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Vanderford's Travels

Vidalia offers much more than legendary onions

Since I was a child growing up in the southern part of Georgia, I have known and tasted the sweetness of world-famous Vidalia Onions in many different culinary creations. Until recently, however, I knew very little about the area or the people of this Peach State gem. Thanks to a gracious invitation from Elizabeth Harvill of the Vidalia Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, I decided to make the less than three-hour drive to Sweet Onion Country.

Boy . . . was it worth the effort! Within minutes of arriving at the immaculately restored farm house, known as the The Cotton Patch Inn (912-583-2519), I was warmly greeted by innkeeper and owner, Martha Staples. Following a tour of all the rooms, I was seated in the gorgeous dining area for wine, cheese, and great conversation. During our talk, I discovered that despite having a doctorate in home economics and having worked throughout Georgia in the educational field, Martha was born and raised in this very farm house. In recent years, however, she has completely restored the house and grounds as a bed and breakfast. Though I drove the short distance into Vidalia for dinner, when I returned, Martha was waiting with hot tea and homemade pecan pie that would tempt an angel. The fabulous dessert led me to a very restful night in a big four-poster bed filled with visions of a more simple era of Southern hospitality.

After a gourmet breakfast that Martha prepared, I was off through the rustic countryside on winding two-lane roads to meet Scott Taylor, owner of Three Rivers Expeditions (www.explorethreerivers.com, 912-594-8379), for a guided tour on the Altamaha River in a canoe. Other writers and their guests joined us to meander down this picturesque river at our leisure. The three-hour paddle passed many beautiful natural areas as well as a few inhabited places.         At the end of the trip, we were treated to lunch at Benton Lee’s Steakhouse (912-594-6931), which is right on the river. During the feast, we all traded stories of the birds and wildlife we had observed, the gorgeous white sandbars that were passed, and a few entertaining tales of canoe mishaps along the way. With our stomachs full and our muscles exercised, it was time to do something less strenuous and more visual. So, Elizabeth took us all to a unique and extremely interesting farm that is inhabited with rare deer, goats, and birds from all over the world.       

Buckhorn Creek Ranch is a 250-acre exotic animal farm where even small children are allowed to hand feed the deer. One can observe many seldom seen animals, including the only camel in the Southeast, from atop a tractor-pulled platform that is perfect for taking photos. Though a very seriously-run wildlife preserve, Buckhorn Creek Ranch is not a commercial operation. It is family-run, very friendly, and caters to every guest’s personal preferences as to what they want to do and see. Every family can enjoy a natural, wildlife-focused outing that is fun and educational for the entire family. For more information visit  www.buckhorncreekranch.net or call ahead for reservations at 912-583-2737.

Since I’m always an angler, I finished the day by catching more than 40 bass and bream from a fertile farm pond that was less than a mile from the Cotton Patch Inn. More tea and fantastic homemade dessert sent me into dreamland again in the big four-poster bed. Martha was up early preparing another unique breakfast before sending me on my way back to the reality of metro Atlanta and work. For me, it was a short, but very unforgettable trip that any couple or family would thoroughly enjoy. Truly a taste of what the Old South was really like!

For more information about all of the other possibilities in Vidalia, contact Elizabeth Harvill at (912-538-8687) or go to their website at:  www.vidaliaarea.com

Bill Vanderford has won numerous awards for his writing and photography, and has been inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary Guide. He is a member of SATW, NATJA, OWAA, SEOPA and GOWA. He can be reached at 770-289-1543, JFish51@aol.com or visit: www.fishinglanier.com.
 

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