The Roads of Georgia

One of the things that I have really enjoyed about my job is the fact that I travel roads in Georgia many people never do.  CBF/GA has churches in just about every corner of the state, which means I may not always travel interstates 75, 85 or 20 all the time (which after living in Atlanta for three years is refreshing to say the least!) Or, I may start there, but end up on roads that take me through the real Georgia.

I noticed this almost immediately last fall when I traveled south to Fitzgerald for the first time.  I was able to enjoy a two-lane state highway and the beautiful fields and pecan groves all around me.  Or in my many trips to Taliaferro County, while there is often little to look at besides trees, reminds you of the vastness of the state.  It has been at those points that my "Atlanta bubble" has been popped.  No, its true, Atlanta cannot be your only depiction of Georgia.

This past weekend, Carson and I traveled to St. Simons so I could meet with FBC about hosting March Mission Madness there this upcoming Spring.  After looking online at how to get there, I really was not quite sure what we would see once we exited I-16.  We went through towns with names like Lumber City, Hazelhurst, Baxley, and Jesup.  We saw old downtowns squares, beautiful old houses and literally slowed down as we approached each town every few miles.  Finally, after almost four hours, we arrived on St Simons.  We spent a good part of the day just driving and walking around the beautiful and pristine island, again, very different than other parts of the state.  We ate fantastic seafood, visited the local shops, drove through the round-abouts, and envied those on their bicycles riding around the island.

Being a proud North Carolina native and "city girl," I'm honestly becoming fascinated with Georgia the more of it that I see.  Every time I get the opportunity to travel, I hope that I take roads I haven't before, so that I can go to a new part of the state and experience the newness and uniqueness of each city or town, whether its just passing through or staying for awhile.  Wherever the roads take me, I'm just glad I'm branching out beyond 285 and that my experience has not just been Atlanta, even though I love it.  There is a lot more to see in Georgia, a lot to experience, many people to meet, and much to understand about the state where we now live and serve.  And I think I'm really going to like it.