Central Georgia Day Trip
#1
11-04-2008, 05:33 PM
Central Georgia Day Trip
What a great day for riding in Central Georgia! Bright, clear day; temperatures starting in the 50's and up to the 70's. So I loaded up and left my home in Stockbridge, Georgia for a day trip to a couple of state parks, scenic roads, and historic towns.
First stop was Panola Mountain State Park, southeast of Atlanta, where the natural feature is a 100 acre granite monadnock (a fancy term for mountain I suppose). The leaves were in full splendor and the air was still crisp from the morning.
I seemed to be the only one visiting the park today, as most other folks were cueing up in the lines to vote on this Election Day.
Here's a photo from the Georgia State Parks website that shows a view from the top of the "monadnock". This is a state preserve, so you are not allowed to hike the mountain except during scheduled tours.
Next stop was the little town of Social Circle, best known as the location of the famous Blue Willow Inn restaurant. Southern Living magazine apparently called this restaurant "best of the south" or something like that. On weekends, pretty ladies dress in antebellum dresses and the buffet food is fantastic southern cooking. But not today - I have miles to cover and a limited budget, so my lunch plans look more like a convenience store.
So I stopped at a local diner and got lunch to go. Then headed east to Hard Labor State Park. This wonderful Georgia State Park boasts a golf course, camping, cabins, and a great lake for small boats and fishing.
Even my store-bought BLT sandwich seemed gourmet in the fine autumn setting of the picnic area!
After a two-hour lunch that included some study time for this week's sermon, I packed up and continued east to Madison, a small town that apparently Sherman missed in his famous march to the sea. The town is filled with coffee shops, quaint restaurants, and antique stores.
And of course, lots of old restored homes - classic!
From there, it was time to start meandering south towards home, so I took GA Highway 11, a State Scenic Highway through Mansfield and Jasper County. On the way, I stopped in to see the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, a mecca for hunters, fisherman, and wildlife enthusiasts.
If I remember correctly, this vast acreage was given to the state (i.e. citizens) by its namesake and is a popular place with many lakes, fields, and wooded areas. The visitor center is modern and has some great information and exhibits.
So it was a great day to be out on the bike, enjoying perfect weather and terrific roads!
First stop was Panola Mountain State Park, southeast of Atlanta, where the natural feature is a 100 acre granite monadnock (a fancy term for mountain I suppose). The leaves were in full splendor and the air was still crisp from the morning.
I seemed to be the only one visiting the park today, as most other folks were cueing up in the lines to vote on this Election Day.
Here's a photo from the Georgia State Parks website that shows a view from the top of the "monadnock". This is a state preserve, so you are not allowed to hike the mountain except during scheduled tours.
Next stop was the little town of Social Circle, best known as the location of the famous Blue Willow Inn restaurant. Southern Living magazine apparently called this restaurant "best of the south" or something like that. On weekends, pretty ladies dress in antebellum dresses and the buffet food is fantastic southern cooking. But not today - I have miles to cover and a limited budget, so my lunch plans look more like a convenience store.
So I stopped at a local diner and got lunch to go. Then headed east to Hard Labor State Park. This wonderful Georgia State Park boasts a golf course, camping, cabins, and a great lake for small boats and fishing.
Even my store-bought BLT sandwich seemed gourmet in the fine autumn setting of the picnic area!
After a two-hour lunch that included some study time for this week's sermon, I packed up and continued east to Madison, a small town that apparently Sherman missed in his famous march to the sea. The town is filled with coffee shops, quaint restaurants, and antique stores.
And of course, lots of old restored homes - classic!
From there, it was time to start meandering south towards home, so I took GA Highway 11, a State Scenic Highway through Mansfield and Jasper County. On the way, I stopped in to see the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, a mecca for hunters, fisherman, and wildlife enthusiasts.
If I remember correctly, this vast acreage was given to the state (i.e. citizens) by its namesake and is a popular place with many lakes, fields, and wooded areas. The visitor center is modern and has some great information and exhibits.
So it was a great day to be out on the bike, enjoying perfect weather and terrific roads!
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11-04-2008, 05:43 PM
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11-04-2008, 06:19 PM
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11-05-2008, 12:18 AM
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