2026 April 3, Gibbs Gardens Buc ee's, and Stone Garden

 We were up by 4 and on the road by 4:30 A.M. We stopped at Jack's in Athens for a restroom break. 

Ava spent the night so she could go with us. 

Our next stop was McDonald's in Scottsboro. 

Ava and I both ordered sausage biscuits and Coke.

Hibby ordered a big breakfast, and we spent $12.55 cash.

We arrived at Patches Merchant Emporium around 7 A.M. and began loading onto bus 3010, Eagle Christian Tours, Rome, GA, driven by Donna, with Susan Black as our Guide. 

We had to make a stop at around 8:10 at the Walmart in Fort Payne to pick up additional passengers. 

Our first restroom stop was in Adairsville City, GA, about 11:03 A.M.

We arrived at Gibbs Garden around 12:30 P.M.

Gibbs Gardens 

A 376-acre (152 ha) privately owned botanical Garden located in Cherokee County, Georgia. 

The Garden started on 200 acres (81 ha) of farmland and woodland along Yellow Creek Road in Cherokee County. Jim Gibbs purchased the land from Broughton Banister in September 1980. Over the years, Mr. Gibbs purchased additional adjacent parcels, bringing the total to 376 acres, including 40 acres in Pickens County.

The Garden opened in 2012 and has 6 feature gardens and 18 seasonal color gardens.

We ate lunch and used the restrooms before entering the gardens.

For lunch, Ave ordered a hot dog, a chocolate chip cookie, and a drink.

Hubby and I split a Rosemary Chicken Salad, Cheetos, and a drink. 

We had around three hours to cover the grounds. We walked through the buttercups, tulips, and the Japanese Gardens. By this time, Hubby's hip was hurting, so we walked back to the welcome center, where he talked to one of the guards.

Ava and I walked to the Gibbs Home, which was climbing up a steep hill. We had to stop a couple of times to get our breath. 

I was well worth the trip. The grounds around the home were breathtaking. 

We began our descent down the steep hill, taking our time. 

We stopped at the restrooms and gift shop before heading to the bus. We saw two snakes in the gardens. 

Neither a black snake nor a light brown snake was poisonous.

We stopped at Buc-ee's in Calhoun for a restroom break and dinner, which we ate on the bus. 

Ava got chicken fingers, fries, and Coke. Hubby got a club sandwich and banana pudding, which we shared. 

I was not very hungry, so I ate a few of Ava's fries, a couple of bites of club sandwich, and some of the banana pudding.

We loaded onto the bus and rode to the Rock Garden, located at 1411 Rome Rd, Calhoun, GA. 

Rock Garden:

This volunteer-built, folk art pleasure is a must-see! In addition to the acre of flowers and greenery, there is the captivating artistry of more than 50 diminutive buildings. The structures, all crafted from tiny stones, pebbles, shells, odd pieces of broken glass and china, rocks, ceramic tile, cement, wire, and other materials, are designed to imitate their larger counterparts. There are wee-sized churches, houses, castles, a monastery, cathedrals modeled after the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, with stained-glass windows, and minikin porcelain figures of people and animals, some as small as 2 inches. A real-people-sized music pavilion towers over it all, added to serve as a venue for music performances. Open daily from dawn to dusk.

We played bingo on the bus. Hubby won the first game. I tied with someone in one game and won a chocolate chip cookie. 

We dropped off the group in Fort Payne and headed to Scottsboro.

We stopped at McDonald's in Scottsboro for a restroom break before heading home. 

We arrived home around 9:30 P.M.

It was a great trip, but a long day. Everyone fell right into bed. 

4538 Bus 3010 Adairsville, GA @11:03 AM

4539 Reinhart University GA @11:54 AM

4540-4656 Gibbs Gardens Ball, GA 12:45–3:47 P.M.

4657-4678 Travel 3:48–3:57 P.M.

4679-4686 Buc ee's @4:49-5 P.M.

4687-4737 The Rock Garden Calhoun, GA 

4752-4758 Moon 9:49 P.M.

