#embracesouthernstates Archives - Embrace Southern States

JOYFUL SOUTHERN STATES MOMENTS

October 31, 2024 by angelchatt

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.

Carriage rides around a peaceful lake make for great photos.

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.

The simple beauty of an old covered bridge is captivating .

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.

Savannah’s Amethyst House is impressive & joyful architecture.

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.

Jackson Square in New Orleans equals excitement and happiness to me.

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!

Marion Square makes me think of … joy and truth!

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!

Statue of Elvis feels welcoming in any weather.

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.

Affogato makes my taste buds do a happy dance!

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!

Eerily compelling ruins of a once-grand Capitol.

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

Oddly beautiful magnolia stamens resemble matchsticks.

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.

Folk art touches my heart in a huge way, so does my handsome husband.

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.

Spinning whirligigs bring a giddy glee to folks like me.

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!

3 WORDS for BETTER ROAD TRIPS

August 27, 2024 by angelchatt

An old speech that I gave 50 years ago has inspired me to share these three simple words which could make your road trips significantly better. Are you curious to learn these three words? Discover how three words can make for better road trips.

Discover how 3 words can help YOUR road trips!

The “Discover” photo was taken in Ocean Springs, Mississippi… called the City of Discovery. https://www.coastalmississippi.com/

THIS REALLY HAPPENED

On August 8, 1974, I was about to approach the podium to give the valedictory speech for graduating summer seniors and guests. The high school principal suddenly announced that my speech would be pushed back a few minutes so that we could watch a live televised speech which would prove to be historical.

Then U.S. President Richard Nixon gave his resignation speech!

That was quite a hard act to follow, but I did.

THE THREE WORDS

The three concepts I focused on back then were meant to encourage and inspire my fellow high school graduates. Today those same three words can help travelers who seek more meaningful road trips.

The words are appreciation, anticipation, and adaptation.

APPRECIATION

Appreciation, in the context of our road tripping journeys, means to grasp the gratitude and validate the value of the entire experience. Take time to be grateful for your own research and planning, for others who may have given help or advice, and for every moment of your journey. Of course, you are thrilled about the joyful parts, but are you thankful for the lessons learned by the less-than-joyful parts?

I once did a 10-day road trip that included severe weather with debris blowing across the highway. While I was tense and conditions were worrisome, I later took time to be grateful for seeing a rainbow and for having no vehicle damage.

Have you ever kept a travel journal? Have you ever kept track of all the people, places, and things you can be grateful for during the journey? Or have you listed the things that happened which you truly valued? That sure can make your trips better!

ANTICIPATION

Anticipation… okay, can any of the other baby boomers automatically hear Carly Simon singing “Anticipation” right now? The very last line is so applicable as you head out on your exciting road trip, “these are the good old days!”

I love the sense of eagerness for something that is soon to happen! Someone hands you a wrapped gift that you can’t wait to open. A loved one prepares your favorite meal that you can’t wait to devour.

Jambalaya IS my favorite meal. What’s YOURS?

Photo taken in Middleburg, Florida in home of a loved one.

Give every moment of your road trip that same level of interest and enthusiasm. That one slight attitude adjustment can add so much value and depth to your travels. As you research your next destination, notice your level of anticipation about discovering all the best spots to gather and converse with locals or taste local food or enjoy local art.

Find where locals gather, and have conversations.

The above photo is from the campus of the Univ. of Alabama. https://visittuscaloosa.com/

This art @ the Welcome Center in Columbus, Mississippi. https://visitcolumbusms.org/

Then kick that level up a bit while finding even more joy in the journey.

Find JOY in the journey. Tallahassee, FL http://www.visittallahassee.com

ADAPTATION

Embrace the unexpected. Let joy be your choice even when it seems things are going sideways. What you may initially see as detours, setbacks, or challenges are often the perfect opportunity to embrace serendipity. By making the most of every moment, you will make desirable discoveries by accident.

One day I was riding with a friend around Joplin, Missouri. She took a wrong turn, and we ended up, quite unintentionally, in Oklahoma! There we got to see buffalo grazing on a Native American reservation. That’s how a minor mistake became a major memory! I also took a photo of Route 66 nearby for another fun memory.

Wrong turn/fun memory Rte 66 in OK https://www.travelok.com/Route_66

By staying flexible and by having a positive mindset you will certainly be better able to laugh off silly setbacks. Those unexpected twists and turns can help you embrace all the wonder of this thrilling adventure that we call life.

Even the smallest detail can add beauty and color to road trips when you use adaptation.

Adaptation adds beauty & color to road trips.

