Beautiful fountain and a beautiful park area in Shellman. Great to walk around after eating at the…read moreBack Porch.

A fountain located in Shellman, Georgia to pay tribute to the short life of Chelsea Rae Langford,…read morewho tragically chose to take her life at only twenty years of age in 2011. I found the fountain was beautifully tranquil despite the tragedy that began its creation. I did not know this young woman, but I whispered a prayer for her passing and mourned a life that truly had just begun.

Unlike the Red Oak Creek Covered Bridge in Woodbury…read morehttps://www.yelp.com/biz/red-oak-creek-covered-bridge-woodbury-2?hrid=A-Z2L_Yut9RzhqoVyWWNiQ, about 35 miles to the northwest, this bridge is not open to vehicular traffic. There isn't a need for it as a boring concrete bridge has since been built to parallel it and so this bridge will likely last longer assuming the creek doesn't flood again. The Auchumpkee Creek Covered Bridge was originally built in 1898 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The bridge has been restored twice, the most recent after it was washed out by the creek. The Georgia Department of Transportation rebuilt it entirely from the ground up in 1997. There are some picnic tables on each side and the bridge is easily accessible. No admission charge to visit and there is plenty of space for larger vehicles to park and turn. [Round number review 16700 overall - 474 in Georgia - 212 of 2022.]

I love covered bridges. Georgia has about 15 historic structures to offer and I've seen all but two…read moreof them. While there is something I love about each of them, I think Auchumpkee has the most picturesque setting of them all. Auchumpkee was originally built in 1892 using the Town Lattice Truss design. Its length between stone piers is 96 feet with an overall length of 120 feet. The original cost was approximately $1,195. The bridge was rebuilt in 1997 after being destroyed when Hurricane Alberto turned the creek into a raging river in 1994. It was dedicated in 1998 during the City of Thomaston's Covered Bridge Arts Festival. The bridge, although practically new in comparison to other covered bridges, is not open to vehicle traffic. Like many Georgia covered bridges, there is a parking area with picnic tables nearby. FINAL THOUGHTS Nothing is more pleasing to our family than spending time together. We love to research interesting off-the-beaten-path places, map a course and just get in the car and drive. If your family is the same AND you are visiting or live in the Atlanta area, I would suggest making a day of it by driving to Red Oak Creek covered bridge, Auchumpkee covered bridge and then a nice hike through Providence Canyon State Park. Great family memories with minimal cost. Both covered bridges are free. The canyon has a minor parking fee which is really your only expense other than food and gas. Get out and ENJOY!

Tifton is known as the friendly city and these are certainly not empty words. My husband and I had…read morea great visit to the city this weekend. I loved the historic downtown center because it had everything I like about a "downtown" center, (nice restaurants, performing arts center, a great bakery, furniture stores and a library all within walking distance). You can actually park your car in one spot and start exploring. The merchants and residents were very nice and always had time for conversation. It was just a very nice experience. We only had one bad experience, (the bakery being closed on the weekend), while visiting. You are officially being put on notice that you to get in by Friday so that you can get to Milady's bakery before you miss out. Although we were there on Friday, we had no idea that we would not have an opportunity to visit on Saturday as well. The mayor definitely needs to intervene. The most interesting character was the police officer who reminded me of the Terminator Cyborg that would morph into metal, (arms in position, walk and scan). Everyone in town has to know this guy because he is unmistakable, (fair complexion, light red hair). He was on duty at the Black in Arts Festival but he was policing like he was responding to a bomb threat. I bet he walked all twenty-eight acres. This guy was on the J-O-B and he was not playing! The city of Tifton is in good hands! Greatest experience was attending a talent show that was so positive and uplifting and should really make Tifton feel proud of the youth that performed. It was a great family event that just made you feel all warm inside. As you know, I am all about drinkable water and the restaurants in this town all had great drinkable water that was perfect for a warm day. Things I learned about dining out: Shredded cheese is code for Cheddar cheese and American cheese is standard. You must order all meals light on the cheese and oil/fat otherwise you will definitely have a problem. Oh yeah, I already have my itinerary planned for my next visit. Thank you Tifton for a nice weekend! See ya next time!

