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...the check's in the mail. No, REALLY, it is!! We are looking forward to our vacation down south in October! Lots of people on this list we haven't met yet and we are looking forward to that too! What else is going on down there if we want to take a little side trip afterwards? Any suggestions for some Yankees...thing we just HAVE to see in the Atlanta area? We came down there 4 or 5 years ago when Ben graduated from National Guard basic training and AIT in Columbus and stayed in the area about 3 days. But we didn't have a clue what we SHOULD go see. We were just so happy to see him, we just hung out in the underground, Coca-cola stuff, etc. Please give us some hints on must sees.
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Seriously, it depends on what you want to see. We have history from the revolutionary way, the "civil" war; we have beaches, mountains; we have Hotlanta "the city that ate Georgia". If you're into history and beautiful places, Savannah is world class. There are also a few places, like Madison, that General William Tecumseh Sherman left intact from his "urban renewal program". The town sports beautiful antebellum homes with fluted columns; old oak trees line the streets with their branches forming a canopy, Spanish moss dripping from the limbs. There is the Cyclorama, http://www.webguide.com/cyclorama.html, if you are really serious about civil war stuff. My bud Guff Sherman took his family to see that (he's a direct decendant of Gen. Sherman); they were sitting right behind this big redneck guy and his family. The redneck guys kid asks his dad "Who is that guy", gesturing at Gen. Sherman. His dad says "That's the son-of-a-beech that burnt Atlanner down". Guff quickly shushed his children and decided it was time to show them another part of the museum.
Most of us enjoy the image of redneck or rebel but don't be mistaken, Georgians are just as sophisticated and intelligent as anyone else. We do take pride in our southern heritage and we love to show off our beautiful state. Down here the difference between a yankee and a damn yankee is this: a yankee comes down, visits, then goes home. The other one decides to stay, LOL.
I've already made my pilgrimage to Dixie Outfitters and bought my summer wardrobe and several other items to take to the Dixie meet. In fact, I'm wearing This T-shirt today: http://www.rebeloutlet.com/proddetail.php?prod=DO-4912L
Yall come back now, ya heah?
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Sorry I can't make it this year...Oct 14 is the day of our Car Show...(About 500 Vehicles will attend)
Maybe next year if possible.....Good Luck and best wishes.
Shep'
-------------------- Arvil Shep' Shepherd Art by Shep' -------- " Those who dance are thought to be mad by those who cannot hear the music " Posts: 1281 | From: Mt Airy NC | Registered: Mar 2001
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Jane, There are few places of interest in southwest Georgia which is my neck of the woods. The Parks at Chehaw is a unique animal park. Jim Fowler of Wild Kingdom fame designed this animal park. Here's their link: Parks at Chehaw Camping is available at the park too if you're into that. I live less than a mile from this park so you and Bill can come visit. May even put you up for the night. We put the Mayor and his wife up once. We also have a new FlintRiverQuarium in Albany. It features an Imax theater. Here's there link: Flint RiverQuaruim There are several Indian mounds in the area too. Contact me if I need any more information.
-------------------- Judy Pate Signs By Judy Albany, Georgia USA 229-435-6824
Live simply...Love generously...Care deeply...Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God. Posts: 2621 | From: Albany,GA,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Sonny, registration/MO went in the mail today.
John
-------------------- John Lennig / Big Top Sign Arts 5668 Ewart Street, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada bigtopya@hotmail.com 604.451.0006 Posts: 2184 | From: Burnaby, British Columbia,Canada | Registered: Nov 2001
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Jane, within a half an hour of Suwanee, there is Stone Mountain Park which is interesting even if it is a little touristy. http://www.stonemountainpark.com/
Madison has some pretty houses. That's where my new shop is, and it's about an hour and a half from the meet. Alot of the old houses are private and you can't really get access. Otherwise, it's just a little town on Georgia's antique trail, so a ton(actually I think around 10-15) of antique shops are really the draw to the town. I haven't seen any Spanish Moss in Madison. They did shoot something there for TV recently where they taped orange leaves on the trees to look like fall. Savannah has tons of Spanish Moss.
