As native Louisianians, we have a firm rule: don’t eat in a “Cajun” restaurant or “New Orleans bistro” anywhere outside of Louisiana. We’ve been known to ignore the rule on occasion, and usually to our regret.
But with the official opening of D’Juan’s New Orleans Bistro in January, we marked our calendars to make a visit after the one-month mark. Thus, for a pre-Valentine’s outing, the wife and I made the short drive to Highlands of West Village in Smyrna to see if we’d find a true taste of Louisiana.
D’Juan’s New Orleans Bistro is located in the Highlands of West Village in Smyrna, relocating from the original location in Vinings.
Now, to be fair, it wasn’t as if we were going in blind. New Orleans native Donald Williams, Jr., enjoyed great success at his Vinings-area original location. Neighborhood business conditions there contributed to his seeking a more spacious, upscale atmosphere designed to transport diners straight to the French Quarter.
Homework First
Before our visit, we checked out some of the online reviews, and made a list of our “most likely” order items. Walking in to D’Juans New Orleans Bistro, we felt transported immediately to New Orleans, meeting face-to-face with a giant jester apropos of the New Orleans Mardi Gras spirit.
Walking in, we met face-to-face with a giant jester apropos of the New Orleans Mardi Gras spirit.
While the online reviews raved about the chargrilled oysters and crawfish mac and cheese, we decided not to tempt fate with these more delicate seafoods. Nothing against D’Juan’s New Orleans Bistro, but we’ll reserve those for a trip back home.
We chose other crowd favorites, and were glad we did. For starters, we selected the Stuffed Crab Cake Egg Rolls. This unique and addictive fusion starter was lightly fried then served sliced in an open-face presentation.
We read great things about the Stuffed Crab Cake Egg Rolls, so we couldn’t resist them as a lunch starter.
Entree Selection
The fried catfish po-boy featured a huge serving of tender, moist fried catfish, laid across a soft, fresh loaf of French bread. We went with a “fully dressed” version, featuring lettuce, tomato and pickle. The moisture from the toppings caused a bit of sogginess with the fish filet. But the banging flavor trade-off was fully worth the minor texture change. The po-boy came with a side of home-made remoulade sauce. That added a bit of sweet and heat to the sandwich concotion. Plus, that sauce was excellent for those (like me!) who like to dip their fries in sauces other than ketchup.
The lunch-sized fried catfish poboy was served on fresh French bread, and accompanied by a home-made remoulade sauce that proved great for dipping my fries.
Our second entree, the D’Juan’s take on jambalaya, wasn’t a traditional New Orleans presentation. It packed an excellent flavor combination with chicken, shrimp and andouille sausage. Unlike our down-home jambalaya, D’Juan’s included a savory tomato sauce. It played well with the mushy rice, adding another rich flavor profile to the dish.
We fully intended to finish with a serving of the Beignet Bites. At D’Juan, they’re dusted with a signature blend of powdered sugar and cinnamon, earning rave reviews from the dessert lovers. But we had put away too much food already, so we’ll just have to reserve those for another visit.
D’Juan’s jambalaya was a bit non-traditional, including a savory tomato sauce mixed with the mush rice, chicken, sausage and shrimp.
Excellent Service Experience
We’ll add here that our service was excellent. Our waiter, Michael, was a new transplant to the Atlanta area. He arrived about the same time as D’Juan’s opened in Smyrna. Despite being a recent transplant, he was helpful in describing dishes for our selection.
D’Juan’s also features a full bar service, including New Orleans specialties along side the usual and regional favorites. Parking is easy, either on the street front or in the carpark directly behind the restaurant. And while our February visit was made during cooler days, the outdoor patio looks like it will be perfect with warmer weather arrives.
You’ll find D’Juans in the heart of the West Village development in Smyrna at 4500 West Village Place, Suite 1017, Smyrna, GA 30080. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily, with slightly later opening hours on weekends. The restaurant also features a soulful Sunday brunch service. And we’ve spotted several promotions for daily specials plus special public events.
For reservations or more information, call 678-653-9885 or visit their website at www.djuans.com.
More New Orleans-related Posts
If you want more from our New Orleans experiences, check out these other posts:
Each year, Valentine’s Day brings out couples celebrating their love stories. Young, old and in-between, the happy couples fill local restaurants to capacity, while challenging florists to demonstrate enduring commitment and eternal love with elaborate bouquets of fresh flowers.
Meanwhile, in cemeteries around Georgia, some stories of eternal love and tragic consequences remain buried with the forgotten participants — unless there’s a haunting presence that catapults the tale back into the consciousness of the living.
In nearby Roswell, we found two of those tragic, eternal love stories, just in time for a Valentine’s Day retelling.
First, we’ll recount a folklore story, for which we could find no specific records or other “evidence.” But, in 2007, author Dianna Avena included the tragic Roswell love story of Michael and Catherine in her 2007 book, Roswell : history, haunts and legends. We found a copy of the book in The Georgia Room at The Switzer Library in Marietta, but there it’s reference only and not available for check-out. But, for the paranormal curious, it is available for check-out at the East Cobb Library.
We round Dianna Avena’s book of Roswell ghost stories at the Switzer Library in Marietta. It’s also available for checkout at the East Cobb Library.
We’ll also mention that in addition to her book, Avena owns Roswell Ghost Tours and is one of the guides for the haunted sojourns. We’ve not taken on (yet), but we’ll put it on our list for when warmer weather returns.
This Civil War-era Romeo and Juliet story featured Michael, a Union soldier, and Catherine, the daughter of a mill worker at Roswell Mill. When a scandalous romance was discovered between the Yankee soldier and the local damse, Michael was hanged for treason in the town square. Catherine, the telling goes, watched from the hanging from an upstairs window at The Public House, which formerly was the Mill commissary. Heartbroken and alone, Catherine was found hanging from the large beams of the upstairs floor of the commissary.
United again in death, these forever lovers are said to continue their eternal romance at The Public House. According to the Georgia Public Broadcast story, locals “swear they’ve seen ghostly figures in the upstairs windows of the commissary dancing in each other’s arms.”
Roswell’s Public House, once the Mill Commissary, is a fixture in Roswell. It’s been the site of multiple failed restaurants. And residents report spotting ghostly specters dancing in the upper windows, an image we’ve recreated as our featured grapic.
The second Roswell love story is equally tragic, and also documented in records. Again, the Roswell Mill plays a prominent part in this tragic love, this one based in the forced deportation of female workers and their children from Roswell.
In July 1864, Union troops entered Roswell and found that the Roswell Mill was producing wool for Confederate forces. General William T. Sherman ordered the mill workers arrested and deported.
One of those workers was Adeline Bagley Buice. A seamstress at the mill, Adeline found she was pregnant after her husband had shipped out with the Confederate Army. According to her family’s history, she was deported to Chicago, and left to survive on her own. She eventually returned to Roswell on foot five years later with her daughter, hoping to learn if her husband had survived the war.
The newest tombstone of Adeline Bagley Buice recounts her story of exile and returning to the city by foot. It omits that she returned to find her husband remarried to another woman.
