Our Annual Old Florida Trip: Thomasville (GA) & Apalachicola

Day 1

We’ll depart the South Carolina Upstate / Western North Carolina this morning, embarking on a drive through the Georgia Piedmont.  Stop in the pretty town of Madison for lunch, then continue to the “old resort” of Indian Springs.  We’ll explore the village with a local guide, and learn something about Creek Chief William Macintosh and mid-1820’s Georgia.  We’ll continue to nearby Forsyth, GA, for dinner at the renowned Grits Café and our overnight.

Day 2

Today, we’ll enjoy a pretty backroads drive to the interesting town of Fitzgerald, Georgia.  Fitzgerald was founded as a Utopian community after the Civil War, by veterans of both the Union and Confederate armies – who were bent on showing the world that recent “enemies” could live as neighbors and friends.  After lunch, we’ll continue our drive to Thomasville – one of the South’s “winter colony” settlements, and our home for the next two nights.  Winter colonies were southern communities – located on the railroad from “the north” – that became winter residences for a wealthy class who craved the mild winter climate, and enjoyed a social season of parties, hunting, and horses with their neighbors.  We’ll visit the Lapham-Patterson House (one of the original winter colony homes), and enjoy the hospitality of our own historic bed and breakfast inn.  Dinner and overnight, Thomasville.

Day 3

After a delicious breakfast, we’ll enjoy lovely visits and drives in the expansive countryside outside of Thomasville.  Highlights will include a visit to the fascinating Pebble Hill Plantation, a 1936 estate that offers great stories of its independent heiress and her impressive art collection, as well as spectacular grounds and outbuildings.  Dinner and overnight, Thomasville.

Day 4

We’ll depart Thomasville for points south today.  We’ll enjoy a morning visit to Wakulla Springs (Florida), where we’ll enjoy a guided boat tour on the wildlife-rich Wakulla River, and lunch in the 1930’s Edward Ball Lodge.  In the afternoon, we’ll drive into the St. Marks National Wildlife Reserve; and then continue on to Apalachicola and the lovely Gibson Inn – our home for the next two nights.  Dinner and overnight, Apalachicola.

Day 5

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at our inn.  Highlights today will include:  an excellent guided visit of the Ormond House; a boat tour of the Apalachicola River and Bay; and time to enjoy strolling and browsing in town – lovely homes and churches, and a lively boutique scene. Dinner and overnight, Apalachicola.

Day 6

We’ll depart Apalachicola, driving through one of Florida’s most splendidly scenic roads – north and back to Georgia.  We’ll have lunch in quaint Colquitt – home to the lovely “millennial murals,” which depict folk scenes from the area, then continue our drive to Plains, Georgia – the humble farming town that reached the national knowledge through its connection to President Jimmy Carter.  After exploring Plains, we’ll make the short drive over to Americus.  We’ll check into the Windsor Hotel – one of our favorite hotels in the South.  Relax at the comfortable hotel.  Enjoy the happy hour and dinner (together).  Overnight, Americus.

Day 7

We’ll depart the Windsor, and drive to nearby Andersonville. Tour the national historic site, which interprets the notorious Confederate prison camp that was established here in the last year and a half of the war.

Our driving route home will lead us Juliette, Georgia, for lunch at the Whistle Stop Café (think “Fried Green Tomatoes”)!  We’ll return to the Upstate / Western NC in the later part of the day, with great stories and memories from our journey.