Blog 'Round the South

“On the Road in the South”: DAY 1 – FL to Albany, GA

southerntravelnews — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:58:58 +0000

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

Snowing in Houston?!

southerntravelnews — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 11:25:59 +0000

Heading back from Luxury Travel Expo in Las Vegas on Friday, I was flying on Continental Airlines through Houston. My connection flight to Tampa was set to depart from Houston at 1 p.m., but the airline had cancelled other Tampa flights that day due to approaching bad weather. I was buying a deli sandwich to take on the flight when I looked out — to both my Christmas season delight and my traveler’s mindset horror — and watched huge, fluffy snowflakes begin to fall. To someone who lives in the South and in a destination that hasn’t seen snow since the 1970s, it’s a joy to behold. Well, it can be if you’re not driving or flying! As we waited at the gate, the snow became more intense, but the airline began boarding the flight. By the time everyone was seated and ready to go, my cabin window was pretty much covered by the white stuff. One could still see through a small area of the window. I noticed the wings now had a good two inches of sleet and snow. Ice on a wing is deadly (remember, Air Florida’s accident in DC in the 1980s). So I was relieved when the captain came onto the PA system, telling us the plane would need to be deiced. He also said Houston didn’t have snow very often so they were working to set up the equipment. To pass the time, the flight attendants handed out free headsets and announced that “Aliens in the Attic” would be the movie. While initially that selection wasn’t greeted with huge cheers, I chuckled in watching how many adults soon were glued to it and laughing at the tiny aliens and their antics. Another hour passed, and the visibility outside was dropping, the snow coming down in buckets. The captain again came on and said they now had two lines for planes to be deiced and were taking 10 at a time. But it wasn’t yet our time, though, so up went a second movie Julie and Julia (or something like that) … Finally, the plane began to move away from the gate. The planes, the ramp, the terminal, everything was white. Another half hour or more went by before we taxied into position for what I’d call “the car wash” — essentially the deicing station. As the plane rolled into position, huge pressure equipment spewed hot water with antifreeze onto the plane’s wings. It was something to see. In some spots, the ice wasn’t easy to remove. But after about 10 minutes, the plane was clean and we taxied out to the runway. We left about two hours and 15 minutes late. Frankly, I wouldn’t have thought we’d have made it at all. As the plane lifted off, I could see local streets that looked icy. I was just happy to be en route to Tampa. My cousin lives in Spring, TX, but she likely couldn’t have come to pick me up in such bad weather. The flight landed in the rain at Tampa at about 6:15 p.m. My bag also made it – although it was soaking wet, likely from the snow on the ramp at Houston. All in all, Continental did a good job — at least with my flight — in difficult circumstances. And, for a brief moment, watching snowflakes flutter down in the South, was a surreal experience and a bit of a holiday treat. For travel stories about the South, visit www.southerntravelnews.com.

The “Wow” Murals of Dothan, AL

southerntravelnews — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:30:51 +0000

Dothan, AL, is home to spectacular murals including this one showing a little girl dressed in white and holding a floral bouquet.

About a year ago, I planned a trip to Biloxi, MS, and en route home to Florida, I motored off I-75 for a brief visit to Dothan, AL, in the heart of Peanut Country. What an eye-opening experience?! If you head anywhere through this part of southeastern Alabama, don’t miss the wonderful downtown murals on Dothan’s building facades.

From scenes of southern life to portraits of native Americans, European explorers, and American heroes (including the Tuskegee Airmen), Dothan’s mural deliver a sense of history. Visitors will also peruse murals depicting the peanut industry, cotton fields, the railroad era, and major local events. It’s, frankly, the best street art I’ve ever seen. The colors are vibrant, the scenes compelling.

: This mural (a portion shown here) showcases the Women of Dothan, AL.

If you’d like to view more murals and learn more about Dothan’s superb street art, I’ve written a much more detailed article that showcases nearly all the murals with many more original photos. The murals are visible to visitors year-round, but there is also a Dothan Festival of Murals in early May. I’ve seen a lot of travel sights, but Dothan’s murals are unforgettable. They’re akin to visual storytelling, and discovering them — out in the open and free to view — is one of those off-the-beaten path experiences that makes travel so rewarding.

Loving Those Gentle Giants

southerntravelnews — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:17:14 +0000

: Florida residents and visitors alike enjoy peering at manatees at the Big Bend Power Station’s Manatee Viewing Center.

