Kennesaw Mountain

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is located just north of Atlanta off I-75. In 1864, Sherman launched an attack on the Confederate Army of Tennessee at the area now the scene of a national park. The name Kennesaw is derived from the Cherokee Indians and means "burial ground". This park encompasses more than 2900 acres and has an elevation of 1800 above sea level which makes the views toward Marietta and Atlanta worth the trip. But most people visit this wonderful park for the 16 miles of trails which includes war cannons and bunkers found along the way. Migratory birds use this mountain as a main stopover as well. So stop by if you love history or just want to hike and enjoy the outdoors. More information can be found at www.nps.org and www.georgiatrails.com.

Warner Robins Museum of Aviation

Warner Robins is said to house the crown jewel of Georgia, the Museum of Aviation. This is now the second largest Air Force museum in the US. Your tour will consist of the Eagle building housing exhibits, aircraft and archives; the Century of Flight Hangar containing an interactive theater and exhibits; Hangar One housing a simulator, restored aircraft, missiles and engines. If you are in middle Georgia (near Macon) then take the time to visit this great museum especially if you are an aviation fan. You can find more info at www.museumofaviation.org. 478-926-6870

The World's Largest Drive-in

In 1928, the original varsity opened and began hosting well known people from the entertainment industry, sports industry, Governor's mansion, White House and just regular folks from Atlanta. Georgia Tech is located across the street and on any given game day 30,000 people visit the Varsity.
As you enter this great establishment, read the menu quick and have your order ready as the famous chant begins, "What'll Ya Have" and you better be ready! All the menu items are made fresh daily and include some of the best drive-in fare around. Hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, onion rings, fried pies, shakes, chicken salad, egg salad, pimento cheese, BBQ and even salads. But you must first know some of the lingo, so below is you varsity chart.
Naked Dog - Plain hot dog
Red Dog - Naked dog with ketchup
Walk a dog - Hot dog to go
Heavy Weight - Hot dog with extra chili
Glorified Steak - Hamburger with ketchup, mustard and pickle
All the Way - Hamburger or hot dog with onions
Bag of Rags - Potato chips
Strings - Fries
Ring One - Onion Rings
FO - Frosted Orange Shake
PC - Plain chocolate milk with ice
Joe-Ree - Coffee with cream

So when I go to the varsity, I always order my fave: Heavy weight walk a dog with a FO and Strings. The Varsity is an Atlanta institution and loved by all. Come on by!
Located at 61 North Avenue in downtown Atlanta. Open every day except Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Since 1917, the Dillard House has been serving southern favorites to the masses. As an icon known to most Georgians, this is the place where we take the relatives to impress them with true Georgian recipes. What started out as a simple restaurant, has grown into a 70 room inn and more than 25 cottages and chalets. There are numerous activities in the area including horseback riding, swimming, tennis, fly fishing, carriage rides and white water rafting. Nearby you can visit Harrah's Casino, the town of Helen, Biltmore House and the Cherokee Village. When you are in north Georgia, visit the Dillard House in the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains for a great family experience. Located in Dillard, Georgia, www.dillardhouse.com. 1-800-541-0671. Check for more photos below of the beautiful area.

Dillard horses ready to ride!
Food fare at the Dillard House.
View of the Dillard House property.

Bull Sluice: Category 5 Rapids

Shooting The Bull:

The Bull Sluice is considered one of the most beautiful places to visit in Georgia. This is a category five rapid located on the Chattooga River in northeast Georgia. It is a popular destination for swimmers, sunbathers and kayakers. But its best claim to fame: featured in the film Deliverance.
Location: Highway 76 about nine miles from Clayton, Georgia.
Where to eat: The Dillard House (check back for info on this wonderful restaurant).

He Is Pregnant!

Congratulations! He is pregnant! Yes, the father Sea Dragon is pregnant at the Georgia Aquarium. The Sea Dragon, found off Australia, became pregnant when the female transferred the eggs onto his tail. So much is unknown about this creature, that the mating and pregnancy remains a mystery. There are approximately 70 eggs attached to his tail which hatch in four to six weeks. The babies are miniatures of their parents and are basically on their own when hatched.
As we say in the south, "Don't that beat all!"