Photo taken in Hamilton, Missouri https://www.hamiltonmo.city/visitor-information

The 3 words that can make better road trips, what are they? If you learned that they are appreciation, anticipation, and adaptation CONGRATULATIONS! You got it right!

NEED HELP PLANNING A ROAD TRIP?

I sincerely hope you got some value from this post. If you EVER need ideas about wonderful road trips in the Southeastern USA, I am glad to offer help. I will (freely) give suggestions on under-the-radar spots to consider adding to your bucket list. I will even (for a tiny fee) help plan the details such as what highway, what to do, what to eat, and where to stay.

In the meantime, remember to check out the Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/embracesouthernstates

And photos on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/embracesouthernstates/

LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS SITE…because you care!

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Dang, y’all... JOY & THANKS!

WHAT’S YOUR JOY?

May 28, 2024 by angelchatt

What’s your joy? What are the numerous people, places, and things that thrill your heart? What makes your spirit want to sing?

Have you ever met people who are so positive and bubbly that it made you wish to know their secret? Did you ask them, “What’s your joy?”

April Meade shares what makes her so joyful!

With that kind of joy in mind, let’s take a closer look at a precious young lady whom I recently interviewed. Her name is April Meade and she just may be one of the most joyful people on the planet. See if you can relate to any of the things that bring her such joy. (Once you’ve read the article, please leave a JOYFUL comment, thanks.)

A PIECE OF ART & A NOTE

It all started with art and a handwritten note. April made a piece of art, a fanciful blue mirror that she named “Narcissus”, for an annual art auction called Artopia. I won the piece and was so impressed by the attached note that I wanted to meet and learn more about the artist. The sweet and sincere words said she loves to make beautiful things and is honored that a stranger likes her work. Her joyful note touched my heart, so I reached out to ask her to name a place for us to meet.

HER CHOICE OF WHERE TO MEET

She chose Honest Living Tea House and Café. Of course, this turned out to be a remarkably vibrant and joyful spot. It is full of herbs, tea, food, books, and musical instruments. There is also comfortable seating surrounded by walls full of locally made art. The lady who served us is Emily, one of the business partners. She is a big part of the joy at Honest Living.

THE MANY JOYS OF APRIL MEADE

Concerning art, April’s philosophy is to wait for the canvas to speak to her and tell her what to create. April said her next biggest joy is her best friend, Adriana.

She further states how nice it is to do gift giving and small acts of kindness for loved ones. The other things she discussed were drinks, food, her heritage, jobs, positivity, and places she loves to explore.

TRAVEL

That last one gave me the perfect opportunity to ask about travel and her current hometown of Tallahassee. She has lived in Tallahassee for six years and feels it is lively with tons of overlooked gems such as Lafayette Heritage Trail Park. She loves to visit Atlanta to see the jellyfish at the Georgia Aquarium. Her top bucket list travel spot is the Philippines, to learn more about her heritage on her mother’s side.

April says that she is both shy and an introvert. She credits her primary office job and her secondary bartending job with giving her the confidence to speak with people whom she otherwise would never have met. She believes that she is realistic, likes to comfort others, and tries to always give people the benefit of the doubt.

MESSAGE

Her message to the world is this, “Don’t take everything so personally because not everything is about you. However, be secure with who you are and always be true to yourself.”

EmbraceSouthernStates.com loved interviewing April Meade at Honest Living Tea!

DANG, Y’ALL… don’t you just love reading about folks like April? I sure do! (I can put you in touch with April if you request it.) Did this article help you reflect on what your joy is and how to increase it? Here are links to places that were mentioned. ARTOPIA (would love to see y’all at this event in June) https://bigbendcares.org/artopia/ HONEST LIVING TEA HOUSE AND CAFE https://www.facebook.com/HonestLivingLLC/ LAFAYETTE HERITAGE TRAIL PARK https://www.talgov.com/parks/parks-trail-lafayette VISIT TALLAHASSEE https://visittallahassee.com/visitor-services/ EMBRACE SOUTHERN STATES https://embracesouthernstates.com/

One more thing, be sure to watch her video here: https://www.instagram.com/embracesouthernstates/ NOW, leave your comment then GO FORTH AND BE JOYFUL Y’ALL !

DESSERTS ACROSS THE SOUTH

April 26, 2024 by angelchatt

Delicious desserts abound all across the southeastern United States. Today I invite you to come along with me as we consider a sampling of the most popular and luscious desserts. We will go alphabetically through the 13 states covered by Embrace Southern States. Are your taste buds ready for this totally tempting tour of desserts across the South?

No mud was disturbed and no possums were harmed in the creation of this post. Dang, y’all, let us know by your Comment when you figure out what this means! Here we go!

