Georgia. It is also known as the Heritage 441 Trail.

The Heritage Highway 441 Trail takes you through the middle of the state, splitting it in two with a nearly vertical path running north-south. In the south, the hills yield to the flatness of the Coastal Plain, perfect for exploring mysterious black water river systems and thriving wildlife preserves. The rolling hills of the Piedmont, antebellum homes and historic cities such as Madison and Milledgeville stand guard, shepherding curious travelers through their inviting doorways and friendly streets give way to the mountains. At the top, the mountains of northern Georgia surrender spectacular views of peaks and valleys, exposing Indian and Appalachian heritage along the way into North Carolina. 

We arrived in Dillard Georgia. Turning off Route 441 to locate the River Vista RV Resort. This will be our temporary home for the next three nights. We will spend this time exploring the area!

Day 2 - 5 of the Southeast Rhombus Rally Caravan with Friends - Georgia Fall Good Sam Rally

If you do not have a good time at a Rally, they used to be called a Samboree, it is your own fault. We have just spent the past four days at the Georgia GoodSam Rally at the National Fairgrounds and Agri-center in Perry Georgia. We enjoyed seminars, food, vendors, entertainment and fellowship. The great thing about holding a rally at this location, is plenty of RV parking, a large building and a second facility with smaller meeting rooms. During a three day period, there were over 30 seminars. The topics ranged from daily devotions to health services, beauty, fashion, RV repairs, cooking demonstrations and caravans.

What do you do? Let me cover what we did …

We arrived on Wednesday afternoon, the second early bird day. The early bird days are days ahead of the full blown event, a chance to get acclimated before everyone arrives. We used that time to get set-up and catch up with old friends. There were

sign-up sheets for games and activities available, there were a few seminars set up, the hospitality area had cold drinks and coffee available. We enjoyed a pizza dinner with our friends. After dinner, we played SAMGO (also known as BINGO) enjoyed some complimentary cold drinks and popcorn. It was a pretty good turnout for the early bird day …

the regular pots were $55.00 each and the cover all was over $100. But, none of our group was lucky, we all left with less money in our pockets, but plenty of popcorn in our bellies! We could have rode back on the tram that is provided, but we wanted the exercise. So we walked and enjoyed a beautiful sunset!

Thursday morning the Rally got into full swing! The morning starts out with complimentary coffee and donuts in the hospitality area. The vendors had their booths open and ready for business. There was a health fair offering blood pressure and glucose screenings. Thursday was the largest offering of seminars, the girls decided to attend two cooking seminars. There

was a team trivia competition, a washer board contest and RV displays from Camping World. The afternoon had music session open to all players and singers in attendance. We also were lucky enough to have an afternoon session of SAMGO. Jack was really lucky, he won the top & bottom game! Dinner was on our own, we enjoyed meatloaf made by Pattye, vegetable casserole by Jackie and potatoes by Wendy. 

We got our green shirts and purple vests on to attend the opening ceremonies. The opening ceremonies were followed by entertainment by Kenny Evans. We have been lucky to see Kenny Evans perform before. For those who don’t know him, here is a little bit about him. Music has always been a part of his life. As a child he sang in a family quartet with his father, brother, and younger sister. The Evans Family Quartet toured the southeast doing concerts at churches, festivals, and theatres and also made guest appearances on the live Hee-Haw show. In 1994, Kenny signed with a booking agency and quickly began a grueling tour schedule as the opening act for some of country music’s biggest stars including Kenny Chesney, Charlie Daniels, Lonestar, Sara Evans, Toby Keith, Tracy Byrd and many others. In February 1998 Kenny signed a record deal in Nashville and released his debut album “When You Love Somebody” and just as his career was taking off tragedy struck as Kenny and his band were almost killed by a drunk driver while on tour. In the spring of 2000 Kenny left the country music industry to serve the Lord. He has in served churches in east Tennessee and south Florida and since 2005 has traveled the nation as an evangelist singing and speaking in more than 100 events each year. His message and music make check to cheek dancing perfect! 