Go Ahead! Wine!

Go ahead and wine! Georgia is blessed to have steep hillsides along with a great climate for growing grapes. In the 1800's before prohibition, Georgia was known for it's vineyards and wineries. The two oldest, Chateau Elan and Habersham, began production in the 1980's and in the last five years vineyard acreage has tripled. Follow the wine map above to visit some of the best vineyards in the state. go to www.georgiawine.com for more information.

Let's Eat Cake !

Some of the best cake bakers in Georgia are listed below. Brides are known to flock to these cake bakers for that special wedding and groom's cake. Pictured left is the famous caramel layer cake from Piece of Cake in Atlanta. The great thing about this baker is the retail shop and the convenience of dropping by anytime to pickup a treat. The location in the heart of Buckhead helps keep this place busy with locals. See below for more famous cake bakers.

Spanish Lemon Cake by Cecilia - www.ceciliacakes.com - Located in Athens
Minette Rushing Custom Cakes in Savannah - www.Savannahcustomcakes.com
Cake Design by Caryn Nash -www.Carynscakes.com - Located in Atlanta

Good Eats! Vidalia Onions

Vidalia onions are mmmm good! These onions were first grown near Vidalia, Georgia in the 1930's. Vidalias are an unusually sweet onion due to the low amount of sulfur in the soil. Varieties grown are recommended by the Vidalia Onion Committee and approved by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. The "Vidalia Onion Act" was passed by the Georgia legislature in 1986 and limits the production area to twenty counties. In 1990, the Vidalia onion was named Georgia's official state vegetable!

But the best part are the recipes! I have included my favorite, Vidalia Onion Casserole.

Vidalia Casserole:

5 to 6 medium onions
1 stick of butter
1 stack of Ritz crackers, crumbled
4 oz. grated cheddar cheese
Parmesan cheese

Melt butter and saute onions until limp, do not brown. Place half of onions in 8 x 8 casserole dish, sprinkle with a little parmesan and half of cheddar. Add 1/2 of Ritz and then repeat layers. Bake at 325 for 20 minutes. Very good! (This only works with sweet onions).

IT'S SPECTACULAR !!!!

Relax on the lawn and enjoy a spectacular laser show in suburban Atlanta at Stone Mountain Park. The laser show has been a popular attraction for 25 years and includes the music of several Hollywood movie scores. In honor of its 25 th anniversary, the show has an improved sound system, pyrotechnics and new tunes. Before the show starts visit the many attractions in the park including the Swiss cable car ride to the top. You will pass by the Confederate carving and enjoy wonderful views of the surrounding area. Visit www. stonemountainpark.com for all the latest events, fees and attractions. Following the show, you will enjoy a spectacular fireworks extravaganza and hear the famous song, The Devil Went Down To Georgia! Enjoy your visit!

Don't Miss The Boat !! Shrimp From Georgia

If you have never visited Darien, Georgia, then include this great seafood town on your next trip to the Georgia coast. This is the place for wild caught shrimp fresh from the trawlers as they come into the docks at the end of a long day. Wild caught Georgia shrimp is packed with flavor, rich in vitamins and packed with protein. When savoring this shrimp, you will detect a sweetness to your palate that can never come from imported farm shrimp! Always ask for wild caught shrimp so you can savor the best! Below are recipes for your next shrimp fest:

SHRIMP BISQUE: Peel and clean 2 pounds shrimp, add salt and pepper, saute in saucepan for three minutes. Add: 1 can cream of celery soup, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 1 can mushrooms, 2TB butter, 1 pint light cream. Bring to boil and simmer 5 minutes. mmmmm!

GRILLED SHRIMP AND VEGGIES: Place in your aluminum foil bag: 3 to 4 pounds peeled and cleaned shrimp, 2 vidalia onions, 1 stick butter, 6 cloves garlic crushed, 1/2 pound bacon pieces, 2 pounds veggies (you can soften the veggies in microwave for just a minute) such as zucchini & squash. Place on grill until shrimp is pink and veggies soft. Make sure bag is sealed.

