Updates:

BLUE BIRD Bus Factory Tours (page 24) - A recent change in company operations has caused Blue Bird to put the tours on hold for the moment. They have plans to build a museum and offer tours again (by appointment only) in the near future. This was a favorite tour of ours and really helps the kids to see this very educational process of how school buses are built. Stay tuned for details. Sorry!

NE – Dawsonville. UNCLE SHUCKS CORN MAZE AND PUMPKIN PATCH. (Labor Day weekend thru late November, weekends + Friday, October weekdays, too).  www.uncleshucks.com.

MW – Pine Mountain/Warm Springs getaway. First of all, two suggestions on lodging – one a resort (stay put a while), the other a great value hotel to base from. CALLAWAY GARDENS (pg. 34) reminds us of resort properties from the 50s – hundreds of cottages and a massive inn complete with daily activities for each family member. It is quaint yet modernized and accessible for extended families vacationing together. . . in any season. Their 45 years of experience and great family packages (see website for current offerings such as: Summer Mini Break Package or the recommended annual Summer Family Adventure Program) and activities satisfy and delight every generation. Add a dash of high-flying adventure (circus camps and daily summer performance of an entertaining and surprising Flying High Circus). Don’t forget the sandy beach and the famous Robin Lake (super warm and clean – bring rafts, toys and coolers), the floating water park (parents of young ones under 10, best to go along to Iceberg Island to help boost the little legs up the giant icebergs – separate admission wristband, $5.00 per person/per hour), water ski lessons, and a nationally acclaimed family golf program.  The family camps offer signups for hiking, biking, fishing, boating, tennis, golf, arts and crafts and more during the day. When night falls the fun continues with the circus, campfires, movies, games and more. Make your own fun biking the 10 miles of trails (many folks brought their own bikes but you can rent them, too), hiking together, just beaching (apply that sunscreen), riding the miniature train, paddleboating, miniature golf or sightseeing the Discovery Center, Pioneer Cabin or the delightful newly remodeled Butterfly Garden (we loved the parrots whistling calls and tv tunes). Add the nation’s oldest family summer camp and you’ll have a host of memory makers. We’d recommend staying at the cottages with plenty of space and privacy w/ screened decks and a grill and full kitchen. Now, in the cottage complex, is Rockin Robins soda shop themed diner w/ pizza and great shakes plus wonderful sandwich melts. Play pinball or bop to tunes on the jukebox. Most activities (except lessons and rentals) are included in the park admission (part of overnight guests lodging). Family packages start at $129 per night.    If you just want to sightsee, try the BEST WESTERN WHITE HOUSE INN (Warm Springs, Hwy 85W, White House Pkwy, 706-655-2750). They have spacious rooms with a free warm breakfast and outside patio pool. Many families we met were basing from this property for days, visiting sites within a 60 mile radius (see MW chapter).   Still want more adventure? Try a safari ride in WILD ANIMAL SAFARI (pg. 35). It’s recommended (and we agree) to go on a safari bus/van tour vs. riding your own vehicle. It will be covered with slobber. This is one of those “you have to be there” experiences. The acres of valley safari land provide dozens of opportunities to see, touch and feed (giant pellet cookies) 100s of animals. Choose to feed timid deer or aggressive ostrich. Our favorites: the elk, cattle (wait til you see their tongues!) and the pot bellied pigs.  On a more historical note, be sure to visit FDR’S LITTLE WHITE HOUSE STATE HISTORIC SITE (pg. 38). Begin with the orientation video and preview the time line. Now, enter and learn from the museum exhibits. How was Eleanor a 6^th cousin to her own children? What is polio? Feel the temperature difference of warm vs. cold springs. How do you drive a vehicle without use of your legs? Why do President Franklin Roosevelt always have breakfast in bed? He was so charming and loveable, your heart will sink when you see the unfinished portrait partially complete at the time of his death at Warm Springs. So much to learn about times of Depression and War and the American spirit lead by a compassionate man. Nestled a mile down the road (in town, Hwy 27 Alt. west) is the Roosevelt Institute for Rehab and the FDR Pools Museum where you can feel the real waters of Warm Springs (get directions from the Historic Site).  Plan to do lunch at a classic Southern favorite: BULLOCH HOUSE (706-655-9068; 47 Bulloch Street, Hwy 41 south of Broad Street/Hwy 27A). Their home-cooked meals have the charm of the South with classic surroundings. The 1892 House buffet features fried green tomatoes, fried apples, real potatoes, pork and even pulley bones (yummy fried chicken). We loved the stewed pureed tomatoes for dipping our veggies and fruit into. Lunch served daily, dinner Friday and Saturday, brunch Sunday. Prices $6.95-$9.95 for buffets.