It’s cold in Florida and that’s good news for residents and tourists who want to see manatees in the wild. Those lovable, lumbering marine mammals typically head for the warmest water they can find in winter. Often, that’s an electric company warm water discharge canal. So about two weeks ahead when the weather turned a bit nippy here in central Florida, I headed out to the Big Bend Power Station Manatee Viewing Area in Apollo Beach, FL. Visiting this seasonal attraction is fun and free! Watching the 1,000-pound manatees surface – their snouts poking out of the water as they breathe or their flippers turning in the water — is a great family activity. You might check out my original story about the manatee viewing experience on SouthernTravelNews.com. When you go to the power plant site, however, you’ll be viewing manatees as they surface. You won’t have underwater views. If you want to see the full animals in their underwater world, head for the Lowry Park Zoo, which has a wonderful underwater manatee viewing area. The zoo charges admission, though, so if you’re seeking a free eco-activity, head for Big Bend. It’s just off I-75 at the Apollo Beach exit. I always take out-of-town visitors here for a brief visit, and they love it. While the manatees are the stars, you’ll also likely see birds and fish. I spotted Snook and a Great Blue Heron on my recent trip. The site also has a small museum and a nature walk experience. If you enjoy nature, this is a great spot for a 30-to-90 minute eco-experience.

Free and Fun: Travel Needn’t Always Be Pricey

southerntravelnews — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 09:32:28 +0000

Lately, we’ve all heard a lot about StayCations, those trips close to home that allow us to re-charge our batteries but don’t eat up our wallet at the same time. Often it’s the simple things in life that have the most kick, years later when reminiscing about “the good ole days.” I recall trips to Cambra, PA, to my Aunt Avis’ house to “burn leaves” — yes, a chore for the family — but fun for me and my cuz Pam who enjoyed romping and basically destroying the mountains of leaves as much as raking them. So it is with vacations. Many times, you remember the romp in the surf with your siblings, the stop along the road for viewing wildlife or a trip to the airport to watch planes take off. Travel isn’t always about pricey trips to exotic locales. It isn’t simply about planned vacations with every detail arranged. It’s about spontaneity, being with people you love, and enjoying the simpler — and often surprising – things in life that are fun and fanciful. It’s about learning, exploring, and going beyond yourself. It’s about seeing new sights and meeting new people. And about getting out of your comfort zone to feel a part of something bigger in the world. So this week head for the beach, the mall, the local state park, the museum with a free evening entry, or a fun festival. Eat more ice cream. See more sights. Dream more dreams. And smile at the wonders of life, often simple things that don’t have a price.

Seems Like Old Times

southerntravelnews — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:40:55 +0000

I recently flew US Airways home from Dover, England to the U.S. after a cruise. So with great interest, I read an editorial by Scott McCarthy in the Wall Street Journal on July 22 about how US Airways has turned its worst place on-time performance into the best. The transformation has been quite amazing, actually. It just goes to show what improvements in airline performance CAN be accomplished when someone at an airline in a high position actually decides something is worth tackling. Of course, I have no illusions that the changes weren’t designed to help the company’s bottom line, but certainly they went a long way to assure that customers get to where they’re going on time. I formerly worked as director of PR-marketing for US Airways in management the early 90s (dating myself I know!) and the world of the airline industry has changed 100 times over since that era. Today, as a reporter I tend to get reader complaints or discouraging statistics when it comes to airline news. These are simply a fact of life in the airline industry. So, today I took a breath and enjoyed the Journal’s business “take” – showcasing a feel-good, go-get-um attitude at the airline — detailing about how a team of people with high-level management commitment went after a goal and accomplished it. The editorial is both interesting and well-written. Getting back to my recent US Airways flight home from my cruise, however, I must say that I was in US Airways’ Envoy class not in the back of the bus, for sure. So I can’t vouch for service in coach. But up front the service was quite good. The flight attendants were friendly, competent and, most importantly, really seemed to care what guests thought of the new dining menu. Other factors, though, needed similar attention. The uniforms were dated and, worse, frumpy for the level of professionalism the flight crew was projecting. The Envoy class seat was awful – basically what I recall in business class from the 90s….or at least it seemed the same to me. Mine was also skewed (bent) at the bottom so it needed maintenance. In otherwords, the seating was not comfortable and really not in the same league as what I experienced on Delta going to Europe on this same trip. But overall the good US Airways service was what I remember the most, a plus for the airline. Delta too had very good business class service; its flight attendants were very professional, well-trained and the “leader” in a red outfit gave a sense of the old airline aura of a purser onboard. She greeted guests by name. The Delta seats were much better. The Delta amenity kit was also better, while the US Airways one for business customers equated to what coach customers used to receive on transcontinental flights… The food on both airlines was — incredibly in my opinion – quite tasty and well-presented. Anyway, for a point in time, given the good service on both flights, it “seemed like old times” in the airline industry – at least for a moment. Perhaps that’s precisely how the airlines need to get back to basics, just taking it one moment by moment. EditorLady (www.southerncruising.com and www.southerntravelnews.com)