ALABAMA

The general consensus is that Alabama’s most iconic dessert is the Lane cake. The 22 ingredients include bourbon, coconut, raisins, and pecans. This writer has never had the patience to actually make one from scratch, but certainly loves the taste.

Another favorite is the humble pound cake. While it may appear plain, pound cake is easy to make and is moist and flavorful.

I discovered a new favorite in Florence, Alabama at the Odette restaurant https://www.odettealabama.com/. It is a strawberry-rhubarb cobbler with almond-oat crumble and topped with caramelized honey ice cream.

Strawberry-Rhubarb Cobbler, deliciously different!

ARKANSAS

Would you try Possum pie? It does not contain possum, but does have a creamy filling, chocolate, and whipped cream. This icebox pie is perfect for a scorching summer day.

The other top favorites in Arkansas are the super sweet pecan pie and the summer favorite watermelon pops.

FLORIDA

Key lime pie is number one in Florida, just ask anyone. But don’t ask them to explain how it is both tart and sweet.

Two of the most delightful contenders for second place are strawberry shortcake and, because Florida is known for oranges, orange crunch cake.

GEORGIA

One nickname for Georgia is “The Peach State” so perhaps it is only fitting that the favorite dessert is peach cobbler. The gooey goodness is best served hot with the option of an ice cream topping.

Another favorite is peanut butter pie.

I found a new favorite in Savannah, Georgia at Lizzy’s Burger Bar https://www.lizzysgrill.com/ . It is a boozy caramel milkshake spiked with Savannah’s own Ghost Coast Bourbon. Oh, so good.

KENTUCKY

The first choice in Kentucky is bourbon balls. These boozy little morsels are coated with semisweet chocolate.

Second place goes to blackberry cobbler and third place goes to fudge. This makes me want to spend more time in Kentucky.

LOUISIANA

Just saying the word beignet makes me happy. Knowing that these beloved little powdered doughnuts are the favorite in Louisiana… well, I’m ready to meet you at Café du Monde https://shop.cafedumonde.com/ anytime you’re buying!

The other two top desserts, bananas Foster and pralines, are also yummy beyond words.

MISSISSIPPI

The top two desserts across the South noted here are bread pudding and Mississippi mud pie. “Mud” in this case is a chocolate filling said to resemble mud by the banks of the Mississippi river.

Two other treats I enjoy are the sweet potato muffins from https://www.coffeehouseon5th.com/ Coffee House on 5^th in Columbus and the crème brulee from The Chimneys in Gulfport https://www.chimneysrestaurant.com/ .

MISSOURI

The “Show Me” state loves cake and ice cream. Gooey butter cake comes in first and is closely followed by coconut cake.

The history of the ice cream “cornucopia” or cone may have several versions, but we know it took on a starring role in the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. The ice cream cone never goes out of style, especially in Missouri.

NORTH CAROLINA

Sonker is comparable to cobbler and is so loved in Surry County, North Carolina that they celebrate a sonker festival every October.

Red velvet cake is another favorite that has several odd stories about how and why it got the red color and why it should be one of the desserts across the South.

A most tasty treat I enjoyed at Mash House in Fayetteville, North Carolina https://www.themashhouse.com/ is a butterscotch brownie with spiced rum caramel topped with coffee ice cream, yum.

SOUTH CAROLINA

There are too many choices with no clear favorite here. Top contenders include the Huguenot Torte (which is not really a torte) , benne wafers (made with sesame seeds), and sweet potato pie.

The best sweet treats I had on my most recent visit to Charleston https://lemacaron-us.com/locations/charleston/ were macarons from Le Macaron French Pastries on Meeting Street.

A macaron is light, colorful, and delicious.

TENNESSEE

Classic banana pudding is a favorite in “The Volunteer State” that looks especially decadent when the peaks of fluffy meringue are slightly toasted.

Nashville’s Standard Candy Company created the Goo Goo Cluster back in 1912. It was the first combination candy bar which includes caramel, marshmallow, peanuts, and milk chocolate https://googoo.com/ .

Chattanooga Bakery really started something “outta-this-world” when they created Moon Pie back in 1917. This marshmallow marvel still thrills dessert lovers today https://moonpie.com/about .

VIRGINIA

The top two preferred desserts of Virginia are said to be chess pie and funnel cakes.

I must let you know about affogato. Have you ever heard of it? https://geraldsicecream.com/ Gerald’s Ice Cream in Virginia Beach has perfected the Italian treat by pouring espresso over ice cream and a very precisely prepared whipped cream. This sensory stimulation is sweet satisfaction.

Affogato: ice cream (or gelato) “drowned” in espresso!