Atlanta Botantical Gardens

The Atlanta Botanical Gardens is a wonderful collection of plants that are used for education, research, cultivation and pure enjoyment. This garden encompasses over 30 acres and is located in the heart of Atlanta. Through the year they sponsor many events, tours, lectures, etc. for all plant lovers. Below are some of the current events happening at the gardens.

• May - September: Every Thursday evening 6:30-10:00pm, Cocktails in the Garden, Dj on site for this event.

• May - October: Sculpture in Motion, 25 kinetic sculptures from 16 different artists on display.

• May 10 - May 11: Rose Show

• May 10- May 11: Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour, sponsored by the Atlanta Botantical Gardens. Tours of private gardens throughout Atlanta.

• May 17 - May 18: Bonsai Show

• Every Tuesday: Tuesday guided tour, 1:30 - 2:30pm

• Concerts in the Garden, 8:00 - 11:00pm: May 30, June 20, July 11, July 18, August 1st

All events have admission, so please check www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org for more information.
Atlanta Botanical Garden
1345 Piedmont Avenue
Atlanta, Ga. 30309
404-876-5859

Five of the Top Inns of Georgia

All of the inns shown below have won prestigious awards and are part of the top ten list of inns in Georgia. All of these inns are located near great activities from the southern part of the state to the mountains in the north. Consider an inn the next time for your vacation!

The Claremont House - 906 E. Second Avenue - Rome, Ga. - www.theclaremonthouse.net.
Victorian gothic house built in 1882.
Dawson Street Inn - 324 North Dawson Street - Thomasville, Ga. - www.dawsonstinn.com.
Holly Court Inn - 301 South Alexander Avenue - Washington, Ga. - www.hollycourtinn.com.
Mrs. Jefferson waited here for her husband's return after the fall of Richmond.
Beechwood Inn - Clayton, Ga. - www.beechwoodinn.ws.

Glen Ella Springs Inn - 1789 Bear Gap Road - Clarkesville, Ga. - www.glenella.com
Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Paris On Peachtree

The High Museum of Art located on Peachtree Street, in the heart of Atlanta, is now showing a masterpiece collection from the Paris Louvre. This series is part of an ongoing relationship with the Louvre that includes three different exhibits over a period of three years. This current exhibit runs until September 7th and is titled "The Louvre and the Ancient World." You will see art beginning with the third millennium BC and running through the third century AD. Some of the more spectacular pieces are an Egyptian papyrus, pottery from 540 BC and the ten foot long Tiber sculpture circa AD 100. This marble statue of a river god was discovered in 1512 and is one of the most magnificent statues of the period (pictured above). Don't miss this wonderful exhibition as many of these works have never been seen in the United States until now. Reservations are suggested. www.high.org, 404-733-5000.

LEVI ROSE: Country Music Buzz

LEVI ROSE! One of the best new duos to hit Nashville! Alisa McCance and Jason Salzer have teamed their talents to become one of the new and upcoming star duos of Nashville. Alisa's angel-like voice accompanies Jason's gravelly voice well and their fiddlin' and guitar playing just puts the topper on the cake! Alisa is a home grown Georgia girl while Jason hales from Kentucky. Not only do they sing like nobody's business, but they also write all their own songs. They are a duo not to be missed and you can find their schedule at myspace.com/levirose. Check out the IMEEM track in the right column for the music of Levi Rose!

Also more Levi Rose and their new recording contract video: youtube.com, then search in the box for Levi Rose.

CHATEAU ELAN - A Winery & Spa in North Georgia

Chateau Elan is a beautiful winery and resort located 30 minutes north of Atlanta, Georgia. This resort encompasses 3500 acres of beautiful rolling hills and has become a national award winner for their fine wines. Not only are there beautiful vineyards, but the resort has many activities for the whole family to enjoy. They have two 18 hole championship golf courses, a spa mansion of 30,000 sq. ft., equestrian center, tennis center, rock tower, cooking events, winery tours and the best part, you also can live there! Beautiful homes from the $400,000 to over 1 million are available all around the community with many having views of the golf courses. So if you are in the area, stop by for the afternoon or stay for a long relaxing weekend and you will not be disappointed. The Panoz family will be glad to have you visit and are expecting you soon!

