I loved the pre-spring fun at Salem Baptist and though I didn’t get to go admire the wonderful car show in person, I was able to view it via Facebook! It was neat to see Shaquille O’Neal and our new sheriff as they spoke and also presented some prizes and other joys. They had some gorgeous vehicles too, including some of my favorites along with a few surprises. I’m glad I grew up loving vehicles!

Next I got some neat shots of grandson Tyler’s latest field trip to an aviation museum which was part of a class he’s taking in Macon. I loved going to that museum years ago and actually getting inside a helicopter, plus taking pictures of a massive jet plane. I took lots of road trips with some of my toddler and then pre-teen grandkids. We visited the Ray Charles museum, the Atlanta Zoo, Dauset Trails and Noah’s Ark, all within driving distance. Of course I took them to see some homes in Cabbagetown, and we also strolled Macon Street and Griffin Street admiring beautiful antebellum creations. The Brown House was a good place to visit, and the old post office that became a museum gave us more joy. Then we headed on down to Heritage Park to check out the old library plus lots of walking trails and a wonderful wall built for those who have served our country. Hey, I didn’t even have to leave Henry County for those joys! We always loved the occasional lunch at PJs, sigh, and I miss those delicious meals.

I still remember taking my young sons to the neat public pool at Alexander Park, now gone. We would check out more lovely homes as we toured McDonough, then Locust Grove too. I’m so happy that I get to see them now via Facebook. The first spring destination with my dears would always be a picnic at Indian Springs. I’d make some bologna sandwiches, fill a jug with tea I’d made earlier so it would be good and cold and we’d take off down 42 Highway. I always showed them where we had lived in our first years, and now that little rental home is gone and replaced by a neat Pizza restaurant. We would drive by the Carmichael House first, then meander through the Jackson Square and head on down 42/23 for our day fun. I always checked out Fresh Air as we passed that 1929 barbeque joint, and then we’d admire a couple of old hotels at Indian Springs before finding a parking spot and a picnic table. Later, I would take my grandkids and had to pay to enter the park, $5 the last I remember.

I always took a ball, bat and some gloves so we could have a little sports fun after we ate. We’d walk some neat paths through the woods, then get back in the car and drive over to the lake area for more hiking and fun. Later in the summer we could swim in that lake and I did get a few nibbles from some fish! It never bothered me getting in the water in spring time back then though.

We had more fun when Peachtree Peddlers opened up on weekends, and I took my oldest grands there for a car show, some free horse riding, and to tour the rows of toys, clothes, and other things for sale. We found some good food there too, and got lots of exercise checking out all the booths. Of course gas was cheap then, and I didn’t mind driving us around the county and nearby towns too. We went to a neat horse show at Senoia, and even took a day trip to Warm Springs. SO, I LOVE this time of the year and I’m VERY blessed for all the fun, most of it free!

Beverly Wittler has four children, eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. She lives in McDonough.