Did you know that there are beautiful and unexpected things which evoke joy and wonder in Central and South Georgia? This travel writer is a true Southerner and has lived in six southern states. So, when I recently married Tony, a man from New Jersey, I wanted to take him on a lovely honeymoon road trip to places he had never been and would never forget. Honeymoon joy and wonder in Georgia is possible, keep reading for details.
Windsor Hotel
This historic hotel opened in 1892, has won numerous awards for hospitality and preservation, and is on the National Historic Register. It has welcomed two American presidents, one Romanian president, numerous celebrities, musicians, and sports figures. Located in Americus, Georgia, it is a great hub for area exploration.
Georgia heart pine, Italian marble, and hand-carved golden oak combine to create a spectacular lobby. The breath-taking influences of Moorish, Islamic, and High Victorian in architecture and design are grand and luxurious.
Two of the suites are in a magnificent circular tower. We stayed in one of those wonderful circular rooms, the Carter Presidential Suite. And, yes, former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn have stayed there. I mailed a sweet letter to the Carters a couple of weeks before the honeymoon…find out what happened at the end of this article!
Rosemary & Thyme Restaurant
After checking in, our first stop was the hotel’s own gorgeous restaurant. In fact, we were running late for our reservation! But the staff was terrific, and our table was excellent. My husband Tony (I will get accustomed to calling him that) enjoyed the grouper while I savored the salmon.
I am so drawn to fancy ambiance, and this one includes cream and plum-colored wall panels, red ceiling, perfect white tablecloths, and view of a stunning grand piano complete with a silver candelabra. The simplest things just excite me, like the way the flickering of the little golden candle made my water glass sparkle. There are not enough positive words to say about how much I loved the entire experience of Rosemary & Thyme Restaurant.
Plains & Other Small Towns
What can you expect to see as you leisurely drive all over this section of Central and South Georgia? We thoroughly enjoyed meandering through these six counties: Crisp, Dooly, Dougherty, Lee, Marion, and Sumter. This was at the end of October. The most beautiful sight was large fields of cotton. Some was ready for harvest, while some had just been baled. There were also lots of pecan trees.
In Plains, home of former President Jimmy Carter, we took photos of murals and of the train depot. In towns like Buena Vista and Vienna we delighted in the beauty of the architecture and the nostalgia of those simple small-town vibes. Such sweet variety of honeymoon joy and wonder in Georgia.
Celebrating Art at Pasaquan
How do I even begin to explain or describe the Pasaquan experience? You need to know that Eddie Owens Martin (1908-1986) has been called a visionary, a dreamer, and an eccentric folk artist. He described himself as a creative man, a poet, and a fortune-teller. In a “vision” he saw futuristic beings who told him to build a sort of utopian Shangri-la to be called Pasaquan where he would be “Saint EOM”.
For many years he created concrete statues, mandalas, and various art forms which represented personhood, power, and world peace. Thanks to the Kohler Foundation, Columbus State University, and countless volunteers, Pasaquan has been preserved and is an internationally renowned art site. The current caretaker/tour guide is Charles Fowler. He does an outstanding job of enthusiastically sharing his appreciation for the artist and for this fantastic place. If you have not been, please add it to your bucket list. Any art lover would find a sense of joy and wonder at Pasaquan.
Celebrating Nature at Radium Springs
In Albany, Georgia, one of the most enchanting places you could ever imagine is hiding in plain sight. Radium Springs is one of Georgia’s seven natural wonders. This location has been a sacred ceremonial site for Indigenous people, and later a tourist attraction that included a grand casino.
Today visitors can still enjoy a peaceful and pleasant walk while viewing the fabulous stonework, columns, and trees. While you can’t see the underwater caves, you can see fish swimming in the blue water of the cool springs. Radium Springs has long been known as a place with healing properties, and you just might encounter that same sense of healing and serenity during your visit.
Conclusion
My hope for this honeymoon road trip was that it would be relaxing, fun, and filled with unforgettable beauty, wonder, and joy. The entire trip was awesome beyond expected and we will always cherish those memories. The honeymoon road trip in Georgia was, indeed, filled with beauty, wonder, and joy… plus art, food, nature, and lots of love. Every new experience was just like another dollop of icing atop a yummy cupcake.
We were thrilled the following week to get a note from Jimmy Carter in the mail. That was so sweet and special, like sprinkles of joy on top of that same silly cupcake.
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TO EVERY READER, please show some love and kindness by leaving a COMMENT. I deeply care about you and want to know how you enjoyed this article. Thanks. Here are some links to help you plan a trip to these destinations: Windsor Hotel https://www.windsor-americus.com/ Visit Sumter County (Americus & Plains) https://visitamericusga.com/welcome-to-americus/ Visit Pasaquan (CSU helpful info) https://pasaquan.columbusstate.edu/ Visit Radium Springs in Albany https://visitalbanyga.com/attraction/radium-springs-gardens
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