Plains, Georgia

I prepared for the event the night before by getting addresses, mapping the destination through Google Maps, writing out the direction (left or right), the road name and the miles on sticky notes for the windshield. The round trip mileage was to be 185 miles, which would be a little over 4 hours. This would be a nice distance while giving us lots of time to wander around Plains.


The directions were great but I got a little nervous when I reached the final road and I hadn't seen a sign for Plains yet and we were heading down this isolated country road. We reached the end of the road without seeing anything resembling Billy Carter's Gas Station Museum, which was the destination. We broke out the map of Georgia and found the best way to get back on track.


The road into Plains was straight, flat, about 8 miles long and surrounded by cotton fields. I've seen cotton fields since being in Georgia but it still fascinates this Northern boy. It seems surreal to see cotton balls growing out of plants. I also can't help but think of the time when people would be working out there in the Georgia heat picking this stuff.


We stopped at the visitor center upon entering Plains, which was also the old high school and housed a museum devoted to the school and Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter.


They had one section briefly documenting many of the great things this couple has done throughout their life. I had visited the Carter library in Atlanta earlier this year with my parents and was amazed at all they had done. I have great respect and admiration for Jimmy & Rosalynn and don't know how they had the energy to do all that they have done.


Elizabeth and I ate lunch outside the museum on some picnic benches that we under the shade of some trees.


After learning a little more about the president and first lady, it was time to visit the museum devoted to the more colorful member of the family. I was in 5th grade when Jimmy was elected president and I remember seeing and hearing about Billy but missed out on most of his escapades. I have since read up on him using wikipedia and it sounds like he was quite the character.


The gas station was very small and those working there were busy getting ready for Peanut Festival that was happening the following week. We had planned on hitting the festival, but I was to be on-call that weekend and needed to stay close to home.


A big focus of the museum was Billy's associated with beer, mostly the failed Billy Beer product. They also went into his controversial relationship with Libya as well as his unique manner of dress.


Billy lost most of what he had due to unpaid back taxes, eventually acknowledged being an alcoholic, and died of pancreatic cancer in 1988 at the age of 51.


After leaving Plains, Elizabeth and I headed into Columbus to pick up some beans, yeast & stuff at Country Life Vegetarian Restaurant and Natural Food store.


The trip that was supposed to be 185 miles ended up being 250. The ride home was extremely hot (high 90's) and we were thirsty and exhausted.

Now I'm ready for my next road trip :)