And he had. But, not knowing Adeline’s whereabouts or status, the husband had remarried just a year before her return. The family history indicates that Adeline remained in the area. She died and is buried in Forsyth County, where her grave is tended by the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
While the Civil War marked the most divisive time in our nation’s history, divisions within the successionist Confederate states often get overlooked. Yet, thousands of United States sympathizers found themselves trapped within the boundaries of the Confederacy, including free persons of color.
As Union troops fought their way through the South, those sympathizers often aided the United States. Attempting to live normal lives in the new Confederacy, they ignored or accepted great risks.
On June 27, defeated Confederates fled from the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. The Union Army followed quickly, and by early July 1864, General Sherman set up headquarters in Marietta.
The Johnsons of Marietta
Monemia and James Johnson, both free people of color, lived in Marietta during the Civil War period. Monemia was born a free woman of color, while James may have been a former slave. She and James established themselves as successful entrepreneurs in Marietta. They were among approximately 2,100 African Americans living in Cobb County at that time, most of whom were enslaved prior to the war.
A passage in a National Parks blog shares this account: “Monemia ran a restaurant and store and her husband, James, was a barber. James’ treasonous dealings with a white Union spy, Henry Cole, led him to flee to the city of Nashville, Tennessee.”
“Mr. Johnson did all his espionage from behind his barber’s chair. He trimmed the beards of Confederate officers and enlisted men. Braxton Bragg, then the overall commander of Confederate forces in Georgia, was once even a customer. Little did these loose-lipped soldiers know that as Mr. Johnson cropped and combed, he also listened and learned. He memorized place names, troop movements, and casualty counts.
A Civil War Spy Flees
According to multiple accounts, James Johnson shared his learned secrets with Marietta resident and Union sympathizer Henry Cole. Then, Cole, a prominent white businessman, would arrange to pass information northward. He often used locals, including James Johnson, to sneak the secrets through Confederate territory and through Union lines to those commanding generals.
Sherman’s advance through Georgia was aided by information from James Johnson. But when he was discovered, he fled North before Union troops arrived to fight at Kennesaw Mountain. (Image, Library of Congress, General Sherman’s attack on the enemy center.)
Cole himself corroborated James Johnson’s spy work, in testimony after the war. “Johnson was a loyal man. I have this opinion upon various act of his. He was a barber and shaved Bragg, Cheatham and other rebel generals. When he would pick up any information, he would come to me and I would send it through the lines to the Union Army. I sent Johnston through the lines with important information regarding the movements of the rebel army. I sent him once to Gens Thomas and Rosecrans with information on the approach of Longstreet just before the Battle of Chickamauga.”
“I sent Johnson through the lines with important information before Chickmauga.”
— Henry Cole, Marietta
Unfortunately for James Johnson, someone discovered his treachery. He fled with Confederates in pursuit. Crossing through battle lines, Johnson reached Chattanooga, then proceeded to Nashville. There, he settled in a military refugee camp. But his luck ran out. Before he could return home following Union victories in Georgia, he contracted small pox and died.
Life Goes On
With James gone, Monemia’s life became more difficult as a single mother raising three young children. Despite the challenges of wartime occupation and blatant discrimination by the white community, the determined mother continued to build a successful life in wartime Marietta. By day, she operated a restaurant and store. By night, the establishment became an informal saloon, frequented mostly by occupying Union soldiers. Her two oldest children, Isabella, 16, and William, 9, likely helped with the business. Lou Ella was the youngest at age three.
With her business doing well, Monemia became a frequent customer of farms and suppliers in Marietta and surrounding Cobb County. To supply her store and restaurant, she consistently purchased a wide array of goods for resale. Tobacco, clothing, bacon, syrup, sugar, and flower, accounted for most of her purchases, according to her own inventory. She also owned two buildings and an extensive set of cookware for her restaurant. And she traded in cows, chickens, ducks, turkeys and hogs, too.
The Marietta Military College trained officers for the Confederacy before the war. Once General Sherman arrived, in became a hospital and barracks by Union forces. (Image: Library of Congress)
Marietta Burns
On June 27, 1864, defeated Confederates fled from the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. The Union Army occupied Marietta, where General Sherman set up headquarters. The presence of the Yankees boosted the entrepreneurial fortunes of Monemia and her small family, at least temporarily.
But her life, and those of all who lived in Marietta, changed tragically in November 1864. The Union Army withdrew from Marietta, looting and burning the city in the process. Homes, businesses and lives perished in the flames.
Monemia stood helplessly and wartched the horror. She remembered and described the incidents in detail. She recounted in her own words how United States soldiers belonging to General Kilpatrick’s command stole everything she owned:
Monemia Johnson described in great detail during her sworn testimony about the actions of Union soldiers during the plunder of her home and property.
“The things were all taken on one day, in the day and night time. The soldiers began to take the things about dusk and kept on until all was taken. This was about the time the Army was leaving where the town was evacuated. There were some 20 or more soldiers present at the taking, who took the things and carried them on to the wagons. Before they leave, the men said Gen Kilpatrick had ordered them to come and take the things as the Army was short of supplies and needed the things. The men were all in the house and one would take one thing and on another. One of the soldiers had two stripes on his arm and the men called him Lieutenant. This was going on while the soldiers were setting fire to the town. . . The men took everything they could get their hands on.”
“There were some 20 or more soldiers. They took everything they could get their hands on . . . while setting fire to the town.” — Testimony of Monemia Johnson
“I saw the bacon, lard, tallow, syrup, sugar, tea, coffee, salt, candles, tobacco, wine, preserves, flour, rice beans, turkeys, ducks, hogs, cows, beds and bedding, clothing, crockery, wood and lumber taken by United States soldiers.”
“That night and the next day, the town was burned.”
Left With Nothing
Afterwards, Monemia and her children were left with nothing, sharing a fate with others in Marietta. In the years following, her strong determination and business savvy helped her and her family recover. Eventually, she rebuilt a two-room cottage on her property. She earned small amounts of money and goods from teaching.
As they did all through the Georgia campaign, General Sherman’s troops burned the city of Marietta and destroyed the railroad line. Monemia Johnson, her children and other Marietta citizens were left with nothing. (Image: Library of Congress)
The Southern Claims Commission, also known as the Commissioners of Claims, formed through an act of Congress on March 3, 1871. The commission was to “receive, examine, and consider the claims of those citizens who remained loyal adherents to the (Union) cause and the government of the United States during the war, for stores or supplies taken or furnished during the rebellion.”
President Ulysses S. Grant appointed three commissioners to oversee the task. Their special agents investigated claims from citizens.
Commission records in the National Archives indicated that 54 claims originated in Cobb County. By the deadline of March 1879, the Commission received more than 20,000 claimes. The claims required evidence such as depositions, testimonials from neighbors and family, receipts, and personal interviews.
Seeking to Recover
How Monemia learned of the commission and claim process isn’t clear. But she acted quickly. In April 1871, a three-page letter was sent on her behalf to the Claims Commission. Henry Cole, who had used her husband to pass along stolen secrets to the Union Army, was listed as a witness and also signed the document. Cole would continue aiding Monemia throughout the claim process.
