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Borrego Springs, CA

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Callaway Gardens (part 1)

I was up and at ‘em pretty early this morning so I could get on my way to Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA.

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While only about 35 miles from where I’m camped, I budgeted an hour to get there.  With back roads and having to go through LaGrange, it was the right amount of time.  Skies were still overcast from last night’s rain, but that meant the temperatures stayed in the very pleasant range for this visit.

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Once again I was able to have two very personable people give me a tour of one of their home town’s attractions.  Gerri and Mike Jones have often posted about these gardens on their blog, and have included fantastic pictures of what they’ve seen.  So, when I figured out I was in their neck of the woods, I sent them an email and they readily agreed to meet at the Gardens this morning.

Little did I know that Mike used to work here, so he knew how to get around to the best spots for an abbreviated visit.  This place is huge, and it would take days to see everything that is available.  There are miles of walking trails as well as miles of bicycle trails (all paved), a beach, fishing, golfing, tree top adventure…and the list goes on and on.  The day pass for seniors is $15 for those who are interested.  My hip was giving me a bit of trouble today, so we opted for the driving tour to localities and short walks to see the major features.  I believe the driving route is about seven miles.

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I had done some reading about the gardens and knew that first on my list was to go to the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center.

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I’ve been in aviaries before, but never a butterfly center.  All of the species in the large enclosed glass building are tropical varieties that are not native to the US.  All species are imported, and arrive in their chrysalis stage.  It was very interesting to view all of the hanging chrysalis’ (don’t know what the plural of that is) and see some of the butterflies emerging.

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Butterflies are as challenging to get photos of as birds are.  They seldom still still long enough for you to focus.

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I’m not sure who this mature lady with all the white hair and ‘laugh lines’ is, but get a load of that exotic butterfly on her shoulder!  In love  Must be her sweet nature??  I do know that mosquitoes find her especially attractive.

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After a bit, we fluttered over to see the Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel.  Her son had it built in her honor after searching for the perfect spot for years.  Sadly, he died shortly before it was finished.

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                        It is located next to one of the many small lakes, and in a very peaceful setting.

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                            The stained glass windows of the chapel depict the four seasons at the Gardens.

I took more pictures than I’d want to put in one post, so I guess I’ll continue tomorrow.  Another highlight was a visit to a spot that brought back many memories to me.  I found it very surprising since I’ve never really been in Georgia before.  Stay tuned…

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

34 comments:

  1. We enjoyed our visit with you and sharing Callaway Gardens together. What a wonderful day together and place to be.

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  2. Really great pictures, especially that lady with the butterfly on her back. Nothing like having a personal tour guide that knows the short cuts. I'm sure they did a fantastic job.

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  3. Buzzed by a butterfly? Bugs sure do find you a perfect place to eat and get a snack! ;c)

    Beautiful chapel, a perfect spot for it. Very peaceful.

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  4. Wow Judy what fabulous pictures. I really like the one of you and your friend. I've had butterflies land on me at the farm but I've always wanted to go to a butterfly garden just to be surrounded by them. Anxious to see part 2.

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  5. just spectacular photos Judy! It looks like such a peaceful beautiful place. Looks like you and the butterflies were having a great time today!

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  6. I'm so glad you hooked up with Mike and Gerri for a personal tour of Callaway. Mike and Gerri are wonderful people; I can imagine what a fantastic day you had.

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  7. I really love the fact that the chapel celebrates the four seasons.

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  8. 'm so glad you hooked up with Mike and Gerri for a personal tour of Callaway. Mike and Gerri are wonderful people; I can imagine what a fantastic day you had.

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  9. Thanks for the great tour Judy. I'll be looking forward to tomorrows post.

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  10. What beautiful beautiful photos, and a very wonderful one of you! I'm sorry we didn't make it over to the gardens while we were there! Glad you took us there.. :-)

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  11. Fantastic place, Can't wait for tomorrow's post.

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  12. Beautiful pics, my favorite is the "lady with the butterfly" that mosquitoes love to chew on. lol I love that entire place but the butterfly house is my favorite. There are many wonderful things to see there. Praying for ur hip to feel better so that u may continue to enjoy these nice places u find to visit.

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  13. It's said that a picture is worth a thousand words... but for this blog I have no words!

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  14. I have been to a couple butterfly sanctuaries, one in Ames IA near the Iowa State campus, they are amazing. This one sounds very unique and I definitely like to visit it, thanks for all the wonderful photos.

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  15. Love this place. The Chapel is just so beautiful. I would spend hours here.

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  16. you had the perfect tour guides for Callaway Gardens..I had no idea they were so big!!..Mike and Gerri were one of the first bloggers I followed!

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  17. Hub and I love Callaway. It is a beautiful place. I'm so glad you got to spend time with the butterflies.

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  18. Beautiful spot Judy, thanks for sharing your photos!

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  19. The black & white butterfly & church reflection:))

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  20. Ahh, yes; the butterfly challenge ... but you done good; great captures. The Chapel with the reflection and those stained glass windows are wonderful.

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  21. I figured you'd be meeting up with Gerri and Mike. Your pictures are always so beautiful, you can't put in too many for me!

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  22. as usual great pics. beautiful chapel.
    if you get back this way sometime, st louis has 2 butterfly houses, one even has weddings.

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  23. Butterfly houses are so beautiful but snapping a photo is really difficult. I never get tired of seeing your photos either. Looking forward to tomorrow's post.

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  24. First of all, what a great photo of Gerri and Mike!..and the photos of the gardens and butterflys were just "off the charts" fabulous!! Hey, you and I have the same haircut now..in fact, we do look somewhat alike..Is your dad Johnny Depp too??

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  25. Great photo's. I especially enjoyed the special lady with "laugh lines". Better to have laugh lines than scowl lines.

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  26. The photos of the chapel are outstanding. Thanks for the tour,and can't wait to see more tomorrow. Great shot of that lady who has smiled and laughed her way through her life. ((smile)))

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  27. I'm so glad you got to meet up with Gerri and Mike. What a wonderful bonus to have a personal guide to the beautiful gardens. Your pictures are so beautiful. We hope to visit the gardens next spring. The photo of you with the butterfly is wonderful.

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  28. The butterfly pictures are great, especially the first one you posted, and the one sitting on your back.

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  29. What a beautiful spot and your photos showed the beauty of this place.

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  30. Everybody loves sweet Judy: Buds, birds, butterflies, and bugs! Great post, Judy. Thanx for sharing these photos!

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  31. butterbean carpenterMay 23, 2012 at 12:30 PM

    Howdy Judy & Emma,
    Of course, butterflies like you YOU'RE SALTY!! Thank you, so much for the trip
    today and tomorrow to a place I been longing to go!! I'll never get there, but
    thanx to my RVing friends I can say I seen it!! The chapel and the lake is so
    quiet and pretty; the stained-glass memorializes the wonderful beauty of the seasons; the son was very loving to have done that for her!! Can't wait until tomorrow!!! Pat Emma for me!!

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  32. Your pictures as SO amazing! Can you tell me what kind of camera you have? Not that it would help me...but...maybe.
    Also, did I tell you we tried the *228 for our phone but ultimately had to buy a new phone. But now we KNOW about 228ing it!!

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  33. My guess is chrysali for more than one.

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