2025 Aug 23: 7:30-5 PM Backroads Tours, LLC Day Trip to North Georgia Jukebox Revue From Madison.

We stopped at McDonald's to use the restroom and get some breakfast. We both ordered an egg, chees, and sausage burrito, which we ate on the bus. 

Hubby drove us to Gabe's in Madison, where we boarded bus #451622, Spirit Coach of Huntsville, Alabama; our driver was Eddie. 

Our group leader, Kelley Wolfe, checked off everyone on her list as we boarded the bus. 

We headed to Scottsboro to pick up two more passengers, and by 8:30 A.M., we were on our way to Ringgold, GA, to watch a two-hour musical called Junkbox Review—a Musical of '50s and '60s music. 

We had premier front-stage seating at the Colonnade Performing Arts theatre with popcorn included.

The entertainers were Brittany Angel, Avery Biddle, Jimmy Lee Bryant, Matt George, Tom Hacker, Allie Hasty, Michael Headlamp, Aston Kidd, Jonathan Linton, Patton Locke, Jeremiah Parch, Jonathan Ruff, Ethan Slaughter, Levi Witt (Rudy Clark), Ferryn Wright, and Lauren Zachary.

Rudy performed as Red Skelton (Freedy the Free Loader); he also did Gomer Pyle and Boy George's "Tip Toe through the Tulips."  

The Performers 

The Performers 

After the show, we loaded onto the bus and headed to South Pittsburg, where we enjoyed a late lunch at the Big Bad Breakfast.

Hubby and I sat with Veronica and her friend at lunch. 

I ordered a Belgian Waffle with strawberries, blueberries, whipped cream, and syrup. Hubby ordered pancakes and soda. 

Belgian Waffle 

After lunch, everyone toured the Lodge Skillet Museum and shopped at the Lodge Skillet store. We bought The Naked Bee orange Blossom Honey collection, which cost $13.95 plus tax.

Very large Lodge Skillet cooking a fried egg

Spirit Coach 

The Lodge Characters (dog Lucky), (Ferrous), and Panelopie  

 

Back on the bus by 3:30 P.M. for an hour ride to Scottsboro to drop off two passengers, then onto Madison, another hour ride.

We unloaded the bus at Gabe's in Madison and headed home for another hour ride. 

On our trip, we shared experiences with old friends and made new friends. 

1723-1740 @ 10:47-1:56 P.M. Georgia Time Eastern 

1741-1744 @1:31 Tennessee Time Central

1751-1807 @ 1:45-3:18 P.M. The Lodge Skillet Museum and Lodge Store 

1754 lunch at Big Bad Breakfast  @2:14 P.M.

Coach: Spirit Coach #451622 Driver: Eddie 

2023 Feb 22-24, Amelia Island, Kingsley Plantation, Fernandian Beach, St Augustine, FL. and Fountain of Youth (Diamond Travel ) 5 Days with Anderson Travels, Hueytown, AL

Day 3: Wednesday, February 22

Breakfast at the hotel consisted of a cinnamon roll, sausage, milk, and cranberry juice.

Meet our guide, who is loaded onto the bus for an hour-long ride to Kingsley Plantation, which is located on Fort George Island along the St John's River. Two roads lead to the site: Palmetto Avenue, a dirt road that is often in rough condition, and Fort George Road, a paved road that is subject to flooding during weather events and extreme tides.

 Kingsley Plantation  and our guide

The birds we heard were House Finch,  Yellow-rump Warbler, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-throat Warbler, Carolina Chickadee, Northern Cardinal, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Boat-tailed Grackle, and a couple of Peacocks.

We had about 45 minutes to tour the house, barn, gift shop, and gardens, during which we spotted a gopher tortoise.

Loaded back onto the bus and headed to Amelia Island, where we walked along the sandy beach.

Amelia Island Beach and sand

Loaded back onto the bus and headed to Fernandina Beach, where we walked through the town and stopped to eat lunch at "The Happy Tomato," where Hubby and I split a club sandwich, potato chips, and a couple of bottles of water.

Club Sandwich with Lay's Chips

We walked along the pier, where we saw a great gray heron and heard several grackles.

We saw several House sparrows and a yellow-tailed warbler.