Friday was the “theme” day … everyone was supposed to wear their “birthday themed” outfits. Notice, they did not say to wear your birthday suit! Again, first thing in the morning the hospitality area was open with coffee, tea, hot chocolate and donuts. Did I mention they were Krispy Kreme donuts? They were, oh … so good! Right Jack? There were different seminars today, the vendors were open again and very willing to talk about their products or services. The Georgia State Store is open too. The State Store is where you can purchase Good Sam products, clothing, hats, patches, etc… There were opportunities to purchase Chinese Auction Tickets and to check your numbers for door prizes. Your numbers? When you pick up your registration at the event, you are given a card with a number. That card and number are used for donuts, ice cream, door prizes and raffle tickets. Today, we were given a hot dog lunch by Camping World. They were the big deli hot dogs from Sam’s Club deli, just like we have a Majestic Oaks Burgers and Dogs. 

Later in the day, we had ice cream. This is one of the high points at a Georgia Rally. They have pints of Blue Bell ice cream. Yes, pints … one per person! We tried a new angle this year. Charlie & Bully got their pints today and they gladly shared them with Pattye and myself. This way, we did not go into an ice cream coma. There was a cake walk in the afternoon. A

cake walk is an opportunity to win homemade cakes. You pay $1 to sit in a circle and pass numbers around while music plays. Do I dare say, like musical chairs … the music stops and everyone has a number. They draw a number and if it matches your number, you win a cake. Naturally, Pattye won a cake on her first play of the game! Of course, she shared it with all of us!

The evening program tonight included the music of Sunday Drive. We heard Sunday Drive twice before. The first time was at a Florida Rally and the second time was at a church in Plant City. Sunday Drive provides a musical experience that takes their audience on a journey they will remember forever. Jeff, Misty and Dusty Treece blend their harmony, beliefs and

humor to create an awesome stage show. It is not often that musicians sing ballads, top ten hits, gospel and comical songs all in the same show. Sunday Drive does just that! Following the entertainment of Sunday Drive, some of the door prizes were awarded. Again, winning these door prizes is based on your number and you must be present to win. They tell you what

the door prize is, draw a number from the bucket and a winner is born. You can only win once during the rally for these door prizes. Naturally, the only one lucky enough to win a door prize was Pattye ... a Thirty-One Tervis Tumbler with a "travel motif."

Saturday morning we awoke to Dunkin Donuts and Coffee at the Camping World display. After we walked to enjoy that breakfast, we continued onto the main hall to the hospitality area to enjoy a sausage biscuits and more coffee. We will have to walk a great deal after these breakfasts! Saturday was Military hat and State shirt day. We all wore hats for our branches of service and a shirt from the state we call home. After breakfast, some of us played Bean Bag Baseball. The pairing of the teams were drawn. The first team, and only team, we played were the Mini-Sams. Most of the members of the team were under 12. It was a no win situation from the start. If we won, everyone would say “You beat the kids?!” If we lost, everyone would be saying “You were beat by the kids?!” We were doomed either way. We played our best, but they beat us 11 runs to 5 runs. At least it was not a blow out! In the early afternoon there was pickin’ and grinnin’ to enjoy and more Blue Bell ice

cream pints. You could only get ice cream, if you did not get a pint yesterday. Since the guys got ice cream yesterday, the girls got our ice cream today, and yes … we shared it with our guys! After ice cream was our third and final chance to play SAMGO. It was a great event, there were regular pots that were $80 and the coverall was $230! Pattye and I even convinced Bully and Charlie to play! 

At 5pm, we enjoyed a catered meal by Yoder’s. Yes, it was an Amish meal and it was awesome! Roast beef, scalloped potatoes, green beans, coleslaw, yeast roll and banana pudding. The evening program included recognition of the military, our contributions to the VA programs in Georgia and chapter awards and presentations. The entertainment was Music City Brass. Music City Brass presented a truly unique brand of entertainment, in an instrumental and vocal style. Founded in 1969, they have enjoyed an excellent reputation for superb performances for more than forty five years. Music City Brass has performed with some of Americas most prominent artists including Kenny Rogers, Porter Wagoner, Bill Anderson, Jim Ed Brown, Connie Smith, Ray Price, Travis Tritt and many more. The night ended with the remainder of the door prizes being awarded. 