Monemia Johnson’s claim included an itemized list of 24 separate items taken by Union soldiers. Local merchant Leader McLellan provided the estimated values of the items, and totaled $2592.
Following submission of the claim letter, the claim process required taking sworn statements from the claimant and witnesses. On Oct. 25, 1872, Monemia and her witnesses provided detailed accounts to investigators at sessions in Marietta and Acworth. Investigating commissioners used a standardized form with 43 questions to guide the interviews of Monemia and her witnesses. Marietta attorney William T. Wynn represented Monemia.
Those testifying for Monemia included:
Henry Cole, the Marietta businessman who engaged James Johnson as a spy and who would donate property for the US National Cemetery.
Dix Fletcher, a local farmer who had known the Johnsons for more than 20 years.
Chaucy Brown, who listed his occupation as servant, and testified to living with Monemia and her family for approximately 10 years.
Dillard Young, a Marietta retail trader, who had known the Johnsons for 25 years.
Leander McLellan, a Marietta merchant. McLellan knew Monemia, and provided the retail values of the goods lost.
When testimony concluded, the final application totaled 21 pages of detailed handwritten information. An accompanying inventory included 24 detailed lines of destroyed and stolen items, plus the estimated value of each. The final claim amount totaled $2,592.10. (That’s equivalent to $82,343.50 in 2025 dollars, according to a CPI inflation calculator.) Investigators filed the documents with the Southern Claims Commission through the Marietta post office on Nov. 7, 1872
The Long Wait
Nothing happened fast in 1872. Mail moved by carriages and trains. All documents required reading, processing and filing by government clerks. And with more than 20,000 claims reaching Washington before the deadline period, one can only imagine the Herculean administrative challenge.
Monemia waited years for any response. During that time, she worked as a teacher. And she managed to rebuild a two-room cottage on her property in Marietta.
By Sept. 1877, her patience had worn out. She returned to attorney William T. Winn and submitted an inquiry to the commission. She wrote:
My claim was filed nearly four years ago. Please inform me why this long delay.
–Monemia Johnson
“My claim number 1832 for $2,592.10 was filed nearly four years ago. I learned it has been in the hands of Commissioner Aldis about three years. Please inform me why this long delay.”
“I invested my Confederate money in property and supplies, trusting to the protection of the United States Army.”
“They took all from me without any compensation and my two houses were burned with the balance of the town. I would be greatly obliged by your early attention to my claim.”
Finally, An Answer
Whether the claims process had run its course or Monemia’s letter stirred action, she received notice of a settlement in July 1878. Nearly five and a half years had passed since filing the original claim and nearly 14 years since the tragic loss of her property.
Claim No. 1601, noted as “Claims of Loyal Citizens for Supplies furnished during the Rebellion,” totaled $246.00. After adjustments for inflation, that equals to only $7,814.71 in 2025 dollars.
Nearly 14 years after the loss of her home and property, Monemia Johnson received $246.00 from the United State government. Her original claim amount was $2,592.10.
The official reply that accompanied the payment included this explanation:
“Much that was taken was mere pillage. What was really and properly taken for army use we allow. No satisfactory proof as to quantities. All merely is estimate and depending chiefly on claimant’s testimony. No such stock of goods as is claimed could have bee in her little saloon. . . We allow $246.”
The settlement had to be a disappointment to Monemia. After trusting in the protection of the Union army, then enduring the loss of all her possessions as a result of their unnecessary destructive actions, she received less than 10 cents on the dollar.
This excerpt is taken from the remarks included in the Commission records. Despite the sworn testimony provided, Commissioners doubted Monemia’s claims about the quantity of goods which were taken by soldiers, and discounted some as “mere pillage.”
And most helpful, we downloaded and transcribed information from the original claim documents filed by Monemia Johnson, her attorney and her witnesses. This we found in the genealogy database, Fold3, which we accessed using our (FREE!) Cobb County Library Card access. If you log into the Fold3 database through the library or our own subscription, you should find all the files associated with Monemia Johnson’s claim at this link. There, you’ll see the full 45-page claim history, from filing to payment, including testimony in Monemia’s own words.
We sourced images from the US National Archives and other public domain sources, including historic copies of Harper’s Weekly. For one image, we used the artificial intelligence function within web service Canva.com to create an illustration of soldiers looting Monemia’s store. We labelled that in the caption.
Marietta businessman and Union sympathizer Henry Cole, who apparently helped Monemia with her claim, filed two claims of his own. Ultimately combined into one by the Commission, Cole sought $14,950 in reimbursement. He ultimately received $14,375 in compensation in 1876, two years before Monemia’s paid claim. You can read details of Cole’s claim by logging into Fold3.com (on your own, or FREE at the Cobb Library) and clicking this link.
You’re free to roam our US National Parks on select days in 2025, including all the parks, historic sites and other federal lands managed by the National Park Service in Georgia. But if you’re visiting the US or a non-resident, you’ll need to take along a credit card or cash because this benefit is for US residents only due to recent changes.
On eight occasions in 2026 totaling 10 days, the US National Park Service makes parks free to roam for US residents. The Park Service waives entry fees for all properties under its stewardship. So, whether you are a family looking for a weekend getaway, friends seeking a memorable outing, or even solo adventurers desiring to connect with nature, you’ll want to mark these on your calendar.
Free for Residents
According to the US National Parks Service, here are a list of the free admission periods and days for 2026:
February 16, Presidents Day
May 25, Memorial Day
June 14, Flag Day
July 3-5, Independence Day Weekend
August 25, National Park Service 110th Birthday
September 17, Constitution Day
October 27, Theodore Roosevelt’s Birthday
November 11, Veteran’s Day
Also included on the “free to roam” days: National forests, National Heritage Areas, National Trails, National Register of Historic Places Listings, National Historic Landmarks and National Natural Landmarks.
Georgia is home to 11 sites that are managed by the National Park Service or designated as National Parks. More than 11 million visitors enter the Georgia locations each year, according to the US National Park Service.
Plus, the National Park Service manages additional locations in Georgia designated as National Heritage Areas, National Trails, National Register of Historic Places Listings, National Historic Landmarks and National Natural Landmarks. Admission also is waived to those locations. But note that other fees for activities, rentals, and similar, remain in place on free admission days.
No admission days apply to National Parks and park-managed locations nation-wide. So, if you’re up for a road trip, the national awaits. This from a fall drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Georgia’s National Park Locations
Now, the free days apply to National Parks nationwide, so you don’t have to limit your exploration to Georgia. But, if you want to stick close to home in the Peach State, Georgia’s most visited and popular National Parks-managed sites, according to NPS statistics, are:
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, various locations in the Atlanta area. Spanning about 48 miles of the Chattahoochee River from the Buford Dam down toward metro-Atlanta, these sites are popular for hiking, jogging, paddling, fishing, picnicking, and enjoying riverfront trails and scenic natural units. NPS estimates that more than 3 million visitors each year visit the river-straddling units including Cochran Shoals, East Palisades, and the Sope Creek and Vickery Creek.
