Dateline Dayton – I can’t believe it been four weeks since the start of our Florida vacation on March 13. I want to share with you highlights of our adventure.
On Tuesday, the 13th, we started by visiting Phil in Rome, Georgia, on Highway 27, in northwest Georgia, 72 miles northwest of Atlanta and 75 miles south of Chattanooga.
Phil showed us around the lovely town of Rome and told us about some of its rich history. We visited Phil and Patty’s uniquely beautiful home, which has salvaged woodwork and two front doors. Overlooking a small lake, it affords a great view, floor to ceiling windows in the kitchen and the dining rooms.
After touring their home, the four of us proceeded to the Homestead Restaurant, where Pauline and I shared ribs that tasted out of this world. Normally, I don’t eat ribs. But I am glad I decided to share an order with her.
Later, we resumed our tour of Rome, ending at Berry College where we would be spending the night. What a place – the world’s largest contiguous college campus, spanning 26,000 acres of woodlands, meadows and streams. The college administration buildings look as though they were moved from a hillside in England. Beautiful!
Our accommodations for the night had served as the college’s cow barns, until they were relocated in 2001. Now part of the Win-Shape Retreat Center, these, rustic buildings don’t offer television or radio, just soft music from a CD player. The Normandy Complex, built at the height of the Great Depression, between 1931 and 1937, is operated by the family foundation of Chick-fil-A, Inc. The 155-person facility hosts events for church, marriage, corporate, education, medical and military groups for nine months. In the summer, it is a kids’ camp.
On Wednesday, we went downtown and visited Rome’s Historical Museum, where, gratefully, I was able to purchase postcards. After the museum, we were on our way to Pine Mountain and a visit with Jan and Mel, where we were spending the night.
Jan fixed a great supper, although my plan was to take them out for dinner. Due to Mel’s work commute to Atlanta, during the week he prefers to come home and relax. I can’t blame him.
On Thursday, Jan gave us a tour of Callaway Gardens, which, you may recall, I wrote about last September. The gardens, 13,000 acres just outside of Columbus, were conceived in 1930 after Cason J. Callaway discovered a rare Azalea growing in the area.
Today Callaway Gardens has all kinds of educational and recreation facilities, as well as a butterfly center, a horticultural center, surrounded everywhere by lovely flowers.
Jan did an exceptional job leading our tour; however, Mel claimed he taught her everything she knows.
After lunch at the barbeque hut, we were on our way to Florida.
(To be continued)
Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net