Editor’s Note: This is a first-hand journal of my trip through the South and along the East Coast in fall 2009. I kept a diary along the way, but given the fast-paced nature of the trip and schedule of appointments along the way, we opted to publish this chronological blog upon my return. You’ll find it updated here two or three times a week. So check back often!
On the Road in the South DAY ONE: Riverview, FL to Albany, GA
We’re off! Yes, yours truly loaded just finished loading 11 pieces of luggage, equipment and food cartons – including a huge cooler — into my tiny, but mighty 2008 Honda Fit.
Accompanied by my mom, I’m now driving north on I-75, en route from the SouthernTravelNews.com office in Riverview, FL, in the Tampa Bay area. We’re headed into heart of the Southeast, north to Pennsylvania and back, and we’re taking a cruise from Baltimore — all in six weeks.
Our Trip Itinerary
During this 3,400-mile road journey, I’ll traverse and explore portions of Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The cruise “break” on this trip is to cover the CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. annual conference of affiliated travel agents on a seven-day Carnival Pride cruise from Baltimore to the Bahamas.
In addition, I’ll briefly visit with friends and relatives in Pennsylvania, enjoy the Bloomsburg Fair and admire the landscapes of the Pennsylvania Dutch country. I’m also looking forward to exploring my hometown, Hershey, the sweetest place on Earth.
I’ve planned many scheduled stops in the South — meetings with tourism officials in such popular destinations as Albany, St. Simons Island and Macon, GA; Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, TN; Richmond, VA; and Columbia, SC, among others.
Also on tap for this journey? We’ll explore several key Civil War sites in the South. We’ll sip savory vintages within western Virginia’s wine country. And we’ll admire the lovely murals of an off-the-beaten path spot, Lakeland, GA.
Day One: Tampa Onward
Officially, Google MapQuest has provided a total time for today’s drive as five hours and four minutes. The journey is 325 miles one-way.
Today, our first day out on the road, we’re headed for Albany, GA, birthplace of blues singer Ray Charles and southern cooking diva Paula Deen.
I’m looking forward to exploring this southwestern Georgia city tomorrow. That’s the joy of travel, isn’t it? I love to discover new places, meet new people and learn new things. I absolutely never tire of it.
As we motor northward, we soak in the lovely scenery around Ocala. From the road, it’s easy to view well-manicured farms, white picket fences and gorgeous thoroughbreds grazing in the fields.
Many people don’t realize that Florida is a top horse breeding state. Ocala’s 600 thoroughbred farms have produced 45 national champions, six Kentucky Derby winners, 20 Breeders’ Cup champions and six Horses of the Year.
However, if you feel the need for a faster speed, consider an easy I-75 “on-off” diversion — a visit to the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing.
A bit further north, your antiquing side (if you love antiques and old furniture as I do) will have many enticements. It takes all I can muster to avoid turning off the Interstate at sleepy Micanopy, a lovely, tiny town that’s a bit of Florida of old.
I love Micanopy’s small-town feel, antique shops, and its old-fashioned look; the town, incidentally, was the setting for the movie Doc Hollywood. But alas, nothing can keep me from my appointed driving mission today – so it’s on to Albany!
Just north of Micanopy, we admire the waving grasslands of Florida’s Paynes Prairie State Preserve, which makes an affordable, interesting side trip if you have the time. The preserve offers gleanings about the area’s ecology and native American history. Several years back, the preserve re-introduced Bison, once native to the park. And while I’ve never seen a bison here, it’s neat driving along wondering if one of the fuzzy, big critters is somewhere nearby.
Heading into North Florida
Soon, we’re viewing the outlying commercial strip areas of Gainesville, the ultimate college party town. This is green-and-orange, Tim-Tebow-proud country at the University of Florida. If you have the time, stop off to explore one of the city’s superb museums or tour around the town, with its college flair.
Once in the Gainesville environs, we tell ourselves we’ve officially “arrived” in North Florida. No brass bands are here to greet us. But it’s worth noting the locale, as this part of the Sunshine State occupies an interesting piece of geography. It’s tucked north of Central and South Florida’s tourism playgrounds with their pulsating nightlife, high-rise resorts, theme parks and, at times, Latin feel. Yet, it’s also just south of southern Georgia, a part of the Deep South, where traditional southern culture reigns and life is a bit more relaxed.
Yes, North Florida is also home to Pensacola and Jacksonville, we know. And it certainly has its share of Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico beach resorts. But we most enjoy our travels here when visiting laid-back, low-key places, odd towns and unusual attractions. We happen to love Steinhatchee and its Steinhatchee Landing Resort.