Multiple trails — and a road — lead to the summit of Kennesaw Mountain, where great views and feeling of accomplishment await.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park in Marietta and Kennesaw. The summit here offers spectacular views of Atlanta and the northern Mountain. Trails feature historic earthworks, cannon emplacements, and memorials from this Civil War battlefield from the Atlanta Campaign. KeMo, as its known to locals, attracted nearly 1.5 million visitors, according to recent NPS reports.
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, near downtown Atlanta. The Sweet Auburn neighborhood of Atlanta is home to this park which preserves several sites tied to Dr. King’s early life. Key locations include Dr. King’s birth home, the Ebenezer Baptist Church, the King Center, his and Coretta Scott King’s tomb, and interpretive exhibits about the Civil Rights Movement. It receives close to a million visitors annually, based on NPS statistics.
Cumberland Island National Seashore, in Camden County. Georgia’s largest barrier island includes roughly 17.5 miles of undeveloped beach, maritime forest, marshes, and historic structures. Visitors take a ferry from St. Marys to experience native landscapes, wild horses spotting sea turtles and shorebirds, camping, walking its dunes and trails, and exploring the ruins of mansions and estates like Dungeness and Plum Orchard.
Beach walks are a favorite activity along the multiple NPS-protected shorelines along the Atlantic Coast.
Fort Pulaski National Monument, on Cockspur Island, near Savannah. This Civil War-era fort is well known for the 1862 bombardment by Union forces. Troops used rifled cannon which proved to render brick fortifications obsolete. The monument offers guided tours, a visitor center museum, trails through salt marsh and coastal forest, and proximity to the Cockspur Island Lighthouse.
Fort Frederica National Monument, on St. Simons Island. Live oaks and tabby ruins mark the site of General Oglethorpe’s 18th-century fort and town. Here, Britain secured Georgia against Spanish Florida. Trails and waysides lead through the archeological remains along the Frederica River.
Below, a few random choices of favorite experiences and photos from our most recent visits to our US National Parks and park properties.
Bass Harbor lighthouse hides along the rugged coast on the southern reaches of Acadia National Park in Maine.
The ever-changing weather in Alaska National Parks offer both gorgeous panoramas and hiking adventures.
While we hiked multiple trails at Zion National Park, we unfortunately weren’t equipped to take on “The Narrows.” Next time!
Driving through National Forests in New Hampshire and Vermont, we enjoyed hiking, incredible vistas and this hidden covered bridge.
No visit to Philadelphia is complete without visiting the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and other historic sites.
Walking Boston’s Freedom Trail and visiting multiple NPS locations, we also enjoyed respites in quiet parks.
While The Alamo is the best-known and most visited, the other historic missions near San Antonio offer more history and quieter experiences.
Incredible sandstone formations, carved by nature over millions of years, await at Arches National Park.
National Parks also include underground locations, like Carlsbad Caverns (pictured here) and Mammoth Cave.
They’re called national recreation areas for a reason. In Colorado, we enjoyed an 11-mile bike ride at Vail Pass, part of the extensive National Forest and Recreation areas in the West.
With the hustle and bustle of the year-end and your focus on all those New Year’s goals, it’s just possible that you missed some exciting new restaurant openings around Cobb County.
Spring 2nd Branch on Church Street in Marietta is a casual, walk-in-only Korean restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Brian So.
Fortunately for you, our dining radar and culinary curiosity remain strong, always eager to find Cobb’s newest eateries. And while this list may not represent all of the recent new restaurant openings, here are a few that we noted and wanted to share:
Luga Italian Eatery. Opened in November in the Avenue East Cobb, this polished dining spot features an open kitchen and an inviting 28-seat bar. Founded by brothers Ben and Seth Gjuka, it brings a modern edge to traditional Italian dining. Among the top rated menu items are the homemade pappardelle with wild boar ragu and the wood-fired Margherita pizza.
Among Chicago-based Portillo’s famous favorites: the Italian beef sandwich, Chicago-style hot dogs with tomato, pickle, relish and mustard.
Portillo’s. With family in Chicago, we eagerly awaited this Chicago staple on Cobb Parkway in Kennesaw, near Costco. It’s been packed with curious locals since opening in November. Of course, the top rated menu items include the Italian beef sandwich, Chicago-style hot dogs, and their chocolate cake shake. Our tip: try to visit in an off-peak time as lunchtime can bring Miracle-Mile-Style crowds.
Watch the steam rise from our Dwaeji Gogi Sundubu Jjigae – a boiling, silky stew served in hot bowl, with a raw egg ready for cracking into the boiling concoction.
Spring 2nd Branch. We visited the original before its temporary closing, then stopped in for lunch here in early January. Led by Michelin-starred Chef Brian So, this casual concept features bold, seasonal Korean flavors. It operates on a walk-in-only basis, making high-end culinary artistry accessible to the daily Marietta Square crowd. Reviews of online comments show Kimchi Jjigae and the Gochujang-glazed pork belly among the favorite dishes. But we loved our choices of BiBimBap and the Dwaeji Gogi Sundubu Jjigae – a silky, steaming stew served in hot bowl, with a raw egg ready for cracking into the boiling concoction.
Whataburger. Opened at the location of the former O’Charley’s on Sandy Plains Road, this location marks the Texas chain’s continued aggressive expansion into the Atlanta suburbs. Those mustard-forward burgers are “da bomb dot com,” along with the honey butter chicken biscuit and the patty melt.
Season at Gabriel’s. We haven’t tried this one yet, but we hear interesting things about this “shop-in-shop” partnership. This collaboration allows diners to grab “affordable luxury” meals while picking up classic Southern desserts.
Winter is the perfect time to revisit some of your favorite Georgia hiking spots. Not only are the trails (and parking lots!) less crowded, but you’ll enjoy an ever-changing array of new sights along the well-trodden trails.
One of our winter (and year-round) favorites is Duke’s Creek Falls near Helen. We love hiking the well-shaded path into the canyon during summer, even if it can be a little crowded at times.
During summer months, groups noisily wade in the cold stream near short cascades. But in winter, you’ll enjoy the scenery and serenity.
But in winter, we always return for a wide-open view of this tall falls — which is partially obscured in summer by the green leaves of surrounding trees.
For the record, you can get a distant glimpse of the falls just a short walk from the main parking lot. But if you take the 1.1 mile trail down, the payoff is a much closer and better view, year-round.
A nearby observation deck offers a distant view of the falls. But the best views are reserved for those who trek down the 1.1 mile trail into the valley.
Following a wide dirt path filled with switchbacks down into the valley, you’ll spot lots of small falls and rapids along the way — again, easier to spot and enjoy during winter months. During warmer months, it’s not unusual to see small groups noisily wading in the cold stream near the short cascades. But in winter, you’ll enjoy the natural serenity without the shouts and yelps.
A wide dirt path filled with switchbacks leads down into the valley for a spectacular view of the tall falls.
At trail’s end, Davis Creek cascades more than 150-feet down the mountainside.
And it’s this path-end view that makes this year-round hike. In summer, there’s usually a crowd along the trail and beyond the barriers, frolicking in the stream below the falls. But not in winter, when you’ll often have the scenic vista and natural sounds all to yourself.
