| Callaway Gardens, located in Pine Mountain, | | | | cages while telling her small audience about the |
| Georgia, about an hour south of Atlanta is a great | | | | different types of birds. You can get as close to |
| destination for nature lovers of all ages. Whether | | | | them as they allow and maybe even have a |
| you enjoy nature from the comfort of your car, | | | | short conversation. It's not often you can talk to |
| or want to get up close by walking or riding your | | | | a bird and have it talk back. |
| bike, Callaway Gardens is the place to be. At the | | | | As for the Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl, when |
| entrance gates you will be given a map of | | | | the Azaleas are in bloom you will be encircled by |
| Callaway Gardens listing attractions, dining, | | | | their colors. Lush plants in white, pink, red and |
| recreation, walking trails and accommodations. This | | | | beautiful mixed colors are seemingly everywhere. |
| is an essential item for first time visitors. | | | | The trail leads you down to Lower Creek Falls |
| There are miles of walking and bike paths that | | | | Lake and over a bridge then back to the |
| give you the opportunity to view an amazing | | | | entrance. It is easy to navigate and you won't |
| variety of flowering plants. If you feel more | | | | mind the walk. |
| comfortable in you car, even driving through | | | | Mr. Cason's Vegetable Garden is another venue |
| Callaway Gardens is worth the trip. While some of | | | | we enjoyed. Though it was early in the season |
| the venues require a bit of walking, most, if not | | | | you could tell the garden would soon be bursting |
| all, of Callaway Gardens is very wheelchair | | | | with most any vegetable that can be grown in |
| friendly. I saw people enjoying themselves in | | | | Georgia. At times during the peak growing season |
| wheelchairs and power chairs. This is also a | | | | you can even buy vegetables at the Vegetable |
| wonderful destination for groups. | | | | Garden Shop. Six employees work full-time |
| We visited during late March but throughout the | | | | keeping the garden in pristine condition. |
| year Callaway Gardens offers a variety of | | | | We finally took time for lunch and found The Plant |
| flowers to appreciate. A few examples include: | | | | Room located at The Mountain Creek Inn. This |
| Azaleas and Dogwoods in April; Rhododendron in | | | | restaurant specializes in buffet style food, though |
| May; Blueberries in June; and Sunflowers in July. | | | | you may also order from a limited menu. The |
| Rest assured that there will be acres and acres | | | | Plant Room is open seven days a week for |
| of flowers. | | | | breakfast, lunch and dinner. My wife and I |
| A good place to start your visit to Callaway | | | | enjoyed a lunch buffet that included turnip greens, |
| Gardens is the Callaway Discovery Center where | | | | fried okra, and several types of meat, salad, |
| you can orient yourself to the wide variety of | | | | sandwiches, soup and desert. Food options at |
| entertainment possibilities. Behind the Discovery | | | | Callaway Gardens include everything from burgers |
| Center there is a free tram that will take you to | | | | to more upscale dining. A few of your choices |
| Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl and the Day | | | | include the Piedmont Dining Room, Country |
| Butterfly Center. The trams run at least every 30 | | | | Kitchen, and Discovery Cafe. |
| minutes, and you might need more than that at | | | | The Sibley Horticulture Center is another must on |
| either destination. We used the tram with no | | | | your list of things to see at Callaway Gardens. |
| problem. There is also a tram offering a two and | | | | Among many other plants, we saw orchids, |
| one-half hour guided tour. | | | | sedum, papaya, banana trees, and an amazing |
| The Day Butterfly Center is a completely climate | | | | array of tropical plants. Rows of hydrangeas, |
| controlled building growing numerous plants known | | | | white, pink, and blue and many other manicured |
| to be favorites of butterflies. And of course with | | | | displays are there for your enjoyment. |
| such a perfect environment the butterflies thrive. | | | | There are seven walking trails that range from |
| When walking through the center you will be | | | | about one-half mile at the Lady Bird Johnson |
| surrounded by a wide variety of butterflies. Stand | | | | Wildflower Trail to the 2.1 mile Overlook Garden |
| still for a minute one just might land on your | | | | trail. Only one trail, Laurel Springs Trail is rated a |
| shoulder. Now that is a neat experience. In | | | | moderate. All the others are rated easy and |
| addition to watching them it's also a great place to | | | | based on our experience almost anyone in good |
| photograph butterflies. | | | | health would have no problem navigating these |
| Also in the Butterfly Center are several bird | | | | trails. |
| cages housing an array of exotic birds. When we | | | | I haven't even mentioned the beach, the birds of |
| were there a handler took the birds out of their | | | | prey show, bike rentals, or lodging. |
