College football season is finally here! For the next three months, the Wandering Dawgs will be making the drive to Athens, Georgia to watch our University of Georgia Bulldogs play on Saturdays in Sanford Stadium.
Along with thousands of other UGA football fans and students, our favorite route to Athens is along Georgia Highway 15. One of the familiar sights of the trip is an old barn beside the highway in Tennile.
About eighteen years ago a message about Georgia Football had been painted on the sign for the first time. Ever since then, the message changes a few times during the year. Now whenever we travel that way we look forward to seeing what new message will be there.
It’s summer in the Peach State and that means fresh, sweet, juicy Georgia peaches.
Peach season always reminds me of my Dad. After he retired from the Air Force in the 1970’s, he and my Mom moved to a farm in middle Georgia. In addition to their summer garden they had a small peach and apple orchard. When the peaches were ripe Dad would call and we would drive the 200 miles to their house to pick some peaches. I can still remember the sweetness of the peach and the sticky juice running down my hands as I stood in the orchard eating a peach that moments before still been had on the tree.
These days I have to be content with buying peaches at a local produce stand. On a recent road trip we stopped at James and the Giant Peach Stand in Ellabell for some fresh Georgia peaches. As soon as we arrived at home I tasted one and them and then made a fresh peach cobbler for dessert. Another night I blended up some Peach Daiquiris.
Georgia Peaches from Ellabell, Georgia
Peach Cobbler made with fresh Georgia peaches
Peach Daiquiri with fresh Georgia peaches
Another Georgia summer treat is the Vidalia Onion. The Vidalia Onion was named the Official State Vegetable of Georgia in 1990. They cannot be sold until the Georgia Ag Commissioner chooses a Pack date, usually in April. The season continues through August of each year. These sweet onions are only grown in a few South Georgia counties. Tomato and Vidalia onion pie is one of my favorite summer side dishes.
Vidalia Onions
It’s difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato – Lewis Grizard
The best tomatoes in the world are home grown tomatoes. If you grow your own, you know what I’m talking about. I’ve never been successful growing slicing tomatoes so I buy “Davis Killer Tomatoes” from my favorite produce stand, Davis Produce in Savannah. On a sweltering summer day there is nothing better for lunch than a tomato sandwich. Sliced bread (traditionally white bread but these days I use multi-grain or wheat), mayonnaise (preferably Dukes), and sliced tomatoes with salt and pepper. That’s it! Deliciousness!
Tomato Sandwich
A favorite southern summer snack is boiled peanuts. I love sitting around the table with friends and family, a cold drink and a bowl of boiled Georgia peanuts.
Boiled Peanuts
Georgia is known for other produce the rest of the year. Did you know that the state of Georgia is one of the top blueberry producing states in the country? I look forward every spring to blueberry season. As soon as they were ready this year I bought a flat from a friend’s sister who owns an organic blueberry farm.
Georgia grown blueberries
Are you hungry yet for some Georgia goodness? I’ve never shared a recipe on my blog before but here is my favorite cobbler recipe.
Easy Fruit Cobbler
1 stick unsalted butter (use real butter)
1 cup self rising flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
3 – 5 peeled and sliced peaches or 1 container blueberries + 1 TB sugar
Preheat oven to 350. Place the fruit in a bowl and mix with the 1 TB sugar. Set aside.
Put the butter in a 9×9 inch square baking pan (I use metal but a glass pan will work). Place the pan in the oven to melt butter.
While butter is melting, in another bowl mix the flour, sugar, and milk. Batter will be thin and milky.
When butter is melted, remove from oven and pour in the batter. Spoon fruit over batter. Bake at 350 for 50 minutes to 1 hour. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if desired.
When was the last time you were driving down the interstate in the state of Georgia and saw a camel or a buffalo?
The first time we saw a buffalo from the interstate as we were traveling east on I-16 towards home we knew we were going to have to stop. Ever since then Moseley’s Wiregrass Junction has become a favorite stopping place when we are traveling along that route.
Usually we just watch the animals from the parking lot but the last time we were there we opted to pay the $2 per person fee to see them up close. We also bought a bag of animal food before going through the gate to see animals.
Mosley’s Wiregrass Junction just off I-16 at exit 98Camel at the Animal ExitTortoiseEmu at the Animal ExitBlack SwanPeacockPeacock FeathersThe goats weren’t shyFeed Me!Goats waiting for a handout
Next time we may opt for an additional $8 to take a tour of the farm where their zebra, buffalo, cows, pigs and other animals live.
Mosley’s Wiregrass Junction Animal Exit Farm is located on Georgia Interstate 16 at exit 98 in Aline.
Wandering Dawgs 