Georgia Veterans State Park

Our week at Georgia Veterans State Park was wonderful. Ron and Karen were great hosts and showed us the farmlands of Southwest Georgia. Peanut, Pecan and Cotton fields in every direction you look. On Wednesday we took a ride to the Workhorse service center in Moultrie, about 1 hour south of the campground, to talk to the people about repairing the oil leak on the rear axle that we have on the motorhome. The appointment was set up for next Monday. We took the scenic tour back toward town, passing thousands of acres of more fields.

Thursday and Friday Sharon and I traveled around the area by ourselves as Ron and Karen volunteer on the SAM (Savannah, Americus, Montgomery) Shortline Scenic Rail. Most of Southeast Georgia all looks alike. We did find a nice little BBQ place in Byron for lunch. Lunch was great. Thursday evening, Ron, Karen, their campground neighbors Pete and Terry, Sharon and I went to dinner in Yoder's Mennonite restaurant. It was a cafeteria style and we had all we could eat for about $10 each. Of course we all had to get a piece of pie. After dinner we all critiqued the meal and we came to the conclusion, everything was great, but way too big on the portions.
   On Saturday we were hosted on the Sam Shortline Scenic Rail by Ron and Karen.

The train leaves Cordele and heads west to the GA Vets State Park, where we got on. It continues west to Americus, GA, home of Habitat for Humanity and the Windsor Hotel.

The train then heads to Plains, Ga, home of our 39th President, Jimmy Carter. As we were wondering around, Pres. Carter came out and greeted the families of the Fort Benning soldiers who are currently deployed, who were also taking the train. He is just a regular guy in a small southern town, except there were about 5 Secret Service guys following him. He came and left by bicycle, he only lives about 1/4 mile down the road from the train station.

A trip to Plains wouldn't be complete without seeing Billy Carter's Gas Station and the home of Billy Beer.



We then continued out of Plains to Jimmy's boyhood home in Archery, about 3 miles west of Plains. His family sold the farm in the 60's and the government bought it back after he was elected President. When Jimmy was growing up, the town had 5 families, Jimmy's family was the only white family. His family also ran the only store in town, which was right beside their house.

            After Archery it was back to the campground for some dinner and some rest. It was a great train ride. Thanks Ron and Karen.

   We left Ga Vets State Park on Monday morning at  8 AM so we could get the motorhome to the repair center. The parts won't be in until Tuesday noon so we got a room in Moultrie at the Holiday Inn Express.  Boy will I be smart in the morning.