Manny is a twelve foot statue of a bass fish that proudly declares Eufaula, Alabama as the big bass…read moreCapitol of the world. I love these little snippets of Americana found on the highways and byways of our great country, these little snippets of local life found often just off the beaten path and just beyond the billboards and neon that strive to steal our attention.

What is not to love about Manny he is a giant fish. If you cannot find some love for Manny in your…read moreheart you should probably stay out of Eufaula no offense. Manny is the least offensive mascot on the planet even vegetarian's should love him because he was never eaten.

Eufaula, Alabama has proudly embraced that they are the "Big Bass Capital of the World." I do not…read moreknow if there are facts to back this claim, but Eufaula, Alabama does have some beautiful waterways that I am confident do possess some large bass (not to mention other fish). Eufaula, Alabama is also a pleasant city filled with small town charm. From what I understand, some of the movie "Sweet Home Alabama" starring Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas and Patrick Dempsey was shot in this picturesque hamlet. I enjoy my time in this small town place. If you find yourself in the area, stop by. Maybe try some fishing to see if Eufaula, Alabama lives up to its claim of the "Big Bass Capitol of the World."

THE BEST LEMONADE…read more Another favorite from our college days, that is still a favorite when we return. During warmer months we will get a slushee or ice cream, but the lemonade hits the spot even on cold and dreary days like today. We love shopping their retail, we always find something we didn't know we needed. We LOVE supporting this locally owned Auburn staple. Spacious and clean restroom for paying customers.

As we made our tour around the United States, stopping at different major college towns with proud…read morefootball traditions, we had to go by Toomers corner. The mock of fame markers were nice. TOOMER's drugstore was worth walking in, but otherwise in the real local college feel. There were multiple chain restaurants very little parking and nothing that really said college kid like University of Virginia corner Clemson downtown by the stadium or even five points at South Carolina I'm not expecting it to oxford in the Square but I was expecting something a little bit more. However, the campus makes up for an abundant beauty architecture, as well as the grounds are beautifully manicured . Perhaps if we were there on a game day it would be a bit more exciting after a win but just a random Monday special whatsoever.

It is just a little etching on brick colored piece of the sidewalk, yet it speaks of a moment of…read morehistorical significance. In February 9, 1889, Albany, Georgia was the first city to have an Edison municipal incandescent system in the south. This made the city famous and brought people from far and wide to see the wonder of the lights of the city. I love stumbling across these little moments on history.

Pine Mountain is small with nothing to do,…read morebut I love it because it's where I met my boo. So, there's always a soft spot in my cynical heart for the kitschy shops filled with touristy "art," and the secret back alleys, and the blacksmith shop, and how on Wednesday afternoons every business just stops. It's a nice little place where time runs super slow. For nostalgia and kitsch, it's a neat place to go.

Pine Mountain is a small town with very little to do. Most of the reason the city is still here is…read morebecause of Callaway Gardens. I don't want you to think that is a bad thing. The city is small, but nice with little shops adorning main street and some pretty good eats. Don't expect it to take take you more than a day to explore all of this city.

This mural shows pride to the small-town of Ozark, Alabama, located north of Dothan, Alabama. I…read morehave been coming to Ozark, Alabama for years now. It is a frequent Thursday night stop on my way home from business trips as it is only about five hours from home. Ozark, Alabama is a very pleasant town and I highly recommend checking out this mural if you are in town.

A bit of local history, this brass bell was hung in the clock tower of the courthouse from its…read morecompletion in 1902 until it was torn down in 1968. It still is proudly displayed by the town outside the courthouse. History is important. Our past always leads us to our future.