Off the Beaten Path: Micanopy, FL

southerntravelnews — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 14:43:27 +0000

The last time I drove through Micanopy, FL, earlier this year, the tiny town looked just about the same as it had the time before…and the time before that. The appeal of Micanopy is its historic landscape and laid-back feel. It never seems to change. Peruse the antique shops, stroll by historic buildings, and definitely take a gander at the stately Herlong Mansion B&B. The town center is just a five-minute drive off I-75, so if you’re headed south of Gainesville to the Tampa area, look for the sign to Micanopy. Park downtown and walk the three or so blocks that comprise the downtown core. It’s great for an hour’s diversion.

Also, if you’re into eco-fun, head for nearby Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. It’s a cooler spot. The enticing park boasts hiking trails, a watch tower for great views of the grasslands and forests, a small exhibit building, and a host of wildlife including bison, re-introduced as a species (they were native at one point). If you go, keep your eyes peeled. We spotted deer right along the trail in front of us. But when you visit, keep moving. Don’t stand still. I had a less-than-welcome encounter with a recluse spider that took a chunk out of my leg. He or she (not sure which) crawled up my leg while I was standing on the trail waiting for a friend to come back down from the watch tower observation deck. But hey, we tend to forget, this is Florida. It’s still a jungle in many ways. I ended up in the hospital ER and needed antibiotics to combat the spider’s poison, which caused an infection. Still, I go back to the preserve, a place of natural beauty, whenever I get in the area.

A nearby attraction also not to be missed is the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Homestead (her grave site is about 10 miles away as well). Interested in the world of Cross Creek? Then check out our original story by freelance travel writer Diane Daniels at http://www.southerntravelnews.com/NewsRelease.aspx?NewsId=687. Definitely take an hour or an afternoon to explore the sites of quaint Micanopy. It’s one of my favorites if you’re seeking to find the real Florida of old – away from skyscrapers, amusement parks and crowds. Susan (www.southerntravelnews.com)

StayCations – Not a New Concept

southerntravelnews — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 11:01:35 +0000

Lately, the television anchors in local markets drone on and on about StayCations. Yes, these close-to-home choices for vacations are a great idea. Yes, we’ve even promoted them on our own sites — talking about fun travel close to home. In the melt-down (or melt-up as it might be more correctly phrased) of gasoline prices, people are desperate to take their vacation, but are now seeking travel that’s more around the corner than across the state, across the nation and across the world.

But hey, this isn’t a new concept. I used to call it the “We don’t ever look at what’s in our own backyard until we get company from out of town” syndrome. Years ago when I lived in Crystal City, VA, I’d never visited the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C., despite living just across the Potomac. It took a visit from my parents from Pennsylvania and their friends from Wisconsin to get me to venture across the bridge and take in the memorial.

Why is it that we never really explore what’s right down the street? We miss so much. Today, I’m here in Tampa and I’ve never done the Taste of Pinellas (as in county, just across Tampa Bay), never been to the Tampa Museum of Art and never gone to the big Gasparilla pirate invasion festival. It always seems that there’s something else to be done at home.

Planning a BIG trip is what I think of for vacation. But these days, even a brief mental break — for just a day or a weekend — can be refreshing. So, last weekend, I headed out to the Ybor City Farmer’s Market on a Saturday morning. It was just for fun but I told myself that getting fresh veggies was the real reason. Yes, the tolls cost me nearly $4 to get there, the gas a similar amount, but we did buy fresh veggies (at good prices I might add), listened to the music, strolled along vendor booths and then drove around the historic neighborhood a bit. It wasn’t an earthshaking experience but it was fun. I noticed the Hilton Garden Inn just a block up from the market locale; that would have been a great option for a Saturday night stay. Then we could have combined our market visit with evening entertainment, dining and perhaps a movie at Ybor.

Getting in the Staycation concept isn’t that easy I find. Personally, I tend to plan and plan and over-plan and then travel in a big way. At times, a simple visit to a local attraction seems a come-down. Where is the grand vacation? Where’s the wow? That said, I wonder when “close to home” equated to ”not as good” in my mindset? That said, throughout this past week, we talked fondly about our visit to the market. So, the brief getaway had staying power at least as a discussion point among family and friends.

Hey, I think I could get into this concept! It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Fantasy of Flight in Lakeland, FL. I’d like to get over to see the Florida Air Museum near there as well. We even have friends in the area. It’s only an hour’s drive. Perhaps in the next two or three weeks…let’s see how it goes. Cheers! Susan www.southerntravelnews.com