To explore these and other off-the-beaten path places within the west central area of North Florida, check out tourism information from the Original Florida at www.originalflorida.com
For today, though, we are heading north. More antiquing action beckons as we arrive in the Lake City area. One popular haunt for me is Webb’s Antique Mall.
But we drive on and under the I-10 interchange. If you opt to explore a bit more of North Florida, you might head west on I-10 to quaint DeFuniak Springs or perhaps for the attractions of Tallahassee, the state capital city.
Georgia On My Mind
With the Georgia border looming ahead, we press on. Fondly remembering the fanfare of our family photo stops at state border signs when I was a kid, we cross into the Peach State. This time, however, we don’t stop.
Did you know that Georgia actually took on the peach as its official state fruit in 1995? Clearly succulent peaches have always been a state agricultural crop, so not sure why it took so long.
Interestingly, though, California and South Carolina actually produce more peaches. Still, the Peach State produces succulent fruit during the period from mid-May to August.
After a brief stop for brochures and a restroom break at the “packed” Georgia Welcome Center, we call our soon-to-be dinner companion from the Albany, GA, CVB that we’re running a bit late. In a short while, we’re exiting I-75 and driving west toward Albany.
Eyeballing the farmland, we’re in the heart of a rich agricultural area. Actually, Plains, the home town of former President Jimmy Carter, is just a half hour beyond Albany. We plan to overnight in Albany and see many of the city sites tomorrow. I’m particularly looking forward to visiting the RiverQuarium tomorrow. Albany is billed as a place where history and nature flow, an interesting concept.
Luggage and Seafood Tales
Arriving at the Country Inn & Suites, we’re tired and hungry. Fortunately, the hotel has a sturdy luggage cart that I borrow to cart our 11 — yes, 11 — items.
These include suitcases, smaller bags, a big cooler, small backpack and transport wheelchair (which we use when mom can’t walk long distances; she’s mobile otherwise).
Because my cute little 2008 Honda Fit doesn’t have a trunk, just a fold-down rear seat, all luggage is in full view. I did buy two soft black throws at Walgreens on sale and they cover the stuff nicely but I don’t feel comfortable with the odd shape. It still looks like something is under the blankets, a bit too enticing for a potential thief.
So I find right from the get-go, it’s a challenge for loading and unloading at various hotels along the way. I should explain (as I normally travel very light — really, truly I do!). I have two bags for myself and two for my mother, plus one carry on each. Not bad for six weeks on the road, considering we’re going to visit both warm and cold climate cities.
Going from the South to Pennsylvania, and then on a Bahamas cruise from Baltimore in late fall requires a lot of diversity in clothing. Plus, I need casual, resort casual, business and formal attire, different depending on the locale.
Let’s just say the mass of baggage comprises two things I can’t do without in life – computer equipment and food. Murphy’s Law? My fairly new laptop computer started having a communications problem shortly before this trip. I was unable to pull up WiFi or wireless access. I had one expert look at it, but he couldn’t figure it out either. Avoiding the expensive desire to just buy a new laptop, I brought an older one we had, but that computer’s screen had died. So I haul along the office desktop monitor. Presto, I have a system that works, albeit in a bulky fashion. I also need camera equipment and accessories including chargers for myriad electronics.
In addition, I knew I’d be writing a lot on this trip, and thus spending a lot of time in my room. As a self-employed entrepreneur I also needed to save money on the road by not dining out all the time. So we had two suitcases and a backpack filled with food brought from home (cereal, snacks, bread, canned soup, deviled ham, canned tuna and so on) and a huge cooler with orange juice, sodas, milk and fruit on ice. It all seems so smart – until I have to begin unloading it. But once that’s finished we can relax.
Out and About in Albany
Soon after we arrived at the hotel, with its cozy lobby and friendly staff, Liz Gray, the director of marketing and communications from the Albany Convention & Visitors Bureau, arrived to accompany us to dinner.
Off we went in her car — thank goodness as I was weary of driving — to a rather nondescript seafood restaurant called The Catch. It didn’t really have a sign. But the locals know where it is… and it was a definite surprise…in a good way! We sampled the fried grits and I’m typically not a grits person. The seafood was tasty and succulent. Wine pairings were very nice and the staff is only too happy to point out what works with what.
The specialty is fresh fish and seafood, and you won’t go wrong ordering just about anything here. For more about The Catch and as a sneak peek of tomorrow’s blog, read about Albany in our full-scale feature article, entitled Albany: A River Runs Through It.
Second Day’s Blog Coming in a Few Days…. Next on Tap is:
Day Two: Albany, Andersonville and Warner Robbins … and On to Macon
Thomas Butler
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