I truly love our great state of Georgia! Our state is filled with so much history, so many beloved customs and traditions and a whole bunch of good folks. I have loved traveling across our state all of my life and it seems, the older I get, the more I love it.
I prefer the small towns and the backroads that are all filled with old houses and old ways. We have larger cities and metro areas here in Georgia, but without any doubt, it is the places that are off the beaten path that really bring me to life. I was not designed for concrete everywhere and high-rise buildings.
Although the terrain may vary across our great state, the similarities between small towns stays the same. A few stop signs, a flashing light here and there, as well as railroad tracks can be found from one end of our state to the other.
I have been to many places across our beloved state that we all call home, but the more places I visit, the more I realize I have yet to see. Some days I just get out and ride to some part of our state with camera in hand, hoping to catch a glimpse of americana through my viewfinder.
This past weekend I headed westward towards Morgan County. My destination was Rutledge, Ga. I have traveled all around Rutledge, visited towns on either side of it, but I had never been in the city limits. I have dear friends who live there, and they had invited me to come for the weekend.
Of course, I took the backroads, despite the fact I had been told to get on I-20. Truth be told, I never even looked at a map, I just headed that way. I still have enough sense to know which is way west and I am, fortunately, still able to read road signs. I was not interested in the fastest route; I was interested in the route that would offer sights that would speak to my soul.
I left Midville and went through Louisville, Grange, Mitchell and into Sparta. I headed to Greensboro next, but I had to traverse White Plains and Siloam along the way. Greene County is home to the headwaters of our beloved river, the Mighty Ogeechee which I am so deeply connected to.
After Greensboro I headed into Madison, Georgia which always takes my mind back in time to the 1800’s. The houses there that still remain from that era are breath-taking to say the least. In Madison I got onto the Dixie Highway and made my way to downtown Rutledge.
Rutledge, like many small towns across Georgia, was a railroad town, incorporated in 1871. The train depot is still there and has been well preserved for all to see. The town square has been well maintained also, and they hold events there for the community to enjoy. It’s small living at its best!
There’s a hardware store right downtown, Rutledge Hardware, that has obviously seen many trains go by. There’s not much I like better than an old, old hardware store. This one certainly fits the bill. After you walk in through those old glass doors, you are greeted by a very high ceiling that will captivate your full attention.
The shelves are filled to the top of that ceiling There is a ladder that travels to and from on a rail which provides access to things that are out of reach. Bear in mind, there is merchandise on those shelves from many years ago which serves as a gateway into the past of this historic little town. I could have stayed in that old store for hours.
Right up the street from the hardware store is The Caboose, which is the local eating establishment. We ate breakfast there on Saturday morning and the food and the service were both top shelves. We visited with other patrons, and those conversations were the best part of the whole meal.
We sat on my friend’s front porch in the afternoon and sipped on a glass of iced tea. As we sat there, kids were coming by on bikes, and the joyful squeals of other small children could be heard off in the distance. All I could do was smile. My friend asked what I thought about his little town?
I told him I loved it! I went on to explain to him there was a distinct feeling there for me. It was a feeling of calmness and tranquility. That feeling comes from the true spirit of the town, which ultimately comes from the people. There was a great peace that filled my soul last weekend in that wonderful little town called Rutledge.
I woke early on Sunday morning and the rain was coming down on the tin roof. I was once again mesmerized by that wonderful small town feeling that can only be found in the deep south. After coffee with my friends, I headed towards home on that old Dixie Highway. I waved to folks out on their porches enjoying that early morning rain shower. I gazed at the flowers growing in the ditches and thought, once again, there’s a lot to see in our great state.
