Long ago we had decided to have our family celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas together at a cabin in the mountains of Blue Ridge Georgia. Then Covid happened and we began to vacillate on that decision. After much debate it was decided that the cabin was big enough and we were capable to practice social distancing and safely be together. We also decided to be tested for the virus just before leaving for our gathering. So with a negative test, wipes and sanitizer in hand Jan and I left for Blue Ridge Georgia.
This is the earliest we have ever had out Christmas shopping done and wrapped to boot! It is a strange feeling to have this done so early I'm not sure how December will be not having to shop and wrap. I'm sure it will be a lot more relaxed. Or I hope so.
So with the car packed we headed north. Our first stop was to be in Albany Georgia at the Merry Acres Inn. Described as a Boutique-Style Hotel in Albany Georgia. It was far off the Interstate in an older, shall I say thread-bare area of Albany. The room was clean but the "hotel" was more of the old style motel that had parking right outside your door. The advertised "hot breakfast" consisted of a table with individually wrapped muffins, cold cereal, apples and frozen muffins with sausage. Not exactly the Southern Charm I was promised. Oh well if you don't try you never know.
We did find a good place for breakfast near the hotel. Pearly's Restaurant. While not much to look at, the coffee was good and the breakfast biscuit tasted homemade. The service was fast. I would highly recommend it. While they have a sit down restaurant right now because of Covid they only offer drive up service. In spite of that the service was quick and accurate. The parking lot is plenty big and like several others we took advantage of that to have our breakfast in our car.
Now we had planned our trip to have the longest day the first day. The total trip according to Google was about 9.5 hours. We planned on 5 hours the first day and a little shorter day the next. Well that was the plan but Atlanta had different plans. because of at least 5 accidents on I75 south of Atlanta that portion of our 9.5 hour drive took 7.5 hours. I wish that there was a way to avoid Atlanta.
We did have fun during that second day. In Warner Robin Ga. there was a newly opened Buc-ees gas station. Calling it a gas station is misleading. It is huge. The parking lot is as big as most Wal-marts. There had to be 100 gas pumps.
We parked, took a picture and went inside. Of course being sensitive to the current pandemic we were masked up. Being in the middle of Georgia everyone else not so much. After getting a Buc-ees t-shirt we headed back to the safety of our car. The place was packed and I look forward to going back to see the 21 feet of jerky.
The drive the second day was made even longer by some news we got while on the road. Our daughter Jessica is a nurse at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Like all of us she had been tested for Covid before she was to leave. After Jessica, Jared and Noah were on the road A coworker of my daughter called her to inform her that she had tested positive for Covid. Jessica had been working closely with her the week before.
After much thought and making hard decisions we all decided that it would be best if Jessica and family did not come. Jan and I vacillated on whether to continue with only Austin and Morgan or cancel the trip and rental. I just felt with all my medical history it put me in a high risk group. We also decided to continue with the trip and meet Austin and Morgan at the AirBnB. Not the best way to celebrate our Christmas and Thanksgiving. But to jump to the important part after waiting 5 days Jessica tested negative and does not have Covid. We are very thankful for that even if we are sad that we did not get to spend time with them. We will in the future!
This is the earliest we have ever had out Christmas shopping done and wrapped to boot! It is a strange feeling to have this done so early I'm not sure how December will be not having to shop and wrap. I'm sure it will be a lot more relaxed. Or I hope so.
So with the car packed we headed north. Our first stop was to be in Albany Georgia at the Merry Acres Inn. Described as a Boutique-Style Hotel in Albany Georgia. It was far off the Interstate in an older, shall I say thread-bare area of Albany. The room was clean but the "hotel" was more of the old style motel that had parking right outside your door. The advertised "hot breakfast" consisted of a table with individually wrapped muffins, cold cereal, apples and frozen muffins with sausage. Not exactly the Southern Charm I was promised. Oh well if you don't try you never know.
We did find a good place for breakfast near the hotel. Pearly's Restaurant. While not much to look at, the coffee was good and the breakfast biscuit tasted homemade. The service was fast. I would highly recommend it. While they have a sit down restaurant right now because of Covid they only offer drive up service. In spite of that the service was quick and accurate. The parking lot is plenty big and like several others we took advantage of that to have our breakfast in our car.
Now we had planned our trip to have the longest day the first day. The total trip according to Google was about 9.5 hours. We planned on 5 hours the first day and a little shorter day the next. Well that was the plan but Atlanta had different plans. because of at least 5 accidents on I75 south of Atlanta that portion of our 9.5 hour drive took 7.5 hours. I wish that there was a way to avoid Atlanta.
We did have fun during that second day. In Warner Robin Ga. there was a newly opened Buc-ees gas station. Calling it a gas station is misleading. It is huge. The parking lot is as big as most Wal-marts. There had to be 100 gas pumps.
We parked, took a picture and went inside. Of course being sensitive to the current pandemic we were masked up. Being in the middle of Georgia everyone else not so much. After getting a Buc-ees t-shirt we headed back to the safety of our car. The place was packed and I look forward to going back to see the 21 feet of jerky.
The drive the second day was made even longer by some news we got while on the road. Our daughter Jessica is a nurse at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Like all of us she had been tested for Covid before she was to leave. After Jessica, Jared and Noah were on the road A coworker of my daughter called her to inform her that she had tested positive for Covid. Jessica had been working closely with her the week before.
After much thought and making hard decisions we all decided that it would be best if Jessica and family did not come. Jan and I vacillated on whether to continue with only Austin and Morgan or cancel the trip and rental. I just felt with all my medical history it put me in a high risk group. We also decided to continue with the trip and meet Austin and Morgan at the AirBnB. Not the best way to celebrate our Christmas and Thanksgiving. But to jump to the important part after waiting 5 days Jessica tested negative and does not have Covid. We are very thankful for that even if we are sad that we did not get to spend time with them. We will in the future!
We finally arrived at Hiawatha Trail Blue Ridge Georgia. After driving up a very long and winding road.
We soon settled into a routine of walks, naps and games.
Austin and Morgan also spent time in the hot tub, the weather was not my idea of pool time so I didn't join them.
But I did enjoy the view from our deck. It seemed to change every day with the light.
On one of the walks we discovered a little Chapel that was built by the developer of the area. It was a nice and peaceful accent to our walk.
We had a great time in the mountains of North Georgia celebrating both Thanksgiving and Christmas with Austin, Morgan and Roo. I know next year will be different and we will be able to celebrate with all our family but I will always treasure this time spent with my son and my soon to be daughter.
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