WEST VIRGINIA

According to several sources, the top two desserts in West Virginia are molasses cookies and apple spice cake.

Another favorite is the banana split. Rumor has it that you can order one in the town of Fairmont that weighs in at nine pounds. Get several friends to help you with that one!

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So, there you have it! We have delved into the 13 southeastern states and uncovered a total of 41 unique and not-to-be-missed desserts across the South! Now I am so hungry!

PLEASE COMMENT ABOUT YOUR FAVORITES AND WHICH ONES YOU WISH TO TRY! Also, share this article with every dessert lover you know. They will thank you for it.

For those who love EmbraceSouthernStates, remember to check out the Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/embracesouthernstates

And photos on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/embracesouthernstates/

TOO MUCH PERSONAL INFO IN A TRAVEL ARTICLE?

March 26, 2024 by angelchatt

When is personal info shared in a travel article “too much” ? Do you love to read exciting travel articles about your bucket list destinations? What about places you have never heard of, yet the article fuels your desire to visit there? How do you feel about writers who share lots of personal information such as age, race, disabilities, or financial matters? When does that seem like too much?

***Bucket List Destinations*** are SO Exciting!

WHICH INFO IS MOST HELPFUL?

A good travel article should help you discover tons of great reasons to start planning a trip to a new-to-you location. Of course, you want to know about the food, lodging, and attractions. But do you want to know the profile of the average visitor? Do you need or want to know whether the destination is easily accessible for those who use a cane or a wheelchair? Do you hope to learn the full range of room prices, from budget to luxury?

Yes, you want info on the best ***lodging***.

Consider this scenario; an over-60 female travel writer courageously keeps exploring despite battling osteoarthritis, macular degeneration, and anxiety. (For those who don’t know, that means she has bad knees, failing vision, and occasional panic attacks.) Can a good travel writer be authentic without oversharing? Should this type of travel writer share tips for others who may have the same issues?

***Cobblestone streets*** are scenic yet hazardous!

Tips from her may include which cobblestone streets to avoid or which restaurants are too dimly lit to even read the menu. Also, travelers may find it helpful to know how long it takes to drive from the most touristy area to the area with the largest number of hotels. I am convinced that sharing in a helpful way is fine, as opposed to simply sharing a sob story which may have little to nothing to do with helping others. I would love to know your opinions on when it becomes too much personal info in a travel article.

***Dimly lit*** spots make menu reading difficult.

SHOULD SOME TOPICS BE EXCLUDED?

Certainly, travel tips are meant to be quite helpful for others. Let me state a personal pet peeve here. I dislike writers who share too much info about their religion or politics. There, I said it! The two problems are that (1.) those topics are not travel tips, and (2.) people are too easily offended. Even wishing others a Merry Christmas or Happy Easter has gotten rude comments sent my way. Now I find it best to avoid statements which may be argumentative or controversial. As the lovable Lorax might suggest, proper respect for the environment and all living creatures IS helpfulness without oversharing.

***Respect & helpfulness***: “Fine-Somethings-That-All-People-Need” !

How do you decide whether there is too much personal info in a travel article? Have there been times when you found that so irritating that you did not finish the article? On the other hand, have there been times when the disclosed information proved to be helpful?

EAGER TO SEE YOUR COMMENTS

The questions I have posed do NEED to be answered. Dang, y’all, my hope is that YOU will leave your carefully considered COMMENTS that kindly share your real thoughts about how or why a writer should disclose personal information. That’s it. Now it is your turn to figure out the perfect amount of info you would like to share!

For those who love EmbraceSouthernStates, remember to check out the Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/embracesouthernstates

And photos on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/embracesouthernstates/

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS SITE…’cause you’re kind & you care! And, for goodness sake, SHARE – SHARE – SHARE so your friends can love it, too. Dang, y’all...JOY & THANKS!

10 Fave Photos from 2023

December 17, 2023 by angelchatt

Another year has flown by faster than expected! That means it is time to review some favorite photos. Let’s do a countdown! See if you would rank them any differently.

These 10 photos represent time spent in Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Missouri. They also let you know that I am partial to nature, murals, food, and abandoned buildings.

# 10

Railroad tracks have always fascinated me. They make my imagination run wild with thoughts of travel and new adventures. What do tracks bring to your mind? How long has it been since you last photographed a railroad track? This photo was taken in January around 4pm about a block away from my current home in Tallahassee, Florida.

# 9

This is a very small yet stunning swamp less than a mile from my home. I had to carefully scan the area for gators! Do you have any swamps or gators near where you live? Here’s a tip; don’t wear nice shoes because there’s a strong chance you will get bogged down in mud. This shot was taken at 5pm on a lovely January day.

