things to do (Atlanta, Warner Robins, Cordele: appointed, house, theater)

[pickleswanson]

I will visiting soon for my Mother's retirement party. Can anyone think of anything out of the norm to do that both my mother (78) and I would enjoy doing? She is very spry for her age and likes to get outdoors a lot as I do. We are tired of the theme parks, zoos, lakes and rivers. She doesn't like going into downtown and we have seen all the dairy farms exhibits and fairs that we can stand. She doesn't want to go to the beach and I live on one so the excitement is gone for me too. I know GA has a pletura of thing s to do but I have run out of ideas. Oh yeah she doesn't really like cultural events such as plays and theater either. She retires June 30th and I just find out I had permission to take leave June 29th thru July 4th. HELP PLEASE! Any all suggestions are welcome.

[Echidna]

Gee Pickles, I would love to help out here. Let me see???? ummmmmmmmmmmmmm How about Ten Pin Bowling or some kind of activity like that? But then I guess you would have to go downtown for that somewhere huh? Does she like Movies? Of course I wouldn't know what is coming up in that Area over there at the time as well in regards to Festivals or things like that so?? What about Bingo or something of that nature? I am trying to rack my brains here thinking what people of that age like. Well whatever you guys choose to do I Bet your Mum will be just very happy that you are there to be with her. I hope your Mum has a fantastic Retirement and all the very best to her and you and your family.
Sorry I can't be of more help Pickles.
God Bless
Echidna.

[ellie]

One of the things that my older relatives and I enjoy doing together is visiting places that they knew and loved when they were younger, like old family homes, churches, and even family cemeteries. Or if cemeteries seems too morbid, take her to visit friends or other family members she hasn't seen in awhile.

I enjoy learning about my family's history and they appreciate seeing places that they may not have visited in a long time and remembering people who have long since passed. Sharing the history seems to give them a lot of joy. The drive to and from the place allows for long conversations about nothing in particular.

I enjoy it most when there are several of us together, often of different generations, where we can enrich our family ties.

[pickleswanson]

Originally Posted by Echidna

Gee Pickles, I would love to help out here. Let me see???? ummmmmmmmmmmmmm How about Ten Pin Bowling or some kind of activity like that? But then I guess you would have to go downtown for that somewhere huh? Does she like Movies? Of course I wouldn't know what is coming up in that Area over there at the time as well in regards to Festivals or things like that so?? What about Bingo or something of that nature? I am trying to rack my brains here thinking what people of that age like. Well whatever you guys choose to do I Bet your Mum will be just very happy that you are there to be with her. I hope your Mum has a fantastic Retirement and all the very best to her and you and your family.
Sorry I can't be of more help Pickles.
God Bless
Echidna.

My sentiments exactly.
I haven't been able to come up with anything. I have been tring to talk her into letting me fly her out to CA to visit but I'd have an easier time pulling teeth. She despises the thought of even getting on a plane. Thanks anyway though.

[pickleswanson]

Originally Posted by ellie

One of the things that my older relatives and I enjoy doing together is visiting places that they knew and loved when they were younger, like old family homes, churches, and even family cemeteries. Or if cemeteries seems too morbid, take her to visit friends or other family members she hasn't seen in awhile.

I enjoy learning about my family's history and they appreciate seeing places that they may not have visited in a long time and remembering people who have long since passed. Sharing the history seems to give them a lot of joy. The drive to and from the place allows for long conversations about nothing in particular.

I enjoy it most when there are several of us together, often of different generations, where we can enrich our family ties.

Ellie,
This is a great idea. It has to be, cause we do it every time we see one another. I think it is becoming a little to morbid for her though; which is why she told me to pick something this time around. Last time we went out to do this she was so diappointed. Our old farm house is no longer in existance nor is the dirt road we used to live on. Now stands a 5 lane hwy and a huge shopping plaza. The majority of the family farm is still intact but my Mom's portion is long gone. So is her sister's; where the county high school now sits. Unbelievable enough, her Dad is still living and still has his house there, right beside her brother and other sister, but they are all retired as well and you rarely see them in GA much less at home. This would be so much easier if I could get her to travel. I'm afraid I'm going to end up sitting around the house cooking, cleaning and doing yard work. Yuk! I want to vacation this year.

