The BIG Road Trip ~ Georgia [GA]

If you’re new to The BIG Road Trip – all the information can be found on this page. Curious how this series came about? Find the ‘why’ in this first announcement post. All BIG Road Trip posts can be found archived here.

If you have state-related art, stories and inspiration to share or if you made art inspired by this blogpost, LINK US UP BY USING THE INLINKZ TOOL AT THE END OF THIS POST. Inspiration for you to use as a jumpstart to get creative is at the end of the post.

I am looking for GUEST BLOGGERS to blog about different States in America (find the list with States and schedule here.) These guest posts do not have to be as extensively written as mine and preferably give more personal and artsy insight and info about the state/region. Info that is interesting for an artist to know, like pointing out local art shops and little galleries et cetera. Also, I will be available to help you with tips, search for images and add extra inspiration if you need me to. Email me at bigroadtrip[at]maritspaperworld[dot]com if you’re interested!

“Georgia, Georgia,
The whole day through
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind”

~ Ray Charles ~

You all know Ray Charles, don’t you? Did you know he was born in Albany, Georgia? That explains why he sang that song and why I have it going through my head all day… I’m heading for Georgia!

Now I could have taken the “Midnight Train to Georgia” but I didn’t…
I stood by the Savannah river – a major river forming most of the border between South Carolina and Georgia – and decided to swim!

… and look who stood on the other side to welcome me to her state…

Brigita – or Gita – from Gita’s Corner!

Now look at her smile – what a warm welcome!

~ Guest post by Gita ~

Hello Marit, nice to meet you.
Glad you could come for a visit to Georgia, the “Peach” state.

 

Why don’t we take a drive down south and visit the Okefenokee Swamp. There are over 400,000 acres of canals, moss draped cypress tree and lily pad prairies providing sanctuary to hundreds of species of birds and wildlife. We can go for a canoe ride….

see some alligators…

or just enjoy the beauty in nature…

Once we are done here we can drive back towards where I live which is south of Atlanta. Nearby is the Callaway Gardens. We can go for a hike and see the world famous resort known for its azaleas.

Or go for some adventure and try zip lining. It’s alot of fun!!

Once we’ve rested, we could head near Atlanta and take a hike up to the top of Stone Mountain for some views of downtown and the surrounding area. Let’s hope it’s nice and clear out…

Stone Mountain is the largest piece of exposed granite. There’s a carving of 3 southern generals – Jefferson Davis, Robert E Lee, and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.

We can stay until dark and watch the laser show.

Are you tired yet?
Well, we’re done with all the hiking and will head to the World of Coca-Cola.

Did you know Coca-Cola was invented right here in Atlanta in 1886? Yup.

We can also taste all sorts of different sodas from across the world…

Have we had enough? Well, before you go we can visit Margaret Mitchell’s home, which is on the National Register of Historic places.

She wrote her book, Gone with the Wind, here in Atlanta.

She’s also buried nearby at Oakland Cemetery..

I hope you enjoyed your stay here in Georgia.
Have fun on the remainder of your BIG tour. Take Care!!!

Brigita

…

Thank YOU Brigita – for showing me around! You showed me places and pointed out facts that I would never have found on my own. (Coca Cola invented in Atlanta?! That is a fun fact to know!)

I think plenty of inspiration can be taken from the photos and facts Brigita showed us – but I will list some inspiration tips and add – as always – songs + lyrics to spark your imagination even more. If you create something inspired by this post, or have something else Georgia-related to share, please let me know or leave your link with InLinkz at the end of this post!

So… what has Georgia – and this blogpost – to offer that you can use as jumpstart to get creative?

 

• Rivers and rocks

• Swimming

• Peaches

• Swamp / Canoe / Alligators
  

• Gardens / Azaleas
  

• Zip lining / adventurous or dangerous sports
  

• Mountains / Reliefs / Carvings
  

• Coca Cola / Soda

• Gone with the Wind (book, film)
  

 

and for the music…

• Songs about Swimming
  

Nightswimming – R.E.M. (lyrics)

Swimming Lesson – Eels (lyrics)

Dive In – The Hours (lyrics)

Front Crawl – Frank Turner (lyrics)

Swim Until You Can’t See Land – Frightened Rabbit (lyrics)

Swimming Into Deep Water – Don Rosenbaum (lyrics)

Don’t Cross The River – America (lyrics)

 

• Famous musicians from Georgia

A number of notable musicians in various genres of popular music are from Georgia. Included is Ray Charles (whose many hits include “Georgia on My Mind”, now the official state song), and Gladys Knight (known for her Georgia-themed song, “Midnight Train to Georgia”).
Rock groups from Georgia include The Black Crowes and the Allman Brothers.
The university city of Athens sparked an influential rock music scene in the 1980s and 1990s. Among the groups achieving their initial prominence in that city were R.E.M. and the B-52’s.

Legendary musician Otis Redding, Jr., has been immortalized by a life-size bronze sculpture, depicting him sitting on the pilings of a dock strumming a guitar with his famous song lyrics on a pad beside him.

The statue graces a riverfront park next to the Otis Redding Memorial Bridge, within walking distance of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and historic Downtown Macon.

I made  this art journal page years ago inspired by the Otis Redding song
(Sitting on) The Dock of the Bay (with lyrics)

 

• Songs about Georgia

Georgia on My Mind – Ray Charles (lyrics)

Midnight Train to Georgia – Gladys Knight and the Pips (lyrics)

Rainy Night in Georgia – Brook Benton (lyrics)

Devil Went Down to Georgia – Charlie Daniels (lyrics)

Georgia Rain – Trisha Yearwood (lyrics)

Moon over Georgia – Shenandoah (lyrics)

If you have a State-related blogpost to share, or if you have art to show that is inspired by the State or by this blogpost, feel free to leave a link. Please leave a link to a specific blog post or image on flickr, rather than a general url. To avoid spam, I will view each link before it gets approved. No linking up to travel agents or advertisements please. Thanks!

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1.	Fishing and Photography on the Satilla River Georg...

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