Traveling to and through Florida DAY THREE

Georgia on my mind. Until yesterday my opinion of Georgia was based solely on two flashes through Atlanta on the life-in-your-hands six lane beltway followed by the interstate rush to Florida. Now I understand why the song, Georgia, can cause emotional response from deep within.

We are in North Central Georgia for a few days staying with our daughter and son-in-law who are lucky to live here. Stands of great pines, persimmons and crepe myrtle line roads and weave through residential areas. The foliage removes any sense of being near fast-paced Atlanta.

We wound our way to a magnificent natural site, Stone Mountain, just twenty minutes from our base. There a park with miles of paved trails surround the massive bare rock where a Civil War Memorial has been carved into the side. There, for all time, the effigies of Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson face the world as they once faced their enemies - profoundly staunch and fiercely proud. We sweat as we rode our bikes through trees, flowers, and along lovely Venerable Lake, up and down hills, wishing we had been more industrious about our workouts during the months prior, grateful for cool temps and a few clouds.
I like the land of Georgia very much. I doubt I would like it as much if I visited in hot and muggy July. No matter. I am here in October and happy.