Sunday morning is the day that most rally attendees pack up and hit the road. There is coffee at the hospitality area and a non-denominational service. We were staying one more night at the fairgrounds, so we enjoyed coffee and the service and watched people hook up and head out. The rest of the day we relaxed and walked around the fair grounds. We did a great deal of walking this whole rally. We enjoyed ourselves so much, we are ready to sign up for the Georgia Spring Rally with the Wild Wild West theme! Giddy Up!

Day 1 of the Southeast Rhombus Caravan with Friends - Florida to Georgia

Southeast Rhombus Caravan ... I know an interesting name ... why? Well, this summer we did the "Grand Circle" Caravan ... so, we can't do a circle again, even though it was more like a horseshoe! I was thinking of a "Triangle" caravan, but we have four stops, more like a diamond ... so, what is another name for the diamond .... a rhombus! Just ask my 2-year old grandson!

We departed our home base at Majestic Oaks onto Chancey Road, heading toward Dade City and US 301 and 98. There was a beautiful start to a sunrise as we headed toward Dade City.

I love the Majestic Oak trees that are in Florida. The look they have with the Spanish Moss hanging from them is both eerie and beautiful!

And in the morning light, or lack of light is even better! US 301 continued north, we stayed on Route 98 heading west, just a little. Our goal is to get to Perry Georgia quickly. so we are heading toward Interstate 75 North!

There is still plenty to see along the way and new facts about Florida to learn!

 In Bushnell, there is the Red Oaks RV resort. It is a great place to hold a mini-rally or chapter camping event. It is a park that was part of the Carefree portfolio, it is now a Sun RV resort. It makes me sad, because 3 months ago, I was working with these communities on their home sales. Now, I am unemployed, the end of employment was swift and unexpected. I am enjoying being able to travel more ... that makes being unemployed a good thing .. but missing all the Carefree people!

There are 147 cemeteries with the designation of a United States National Cemetery. A national cemetery is generally a military cemetery containing the graves of U.S. military personnel, veterans and their spouses, but not exclusively. There is one of these National Cemeteries in Bushnell Florida. We have had the privilege of enjoying a Memorial Day service there one year, amazing. Sad for the deaths of these service members, but amazing the patriotism that is shown to remember them.





Wildwood is home to a great old time Florida style park and an American Favorite! Lake Okahumpka Park offers paved walking and biking paths, The paths are shaded by the majestic Oaks and Spanish moss. The American favorite is chocolate ... the Russell Stover Factory is a great stop for the choclate lover ... and admit it ... everyone likes a little chocolate! It used to be just a big warehouse of discount chocolates. If you don't mind eating Valentines Day candy at Easter, this is the place for you! They have remodeled and there is now a store with full price items that match the current holiday, but the warehouse section still is there ... just smaller.

You don't normally think of dairy farms in Florida, until you are following a milk tanker, especially this far north in Belleview, Marion County. Lafayette and Okeechobee are Florida’s leading dairy counties. The state’s more than 130 dairy farms are primarily owned and operated by second and third-generation farmers. Most of the dairy cows living in Florida are Holsteins, the black and white cows. The Florida dairy herds generally range in size from 150 to 5,000 cows. There are about 123,000 dairy cows in Florida that collectively produce about 2.34 billion pounds of milk a year. That represents 277 million gallons of Florida-produced milk in the grocery store.

Only in Ocala can you see the Museum of Drag Racing. It is more like a private collection. Big Daddy Don Garlits Museum Of Drag Racing is special. It's a car museum for people who usually don't like car museums, because, dragsters aren't really cars. They're rockets, fired horizontally. Crazy people, like Big Daddy, strap themselves into them and hope to survive. Don Garlits did this so many times, and he did it so well, that he was voted the #1 drag racer of the last half of the 20th century.

