The rush of the air enveloped us as we glided down a shaded path on our rented bikes. The calls of sparrows, finches and cardinals swirled around us.
For more than 50 years, families and couples have come to Callaway Gardens to escape life’s pressures. Whether it’s to bike, golf or to simply relax, everyone seems to have one thing in common: to rejuvenate.
Located in Pine Mountain, Ga., the resort is the ultimate weekend escape for families and couples.
An old friend
After a 10-year absence from Callaway, I took my wife Brooke and nine-year-old daughter Caitlin for a long weekend to clear our heads and get in touch with nature.
There is no better way to experience the environment than through a bike tour. After we picked up the bikes at the rental depot, we took to Callaway’s trails and headed toward the popular attractions.
At the time we visited the foliage was sparse, but the longleaf pines still retained most of their greenery. Indeed, we have plenty of these lanky pines surrounding our house, but they looked better here, as red-headed woodpeckers poked away at their bark.
Like an old friend I haven’t seen in years, so much has remained the same, and so much more has changed. The Callaway Memorial Chapel is just the way I recalled it. Perfectly situated on the Lower Falls Creek Lake, the chapel was a sight for sore eyes as we approached it. When we entered, the music emanating from the organ bounced around the chapel’s walls and beautiful stained glass. To me, it was like time stood still.
Kids love the butterfly center, garden
After reacquainting ourselves with the chapel, we headed to the crown jewel of Callaway Gardens: the Day Butterfly Center.
I had wanted to take Caitlin for years, but never got around to it. Even though she’s spent time in other butterfly centers, I felt she needed to see this one. I was right: The Day Butterfly Center went way beyond her expectations. The variety of butterflies, plants and birds inspired Caitlin to talk about it for days.
We wanted to stay longer at the Day Butterfly Center, but the sun wasn’t too far away from setting and there was plenty of biking to do. We had just enough time to visit Mr. Cason’s Vegetable Garden. Even though the peaceful garden is somewhat bare during our visit, some plants seem to always be in bloom, like the dark purple Lenten Rose.
New accommodations
When we returned the bikes, the three of us felt the soreness in our legs. We had just enough energy to retire to our room in the Lodge Conference Center.
This lodge definitely was not here 10 years ago. In fact, the lodge is so new it still has that “new structure smell” of fresh wood. Because it is so pristine, we were hesitant to touch anything when we first entered the grand lobby, with its high ceilings and fireplace.
“Go ahead, have an apple,” said Whitney, one of the front desk clerks. Each of us took a shiny apple and made the short trek to our room.
Each of the lodge’s 150 rooms has all of today’s amenities showcased in a classy, rustic motif. The comfortable beds, high-end bathrooms and flat-screen TVs don’t overpower the room’s decor.
After a hearty breakfast in the lodge’s Piedmont Room in the morning, I toured the property with Rachel Crumbley, Callaway Gardens’ corporate relations manager.
We took a look at the Presidential Suite, with its own appliances, dining room and a garden tub. The Presidential Suite’s little sibling, the Personal Suite, packs a punch with a perfectly placed Jacuzzi featuring an excellent view through one of the room’s sliding doors.
Rachel and the rest of the Callaway staff are excited about the recently-opened 13,000-square-foot spa.
Love is in the air
While my trip proves that Callaway Gardens is good for families, it is also a great romantic escape. Every February, couples take advantage of the Valentine’s Dinner and Dance. This overnight package, includes dinner and dancing.
If dancing is not your thing, then look into the resort’s annual Food and Wine Weekend,which runs in mid-February. Nothing says romance more than learning about fine food and wine. The event includes wine lectures, tastings and cooking demonstrations.
More info
Callaway Gardens
www.callawaygardens.com
1-800-CALLAWAY
Georgia Department of Economic Development
www.georgia.org/travel/
Did you know?
Callaway Gardens is the centerpiece of 13,000 acres set in the southernmost foothills of the Appalachians.
Cason Jewell Callaway co-founded Callaway Gardens along with his wife, Virginia. It opened in May, 1952.
Mr. Cason’s Vegetable Garden was the Southern filming site of the PBS series, “The Victory Garden.”
The Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center opened in September 1988 as one of the first and largest tropical butterfly centers in the world.
As part of the resort’s commitment to balancing progress with nature, the Lodge at Callaway Gardens was built with energy efficiency in mind.
Source: Callaway Gardens
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Robert J. Nebel is a seasoned journalist whose works have appeared in several publications including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and several magazines and newspapers.
His web site is:
http://bobnebel.tripod.com