It was wonderful being with my daughter’s dear friend of eighteen years and her precious baby who celebrated her first birthday recently. They live in Florida, and, anytime I’m on the west coast, it gives me a good excuse to go to my favorite beach. I can’t tell you the name because it’ll become my hated beach…too many people will show up and ruin it for me!
Where’s Montana? On the beach!
As I was drooling over the small black line roads everyone tries to avoid, I found a new treasure. There’s no using the GPS when you’re going back roads. It’s map all the way!
Florida back road through Three Rivers State Park. Ponds loaded with wildlife and fishing lakes.
Back roads lined with blooming bright red clover and thistle!
Lily Pads floating lazily in the ponds.
Blooming thistle.
Beautiful Spanish Moss draped oaks and mysterious dwellings tickling one’s imagination about who lives/lived there and where in the world did they work? There’s nothing for miles!
What a view!
Then you cross the Georgia State line and the terrain switches to commercial pine thickets and agricultural fields.
Fields and old houses of a different nature.
I’ve passed by this State Park a million times over the years of taking back roads but I’d never taken the time to go to it. This time I did. Kolomoki Mounds was intriguing and I’ll go back.
Then civilization! I just love this beautiful south Georgia town. Blakely, Georgia is so very quaint.
Driving by Quail Motel has been part of my back roads experience for years. I never see cars there! Bates Motel?
At the red light near Quail Motel looking toward the square in downtown Blakely.
Early County Courthouse in Blakely, Georgia completed in 1905.
Early County shows off their history on the side of their downtown buildings.
And the last thing you see as you leave Blakely, is beautiful roses planted along the sidewalks instead of trees! They were in full bloom!
Even though I’ve traversed this route for many years, I never get tired of the quaint small town feel as you weave around the squares and watch the locals chatting as they walk along the sidewalks. It’s just southern and I’ll continue celebrating my history and the joys my parents gave me by taking me on this roads as a child.
Happy trails!
from a Friend 
What a wonderful trip!
I wish I could write like you. Your blog Back roads from Florida through Georgia |
from a Friend has pushed me to get off my butt and get some word out to the world.
You have boosted my confidence just by writing so well.