Silver Springs State Park has been a natural landmark since the 1870s. As Florida’s first tourist attraction and one of the largest artesian springs in the world, the park quickly became renowned for the Glass Bottom Boat tours. A guided boat ride where guests could travel around the spring on a vessel with a clear bottom in order to view life underwater. Today, visitors still enjoy the Glass Bottom Boat tours on top of the same crystal springs that have been inviting for decades and sustaining a wealth of aquatic life. Silver Springs is often called the gateway to the Ocala National Forest, the second largest, most southern National Forest east of the Mississippi. The springs feeds into the Silver River, flows east from the springs to the Ocklawaha river. Designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1971, the park and the surrounding areas offer a wealth of cultural and historical significance. Dating back to the 1500's, when Indian settlers resided around the springs. A tangible reminder of their presence is a dugout canoe, that can be seen resting on the bottom of the Silver River. Years later, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto moved to the area, his visit is thought to be the first European to experience the area.

Just past Ocala is one of my favorite State areas ... Paynes Prairie State Preserve. Paynes Prairie Preserve is biologically, geologically and historically unique. This park became Florida´s first state preserve in 1971 and is now designated as a National Natural Landmark. Noted artist and naturalist William Bartram called it the great Alachua Savannah when he wrote about his visit to the prairie in 1774. Doug Spears, a great Florida Folk singer and song writer wrote a song with Paynes Prairie in it. That was the first time I heard about it, and had to learn more! His song 'State of Dreams' is about the "real" Florida, not the commercialized sections. The vast, lush cypress, pine and oak hammocks, farm land, cattle ranches, citrus groves and beautiful rivers and lakes.  It’s the Florida that Gamble Rogers told endless stories of and about which Will McLean and Steve Blackwell sang so passionately.  State of Dreams celebrates this largely ignored and unsung Florida that so few even know exists. A portion of the lyrics are ... "When you see the sunrise out across Payne’s Prairie with the spoonbills and the loons." He is right about the sunrise!

Just of I-75 is Big Shoals State Park which features the largest whitewater rapids in Florida. Limestone bluffs, towering 80 feet above the banks of the Suwanee River, afford outstanding vistas not found anywhere else in Florida. When the water level on the Suwanee River is between 59 and 61 feet above mean sea level, the Big Shoals rapids earn a class 3 whitewater classification, attracting thrill-seeking canoe and kayak enthusiasts. The State Park also offers over 28 miles of wooded trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing.

Crossing the FL / GA state line on I-75, we noticed that Florida is spending more money to erect a new sign. The GA sign, is a simple metal sign. A new fancy sign when you are departing a state, seems like a waste of money!

Did I mention that a while back we switched drivers and Charlie is the navigator and picture taker and I am getting "behind the wheel" time ... feels good! Charlie is even closing his eyes a little bit, so he is relaxed with me driving, that is a plus!

Valdosta is a south Georgia town, rich in history, boasting six Historic Districts and two individual listings on the National Register of Historic Places.  The six districts are the Valdosta Commercial Historic District, Fairview, North Patterson, Brookwood North, Southside and the East End.  In addition to these districts, Valdosta City Hall, Sunset Hill Cemetery, the Lowndes County Courthouse, the Carnegie Library and the Crescent are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Their historical foundation is particularly proud of its efforts to restore the Wisenbaker-Roberts House, Valdosta’s oldest known house.

Tifton is a unique name, where did it come from? In the mid 1800s, Captain Henry Harding Tift left his home in Mystic, Connecticut for the piney forests of South Georgia to harvest timber for the family shipbuilding business. Little did Captain Tift know that the sawmill he built to prepare the lumber for shipping, and the train tracks that were laid to ship the lumber would be the beginning of Tifton, Georgia. As Tifts Town (as it was known until 1890 when the name was changed to Tifton) grew, Captain Tift and his associates adopted the same town layout that Mystic, Connecticut had, with even numbered streets running east and west as one traveled north from the center of town, and odd numbered streets following the same suit as one traveled south. Tifton had no town square and the City was crisscrossed with rail lines, all heading from the center of town like spokes on a wagon wheel. The town boasted the same grand facilities as many small South Georgia towns a courthouse, a town hotel, commercial buildings and other features. Many of these buildings featured interesting interior and exterior architectural embellishments of the times. As the town grew, Tifton built an opera house, several silent movie theatres, churches, and saloons. At the turn of the century, a thriving community had evolved from the pine forests and electrical lighting was the rage. The Myon Hotel, built in 1906 was billed as the grandest hotel south of Atlanta, entertained many a guest in splendid surroundings.