GENERAL: For the first time in 13 years, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources will raise parking fees at state parks beginning May 27. The daily parking fee will increase from $2 to $3 and the annual pass will increase from $25 to $30. The only exception is Tallulah Gorge State Park with a current $4 daily fee.

SW – Americus. Habitat for Humanity Global Village. Admission changes:  Adults $6, Seniors $5, Students $5  Under 6, Free ($1 off open rate to S.A.M. Excursion Railroad passengers)

New Listing:

NW - Lawrenceville - MEDIEVAL TIMES - The newest member of the Medieval Times family, the Georgia Castle opened in July 2006 at Discover Mills in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The Castle is 87,000 square feet and comfortably holds 1,100 Noble Guests per performance. In addition to the 200 employees staffing the Castle, there are 22 Andalusian stallions in residence. The Castle, an anchor attraction at Discover Mills, includes a stone façade, Dungeon, Bar and Gift Shop. Guests will enjoy the Castle’s medieval theme throughout the interior.

More fun information about:

SE – Tybee Island.  Drive the easy ride over from Savannah onto the Island and be greeted by a colorful array of buildings. One of them is the office for OCEANFRONT COTTAGE RENTALS (www.oceanfrontcottage.com). This is the only way to DO Tybee. Depending on the size of your party, rent a very comfortable, fully furnished and decorated condo, cottage or home, most right on the beach! Many homes provide grills and picnic tables and often beachside hot tubs. We were impressed with the cleanliness inside and out. If your family would like to bike around the island (highly suggested), you can pick up bikes from their office (as well as beach chairs) to use during your stay at no charge. The bike trails on the island are clearly marked and give you a “behind the main street” view of odd and pretty homes around every corner. Stop at the convenient store and pick up groceries for a light meal prepared and served tableside on your deck. Not wanting to cook? We recommend two restaurants on the Island. The GRILL BEACHSIDE  is a wonderful family establishment located at the Beachside Colony Resort on the main strip. Truly right on the beach, beach music plays as the kids romp around the sandy playground while they wait for the food to come. Beach food (seafood and beef, mostly) is served (recommend the Low Country Boil) and the kids menu is under $5.00. So kid-friendly, even Girl Scout troups visiting nearby Savannah come by to have casual beach fare here.  Another very themed eatery is the CRAB SHACK (lunch & dinner daily, 912-786-9857). This is a very popular eatery on the island that is great for families. As well as having wonderful seafood and a large kids menu, they feature live swampy environments with live alligators and colorful talking macaw birds! The motif is cute and great photo ops abound. Try ANYTHING CRAB or their BBQ. This place is so fun! Two sights we like to visit along the bike path are TYBEE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE & MUSEUM and the Beach Discovery Walks at the TYBEE ISLAND MARINE SCIENCE CENTER (pg. 160). Receive a certificate for climbing all those stairs in the lighthouse and then catch your breath in the Fort Screven Museum on the beach. Their Tybee Attic room (actually in the basement) has some interesting stuff.  On the other side of the island, marine educators lead one-hour guided walks of the beach. All ages are welcome to join in for shoreline discoveries. Learn about shells, sand dunes, geology, tides, and beach creatures of a barrier island. Participants will sift the wet sand to find creatures that live beneath their feet and pull a seine net (weather dependent) to see what lives in the surf. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of a jellyfish or make the different varieties of tide formations in the sand. Be sure to participate in the touch tank. They take the fear out of being “tickled” by sea creatures.

