Exploring Georgia

Today started off with breakfast, showers, and we headed out the door. We drove down country roads (the part of GA we are in is very much like our beautiful Oregon), and we passed peach orchards, pecan orchards, cotton fields, beautiful homes and other "interesting" homes!

Our destination was a variety of places, and our first stop was Andersonville Confederate Prison Camp (A confederate camp during the Civil War to hold Union POW's). It was very interesting, especially since we have been studying the Civil War. There was also a huge POW display in the visitors center for all POWs, not just Civil War POW's. I had a huge lump in my throat as I learned things I never knew, Ryan had to leave he was so overwhelmed with a mixture of sorrow, anger, confusion and frustration, and Bill spent a very long time going through the museum. Uncle Eric had been there before and knew a lot of information about POW's and Kristin had tons of questions. It really brought home the sacrifice of freedom. I think eveyone should have to visit this museum before they make any decisions on war and why we do what we do as a country.

Afterward, we headed out behind the visitor center to the actual grounds that the camp was on. It was very cool to walk where others had walked, and "be there". It brought home a lot of what we learned, and brought up new questions that we will investigate when we get home and resume our studies. We took the auto tour and all enjoyed the narration. As Tammy & I sat on the grass while the kids ran around, we marveled about the temperature--78 degrees the day after Christmas! We were loving it!

We then headed to Plains GA, home of our 39th President Jimmy Carter. While Plains is not much to speak of, they do have great peanut butter ice cream, and some pretty cool novelty shops....in town that is made up of about 7 store fronts....4 of them being antique stores.

After Plains, we headed to Jimmy Carters childhood home. It was a working farm, and although the house was closed for the holidays, we explored the grounds, and had a fun time learning, exploring, and seeing new things. We met a friendly kitty and a very happy peacock, who had a hen, and a turkey with him! We all picked cotton...I never would have believed that such a thing could turn into clothing!

We headed back home, stopping for dinner at a great mexican restaraunt, and getting home early enough for showers. Our plan is to get up early, and head to the coast tomorrow. Temps are supposed to be around 80 where we are headed...Yahoo!

Enjoy the pictures...stay tuned for tomorrow's adventures!