Wall of Gray Butterflies 

Town of Fernandina Beach 

Loaded back onto the bus and headed back to the hotel to freshen up.

Our last stop for dinner was Apple Bees, where I had grilled Chicken, a Caesar salad, and Chicken.

FIESTA LIME CHICKEN

Grilled chicken glazed with zesty lime sauce and drizzled with tangy Mexi-ranch is smothered with a rich blend of Cheddar cheeses on a bed of crispy tortilla strips. It is served with Spanish rice and house-made pico de gallo.

Day 4: Thursday, February 23, 

Breakfast at the hotel is a cinnamon roll, biscuit, and gravy, accompanied by juice.

Loaded onto the bus and headed to St Augustine.

We stopped at the Visitor Center to pick up our guide. Inside the visitor center, we also shopped and toured the museum.

Our tour Guide

We reboarded the bus, and our guide told us about the many historic sites in St. Augustine.

We stopped at Flagler College (the former Ponce de Leon Hotel) and several churches.

Flager College

We rode back to the Visitor Center and were alone for a few hours. 

We walked to St George Street, a pedestrian-only street filled with unique shops and restaurants.

We ate lunch at  St. Augustine Seafood Company. We ordered a shrimp plate with fries, cole slaw, and water. I also bought 2 bottles of their hot sauce to take home to my son. 

Shrimp, Fries, and Cole Slaw at St Augustine Seafood Company

We walked several blocks on St George Street, stopping to take pictures of historic markers and sites.

We walked through the Cathedral Basilica of St Augustine and Saint Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine.

Saint Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine

Cathedral Basilica of St Augustine

We walked into a mall area where we saw several people dressed up like pirates.

I got my picture taken with them a few minutes later.

Me with the pirates

We walked back to the visitor center and did a little shopping. Hubby bought a hat, and I bought a kitchen towel. 

We loaded back onto the bus and headed to the Fountain of Youth.

At the Fountain of Youth, we walked around and stopped to taste the spring, suffer water, watch a show, watch a blacksmith at work, and watch the firing of a cannon.

A couple taking a sip from the Fountain of Youth 

Loaded back onto the bus and rode to Cucina Giovanni for dinner.

It took forever for them to take our orders, and the food was overcooked.

Salad 

Chicken Parmigiana topped with marinara sauce& mozzarella served with Spaghetti. 

Pasta Alfredo with creamy Alfredo sauce 

Cannoli

The salad and dessert were good. We were there too long to enjoy our meal.

Day 5: Friday, February 24, Travel Home 

Packed our bags and took them downstairs to be loaded onto the bus.

Ate breakfast and watched a couple of Scottish men play Amazing Grace on bagpipes.

Loaded onto the bus and headed for Hueytown, AL.

We stopped in Perry, GA, and ate lunch at Firehouse Subs.

Club sub 

Small Philly Sub 

Stopped at the Rest Area at Lake Park, Suwanee River Valley, Ga 

Rest Area at Lake Park Suwanee River Valley, Ga 

Arrived in Birmingham around 4:49 P.M.

We loaded our luggage into the car and headed home, a 2 1/2-hour drive away.

I stopped at KFC in Athens at 7:01 P.M. and went home around 8 P.M.

I had a great trip, but woke up Monday morning with COVID.

 

2007, May 6-10, A trip to Whigham, Georgia with Ron

Saturday, May 5, 2007 

Two of my granddaughters, Hannah and Madison, came to our house. I cooked hamburgers, then we all swam in the pool. Both my granddaughters spent the night, and we watched Pretty Woman on TV.

Day 1: Sunday, May 6, 2007

My husband took the girls home.

Ron came by and picked me up We went back to his house because he had not printed out the directions to Andy's

We left Ron's house about 9:00 A.M.

We filled up with gas at 43 Express.

We were about 15 miles north of Dothan when we stopped for gas, drinks, peanuts, and beef jerky.

We stopped at Fred's in South Georgia to get Ron a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, Dr. Peppers, popcorn, nuts, raisins, and Mountain Dews.

We arrive at Andy's house at 5:00 P.M. Eastern time. Andy's wife had made chili for supper.

