My partner Sara and I visited Southern Georgia last week—a town called Americus–a place that’s stereotypically small town America–America in miniature–a place that, for me, is about friendship, service, and fabulous feasting!
For many years Sara’s belonged to a group of female friends who call themselves the Breakfast Club—an assortment of bright and talented women who at one time or another worked in the world of international NGOs but originally met for breakfast on Saturday mornings at a place in Americus, Georgia called Kings Restaurant.
When Sara and I got together 5 years ago, I was inducted into this group of omeletpancakebacon-eating women, whether I wanted to be or not. And, I must admit, I’ve never laughed harder or louder than I have with these funny and fun-loving female friends.
Though I’d gathered with members of the Breakfast Club in a number semi-exotic locations, before last week I’d never visited Americus, the group’s original home—something Sara and I refused to tolerate any longer.
But Americus, Georgia’s bigger claim to fame is Habitat for Humanity—an international NGO founded 35 years ago by Millard Fuller, an organization that builds decent, affordable homes in close to 100 countries around the world—an organization I’ve worked with closely: having my university students help build houses locally in Lexington; volunteering personally with the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in the Mekong; taking another group of writers to the slums of New Delhi where we worked with Habitat for Humanity India.
Habitat is an organization I’ve worked with around the globe, but one whose US home I’d also never seen—until last week.
(But I don’t want you to miss Americus either.)
So, today I offer a pictorial tour of Americus as I experienced it—a sleepy, Southern town of 17,000 near Plains, Georgia, still the home of former US president Jimmy Carter— in many ways a tour of stereotypical America in miniature.
First, the charming Victorian hotel, the 53 room Windsor, where we stayed, an image of Main Street, USA:
The Breakfast Club’s Saturday morning meal is now eaten at Granny’s Kitchen:
There a group of strong American women gather around one big table:
Later that evening we had dinner at Donna’s, a small ranch home common in American suburbs–something my non-American readers may never have visited. Notice the mailbox:
We had a ball:
I also got to hug the famous peanut in Plains. Remember, Jimmy Carter, who still lives there came from a family of peanut famers:
I discovered that one of the many buildings in Americus that houses Habitat for Humanity, the Rylander, used to be a car dealership. Is there anything more stereotypically American than baseball, apple pie, and Chevrolet?
I also learned that Habitat for Humanity industriously and ecomically prints all of its own publications—a massive work ethic in operation at the Sheffield Center:
We extended out stay in Southern Georgia by visiting Savannah and the seashore on Tybee Island:
But the best part of visiting Georgia remains returning to Kentucky.
So–as Sara’s sabbatical at home will soon be ending and we will soon be moving on to another (yet unknown) international location, I’m reminded that the best part about being away always involves returning home.
Though I know my America is not the America of many, for me, home remains American— as narrow as that America may be.
So, please excuse the stereotypes; I’m just enjoying home.
Great tour of Americus and not stereotypical at all! I hope you enjoyed Savannah. My mom lives in Hilton Head so I visit Savannah all the time. Beautiful city!
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Savannah is amazing! We only spent an afternoon–but I loved it. I’ve never been to Hilton Head, though. Take care, Heather—————-
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Love the South- love all the pics too- any word?
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Ah, yes, the girl from Alabama–you love the South, indeed!
But–no–no news yet!
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When I first started reading this post, I thought, “Oh, Kathy, what on earth were you doing in Americus of all places?” I’m familiar with the small town, and haven’t been thoroughly impressed by it.
That is, until I read your post. 🙂 This was a very sweet and interesting snapshot tour. I’m glad you enjoyed your time in Americus, and I’m also glad that you’ve made it back home. 🙂
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How funny that you’ve been there! Yes, I understand that on the surface it’s fairly ordinary–nothing special–but then again, it’s so much more!
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Sweet and simple, the keys to the South 🙂
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Exactly, Tori–just like the iced tea!
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As many faults as we may have…it is still home. 😉
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Indeed–these are my roots in many ways–the place I come from.
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The pictures of Americus reminded me of the little town in Ohio where my mom grew up: Bellefontaine.
“omeletpancakebacon-eating women”…sounds like my kind of people! It’s all about the food!
Glad you guys had a good time on your vacation!
Hugs,
Wendy
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Ah–it is about the food–all about the food! How funny that Americus reminds you of another town you know. It is so stereotypically middle America!
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What a great vacation–friends, food, moral inspiration and the beach! Thanks for sharing it.
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What more could one ask for–besides mental health, perhaps!
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Americus looks absolutely charming. I didn’t realize there was a famous peanut in Plains I was missing out on…for sure I have to make the trip now!
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More famous than most peanuts–that is! You know, peanuts not being known for their fame and all–apart from the comic strip.
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I love that you found the extraordinary in the ordinary, and loved this walk down your travels. I remember reading a book by Billy Letts – “Where the Heart Is” that was set in a town called Americus, unless I’m mistaken which is entirely possible.
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I read the same book–though I think that might have been the main character’s name–or what she called her baby, perhaps? I don’t know. Maybe it was the name of the town. Does anyone remember?
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I want to live in Americus (sung to the tune from West Side Story)
🙂
looks lovely–thank you for sharing your trip, and your wonderful friends…
blessings!
jane
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I can hear the singing as we speak–or type–as the case may be. Can I join the chorus, even if I don’t sing well!
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Thoroughly enjoyed your pictorial tour of Americus. Looks charming and historical. Thanks for sharing!
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I’m so glad you came along for the ride! Americus is quite a happening spot! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! How great to hear from you today!
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What lovely pictures! I often find that my favourite travel destinations are the simpler ones with less fanfare. I love the photo of the old hotel.
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Isn’t the hotel amazing! Such an incredibly beautiful place. And it’s such a great little town. As Deanna said–it’f fun to find extrordinary moments in the most ordinary of places–well, that’s sort of what she said. Glad you enjoyed the photos!
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What a wonderful tour! It looks like such a fun gathering, too. Thank you for sharing it with us. 🙂
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You are so welcome, Robin! Glad you enjoyed the tour. Thanks for stopping by————————
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Why I feel like I have had a little vacation away just reading this. Just lovely! Thank you – I needed that.
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How great, Penny! Glad you got to take the trip with me!
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Loved hearing about your trip and seeing all the photos! I prefer reading personal accounts about travelling to reading the official travel guides.
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Me too, Lisa–personalzed travel is much more interesting! Hope you’re having a good day!
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You’ve provided a beautiful tour of small town America. As I have not seen enough of my own country as it is, I appreciate you taking all of us along for the ride. Looks like you had a fabulous time with some amazing women too!
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Oh, yes, Terri! It was a fabulous time with some truly amazing friends. Glad you got to come along—————
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Once again you inspire just when inspiration is needed most. Thank you 🙂
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Thanks so much, Steve! How great to hear from you—————— I love it when you stop by!
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looks great.where the hang are you K?
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Hi Grandma Jackie. This weekend Sara and I are at friend’s hacienda in Yunguilla, Ecuador. We have an apartment in Cuenca and a place on the coast. Hugs and love to you and everyone in Americus, from both of us—–
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