With the shielding canopy of summer leaves long gone, you’ll enjoy the full length of the 150-foot cascading falls.
We enjoyed an unimpeded view of the falls from the trail’s end observation deck.
Duke’s Creek Falls is located in the Chattahoochee National Forest near Helen. The access point is off of the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway, Georgia State Highway 348.
Since spotting pictures online of frozen Georgia waterfalls, I’ve been waiting for a prolonged Georgia cold snap to explore our own nearby winter waterfall wonderlands. But while it seems that Mother Nature isn’t always cooperative with the idea, all it takes is a few hours of below freezing weather to transform some of Georgia’s tallest waterfalls into a classic winter scene.
Even a single day of sub-freezing weather, with overnight temperatures in the low 20s, can produce a frozen waterfall landscape. But the best visits come after a prolonged below-freezing period.
From our home in Cobb County, we always keep an eye on the weather report. That’s the first essential step to “enjoy” enough subfreezing hours to produce and sustain outdoor ice. I intentionally put “enjoyed” in quotes. Freezing Georgia weather is good for my frozen waterfall photography purposes But a cold snap or severe winter storm can create misery, heartbreak, and hardship for others.
A prolonged cold snap of several day below freezing is best to catch Georgia waterfalls in their most-frozen state. These usually occur mid-January through mid-February here in Georgia, when the state — and most importantly, the North Georgia mountains — get their coldest weather.
Airborne mist from the tumbling waters coats the nearby surroundings, creating a fleeting frozen landscape far from the falls.
But even a single day when the mercury remains below freezing, followed by a night when the temperature gets down to the low 20s, can produce a spectacular scene at Georgia waterfalls. That’s because the tumbling water constantly creates a light airborne mist, It coats the stream banks, foliage and trees around the falls. The small water droplets freeze quickly, creating a white winter scene that easily fills your camera shots. Falling water creates its own wind currents, carrying the drops along the valley for several hundred feet.
Interestingly, Georgia’s tallest waterfalls create the best frozen surroundings because of the interaction of the water, mist and wind currents. While the main falls may not freeze, these factors create wonderful winter scenes.
Look up, down and all around to find interesting photo opportunities created by ice sparkling in the bright sunlight.
To experience the best of these frozen landscapes, depart early and reach the falls shortly after sunrise. Once the temperature reaches 30F degrees or the sun reaches above the tree line, the combination of air temperature and sunlight may melt away your best experience.
Our Favorite Frozen Georgia Waterfalls
Amicalola Falls. The long cascade creates an extended frozen landscape all along the water’s journey. Plus, it’s one of the shortest walks to see the fall. Most ice will be found near the top of the falls. But be careful on the walkways, as the frozen mist makes walking slippery.
Sloppy Floyd State Park. The slow-running small waterfall over the old mine entrance can create impressive icicles.
Anna Ruby Falls. The twin falls are impressive anytime, but even more so in a frozen landscape.
We rarely need extra motivation to hike in the outdoor wonderland that is North Georgia. But if YOU want an extra hiking and a little swag, the Hike CRNRA Challenge might be just what the doctor ordered.
Operating 15 separate units along 48 miles of the Chattahoochee River in and near Cobb County , the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area includes 66 miles of trails within the park. Trails deliver on the promise of natural beauty, a wide range of challege levels, historic sites, and abundant recreational opportunities.
And what better way to explore this CRNA Hiking Challenge? Participation is simple and free. And successful completion earns a one-of-a-kind patch plus an annual membership in CRNRA.
CRNRA lists these easy steps and a website link to join the challenge:
Explore: Discover each and every trail in your local national park for your 2026 hiking challenge. The best part? There’s no time limit!
Complete The Challenge: Hike all 66 miles at your own pace! Download CRNRA park unit trail maps and completion forms via our website.
Submit Your Hikes: Once you’ve hiked all trails, submit your hiking challenge summary completion form via email, snail mail, or our online form.
Get Rewarded for Hiking: As a symbol of your achievement, you’ll receive a Hike CRNRA patch and an annual membership to CNPC!
Perhaps we’ll see you on the trails as our family just signed up!
And, if you’re hesitant to start this hiking challenge during the winter months, don’t worry. Check out this post on the reasons we LOVE winter hiking in Georgia.
Since moving to Georgia in 2016, we promised ourselves that we would make time one fall to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. We didn’t officially make it a bucket list item, but in retrospect, we should have.
Finally, after years of scheduling conflicts, COVID interruptions and other excuses, we headed northeast from our home in Marietta to travel the legendary parkway. First, though, we ventured along the Atlantic coast for a few stops, ending the northward journey in Williamsburg, VA. After enjoying the historical attractions for a few days, we left our resort on a crisp October fall morning for the first leg of our parkway journey.
Before our Parkway journey, we headed up the Atlantic coast for a few days of historic tourism near Williamsburg and surrounding Virginia.
First traveling west on Interstate 64, we joined the parkway at its northern terminus at Mile 0, Rockfish Gap near Waynesboro, Virginia. Here, to the north, the parkway also connects with the Skyline Drive, which winds 105 miles (169 km) through Shenandoah National Park. That’s an adventure we left for another trip.
We started our Parkway route heading South, departing from the northern-most point near Wayneboro, VA. We enjoyed much of our weekday journey without traffic.
In an unusual move, we hadn’t planned our journey. Well, to be accurate, we hadn’t planned the details of the southbound drive on the parkway. We did have reservations at two points along the southward route. But we had simply left the days open on our calendar for driving. In retrospect, we wished we’d done a bit more planning so we could have best optimized our time for hiking, exploring and stopping along the way.
From here, rather than try to describe the trip with words, we’ll let our photos (and captions) do the heavy lifting.
Parkway Day One
Our Day One journey stretched from Mile Zero near Waynesboro, VA, to milepost 120 at Mill Mountain Parkway in Roanoke, VA.
Lesson One: Consider the distance AND the elevation gain. The short trail at Humpback Rocks was indeed short. But, that elevation gain and the rocky footing proved challenging.
We caught our breath after conquering the 700-ft elevation gain at Humpback Rocks. We were pleased with the view and our effort.
At Crabtree Falls, more climbing and descending. We decided that viewing a few of the small falls was good enough, and didn’t hike the full 3 mile round trip. Thus, our lesson two: pace yourself.
Day 1, Lesson 3: Overlooks are overwhelming. With approximately 280 “official” pull-outs, scenery is plentiful. So, pull-over when you want, but don’t feel obligated to stop everywhere. This, from Raven’s Roost.
Day Two
Departing Roanoke after a hearty breakfast and picking up some sandwiches for lunch, our day two drive took us onward to Boone, NC.
We started the day in Roanoke, where elevations reached over 2000 feet. As we traveled South toward North Carolina, we gained elevations and began seeing true fall colors.
Mabry Mill near Meadows of Dan, VA, offered a picturesque setting and a nice, short walk for stretching our legs.
At Groundhog Hills, we found a shaded picnic table and enjoyed the lunch we purchased before departing Roanoke.
