American Press Travel News–Bob and Barb on the Road Again–Stopping to Smell the Roses and visit the reefs of the Florida Keys!!!
But first: Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, wherever they are, or have landed with family and friends!!!!
Go Fish Education Center in Perry, GA.
American Press Travel News-October 9th, 2019-Perry, GA. – Bob and Barb “On The Road Again” this time in GA. While in Perry, GA. on the way home from Florida to our Goose Holler’ Farm in TN., we stopped in a area of GA. that has several interesting Go To places for locals, travelers and general visitors. There is a huge convention center, a marvelous outdoor venue for equestrian and RV convention events, as well as a monster Georgia National Fair, and carnival functions, year-around. A huge project now open for over a decade is the Go Fish Education Center. This center features over 200,000 gallons of aquariums/exhibits. The exhibits showcase fish and habitats from all areas of Georgia. We tried out fishing and hunting simulators. These were a real treat for us and the various families including children that tried these simulators out. We were introduced at the incoming desk of Go Fish to Michael Fulghum, the aquarium manager. Fulghum said that the tradition of fishing was passed on to him from his grandfather and father. “Working at the Go Fishing Education Center has allowed me to share that tradition with others. From school children to senior citizens , the staff at the Go Fish Center teaches the skills and techniques needed to enjoy fishing. We have the great pleasure of sharing some of life’s little moments with our guests, whether watching a child land their first fish, or helping a family catch their limit, the Go Fish Education Center is here to secure the tradition of fishing for years to come”, concluded Fulghum. We agree, this is a terrific venue for keeping the healthy and happy sport of fishing, top-of-the -mind for everyone. Visit their state-of-the-art hatchery, and catch and release, with bait and tackle is free at their fishing pond that’s stocked with several warm water fresh water species. Go to their website: www.gofisheducationcenter.com for more information.
Florida Keys Sojourne
American Press Travel News–September 17th,-Islamorada, Florida Keys–Bob and Barb Epstein at home with David and lovin’ every minute! The Florida Keys is the true American Caribbean with out needing access by boat and plane. The drive alone through a section of the Everglades is worth the adventure drive from anywhere, USA. What is particularly special about the Keys is so many islands drivable over 43-different bridges with the direct Atlantic Ocean being on your left side and Florida Bay, the beginning of the Gulf of Mexico on your right. Hundreds of varieties of fish, shellfish and crustaceans’ are the main inhabitants and from shore to the deep fishing and diving is the primary reason for attending natures academy of Mother’s apron of life. Our family moved to the Keys in the 1970’s. My sons went to Upper Keys schools, fished the waters with friends and their dad and mom and snorkeled for Florida Lobster. The Keys got in the blood of our boys David Epstein, now the Director of Emergency Management for the Homestead Air Force Base and Brian is today a licensed Captain. He is known as “Captain Key Largo” and can be chartered for all manner of boating experiences in the Fabulous Florida Keys!
Linden, TN. Between 2-Great Rivers! Part 2 of 3-Articles
American Press Travel News-July 4th, Eastern, TN.– “Bob and Barb On the Road Again.” Part 2 of our adventure in Linden, TN.–when we met Michael Dumont and his wife, Kathy, we knew were in a special place. Not to over dramatize our visit, but we felt more confident that in Linden, we could relax and experience a bit of the historical aspects of this region, east of Memphis and about two hours west of Nashville.
Michael took us for a tour of Perry County area. A fabulous rural area, rife with fabulous water, valley and mountain vistas as well as all manner of wildlife! We visited and drove along the Tennessee River, to the Mousetail Landing state Park, with RV facilities including 5 different levels of fitness trails, and views that are sensational. We toured the Lindens riverside nature of the Buffalo River, and Michael introduced us to a new Bed and Breakfast, he had completely rehabbed close to the TN. River, in a nearby, small hamlet of Clifton, “Tennessee’s best preserved river landing town.”
In Clifton, we visited the T.S. Stribling Home & Museum. Thomas Sigismund Stribling was the first Pulitzer prize winning author of 14-novels, plays and short stories in Tennessee. A great stopover and visit during our stay, and well worth visiting. The museum is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Go: www.cityofclifton.com or call (931) 676-3370 for tours information. Lots to marvel at.
The town of Linden in Perry County, Tennessee 1819-2019 had this nice hotel building, but according to Michael Dumont, “the town had seen better days.” The hotel was basically shuttered and needed everything! But getting to know him and his wife Kathy, I saw what they saw, and felt that with their drive and entrepreneurship, that they certainly made a huge difference in bringing a large spurt for economic revival to this town and county. They went to work with enthusiastic support from several towns folk in bringing back a huge measure of curbside appeal to Linden. They pushed getting rid of all the crisscrossing powerlines, that opened up the towns look, and feel that it wasn’t a hodge-podge anymore, of neglect. Like many towns, the rural roads were once the main roads, but as in this case for Linden, when I-40, the east-west interstate cutting through the state, was completed, traffic on the once, main route, 100 decreased to mainly local traffic and businesses soon to be gone, on Main Street. So the businesses, and well-kept stately buildings became just old, non maintained, and almost all abandoned. from the car dealership, vehicle repair shops and retail stores, and the bus stations that once serviced travelers from Memphis to Nashville, virtually ended. Sufficient to say when the Dumonts came to Linden in 2007, the little town showed 14 vacant storefronts. Michael says now there are no vacant stores. Perry Chamber of Commerce lists that in 2009, unemployment was 28.9-percent. Today, its between 2-3-percent. and now Linden is not a pass-through, according to Mitchell Rhodes, Chairman of the Perry County Chamber of Commerce, Linden is a destination with a proper hotel again, restaurants and the “Bloomin Arts Festival along with music, music, music! Go: Commodorehotellinden.com and call (931) 589-3224 for a visit. Note* next post will detail many more amenities and businesses in and around the town of Linden!!