MW – Columbus area weekend. As you head in on I-185 towards town, drop your bags at the COUNTRY INN & SUITES (1720 Fountain Court, 800-456-4000, exit 12). They offer complimentary light & hearty breakfast, high speed internet and an outdoor pool. Start the morning by visiting the COLUMBUS MUSEUM (pg. 22). The museum is FREE and a wonderful representation of local history. See an archeological dig site and then watch for the giant alligator. Dioramas have sound effects of a primitive hut, Fort Mitchell, slave houses, one-room schools, mills, an Army tent all the way to a modern carport. The artwork displayed is a wonderful collection. We especially liked the Glass and Wood entry sculpture and it’s rainbow of spun color. If it’s a nice day, venture outdoors to OXBOW MEADOWS CENTER (pg. 21) where nature is explored in a wetland habitat (along the bike trail). Nestled in a bend of the Chattahoochee River, the center has an indoor facility with live owl and hawk on perches! They’ll check you out. Meet an alligator named Wally. Go up 80 feet (must be over 8 years old for this) along the forest canopy walkway through the treetops outside. For some of the best display of Civil War Naval history, you absolutely must visit PORT COLUMBUS NATIONAL CIVIL WAR NAVAL MUSEUM (pg. 22). Listen in on an orientation – then, gasp as you have full view of the ships hull of a real Confederate ironclad warship. Fitted with a “ghost” metal outline of the top of the ship, this is truly unbelievable. Now, look at a regular ship to compare and models of other famous ironclads. Who were Powder Monkeys? Hungry? Visit DINGLEWOOD PHARMACY (1939 Wynnton Road) for lunch. This is a Columbus tradition and the place to get the original Scrambled Hot Dog! (no eggs, but everything imaginable on top of a hot dog)  It’s nothing fancy…just your typical pharmacy with a lunch counter, but you’ll see everyone from construction workers to CEOs.  COUNTRY’S BARBEQUE (1329 Broadway, 706-660-1415, www.countrysbarbeque.com). Located in an art deco-style bus station, there is even a bus from that era attached to the building and you can dine in it. Honk the bus’s horn, make the bus station sounds or play with a viewmaster dessert menu. The BBQ is good (love the Shoop sauce). Just follow your nose to the downtown location – hickory wood wafts in the air. Work of all that food walking or biking along the RiverWalk – a 15 mile paved trail south along the river to Fort Benning.

More Seasonal Info:

SW – Americus. Habitat for Humanity Global Village International Festival. Nick Jr.’s Dora the Explorer will headline Habitat for Humanity International’s annual International Festival at its Global Village and Discovery Center. Area children can get their photo made with the popular cartoon character and also learn about games and cultures around the world. Habitat’s Global Village & Discovery Center International Festival is an annual event that brings together entertainment, crafts, games, food and music from around the world. Each year, the family-oriented event educates participants about life in other countries. Friday and Saturday, April 8-9, will be packed with demonstrations such as Sjoelbak, the Dutch version of shuffle board, and African wire games. Speakers from China, India and Africa will describe life in their native countries and traditional entertainment will be on display from Ireland, Africa and the Caribbean. The festivities will also include a fashion show highlighting clothing from around the world, and Italian and Caribbean food. Friday, April 8 - World Education Day. Visiting school groups throughout the area will experience all-day activities such as self-guided games and tours, scavenger hunts, baking demonstrations, brick- and tile-making demonstrations, Henna art from India, seminars and international performances from Africa, Ireland, the Caribbean and Japan. Call 866.924.5823, ext. 5815, to make school or youth group reservations. Saturday, April 9 - Family Exploration Day. Guests are invited to get their photo made with Nick Jr.’s Dora the Explorer and also take part in all-day cooking demonstrations from Guatemala, Henna art from India, Zimbabwe wire artist shows, Japanese violin music, game of Cricket demonstrations, Salsa dance demonstrations, scavenger hunts, self-guided tours, brick- and tile-making demonstrations and international food. Tickets for the International Festival are $5 in advance and $6 at the gate. Call 866-924-5823 ext. 5813 for tickets and further information. Event details also at www.habitat.org/gvdc.

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