An hour or so north of the meet is the start of the Appalachian Mountains. You can get on the trail there and take it to New York if you want to. Really pretty and scenic, and in October, the leaves should be changing. Lots of waterfalls and usually a bunch of motorcyclists having fun on the winding mountain roads. http://www.waterfalls-guide.com/ga_waterfalls-guide.htm
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I guess I was thinking of somewhere else with the spanish moss. Don't waste your time on the "little grand canyon"; it's just a badly eroded 10 acre piece of woods. Coca Cola has a museum in Hotlanner and there is always "underground Atlanta" too. If you want a peaceful, breath-takingly scenic drive I highly reccommend taking the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's much slower than taking the other routes (speed is 45 mph) but it is sooooooooooooo worth the drive! Thanks Dusty for the reminder.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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I have a question for you Georgians. The last time we were in Georgia, I kept seeing this vine that was growing in the forests along the interstates. It looked like it was melting the forests similar to what a styrofoam cup looks like when it melts.
I had to ask a dozen people to find out what it was. Everybody I asked was either not from Georgia or not curious enough to wonder what it was.
Finally somebody told me it was a Kudzoo (sp) plant that had been imported into the state and was next to impossible to control as it was destroying a lot of the forests.
My question is -- have they found a way to control this plant yet?
-------------------- Bill Diaz Diaz Sign Art Pontiac IL www.diazsignart.com Posts: 2107 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Dec 2001
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It is indeed Kudzu Bill, the bane of Georgia. It grows so fast... well, I've had employees that moved slower! It was brought here from Africa and, of course, is almost impossible to kill or control. It takes over powerlines, trees and anything else that gets in the way. It's in bloom right now and when you are driving by them (if you have a convertible) it smells like grape soda. It does have at least some medicinal value; they use an extract from it to treat alcoholism.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Hi Bill, Here's a little history on "Kudzu". Kudzu's History: Up and Down the Power Pole
Kudzu was introduced to the United States in 1876 at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Countries were invited to build exhibits to celebrate the 100th birthday of the U.S. The Japanese government constructed a beautiful garden filled with plants from their country. The large leaves and sweet-smelling blooms of kudzu captured the imagination of American gardeners who used the plant for ornamental purposes.
Florida nursery operators, Charles and Lillie Pleas, discovered that animals would eat the plant and promoted its use for forage in the 1920s. Their Glen Arden Nursery in Chipley sold kudzu plants through the mail. A historical marker there proudly proclaims "Kudzu Developed Here."
During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Soil Conservation Service promoted kudzu for erosion control. Hundreds of young men were given work planting kudzu through the Civilian Conservation Corps. Farmers were paid as much as eight dollars an acre as incentive to plant fields of the vines in the 1940s.
Kudzu Control: An Impossible Dream?
The problem is that it just grows too well! The climate of the Southeastern U.S. is perfect for kudzu. The vines grow as much as a foot per day during summer months, climbing trees, power poles, and anything else they contact. Under ideal conditions kudzu vines can grow sixty feet each year.
While they help prevent erosion, the vines can also destroy valuable forests by preventing trees from getting sunlight. This problem led Dr. James H. Miller of the U.S. Forest Service in Auburn, Alabama to research methods for killing kudzu. In eighteen years of research, he has found that one herbicide actually makes kudzu grow better while many have little effect. Miller recommends repeated herbicide treatments for at least four years, but some kudzu plants may take as long as ten years to kill, even with the most effective herbicides.
