Florida, Georgia, Tennessee…
Yesterday, we drove up to Fayetteville, GA (our hometown) to visit some of Hub’s long-time friends. That mini (unplanned) reunion was so good for the soul for many reasons. I admit being a bit jealous of this group because they have been friends since elementary school. I don’t have that; I feel it’s so rare. But this group took me in during our college years, and it is never a dull moment. Truth be told, we were there to attend a memorial for a friend’s father. That reverent event turned into reminiscing and laughing through the entire afternoon and into the evening. Life has taken us in different directions, but these guys get together and it’s like no time has passed at all. I swear, they haven’t changed a bit, and I love that! The way I laughed until my cheeks hurt – there were even happy tears. Cheers to long, deeply rooted friendships, the kind where you drop what you’re doing because someone needs you in that moment, and cheers to memories both old and new! But I digress…
Hubs decided we should extend the trip and drive up to … wait for it … Paris … Tennessee, and visit his Dad who is quickly approaching 89! All that to say, I must be “influencing” my road-trip partner because he planned little stops along the way (gasp). No rushing out the door early with the sunrise, and we stopped at a local coffee shop before leaving town. That was enough to make my heart happy, but then he tells me he has some minor detours planned too. I couldn’t believe it, but I am totally here for it!
The first stop was at The Rock Garden, built and maintained by Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Calhoun, GA. Btw, this is not our religion; regardless I can appreciate the beauty and wonder of something so special! We really didn’t know what to expect, but it was surprisingly awesome! There were little towns, castles, & bridges all built with stones, marbles, shells, etc. Scattered among the structures were tiny Bible verse inscribed plaques; some paths had verses built into them with individually (precisely) placed stones. Finally, a little creek in the back with castles & bridges stretching out over the water. I can’t find the words to describe it other than truly magical! A family with littles were also exporing; the little boy yelled, “there’s tiny wittle buildings & tiny wittle pools!” His sister yells back, “this is the best place I’ve ever been!” Couldn’t have said it better myself 😉
”The garden became an iconic and imaginative place of castles and medieval villages, flowers and plantings. It is indeed a place of art and wonder. It was later renamed The ROCK Garden because our ROCK is Christ, Jesus. (1 Corinthians 10:4)”
The Rock Garden visitors’ guide.