Later in the afternoon, we stopped at the Blue Ridge Music Center, enjoying the stylings of locals Scott Freeman and Willard Gayheart. Afterwards, we took a short hike through the surrounding forest.
Day Three
From Boone to Ashville, NC, we climbed to and crossed over the highest elevations on the Parkway. And the fall colors were on full display all along the way.
First stop of the day at Cone Manor, where we enjoyed a home tour then a walk-about around the grounds.
Scenic Price Lake was surrounded by beautiful fall color. We watched — an envied — kayakers paddling the perimeter.
On a Friday, the crowds started to build as we hiked to Linville Falls.
Looking down into the canyon at Linville Falls.
Overlooks, overlooks and more overlooks . . . we stopped at and enjoyed many. By Friday afternoon, many of the pull-overs reached capacity.
Among our most colorful stops: Laurel Knob Overlook.
With pull-outs and parking full on a late Friday afternoon, our last scenic stop was at Craggy Gardens. Then, we enjoyed the scenic drive, then nightfall, as we drove to Ashville.
Parkway Day Four
We awoke to clouds and a light drizzle in Asheville. But the weather began clearing after breakfast, as we drove the final leg of the Parkway to the Smokey Mountain National Park.
After we began Saturday morning in Asheville, we rejoined the Parkway for the final leg.
Fog filled some of the nearby valleys. As we twisted and turned on our Saturday morning drive, we transitioned frequently from sunshine to misty fog.
One of our few detours off the actual parkway, we visited Looking Glass Falls on what turned out to be a worthwhile detour.
Sliding Rock in the Pisgah National Forest is a popular recreation spot in summer. We found it nearly deserted on a cool October Saturday morning.
While the day changed from sunny to partly cloudy and back several times, the bright colors continued as we neared the end of our 400+ mile journey.
Speed limit along the Parkway is 35 mph. And while its possible to travel faster, the scenery and the spiral curves discourage higher speeds — as do ticket-writing Park Rangers.
With approximately 30 miles to go, Steestachee Bald was one of our final pull-outs. And over more than 400 miles of Parkway travel, this one was a spectacular as each.
Final Notes
We completed the drive over four days. But frankly, depending on your interest, stops and activities, you could easily make driving the Parkway a 12 to 14 day trip. No matter how long you take or when you do it, though, hotel reservations are highly recommended. For most, you’ll drive to towns and cities located just off the Parkway, as we did in Roanoke, Boone and Asheville.
We also recommend filling a cooler with ice, carrying lots of water, and packing or purchasing picnic lunches. You’ll want to do all that before you start your day on the trail.
Finally, if you’re planning to walk or hike, we highly recommend a good pair of hiking boots, hiking poles, lots of bug repellent, bear spray, a whistle and a generous supply of that water you packed.
We’re already making our list and checking it twice, but not for Jolly Old St. Nicolas. Instead, we’re putting together our fall “must hike” list in Northwest Georgia.
Our “must hike” list considers gazing on the natural beauty of Georgia’s fall colors, and also trekking some of the trails that we like but are just more fun in cool weather with fewer buzzing and slithering “friends” joining us in nature.
We love Cloudland Canyon in all seasons. But it makes our fall must hike list based on the beauty of Georgia’s spectacular fall foliage.
The “must hike” list is in no particular order, and it’s purely our own opinions based on personal experiences. That means we’ve hiked all these, and NOT relied on some social media or AI recommendations. Plus, we’ve added a few notes about certain conditions which might optimize your trail experiences on these “must hike” trails.
Cloudland Canyon State Park. For us, this the grand daddy of them all. Consistently rated among the country’s most scenic state parks, Cloudland offers spectacular canyon and hillside vistas filled with glorious fall colors. Best of all, a short walk along the flat Rim Trail exposes the best of those views. Down in the canyon, multiple waterfalls await, with walkways and lookouts surrounded by a kaleidoscope of color. Hiking down into the canyon is best after rain, when the waterfalls have been replenished by local runoff.
At Cloudland, you don’t have to journey further than the rim. But, in the canyon, multiple waterfalls await, with walkways and lookouts surrounded by a kaleidoscope of color.
Palisades East, Chattahoochee NRA. This walk winds from a small parking lot, up and down a few hills, and along side the Chattahoochee River. At the river, you’ll often hear, then see, a variety of waterfowl, plus beautiful views of the rapids and colorful hillsides. From a hillside viewing platform on the Whitewater Creek trail, you can gaze down on the Devil’s Race Course Shoals hundreds of feet below in the Chattahoochee. This hike is better in dry weather, if you want to walk the riverside trail.
We usually hear the ducks and geese on the Chattahoochee long before we spot them at Palisades NRA.
Fort Mountain State Park. With the curious stone “fort” surrounding the area, Fort Mountain offers both history and mystery. A flat walk on the Lake Trail offers great views and an easy outing. The Cool Springs overlook also is an easy walk from the main road. Our favorite fall hike combines the Stone Wall, Stone Tower and West Overlook Trails. We try to reach the park on clear days, when the valley fog is lifting to reveal the expansive views.
The curious and mysterious wall isn’t the only attraction at Fort Mountain. Our favorite hikes include trekking to the fire tower, strolling the lakeside trail, and taking in one or more of the scenic vistas.
Sloppy Floyd State Park. Tall, colorful trees line the two lakes which are the center points of this park. The best-known hike is the gentle hillside climb to an abandoned marble mine. After rains, a small waterfall flows over the mine opening. A wood walkway offers behind-the-falls views. So, we try to time visits here after a rain. We also like continuing up the Marble Mine trail beyond the mine. There, we join the ridgeline traverse of the Pinhoti Trail, before continuing down the Jenkins Gap Trail back to the main park. For flatlanders, the Lower Lake Loop trail offers a more scenic and less challenging stroll.
You’ll get a “backstage” view of a waterfall at Sloppy Floyd State Park. We usually continue up to the Pinhoti trail, then back down to the lakeside trails.
Red Top Mountain. Don’t be put off by the word mountain, as most trails here remain relatively flat. We enjoy both the Homestead Trail and the Iron Hill Trails for gentle walks through the woods and lakeside views. But beware that Iron Hill is shared with mountain bikes. So if you prefer a pure walking trail, Homestead is best. There, look trailside for some of the abandoned homesteads which give the trail its name.
Don’t be frightened by the “mountain” in this park’s name. The Homestead Trail and Iron Hill trail deliver on gentle walks through the woods, with lakeside views.
Duke’s Creek. This one is slightly outside our “Northwest” tag, We like visiting Duke’s Creek in the late fall because the full length of the waterfall cascades down the hillside without leaves blocking the view. Still, there’s plenty of color left along the one-mile hike from the parking area to the main falls. For those who just want to see the falls, they are visible from an outlook near the parking lot. But for a close-up, bring your binoculars or a long-zoom camera.
You can see the falls at a distance from a parking lot observation platform. But when you hike down in the fall (left), you’ll see a much better view than in the summer (right).
Genealogy research can be a tedious and tiring activity. But I find motivation and delight in digging through old records and searches for Landeche lineage.