She does have family in AL she hasn't seen in probably 25 years that I want to go see but she refuses cause they got into an arguement over a Christmas turkey while I was still little. She won't even call them by name. Just, "Oh your talking about that old hag!" It's funny to me cause they talk on the phone to one another like nothing ever happened, then as soon as they hang up they start bad mouthing one another. I think the only time I'll ever see the them in the same building together is a funeral and even then they avoid one another and point or occasionally stick out thier tongue at one another. They act like kids, more so than the real kids. Even put each others grandchildren up to little pranks to get one another trouble. That's when they smile at one another and stick thier tongue out. Crazy old people; couldn't find that kind of simplistic humor anywhere else.

[Echidna]

Originally Posted by pickleswanson

Ellie,
This is a great idea. It has to be, cause we do it every time we see one another. I think it is becoming a little to morbid for her though; which is why she told me to pick something this time around. Last time we went out to do this she was so diappointed. Our old farm house is no longer in existance nor is the dirt road we used to live on. Now stands a 5 lane hwy and a huge shopping plaza. The majority of the family farm is still intact but my Mom's portion is long gone. So is her sister's; where the county high school now sits. Unbelievable enough, her Dad is still living and still has his house there, right beside her brother and other sister, but they are all retired as well and you rarely see them in GA much less at home. This would be so much easier if I could get her to travel. I'm afraid I'm going to end up sitting around the house cooking, cleaning and doing yard work. Yuk! I want to vacation this year.

She does have family in AL she hasn't seen in probably 25 years that I want to go see but she refuses cause they got into an arguement over a Christmas turkey while I was still little. She won't even call them by name. Just, "Oh your talking about that old hag!" It's funny to me cause they talk on the phone to one another like nothing ever happened, then as soon as they hang up they start bad mouthing one another. I think the only time I'll ever see the them in the same building together is a funeral and even then they avoid one another and point or occasionally stick out thier tongue at one another. They act like kids, more so than the real kids. Even put each others grandchildren up to little pranks to get one another trouble. That's when they smile at one another and stick thier tongue out. Crazy old people; couldn't find that kind of simplistic humor anywhere else.

Oh Pickles this post made my day!! How gorgeous are old people huh you gotta love them! and don't forget we will be like that one day I guess Mate I know you want a holiday ( and probably you deserve a good one for yourself by the sound of it), but I reckon your Mum would appreciate you being around doing stuff for her, sounds like that's what she wants . I am sure whatever you do it will make her very happy, you sound like a really good son
I just love old people and sitting listening to their stories of old times, and they love telling them to you too!
Cheers mate, and I hope you all had a great Easter.

[Blue Eagle]

(1) Take a trip to Warm Springs to see the FDR’s Little White House. Eat lunch at the Bulloch House. It is an old restored Victorian home that has a Southern buffet. I ate there last week and really enjoyed it. The fried green tomatoes were great. Visit the nearby F.D. Roosevelt State Park.

(2) Y’all could take a ride on the SAM Shortline Excursion Train between Cordele and Plains though the Georgia countryside. Along the way is the Rural Telephone Museum in Leslie. It is one of the best museums in Georgia. I was surprised at how nice and interesting it was.

http://www.samshortline.com/

(3) On Tuesday evening July 03, 2007 in Warner Robins there will be a “free” concert and fireworks. Lee Greenwood known for his song “I'm proud to be an American” will be featured.

(4) Lane Packing Company east of Fort Valley is a popular destination during peach season and is a worthwhile stop.

(5) If your mother liked the movie “Fried Green Tomatoes” then a trip to Juliette to the Whistle Stop Café would be enjoyable.

(6) Providence Canyon State Park near Lumpkin is very interesting. To see it you really need to take a walk along the rim behind the trees, at a minimum.

[Westward]

Has she been to the new GA Aquarium? It is downtown Atlanta, but it is said to be the largest in the world. It's only been open about a year. Tickets are about $20.

What is her location? It's hard to say what's available without knowing the area.

[pickleswanson]

Thank you very much everyone. I have some reallyl good ideas now of things to do. Unforntuately I probably will not be able to post again until I go on vactaion in June. I have to actually play soilder for a little bit while on deployment, but I will be back on here as soon as possible. Once again thanks and we will talk again soon.

[ellie]

Ooopsie! Be safe, have fun.