Pine Mt. RV Park, Pine Mt. GA:  Went to FDR’s Little White House today in Warm Springs, GA.  Stopped and had breakfast first in Pine Mt.  Then took the scenic drive through Roosevelt State Forest.  Lots of hiking trails in there.  Wanted to dust off my hiking boots and go for a hike. The Little White House is a cute and very modest little house on top of a hill with a pretty view.  FDR built the house in 1932 while governor of New York.  He first came to Warm Springs in 1924 hoping to find a cure for polio that had struck him in 1921.  The warm waters didn’t provide a cure, but it did help some.  After visiting the Little White House, we fueled up the truck and went back to our park.  Tomorrow we leave for Nashville for a couple of days.  73 today.

This is an overlook near the Little White House where FDR liked to come and sit quietly and maybe have a picnic.  A picnic to him was linen-draped tables with silver service.
Picture by Mike

FDR had this grill built on this spot to make picnics easier.  The view is of the Pine Mt. valley.  A beautiful spot.
Picture by Mike

The Little White House.  All the furniture was built at Val Kil, the furniture factory that Eleanor Roosevelt started to help employ people who were out of work.  The house has a big deck in back that looks out over a forested area.  He loved sitting out there.  He suffered a stroke in this house while posing for a portrait which was never finished.  He died a couple of days after.  

This picture was taken from the porch of the Little White house.  The building on the left was the garage and servant quarters.  The building on the right was the guest house.

Pine Mt. RV Park, Pine Mt., GA:  Off to Callaway Gardens this morning.  Arrived around 11:30 and had lunch.  Then explored around.  The azalea gardens were at about 80%.  Too much cold weather lately.  A beautiful day today though.  Clear blue skies and it warmed up to around 66. Stopped to pick up some KFC for dinner. 

Pioneer cabin--built in 1830.  Owners raised 13 children in this cabin.
Callaway Gardens, GA

Mike amid the azaleas--Callaway Gardens, GA

Azalea!

Chapel at Callaway Gardens, GA

KOA, Valdosta, GA, to Pine Mt. RV Park, Pine Mt., GA:  Left this morning at 9:45.  Back on I75 to Tifton, GA, and took Rt. 82 west through rural Georgia.  This is a four-lane, limited-access highway.  We passed pecan grove after pecan grove after pecan grove.  And the dogwoods, red bud trees, tulip trees, and azaleas were just blooming.  Beautiful!  We arrived in Pine Mt. and were set up by 3:00.  We’re here to see Callaway Gardens and Warm Springs, FDR’s Little White house.  I visited both places back in the 80s in my other life.  Mike has never been.  We’re here for 3 nights.  Unfortunately, the temps are only in the 50s.  Hopefully it will warm up some.

Beautiful dogwoods in bloom.

Camelot RV Park, Malabar, FL, to KOA, Valdosta, GA:  Left Malabar this morning at 8:30.  Took I95 over to Rt. 192 and then picked up Florida’s Turnpike in St. Cloud.  Took that through Orlando to I75 north and then stopped just south of Ocala for some fuel and food.  Then Mike took over driving.  Stopped once again for fuel before we pulled into our KOA just south of Valdosta.  It’s been windy all day.  When will it ever let up?  North Florida is so pretty with all the horse and cattle ranches and their pretty flat board fencing.  And all the flowering trees are blooming with signs of spring.  Should be really pretty driving through Georgia tomorrow.  Only 56 today for the high (sigh).

Bruce and Sally--dinner last night at Squid Lips

Mike and Bruce--dinner last night at Squid Lips

Sally and Carolyn--dinner last night at Squid Lips

Carolyn and I--dinner last night at Squid Lips
picture by Bruce

Valdosta KOA

Camelot RV Park, Malabar, FL:  Had a great time last night at Bruce & Sally’s place.  Our friend, Carolyn, is visiting her sister for 3 weeks.  Our dinner was superb.  Apparently, Bruce used to be a chef.  A wonderful meal.  Too stuffed for dessert.  We sat out on the lanai most of the evening, even when a storm came through.  Fortunately, we didn’t get anything severe.  We’re meeting them for dinner tonight at Squid Lips.  It has cooled off quite a bit and should be painfully so as we head north.  Tomorrow bright and early (I hope) we leave for Valdosta, GA.

Carolyn and I awaiting the ferry out to Little Palm Island--2006

Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Jupiter, FL, to Camelot RV Park, Malabar, FL:  Left this morning at 9:45.  Since I opted to drive first, I just went up Hwy. 1.  Got tired of all the stop-and-go traffic and got on I95 at Port St. Lucie.  I hate I95.  And the wind is even worse today.  Stopped at a rest area and Mike took over.  Got here and were set up by 12:30.  We stopped here because I got an e-mail from our Canadian friend, Carolyn.  She’s flying down to visit her sister and brother-in-law who live in Palm Bay.  We’re invited over there for dinner tonight.  For shrimp primavera to be exact. Bruce will be doing the cooking. Looking forward to it.  Figured we wouldn’t be home until the wee hours and not in the best of shape.  So figured I’d better post this now.  82 today so far.  And WINDY! 

Another nice sunset last night.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park (Site 86), Jupiter, FL:  Yesterday was cool and windy.  Today was hot and steamy.  What a difference!  Mike wanted to take the boat trip down the Loxahatchee River to Trapper John’s camp.  Planned on the 1:00 trip, but we were told they wouldn’t go all the way to the camp because of low tides.  So, we went back at 3:00 but were told the same thing.  On the way back to our site, we stopped at Hobe Mt., the highest point in southern Florida—86 ft.  Climbed the tower there and checked out the view.  This park used to be home of the 801^st Signal Corps during WWII.  Sitting on over 11,000 acres this base was comprised of over 1000 buildings, including a church, store, bowling alley, hospital, movie theater and barracks.  It was ceded to the state as a state park in 1947 and became Jonathan Dickinson State Park in 1950.  It is huge and boasts all kinds of trails, including equestrian trails.  Out to Schooners for dinner tonight.  88 today!

Intracoastal waterway, Jupiter Island, Atlantic Ocean.

801st based here during WWII.