Thursday, November 5, 2020 - FDRSP, Warm Springs, Red Oak Covered Bridge

This morning we’ll treat ourselves to another batch of scrambled eggs with as many veggies as we can use up, since we’ll be leaving tomorrow morning and we’re planning on having dinner out this evening.  

Eventually we head out with a plan to explore the little towns near by, Pine Mountain and Warm Springs.  We decide that Warm Springs looks more promising and, indeed, there are lots of little shops to poke around in! 

Marilyn visits the TI and meets Louise, who is 92 and shares lots of information, like the location of the Red Oak Covered Bridge, and a recommendation to visit the Switch and Grind Coffee Café.

Our favorite shop, The Bluebird Cottage, has only locally produced items made from American components.  We chat a long time with the owners and each make more than one trip to the cash register, since everyone checks out everyone else’s purchases to see what we’ve missed!

Most of us continue checking out the other shops;  but none compare to our favorite, and soon our tummies suggest the café should be next.  Marilyn is first in line and the lady at the counter tells her that we can sit at one of the tables in the back room;  but if the inspectors come we have to leave quickly!  It’s not approved for customers!  Everyone gets a beverage and a sweet to hold us until dinner.  Then it’s off to the covered bridge.

The Red Oak Covered Bridge is the oldest (1840s) and longest covered bridge in Georgia.  It was built by a freed slave and noted bridge builder, Horace King.

Our plan is to return to the Calloway Gardens Country Store for sunset and dinner.  But the ladies neglected to mention, when we were there before, that they aren’t open for dinner!  We take one or two shots and go off to find food!    Along the way there is a perfect spot to pull of and take sunset photos!

We pull into the actual Calloway Gardens, only to meet a very helpful lady who suggests that we go out and try the next entrance.  There is an actual restaurant there.

Ever obedient, we follow her directions and eventually find the restaurant, or at least one of them!  It doesn’t really matter because ours, Cason’s Tap Room, and the Piedmont are sharing a menu tonight, due to kitchen reconstruction!  It’s fine.  We are seated outside on the patio and there are heaters everywhere.  Brian, our server, is very accommodating and even finds us some yummy rolls to munch while we consider our options.  Even better, there is a resident kitty, Callie, who goes from table to table searching for treats!  Dinner is lovely and everyone is well satisfied to go home and crash, after checking the vote counts one more time and playing another couple of rounds of Rummikub and starting to pack.