Do you know what I wish for you? The answer is joyful adventures in Southern States filled with thrilling moments of pure bliss. Those unforgettable times of exploring a destination and forming a vivid new memory filled with beauty, awe, wonder, and happy tears of complete joy!
So, to be clear, the theme of this photo essay is: how you can experience these joyful moments in Southern States. I will share links to the where, then you decide when to go do the doings for yourself. Before you go, I’ll gladly answer questions and help you plan a great trip. After you go, please let me know how you enjoyed it, okay?
MUCH BEAUTY TO BEHOLD
Hopefully we can all agree that beauty is a matter of personal opinion and preference. You may prefer the art of Monet, while I lean toward Van Gogh. You may prefer a ballet, while I find beauty in the sweet and simple things of life that make every day a grand occasion.
Every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Bradley’s Country Store https://bradleyscountrystore.com/ hosts an Old Fashioned Fun Day. Bradley’s has been a North Florida tradition since 1927 and generations of folks love their nostalgic store, their sausage, and their annual fun day. I love the beauty of the carriages leisurely circling the peaceful lake as the greenery of the trees is reflected on the water. That’s one way we enjoy life’s simpler beauty in Tallahassee, Florida.
Just off State Route 79 about a mile west of Cleveland, Alabama, you will find Swann Bridge Road. Pull over to take some photos of the Swann Covered Bridge that was built in 1933 with a captivating lattice truss design. See https://www.historic-structures.com/al/cleveland/swann-covered-bridge/#google_vignette for details. Look closely while visiting and you will likely see folks fishing or kayaking. In this charming spot you can appreciate how something so practical can also be so exquisite.
A FEW FAVORITE PLACES
How “Southern” are you and how much joy can you handle? I strongly encourage you to be SURE to experience the joyful Southern States moments in these next four places.
Words most often used to describe Savannah, Georgia, include fascinating, haunted, historical, and unique. Each time I visit I focus on a different aspect such as the architecture, riverfront, food, or fountains. Steps away from the fountain at Forsyth Park view the incredible architecture of the Amethyst House, https://www.amethystgardensavannah.com/ an 1880’s Victorian mansion on Gaston Street, which is now a lavish and popular Inn. Savannah is filled with impressive and astonishing architecture.
A joyful day in New Orleans, Louisiana, really should include a casual stroll around Jackson Square. https://www.neworleans.com/listing/jackson-square/32150/ Music, laughter, art, and excitement … they all seem alive here. To let the good times roll in this happy place, walk across the street to Cafe du Monde for an order of beignets and chicory coffee. Try it, and let me know what you think!
Next time you visit Charleston, South Carolina, enjoy Marion Square https://www.charlestonparksconservancy.org/park-finder/marion-square/ and the fountain located at Calhoun and King Streets. Colorful shops surround it as playful sculptures of frogs and other creatures enhance it. What I find intriguing are the “4-way Test” questions https://the4waytest.com/history-of-the-four-way-test/ on the benches. Everything about this spot makes me think deeply about how much love and joy I find in the USA, especially in our South. And that’s the truth!
Did you ever imagine spending time alone with ELVIS ? In the town of his birth (Tupelo, Mississippi) I spent an hour with him (OK, with a statue of him). People were scarce after a recent snowfall. As you can see from the photo, the statue is in front of the Tupelo City Hall. Tupelo https://www.tupelo.net/ is lovely with tons to discover. Thank you, thank you very much!
AWE AND WONDER
Next are three completely different joyful moments of profound awe and wonder.
Have you experienced the taste sensation of affogato? Have you ever even heard of it? https://geraldsicecream.com/ Gerald’s Ice Cream in Virginia Beach, Virginia, has perfected the Italian treat by pouring espresso over ice cream and a very precisely prepared whipped cream. This sensory stimulation is sweet satisfaction with a rush of awe and wonder. If you plan ahead, you could sit down for a pleasant conversation with Gerald himself. Go ahead and add this to your bucket list!
Turn your thoughts to history as you gaze upon ruins. Tuscaloosa served as the Alabama State Capital from 1826 to 1846. This once-grand Capitol later was part of a college that burned down in 1923. If you happen to be out walking at the crack of dawn and literally stumble upon this, as I did, I’m betting you will find it eerily picturesque and compelling. Capitol Park
About 27 miles south of Columbus, Georgia, on Hwy 27 sits a tiny historic district where a town named Antioch had been renamed Louvale in 1886. The area has four churches, one museum, and only a few other buildings. https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Louvale,_Georgia After a heavy rain, I was admiring the trees. The magnolia stamens looking like scattered matchsticks were oddly beautiful. Do you agree?
BRING ON THOSE HAPPY TEARS
These final three photos represent joyful Southern States moments that brought me so much happiness that I really did cry happy tears. I deeply hope you will be able to feel that same emotion when you visit these destinations.
Near the little town of Buena Vista, Georgia, find the completely colorful one-of-a-kind place known as Pasaquan. https://www.columbusstate.edu/pasaquan/ Several acres of visionary folk art will thrill your senses and fuel your imagination. Take a tour led by Charles Fowler to learn about the legacy of “St. EOM” and hear amusing anecdotes about his bizarre hobbies. The man in the photo is my husband, Tony, and this was part of our honeymoon road trip.
The 2-acre Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in Wilson, North Carolina is a folk art lover’s paradise. Over 30 large whirligigs with hundreds of moving parts of aluminium, steel, wood, and assorted moving parts are sure to bring a smile to your face at any age. https://www.wilsonwhirligigpark.org/ As they spin and turn with the wind, your eyes will light up and you may even feel both gleeful and giddy!
Capturing a stunning sunrise on camera is something I look forward to on my road trips. On an April morning in Palatka, Florida, this superbly perfect sunrise over the St. Johns River brought the biggest and most joyful tears I had cried in years. Afterward I took my mother on a tour of Palatka’s famous murals http://www.conleemurals.org/murals.html . It was her birthday, which made me cry more happy tears.
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What do you think? Which photos best caught your attention or filled you with a sense of adventure or joy? Let me know of any questions as you start to plan your own road trip to any of these great destinations. There are unlimited possibilities for joyful Southern States moments and I try to tell you about a whole bunch of them!
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Dang, y’all... JOY & THANKS!
Made me wanna jump in the car and go
Hope we can do some going and doing together, soon! Thanks for reading!
Beautiful! Informative post, didn’t know about this annual event or some of the mentioned sites. Thank you!
You are beautiful for reading and commenting, thank YOU !
As usual, your words and photos never cease to impress and delight me. As a southern gal transplanted in the Midwest, your beautiful photos of Charleston and Savannah make me want to return there. That Palatka sunrise WAS superbly perfect. Thank you for taking the time to write this. Keep up the great work!
To impress and delight is a wonderful thing. Thanks for being a huge fan!!!