We have a little Kudzu around Albany but the further you travel toward Columbus,GA the more you see. Evidently we haven't got kudzu under control. Judy
-------------------- Judy Pate Signs By Judy Albany, Georgia USA 229-435-6824
Live simply...Love generously...Care deeply...Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God. Posts: 2621 | From: Albany,GA,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Thanks to the Letterville Travel Center for the links. One that hasn't been mentioned is the new Georgia Aquarium. Downtown, next to Centennial Olympic Park, it's the largest aquarium in the world and just had its 3 millionth visitor (it's only been open 8 months) http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/
I live about a mile from Stone Mountain and it's a nice 45 minute hike to the top. Also, a glass blowing demo every hour or so that's worth seeing.
For the Civil War history buffs, we can probably swing some free passes to the Atlanta History Center, which has an extensive museum. There's also the 10th anniversary Olympic display there and some large gardens. http://www.atlhist.org/
Regarding transportation, the venue is an hour's drive from the airport, so it's recommended that you rent a car. Public transportation will not get you to the meet and we don't have the wherewithal to offer a shuttle. When we get closer to the meet, we'll try to hook up people coming in at the same time.
Ryan, I should charge you double for having had the privilege........ but if you want to paint my guitar at the meet, we'll call it even.
-------------------- www.signcreations.net Sonny Franks Lilburn, GA 770-923-9933 Posts: 4115 | From: Lilburn, GA USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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I'm thinking of going... Need to share a room (Sue?) and will need a ride from nearest airport (whatever airport that has Southwest) Last Dixie meet was really fun (apart from the smoke, which was thicker than flies on....)
I went with the King's....it will be sad without them there tho.
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Adrienne - come on down. John and Sue are also coming from your neck of the woods. We can probably find a window for you to "splash". I'm sure Stefanie Fox would love to collaborate.
The meals will be garnished with Kudzu, and we're looking for a volunteer to see if Kudzu will completely cover a person standing in a field for a day.
Speaking of outstanding in their fields, I received registrations from Susie and David Butler, as well as Jane and Bill Diaz today.
It just keeps gettin better......
-------------------- www.signcreations.net Sonny Franks Lilburn, GA 770-923-9933 Posts: 4115 | From: Lilburn, GA USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Sonny you are going to have the movie "10,000 maniacs" playing during the meet, right? I'm getting more excited by the day about this meet. The Butlers are my absolute favorite yankees!!! It will be good to see some of the heds that I haven't met on here yet.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Figured I'd list some more stops in Georgia that could be off interest. Let's see... the High Museum http://www.high.org/ FDR's Little White House http://www.fdr-littlewhitehouse.org/ the Atlanta Zoo http://www.zooatlanta.org/home.htm The Cyclorama Ricky mentioned is located next to Zoo Atlanta so you could make that a two-fer. Georgia Music Hall of Fame http://www.gamusichall.com/home.html and for another 2fer you could visit Duane Allman's grave at Rose Hill Cemetery also in Macon-not exactly a thrill-a-minute activity, but if you're a fan, you might enjoy it. I'll keep thinking.
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Hi Kellie, Thanks to you and the fine folks at Coastal Enterprises for your outstanding support of Letterheads. We'll be doing some serious sandblasting and carving - turning Precision Board into art.
I had to leave the kilt in Scotland - will a shop apron do?
-------------------- www.signcreations.net Sonny Franks Lilburn, GA 770-923-9933 Posts: 4115 | From: Lilburn, GA USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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If you've never done sandblasting before, this will be meet to hit. I had the pleasure of seeing Woodwizard Bob's shop a few times in Suwanee and it's his forte. He once told me the is somewhere around 12 TONS of sand out back from all the blasting he's done over the years.
Ya gotta see it to appreciate it.
Can't harly wait to get back there. Rapid
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
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If you're comin' thru Alabama on your way to the Letterhead meet, you might like to know, we have some of worlds largest 'open' range museums' for viewing kudzu. All of these locations are very easy to find . . . simply travel along any road in Alabama, particularly those marked 'county road'.
Along these scenic routes you will see fantastic natural kudzu formations which, like clouds in the sky, will be open to your imagination as to what they look like. Most of them look like giant, leafy vines taking over power poles and trees . . . but some actually kind'a look like dinosaurs . . .