While driving on I-75 to Florida you may want to stop at this small county park. It is the location where the only Confederate president was captured by Union soldiers. Most people believe the American Civil War ended on April 9, 1865 when Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union Army Commander Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House. In reality, the war did not officially end until one month later when fleeing Confederate President Jefferson Davis was captured by Union Troops at Irwinville, Georgia. When Confederate President Jefferson Davis and a few remaining staff members crossed the Savannah River into Georgia on May 3, 1865, they were headed for the Western theater of war where Davis planned to unite rebel forces and continue fighting for the “lost cause.”

On May 9, 1865, they camped in this pine forest, not knowing that pursuit was so close behind. At dawn, they were surrounded by two independent groups of Union cavalry who were unaware of each other’s presence. Gunfire ensued until the federal forces realized they had been shooting at one another, accidentally killing two soldiers. It was raining at the time, and Davis was wearing a shawl to keep his head dry, which gave birth to the rumor that he was trying to disguise himself in women’s clothes. Davis was eventually charged with treason and spent two years in prison before being released without a trial and given amnesty. Davis died in 1889 after writing about his capture in The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government. Today, a monument marks the spot where he was arrested. In 1939 in the midst of the Great Depression, the Works Progress Administration completed work on the Jefferson Davis Memorial Museum and Park in Irwinville, Georgia, which features Civil war weapons, uniforms, artifacts and exhibits about Davis and the Confederacy. The park features a granite monument with a bust of Davis that is located on the exact spot of his capture. It's an interesting monument when one considers it commemorates Davis’ failed rebellion against the United States Government.

Cordele, also known as "The Watermelon Capital of the World", is a city in Georgia just 100 mile north of the Florida state line on Interstate 75. Held annually in June, since 1949, the "Watermelon Days Festival" celebrates the bountiful summer harvest. It is a month chock full of good, clean, watermelon fun! Residents and visitors come to enjoy events such as the 4H Dog Show, Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest, Watermelon Horseshoe Tournament, Watermelon Fishing Rodeo, Watermelon Decorating Contest, Watermelon "Wedding Game", Watermelon Chunking Contest, Gospel Singing and much, much more. I am sure there are a few people doing the 'Watermelon Crawl' too!

In Vienna Georgia, there water tower bears the familiar motto "Cotton, is the fabric of our lives."
If you are looking for the "ultimate southern experience" you will find it here. Founded in 1841. The city is named after the Austrian capital but pronounced "vye-anna". Why people ask? "Because we're in the South, that's why!" This small city offers a quiet, friendly small town atmosphere steeped with local culture and tradition. You'll easily find fine antiques at great prices, unique collectibles, beautiful historic homes, and prime hunting and fishing opportunities, both in and around Vienna, Georgia. Of course, you cannot forget the barbecue! Vienna is home to the "Big Pig Jig" Georgia's official Barbecue Cooking Championship. Barbecue is not our only call to fame. You can delve into a rich history and culture and learn about Vienna's most notables - from a Hollywood screen writer, an Olympic athlete, governors, senators, poets, authors, and artists. Vienna has produced its share of unique and famous individuals. You can see some of their homes on a self guided auto tour. In January of 2005, all of downtown Vienna and the older immediate outlying neighborhoods were listed on the National Register of Historic Places. That is a large area to be placed on the register!

Unadilla Georgia has a saying that is painted on their water tower that needs to be taken to heart more often, than just in one small town in southern Georgia! "Unadilla, where people make the difference." People need to make the difference, everywhere .... it would make this world a much better place!













We arrived just south of Perry Georgia, at the Georgia National Fairgrounds, for 5 days of Georgia Fall Good Sam Rally fun! Stay tuned for more about that adventure!