Tracing my Landeche lineage is an adventure back to lost times, discovering small facts found along the way. With the slimmest of details, I enjoy creating vivid images in my mind of those long-ago times and scenes. Now, I’ve been able to use the power of AI to bring those Landeche lineage images to life. How?
First, I’ve taken historical snippets found in published accounts of real figures with the surname of Landeche. Now, I haven’t found any real links to these figures and our historical family tree (yet!). Thus, I’m not saying these figures actually are related to the Landeche family. But, they do share our surname or have a title that incorporates that name.
Next, I used whatever information was available in the original citation to set the historical period and location. Then, I researched locations, attempting to find contemporary images along with historical depictions. As the penultimate step, I created detailed prompts for ChatGPT. That’s when I direct it to use all the specific information plus any additional details depicting the Landeche lineage. And finally, with the original image created, I provided some “finishing touches” instructions to make the images more realistic.
So in that spirit, here are a few fun facts that I found wandering the lost pathways of Landeche lineage. I’ve included links to the original, true historical references. That’s for those history and genealogy nerds like me who enjoy this stuff.
And, with the exception of the San Felipe crucifixions in Japan, the stories are accompanied by the AI-generated images.
1212. Prepared Pilgram, Austria
Herbord of Landeche, founding annual memorial at Heiligenkreuz Abbey—one manor and vineyard for flour, wine, and fish on the Annunciation vigil.
At the Cistercian Abbey of Heiligenkreuz in Austria, Herbord of Landeche, plans a pilgrimage to Spain. Whether out of caution or guilt, he visits the Cistercian Abbey before departing to take care of one last detail. There, he certifies an anniversary for himself, his wife, and his ancestors at the Abbey of the Holy Cross. And he confirms and increases his previous donations. (Sort of like Middle Age travel insurance.) Following is text of that statement, found in abbey archives, and translated from the original Latin:
“Let it be known to all present and future faithful of Christ that I, Herbord of Landeche, for the reparation of my soul and that of my wife and of all my ancestors’ brothers who serve God in the Holy Cross, freely and absolutely acquired one manor in Diepoldesdorf and one vineyard located in der Einoede during the time of Lord Halnric, Abbot of the Holy Cross, on the condition that the same brothers and all their successors be served with flour, wine and good fish annually without any excuse at all on the vigil of the Annunciation of the Lord, at all times during which the cloister itself shall last, and that each year my messenger and that of my descendants be present on that day to see if this is done.”
1316. The Count’s Witness, Germany
Cunradus of Landeche was a notable presence in early 14th-century Thuringian circles, bearing witness to significant transfers of land to Count Berthold of Henneberg.
During the feudal period around 1317, the city of Schleusingen (in present day Germany) served as a regional political and administrative seat of the Counts of Henneberg-Schleusingen. Count Berthold VII controlled extensive estates from Schleusingen and he gained princely status.
To gain protection and support of the powerful count, local landowners often pledged “fiefs,” contracts granting the count rights to use and benefit from the land in return for protection and support. Thus, in March 1316, Cunradus of Landeche served as a witness to two of these transactions.
In one of the transactions, locals pledged an estate of 780 acres to the count. In the other, owners transferred a vineyard of approximately 1.5 acres (two morgen) plus additional rent.
Cunradus of Landeche served as a witness to both transactions. But he was not one of those pledging the fief. Thus, it’s likely he was a member of the court or an administrative bureaucrat working for Count Berthod VII. Exploring further, I found that “Cunradus” is the “Latinized” personal name Conrad. “De Landeche” designates him as “of Landeche,” which in middle Dutch and German, probably meant lord or noble resident and controller of the “Landeche” estate or manorial jurisdiction.
1498. The Landeche Lineage, Spain
Landetxo-Goikoa, one of Bizkaia’s oldest baserri farmhouses (c.1510), stands at the forest’s edge as family farmers till the garden—an enduring tradition of Basque rural life rooted in stone, timber, and tradition.
There is substantial reason to believe that our “French” Landeche family actually originated in Spain, and specifically in the Basque country in Northern Spain. I’m a subscriber to that theory, but I’ve not found (yet) a definitive link between the French Landeche family and several Spanish families with similar names.
That said, a Spanish blog makes a bold claim: “All Landechos originate from Mungia or Zamudio. There were three variants of this surname: LANDAECHE- LANDECHE- LANDECHO.” The writer goes on to list a long lineage which directly addresses the surnames Landaeche and Landecho, starting in 1498. He shows a farm house in Mungia linked to the family names, using another variant, Landetxo. The name and history of the house dating back to the 1500s is validated elsewhere. But his blog never mentions anyone bearing the specific surname, Landeche.
Now, searching public family trees, I’ve found several Landeche family members listed in Mungia, dating back to the 1570s. Then, in the 1580s, actual birth and marriage records for the Landeche surname appear in Spanish Archive listings from Catholic churches. Specifically, on March 29, 1588, the first baptism of a Landeche occurred in Spain. According to those records, Maria de Landeche was baptized at St. Anthony the Great Catholic Church in Bilboa by parents Nicolas de Landeche and Mariochoa de ARRIETA.
1559 – Governor of Guatemala
Juan Martinez de Landecho fled Guatemala around 1565, after he was jailed for “excesses” during his term as president-governor of the Spanish colony. He either perished at sea while fleeing, or died in Panama while traveling to Lima, Peru, for a new post.
Juan Martínez (Núñez) de Landecho, was a Basque jurist who rose to become the first president-governor of the Audiencia of Guatemala in the late 1550s. Most records refer to him as Juan Núñez de Landecho, though Basque and some scholarly notes use Juan Martínez de Landecho, reflecting early-modern naming fluidity which is problematic in genealogy. He was almost certainly of Vizcayan origin, “from the Goikolandecho farmhouse” near Mungia in Biscay (which is included in the prior story). He took office in Santiago de Guatemala on 2 September 1559. During his brief administration he backed an ambitious road to link the Atlantic port with the capital through Verapaz—an initiative tied by some historians to Dominican networks around Bishop Pedro de Angulo and Bartolomé de las Casas, but stalled after Angulo’s death. Surviving dispatches show him actively governing in 1562–1563, issuing orders to regional leaders such as Juan Vásquez de Coronado.
His fall came quickly. Complaints of “excesses” prompted Philip II to send Lic. Francisco Briceño as visitador by royal cédula on 30 May 1563. Briceño arrived discreetly and on 12 February 1565 placed Landecho under arrest, then dissolved the Audiencia and moved it to Panama, reshaping Central American governance. What happened next divides the sources: the classic Guatemalan chronicles (Juarros, Fuentes y Guzmán) say Landecho escaped custody, fled toward Golfo Dulce/Amatique, embarked on a small vessel, and “was never heard from again” (later retellings presume he perished at sea). By contrast, Basque scholarship (summarizing Carmelo Sáenz de Santa María) contends he continued his case in Madrid, was punished without fanfare, returned to royal service, and died in Panama en route to a new post in Lima.
Either way, his governorship—dated roughly 1559–1563/65—ended amid censure and institutional upheaval, leaving a legacy that still toggles between disappearance at sea and a quieter epilogue in royal service.