Tallulah Gorge - A Scenic Wonder

Sheer granite walls fall perpendicular to the surrounding land forming steep cliffs to the river below. This was north Georgia's first tourist attraction in the 1800's and was sometimes visited by 2000 people a day. The train depot sat on top of one of the most scenic cliffs along the gorge. This scenic view was changed forever after the takeover by Georgia Power in the early 1900's. But the river flow was somewhat restored in the 1990's by the governor and a state park was formed. This is one of the best natural wonders in Georgia and you can find more information along with the history at www.ngeorgia.com.

Movie buffs: In 1971, Jon Voight climbed out of the gorge as part of the movie Deliverance.

SPRING EVENTS IN GEORGIA

Spring is such a special time in Georgia and it is just around the corner. The weather is the best and the gardens begin blooming in March. Below is a list of some of the special spring events in Georgia. Happy visiting!

1. Annual Southeastern Flower Show - Jan. 30 - Feb. 3
2. SEC Basketball Men's Tournament - March 13-16
3. Peaches to Beaches Yard Sale - March 14-16
4. St. Patrick's Day Parade in Savannah (2nd largest in US) - March 14
5. Savannah Music Festival - March 20-27
6. Callaway Gardens Spring Celebration - March 22 - April 20
7. 26th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon - March 28 - Apr. 6
   
8. Atlanta Steeplechase - April 12
9. Tour de Georgia - April 21 - 27

You may google any of these events for more information.

Georgia Golf

Georgia has over 300 golf courses across the state from challenging to five-star resorts. No other state gives you such an opportunity to be a part of the history and heritage of the game of golf. Georgia is also home to golf legend Bobby Jones, born in Atlanta in 1902 and retired from golf at the ripe old age of 28. He was considered a child prodigy and won his first tournament at age 6. Another famous part of golf history is the Savannah Golf Club, the oldest in the country with a conception date of 1927. But the most famous of them all is The Masters of Augusta, the world's most prestigious golf tournament. Below are the three big tournaments in Georgia this year, be sure to visit if you love golf!

1. The Masters of Augusta National - April 7 - 13
2. AT&T Classic, Sugarloaf at Duluth - May 15 - 18
3. The Tour, East Lake Club - Sept 22 - 28
   

OAK HILL - Home of Martha Berry

Welcome to Oak Hill and the Martha Berry Museum, one of the finest attractions in Georgia! Martha Berry was raised in Rome, Georgia at the beautiful home of Oak Hill. She was very conscious of the need for education among the children of the nearby mountains. Her early vision was to educate children in order to provide a path out of poverty. She devoted her energy toward a school for boys that included a work program. Berry College was eventually the result of her vision and remains as a work related college today. You can tour Oak Hill as well as the nearby buildings that were the beginnings of the school. Be sure to also see the Martha Berry Museum and the Colonial Revival Gardens. And for those of you that are movie buffs, Oak Hill was used in the movie "Sweet Home Alabama" for use as the family mansion. You may find more information at www.berry.edu/oakhill/. Enjoy your visit!

OKEFENOKEE! SWAMP AT ITS BEST!

The Okefenokee Swamp is located in southern Georgia and encompasses 438,000 acres (see map below). There are 60 named lakes, 70 islands and 370,000 acres of declared wetlands. There are over 230 species of birds, 49 species of mammals, 64 species of reptiles and numerous species of fish and amphibians. If you love the outdoors and nature at its best, you need to visit the Okefenokee.
Native Americans occupied the swamp as early as 2500 B.C. The last tribe, the Seminoles, conducted raids on settlers and in 1850 were driven into Florida by General Charles Floyd. The Okefenokee was declared a National Wildlife Refuge in 1936. Due to the vastness of the swamp area, you need to be sure to bring your incidentals and plenty of gas in the old automobile. The location is isolated and will definitely encompass a full day of travel and sightseeing. Boat tours are available and can include night tours through the swamp. Camping, hiking, fishing, hunting and boating are all activities you can enjoy while visiting. Be aware that there are five different entrances and each entrance offers different activities, so call ahead for information or visit www.okefenokee.com. 912-496-7836.

Above: Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge Location