Ron and I went to Winn-Dixie in Bainbridge for some groceries.

We almost had a wreck when a car pulled out in front of us.  

We ate supper about 6:30 P.M. 

Andy's family was at church.

Later that night, when we were watching "Night at the Museum," Nevada sat next to me.

I slept with Sierra, Ron slept in Dakota's room, and Dakota slept on the sofa.

Sierra was reading a book about the "Little Princess."

Day 2: Monday, May 7, 2007

Andy, Charity, and Ronald went to play golf. I stayed with the grandkids.

The boys wanted to play golf, so they got out some old clubs and went behind the church. 

Boys playing golf

Later that day, Montana and Nevada rode four-wheelers, and Sierra, Dakota, and I rode bicycles.

It was hot, and the grandkids were tired, so we went inside, and they built things with their Legos.   

Everyone went to Boat Basin Park for ball games. 

Sierra had a softball gam, and they lost.

Dakota had a baseball game, and his team won.

Nevada had a T-ball gam; everyone wins in T-ball.

The boys' T-ball team was called Syrup Makers, and the girls' T-ball team was called Syrup Maids.

A boy named Cody joined Sierra, Nevada, Ada, and Montana in a pretend game of softball. 

We stopped at KFC to get chicken for supper for everyone.

It had been a long day, and everyone was ready for bed early.  

Earlier today, I ate a bagel with cream cheese, cheese dip with chili, popcorn, and cookies.

Day 3: Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Sierra, Nevada, and I rode bicycles.

On our way to the park, we stopped at the bread store to get day-old bread. 

Then we all went to Bainbridge Park, where we could feed the animals. Everyone walked along the one-mile wooden bridge to the Flint River.

On an empty baseball field, we all joined in playing a baseball game against each other.  

Leaving Bainbridge Park

Andy will be grilling tonight, so he and Ron are going to Jane's meat market to buy steaks, pork chops, hamburger patties, and hot dogs. Then, they are going to Walmart to buy vegetables. 

Home Run!

Catcher

Tonight is Dakota's last baseball game.

Day 4: Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Ron, Andy, and Dakota went to play golf at 10:00 A.M. 

Early that morning, I rode the bicycle.

While the men were off golfing, everyone else rode to Tallahassee, Florida. We all played miniature golf.

I was trying to take pictures and play miniature golf, but the kids played too fast, and I couldn't keep up. 

Playing Putt-Putt Golf 

Next, we rode to the theater in Tallahassee to see the movie "Ghost Rider" with Nicholas Cage.

Montana sat next to me at the movies, but when Nicholas became a man of fire, Montana went and sat in his mom's lap.

Montana got up and went to sit with his mom.

At the movies, everyone ate a hot dog and drank a Coke.

That night, Ron and I watched the movie "Flushed Away" while Andy's family went to church.

When everyone returned from church, we watched American Idol

I went into Sierra's room and wrote in my journal.

Day 5: Thursday, May 10, 2007

I cooked bacon, biscuits, and gravy for breakfast. 

Andy, Ron, and I ate the breakfast that I cooked. 

Dakota made a batch of cookies, and the kids ate them. 

Andy, Montana, Sierra, Nevada, and I went to visit Miss Jane.

Miss Jane had two parrots; one would bow, and the other would bite.

Jane gave Andy a bag of fresh green beans and the kids some candy. 

While Andy, Charity, and Ron were at Wal-Mart, the kids and I rode bikes. 

Montana would get way ahead of me, and Nevada, and I would have to call him back. 

Dakota & Sierra stayed home, Dakota on the computer and Sierra watching TV.

Later that evening, Sierra and Nevada had ball games.

Ron, Dakota, Montana, and I did not go to the ball games. 

Dakota went fishing, Ron cooked an onion blossom, and I watched a movie, "Night with the King."

Day 6: Friday, May 11, 2006

Early the next morning, Ron and I started for home. 

I was driving, and we took an alternate route that led us to downtown Dothan.

We were home by 2:30 P.M. 

A couple of grandkids came over to swim, Hannah and Madison. Hannah's friend Katie also came.

Put on my swimsuit and joined the grandkids for a swim.