Suwannee “Way Down”

White Springs Georgia is a great little town. Live Oaks, Spanish Moss and a wide spectrum of buildings with character. The old Telford Hotel is the last of fifteen grand hotels and countless boarding homes which served the guests at “White Sulfur Springs” when the waters were reputed to cure everything from dandruff to consumption.



The waters don’t  even trickle from the great four story Spring House anymore and the River is at a Historic low –- too pitiful to even picture, but not so sad that Patty won’t crack the title pun.
White Springs (they dropped the Sulfur for obvious reasons) is a warm, friendly place with a granola eating kind of feel. Folks are quick to point out all the natural beauty spots and ways each can be enjoyed and protected.



I made the pilgrimage to Suwannee Bicycle Association in hopes of meeting a true hero of mine.  Back in the early seventies, Lys Burton peddled from Alaska to Patagonia on some the worst roads on both continents.  I can still recall the picture of she and her three friends pushing bikes through hip deep mud in Alaska. Then they came home and founded Bikecentennial which guided thousands of novice bikers across the country to celebrate the Bicentennial.  I found no one at the office, but maybe someday…
At the park’s craft village. we visited the Volunteer Blacksmith. Bob created a cup holder as a reward for Miss Pat’s rapt attention while Al compared notes with some arriving Airstreamers.


The Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center Park (oh yes, the park) is quite excellent in every way.  Well laid out campgrounds, beautiful grounds (with azaleas already blooming in February!), and of course the largest carillon anywhere playing a concert of Foster favorites every few hours.  We met some great couples and wished we did not have to rush away.
The Gift Shop of course carries these…

Joanie & Jeff collected these tabs from State Parks all over Georgia, Florida and Alabama and wore them proudly on their little windbreakers -- wore them until they grew and every last one of them had to be transferred to a larger size jacket.  Thanks Mom.