DayTripping In Americus - Habitat for Humanity Global Village & Discovery Center

Habitat for Humanity International was founded right here in Americus, Georgia.   Quite a few years ago, Habitat constructed the Global Village and Discovery Center, located just a short distance from our historic downtown shopping district.  This 6-acre "village" showcases the construction practices utilized by Habitat in many of the countries they are active.  The photos in this post were used with permission from The Long Long Road.

The first area you enter demonstrates substandard poverty housing.  All dwellings are life sized to give a visitor a true sense of what exists in the world around us.

Then, you enter the village of hope - what Habitat would build using indigenous materials.   So, you can visit the world, right here in Americus.   This is Botswana.

This is the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This is Haiti.

This is India.

This one is Mexico.

This is Papua New Guinea.

This is Sri Lanka.

This is Tanzania.

This one is Zambia.

Hope you enjoyed your world adventure without leaving your home.  Seriously, you should come see this for yourself.  When you actually walk into these structures, you can feel what "home" feels like.   The Global Village and Discovery Center is open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm (year round) and Saturdays 10am - 2pm (March - mid-November).

Very special thanks to The Long Long Road for sharing these awesome photos.  

Thank you for visiting the Americus Garden Inn blog.  Hope to see you in person very soon.

Love,

Susan

DayTripping from Americus - Massee Lane Gardens, Home of the American Camellia Society

With the current government shutdown, the National Historic Sites are closed.  Visitors to our area have been asking what else they can do.  This time of year is THE TIME to visit Massee Lane Gardens, Home of the American Camellia Society in nearby Fort Valley.  Less than an hour away from Americus, there is always something blooming at Massee Lane Gardens.  But, right now, the camellias are definitely the stars of the garden.

Although these photos were taken a few years ago, they give you an idea of what you can see when you visit the Gardens.

Please click the photos to see them full size as a slide show.

Beauty is everywhere.

This was the first time I had seen rosemary in bloom.  Now, one of our own rosemary plants has flowers, too.

Besides the outdoor garden areas, the indoor Boehm porcelain collection is truly worth taking the time to visit.

This is just one of the wonderful local attractions you should consider visiting when you travel to our area.  There are some really beautiful camellias just a short stroll from the inn in Oak Grove Cemetery, if you don't have the time to drive to Fort Valley.

Thanks for checking out our latest Americus Garden Inn blog entry.  We're looking forward to sharing our home with you.

Love,

Susan

Daytripping from Americus - Ellis Bros Pecans in Vienna

When you think about Southwest Georgia, what nut comes to mind?  I'll bet your first thought was peanuts.  But, peanuts are actually not nuts, they are legumes.  The true nut that is farmed in our area is the pecan.  Where can you go to taste all the deliciousness that pecans have to offer?  You can go to Ellis Bros Pecans in nearby Vienna, Georgia, just off of I-75, exit 109.  As you can see, we decided to take a trip to see them in the rain.  It was the perfect rainy day activity.

The store is much bigger than it looks from the outside and all the pecans are from the family owned pecan orchard.  In one direction, pecans as far as the eye can see.  In the other direction, a small area was decorated for Christmas.

 

You quickly notice the vast variety of raw pecans and you can sample them all to taste the unique qualities of each variety.

We determined our personal favorite to be the "Desirable" variety and bought some for our family and friends.

There are sweet and savory coated pecans to sample.  Key Lime was an unexpected delicious surprise.

One of our personal favorites was the praline coated pecans.  These are amazing.

Then, you enter the chocolate zone.

Yes, you can sample all the different varieties in white, milk and dark chocolate.  They also have a sugar free selection.

The flavor that truly "knocked my socks off" was the Dark Chocolate Amaretto Pecans.  These are absolutely incredible.

Although most of the store highlights pecans, they do sell peanuts.

There is an exotic nut selection.

They even have okra chips.  Yes, you can sample these, too.

There were jars and bottles of marinades and barbecue sauce.

All kinds of local honey were available.

 

Fig and peach jams and preserves made right on premise.

Peanut butter, pecan butter and jams all available to taste.

Lastly, all kinds of syrup and ciders are also available.

So, if you are travelling to or from Americus on I-75, and you have a half hour to do something fun,  check out our friends at Ellis Bros Pecans.   Your taste buds will thank you.  They are open every day of the year, including holidays, from 8am - 8pm.  We plan to go back very soon because I'm out of my Dark Chocolate Amaretto Pecans...

Thanks for visiting,

Love,

Susan