Be advised to avoid wading thru, or trying to walk thru kudzu, which is a haven for snakes, and other critters, but more importantly, deceptive cover for deep ravines and drop-offs along the side of the road.
(This has been a travel message provided by the Natural Attractions Advisory Board of Alabama)
(Actually, this was only a joke. had it been an actual travel advisory, I would have shown a picture of the brochure . . . .)
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
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"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
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After World War 2 my granddad spent three years with the CCC burning fields of marijuana which grew naturally in parts of Alabama and replacing it with fields of kudzu.
-------------------- Pat Whatley Montgomery, AL (334) 262-7446 office (334) 324-8465 cell Posts: 1306 | From: Wetumpka, AL USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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-------------------- John Lennig / Big Top Sign Arts 5668 Ewart Street, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada bigtopya@hotmail.com 604.451.0006 Posts: 2184 | From: Burnaby, British Columbia,Canada | Registered: Nov 2001
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Sonny, We have another Californian coming to the Dixie meet. I have been told that he is a national treasure and deserves special treatment. Our own traveling signman...looking forward to welcoming you to Georgia, Cisco! Judy
-------------------- Judy Pate Signs By Judy Albany, Georgia USA 229-435-6824
Live simply...Love generously...Care deeply...Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God. Posts: 2621 | From: Albany,GA,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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[ August 30, 2006, 11:30 PM: Message edited by: Rick Davis ]
-------------------- Rick Davis (spouse of a signpainter) Davis Sign Studio 601 Overton Street Newport, KY 41071 (859)261-7441 roodavis@mac.com Posts: 6 | From: Erlanger, Kentucky, USA | Registered: Jul 2005
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Forget your cares and concerns about being a “Newbie” to either the biz or the Letterhead Crew. Dixie Meets are like no others. We share, we learn, we care...
Dixie SC ‘04 was my first meet (Thanks SC Guys!!). ‘Bama’s fine Lady, Sheila (aka ‘OneShot’) picked me up on her way and we went onto a whirlwind of wonders: from meeting Si (and his better half) to meeting the Peaches; from Rapid to Costa; people from all points of the compass, not to mention the most-unexpected musical entertainment! … and especially the late-night Waffle House jesters! (And YOU know who YOU are!!)
From the moment we show up at a Dixie Meet until we tear ourselves away with a zillion hugs, it’s hours well spent (like No others!) in learning, sharing and commiserating with other people – just like you (err, me!) who’ve been in this biz for a while. We’re all pros…just at different things and at different stages of our ‘sign lives’. We ALL have something to share, and lots more to learn--this I've learned and truly believe. We’ve all chosen this career for a personal reason…
A Letterhead Meet, and especially a laid-back Dixie Meet, allows you to check out new things, meet new people, see talents we’ll only dream of, and to learn invaluable tips and tricks to take home with us. It also gives us the opportunity to make new friends. That, alone, is worth any price.
I’m about 12 miles away from Sonny. I have a couch available for a gal-‘Head who’s in a pinch for funds. I KNOW how that feels! So, if someone needs a place to stay, on a shoestring, with two other Sign Gals…I’m offering what I can!! My work number is 678-714-1965 and email is a2zkwunch@hotmail.com.
And, Sonny? NO ‘clowns’? hmm. Oxymoronic, I think, Hun: “Letterhead Meet”? HeeHee. There MUST be clowns. Send in the Clowns!!! I’ll be there! ;o)
Cisco's coming? Too kewl. I can't wait to see ya'll on 'Common Ground', even tho' I AM one of THOSE 'Damn Yankees'...
Cya at Dixie!
-------------------- Karen Wunch (kwunch on chat) A2Z SIGNS in Buford, GA 678.714.1965 ---------------- "Believe there is a great power silently working all things for good, behave yourself and never mind the rest." ~~Beatrice Potter Posts: 126 | From: Buford Georgia | Registered: Jan 2003
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dangnation. Do I have to get all Jeff Foxworthy on yer hineyes?