1596. Shipwrecked and Threatened, Japan
After an officer of Captain Matias de Landecho suggested that the Spanish used missionaries to precede invasions, 26 Catholics were crucified in Nagasaki in what became known as “The San Felipe Incident.”This image is not AI generated.
On October 19, 1596, the Manila galleon San Felipe limped toward the coast of Japan after surviving multiple typhoons in the Pacific Ocean. The San Felipe was wrecked on a sandbar off the coast of Shikoku, Japan.. Onboard, the Spanish crew harbored a treasure valued at 600,000 pesos. While converting that to current value is tricky, one estimate by AI source Perplexity.com sets it in the neighborhood of $60 to $120 MILLION US dollars. No matter how you calculate it, that’s a rich neighborhood!
The captain, Matias de Landecho (a Spanish variant of Landeche, and also listed as “Landeche” in some accounts) and his crew were held by a regional Japanese war lord. Landecho sent two of his officers to meet with Japanese leader Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Unfortunately, one of Landecho’s officers suggested that the Spanish often “softened up” remote countries for invasion by sending in Christian missionaries.
As a result, Hideyoshi ordered the crucifixion of 26 Christians in Nagasaki. Later, Captain Landecho tried to reclaim San Felipe’s cargo. Advisors hinted Hideyoshi might treat him as a pirate and execute him. But, he was granted his life and allowed to leave Japan with the crew and passengers of San Felipe. After his safe departure from Japan, Captain Landecho fades into history, with no further record. The entire event became known as the San Felipe incident, and is a major historical event in the history of the Catholic Church in Japan.
1686. Spanish Privateer, CaribbeanSea
Captain Martin Perez de Landeche commanded one of the Biscayan privateer ships commissioned in 1686 by the Spanish for deployment in the Caribbean.
Seeking to combat smugglers and pirates in the New World, the Spanish crown authorized the creation of a private naval force for deployment from Spanish Basque country to the Caribbean. The squadron consisted of five ships and nearly 600 men sailing under the Biscayan flag. Departing from San Sebastian to the Canary Islands. Captain Martin Perez de Landeche commanded one of the ships, when saw first action off Cape Verde near West Africa.
The small force continued to the Caribbean, where it plundered the 100-ton English sloop, Relief, then the Bermuda sloop, Speedwell. The squadron stopped at Veracruz, Mexico in late 1687. Then, in early 1688, it departed for additional privateer raids on behalf of the Spanish crown. Unfortunately for us, there are no further historical mentions of Captain Martin Perez de Landeche.
1705. Captain, Admiral, Governor, Santo Domingo
Captain Antonio de Landeche sailed the Rosario to Pensacola Bay to resupply Spanish fortifications. Unfortunately, a hurricane struck days later, destroying his ship and nearly sinking his career, too.
Another seafaring Landeche, Captain Antonio de Landeche, sailed his way into history’s records at Santa Rosa Island in Pensacola Bay, Florida. There, in September 1705, Captain Landeche anchored his 44-gun Spanish frigate, Rosario, to unload supplies for Spanish fortifications in the area. But on Sept. 4-5, a hurricane struck the area, wrecking the Rosario. Captain Landeche and many of his crew survived. Returning to Mexico, Landeche was investigated for negligence in the incident. But a royal inquiry commended his performance, describing him as “meritorious… deserving the pious attention of Your Majesty for his advancement.”
He was later promoted to Admiral, then twice appointed to serve as Governor and Captain-General of Santo Domingo (the Spanish colony on the island of Hispaniola). His first term was 1714-1715, then he was reappointed when his successor became too sick to serve.
1700-1800. Our Global Presence
To date, my true genealogical research efforts have focused on our French ancestors. Occasionally, I’ve undertaken casual explorations of likely Spanish connections. But in doing a broader name search of the time period 1200 to 1800, the Landeche surname and its variants surprisingly popped up around the globe. Beyond the ones mentioned previously, I’ve found Landeche and variants like Landecho dating from the 1600s to the 1800s in locations including Mexico, Peru and the Philippines.
Depending on where you live in Georgia, you’re likely already seeing the advertising. NO, I’m not talking about ads for the upcoming Georgia political races — because I’m already tired of those!
Rather, these ads are for the Georgia State fair. But don’t be confused if you see similar-sounding promotions for events in different parts of the state. That’s because Georgia is home to five major fair events that often are confused based on their names, and all deliver traditional state fair fun.
For many Georgians, there’s nothing better than an evening at one of the state’s five “state” fairs.
Fall is prime time for all five of the Georgia big state fair events, each featuring lots of entertainment, carnival games and rides and that (in)famous state fair food selection. Each state fair is a separate entity, and they are each set in different parts of the state.
Find a Fair
So when and where can you find a Georgia “state fair?” Here’s the 2025 list:
North Georgia State Fair in Marietta opens the fall fair season, running September 18 – 28, at Jim R. Miller Park.
South Georgia State Fair, celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2025, runs Oct. 23 to Nov. 2 in Savannah.
Regardless of the time and location, these huge events are fan favorites, with Georgians traveling long distances to sample the farm displays, frivolity and fun. And of course, each fair features some unique food that attendees can’t stop praising in their pictures and posts.
A variety of carnival rides delight young and old. And the temporary nature of the fair adds to the thrill.
At the North Georgia State Fair in Marietta, long-standing favorites include as roasted corn on the cob (served by Boy Scout Troop 757 for decades) and lemonade (noted for being “round, robust, and sweet”). And a Thrillist report includes outrageous must-tries that included The Bird Dog (chicken fingers + nacho cheese + bacon in a hot-dog bun), the Waffle Dog (hot-dog enrobed in waffle batter), and Fried Kool-Aid hush puppies.
For fairgoers at the Georgia State Fair in Hampton, fried foods are the fantastic favorites, according to a Reddit thread of fair-going experiences. Those include fried peanuts in the shell, fried turkey legs, and fried Snickers.
If it’s fried or pie, you’ll find it at the State Fair. And the Georgian National Fair features a “Fair Food Fight” where vendors compete for top state fair food honors.
Taking it to a different level, the Georgia National Fair included in 2024 a “Fair Food Fight,” in which food vendors competed to be named among the fair favorites in savory and sweet categories. Emerging as the savory winner was Gillette’s Pizza’s “When Pickled Pigs Fly,” featuring pickles, ranch, mozzarella, and bacon. The Sweet Winner was Polar Bear Ice Cream, with a S’More Magic Ice Cream Sandwich, a decadent treat with chocolate-covered graham crackers, ice cream, marshmallow, and drizzle.
And not to be outdone, popular items at the Georgia-Carolina State Fair in 2024 included Korean Corn Dogs (“K-Dogs”) — hot dogs and mozzarella on a stick, dipped in donut batter, deep-fried, then rolled in creative toppings like Takis, hot-Cheeto dust, or fried potato cubes — and deep-fried cannoli on a stick.
Many of Georgia’s state fairs feature farm animal displays and contests. You might find yourself chasing a greased pig, it that speaks to you. Or not.
Now, before you head to any of the fairs for the foods described, remember those were offered in 2024. And while we expect most of the famous favorites to return, foods and vendors change each year.