# 8

Since I travel around the Gulf Coast a lot, it only makes sense to include a sweet and simple beach photo. This particular beach is along Highway 90 in Gulfport, Mississippi. That happens to be the town where I grew up. The scene was captured on an early morning in April. Are you a beach person? Have you ever been to Gulfport?

# 7

Well, speaking of Gulfport, that’s where this mural is. It was created in 2021 by Tricia McAlvain in memory of the Chandeleur Lighthouse. I love how up at the top it indicates all of the towns along the Mississippi coast. It was shot on the same April morning as the previous photo. How many of those towns have you visited?

# 6

Hamilton, Missouri is THE place for avid fans of quilts. The population is under 2,000 but it is full of colorful murals like this one and is called “Quilt Town, USA.” This photo was taken at 9:33am in April. I actually love all the shadows from nearby trees. Does this bring out your desire to go make a quilt? Do you own any treasured quilts?

# 5

Abandoned structures in all sizes and conditions are interesting. I especially love tiny shacks like this one found not far from Bainbridge, Georgia. The patina of the roof and the missing windows and boards make me wonder what critters may be living inside, or underneath. What does it make you wonder? Photo taken at 11am in March.

# 4

Inside the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri, is this huge and extraordinarily impressive mural entitled “Independence and the Opening of the West”. Artist Thomas Hart Benton painted it in the 1960’s and was an acquaintance of Truman. I took this photo in April at 1:45pm.

# 3

All of my senses tingle every time I see this photo. Again I seem to see those yellow and pink flowers as I smell the pizza and taste the wine. Life was exceptionally good that day at The Brick Oven in Hannibal, Missouri. What do you think of this photo which was taken on an April evening at about 6pm? Don’t you just love pizza?

# 2

Big Spring is located just south of Van Buren, Missouri, and is that state’s largest spring. This geological wonder is marvelous in any season. My attempt to capture this serenity was at 11am on a gorgeous April morning. Wouldn’t you love to be there and experience blissful peace? Big Spring is a true happy place and a total joy to behold.

# 1

God is a master designer, creator, and artist. His simple yet elegant lily pads have inspired countless artists, philosophers, and dreamers. On an early afternoon in March I took this perfect photo on a tiny country road near Tifton, Georgia. Do lily pads seem symbolic or at all significant to you? They make me smile!

You have seen how I ranked my top ten favorite 2023 travel photos. Would you have ranked them any differently? Let folks know which one is you very favorite and why!

For those who love EmbraceSouthernStates, remember to check out the Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/embracesouthernstates

And photos on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/embracesouthernstates/

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WANDERERS WARMLY WELCOMED

November 9, 2023 by angelchatt

Welcome Centers are a wonderful place to get out of the car, find a clean restroom, and find great travel information. Today I’m sharing info and photos of two of the most welcoming Welcome Centers which I frequent as a driver on Interstate 10. I’m including lots of reasons why you should see these two I-10 Welcome Centers and be among the wanderers warmly welcomed.

Alabama

Let’s say you have been driving East from the Mississippi Gulf Coast and need a stretch break with plenty to see and do. Set your GPS for 10226 Hall Road in Grand Bay, Alabama 36541. This beautiful and spacious Welcome Center was completed in 2016 and has been called the “Grandest of All, Like the Taj Mahal!” I kid you not, folks in Alabama really do say that!

As you approach, notice the many sea creatures and coastal theme of the artwork inside and out. Once inside be sure to look at the intricate details on the floor and the ceiling. Not only can you pick up brochures, but you can also ask plenty of questions that will be kindly answered by the great staff. They can even explain some of the Mardi Gras items on display and the facts about when Mardi Gras really started in this area.

Your fabulous experience at the Grand Bay Welcome Center will get you excited to see so much more of “Sweet Home Alabama” and there is SO MUCH to see. https://alabama.travel/

Florida

After you drive from Alabama and cross into Florida, you will only need to go about 4 miles. Then you will find the Pensacola (Escambia County) Welcome Center. First you will see a Blue Angel aircraft and several other great photo ops that you will want to post on your Instagram.

Check out the great info about native bear, panther, and other animals. Then check out the adorable artwork of flamingos above the entrance. You will find wanderers warmly welcomed here as the friendly staff will offer you a free juice and excellent recommendations on whatever you may wish to do in Florida.

Pick up destination info on beaches, museums, parks, swamps, and so many other great attractions you may have never even thought of before. Read a few outside at the covered picnic tables, take a brief walk, then enjoy the remainder of your journey as you reflect on wanderers warmly welcomed. https://www.visitflorida.com/

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