(WTF is plural of hiney?)
-------------------- Karen Wunch (kwunch on chat) A2Z SIGNS in Buford, GA 678.714.1965 ---------------- "Believe there is a great power silently working all things for good, behave yourself and never mind the rest." ~~Beatrice Potter Posts: 126 | From: Buford Georgia | Registered: Jan 2003
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Hi Karen, Yankees, girl I only went to the 7th grade, I don't know to much about the history of the Yankees, unless you're talking about the baseball team. I remember when I was in Bama I saw lot of confederate flags, but I saw them here in Calif. all I know is I want to see some paint slingin, music slamming, food to continue on, and a few drinks of cool beverages, people painting on panels or walls, that's me I'm a Walldog, but heyyyyy, I also like to roam and wonder around parts I never been to and see how folks party on your side of the country. And where is all this happening...at the Dixie Meet. I'm almost there!!
-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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More registrations are coming in daily - remember the $25 pre-registration fee ends October 1st. After that, it's $40 and you're not guaranteed a t-shirt. So Git-R-Done..........
-------------------- www.signcreations.net Sonny Franks Lilburn, GA 770-923-9933 Posts: 4115 | From: Lilburn, GA USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Man!, this pi$$e$ me off. My petty young niece, I love her to death, is getting married ON OCTOBER 14th Jeez Robin pick another weekend. Any weekend, but that one. Sonny, can you push the meet back a week? PLEASE? I'm kidding, of course. I'm gonna miss this one, and so many people to see again / meet for the first time. Gawd I'm depressed Y'all go ahead an have a 'blast' w/o me Go ahead, ya can't help but have fun So go ahead I'll be ok, gonna go dry my eyes n blow my nose sobbing in my coffee
-------------------- Bill Dirkes Cornhole Art LLC Bellevue, Ky. Goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are. Posts: 591 | From: Bellevue,Ky. US | Registered: Aug 1999
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Oh Bill! We're gonna miss you! I think the last meet I was priveledged to be in your presence was Don & Dora's in Kentucky. Right? Well, maybe there'll be another one nearby soon and we'll see U there...
-------------------- Nancie W. Phillips White Dove Painting Studio 74 Dacula Road, Dacula, GA 30019 678-887-3339
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I really wanted to come but my daughter has soccer games every Saturday. By the time she's done we wouldn't have time to drive up. Bummer! Oh well, family comes first. Ya'll have fun now!!
[ September 07, 2006, 01:49 PM: Message edited by: Amy Brown ]
-------------------- Amy Brown Life Skills 101 Private Address Posts: 3502 | From: Lake Helen, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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~I would love to get there. just maybe I will. See you there. GREG
-------------------- Greg DePauw Art Rod Foundation 206 S. Davenport Metamora,IL. 61548 (309)-367-4496 Posts: 52 | From: Metamora, Illinois. USA | Registered: Jun 2006
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lol Bill . . . is that 'pretty young neice'? Or did you mean it was really 'petty' of her to schedule a wedding that would dare interfere with a meet??
LOL
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
oneshot on chat
"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
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Sonny, we just mailed the registration and we will fix the flights soon. We didn´t see a picture in Signs of the Times from Mike and us as "locals". Do you have a copy or can you mail me this picture? The joke is not to order one beer, it´s how to order five beers..... but we will show you when we´re in Suwanee!
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No, REALLY, it is!!![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
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Don't waste your time on the "little grand canyon"; it's just a badly eroded 10 acre piece of woods. Coca Cola has a museum in Hotlanner and there is always "underground Atlanta" too. If you want a peaceful, breath-takingly scenic drive I highly reccommend taking the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's much slower than taking the other routes (speed is 45 mph) but it is sooooooooooooo worth the drive! Thanks Dusty for the reminder.
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See ya in October.
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