Many local restaurants near Marietta and around Cobb County offer budget-friendly dining discounts to seniors. But often, those discounts aren’t listed on the menu or openly promoted in the restaurants, more of an “in-the-know” deal than a general benefit.
Once you know how to look for senior dining discounts in the AARP app, you can find the best deals while traveling or near home.
There’s help available for AARP members, with the organization’s deal-finding dining database. But once again, you have to know where to look or be willing to explore in order to find these budgeting bargains before heading to your favorite restaurant. And the good news is that once you know the secrets, you can apply them for any location while visiting or traveling.
We visited the AARP website and the AARP NOW app as the first step in satisfying our hungry hankerings. After logging in with our membership credentials, we began our search of this treasure trove for treats. But on both the website and app, we were overwhelmed with information, but it wasn’t the discounts we were looking for.
Our first attempt at the restaurant selection found a list of all national chains that offer AARP dining discounts. We counted more than 20 options.
To find those, we had to click on a benefits area in the app, then selected “categories” to find restaurants. On the website, that translated to a membership and benefits tab on the top navigation area, then scrolling down the left hand navigation bar to find a restaurants option.
Even after selecting restaurants, we weren’t in the exact location. That’s because the restaurant selection presents a list of all national chains that offer AARP dining discounts. We counted more than 20 options. Some, like Auntie Anne’s, Carraba’s, Cinnabon, McAllister’s, Moe’s and Outback, offer locations in and around Cobb County.
Once again looking around the pages, we finally found an option for “Coupons for Local Restaurants.” But we were still two clicks away from our payoff.
Finally, we landed on app and web pages that feature more than 40 restaurants with real Cobb County locations, including several that were true local restaurants run by community members. And we loved some of the bargains we found.
Finally, we landed on app and web pages that feature more than 40 restaurants with real Cobb County locations.
For example, West Cobb Diner offers a 25% discount, with savings up to $25. That’s a perfect way to enjoy their huge portions, which always makes multiple meals for us in our to-go box.
Several other local places offer 10, 20 and 25% off deals, too. And while we’re not a familiar with some of them, those offers may be a great reason to try them out soon.
Plus, there are a number of BOGO-type discounts for lunch and dinner meals.
And after digging down deep into the navigation, we did find a shortcut — at least for the website. And we’ve bookmarked the site since it includes a location search function to find dining discounts from virtually any location. Check out this link for the location, and be sure to bookmark it for your future reference, too. When we tweaked the locator to include restaurants within 10 miles of Marietta, we turned up 45 locations offering senior discounts.
Our travels frequently take us to the Caribbean, where we enjoy sandy beaches, clear blue-green waters, “boat drinks,” and lots of flavorful foods. But one of our shortest, closest authentic Jamaican experiences happened on Powder Springs Street. We were heading south, of course, just outside of downtown Marietta.
That’s where we found Juicy’s Jerk. This family-run authentic Jamaican restaurant gem virtually hides in a roadside strip mall at 1115 Powder Springs St, in Marietta. But it didn’t require a week of sailing and port stops on a cruise ship. We drove to Juicy’s Jerk for a weekday lunch, where we walked in and were served with virtually no wait.
Hidden in a streetside strip mall, Juicy’s Jerk isn’t fancy. And the adjacent hookah bar wasn’t our vibe. But we’re glad we went in.
Now, I’ll admit that we almost turned and retreated to our car when we walked through the door into the dark restaurant and accompanying hookah bar. We’re really not into the hookah scene, but fortunately, we continued — hesitantly but undeterred — to the counter for ordering. The smokey aroma wafting from the outdoor smoker provided the encouragement needed, our mouths watering for the authentic Jamaican delights.
We were helped with our ordering by the friendly owners, who made a few suggestions for our midday meal. The menu is not extensive or complex, and we felt well guided by the friendly suggestions. Jerk chicken, pork, ribs and fish made up the main protein choices, supplemented by shrimp, cow foot and oxtails.
The menu was small and simple. But we appreciated the suggestions from the friendly owners and went with their recommendations.
We ordered a small jerk chicken meal and a small jerk pork meal, both served with the standard sides of rice and peas, and also with cabbage. What we got was a huge and heavy styrofoam container filled to the brim with wonderful food, each containing enough for two full meals.
Dining in, we sat alone in the dining room and dug in to the heaping servings. First, we feasted with our eyes and noses. Both the chicken and pork were slightly charred with crispy edges, a deep, mahogany-brown color from the smoking process. The jerk spices caramelized on the exterior, creating a beautifully textured crust. It was speckled with bits of fresh herbs, blackened spices, and glistening juices. Steam rising from the meats hinted at the juicy tenderness inside. The aroma was intoxicating, a smokey essence of sweetness, spices and citrus zest.
After feasting on the delightful aromas, we dug into plates of jerk pork and jerk chicken. Filled quickly, we each brought home full second meals from the leftovers.
Then we dug in. Each bite of the proteins delivered on flavor beyond the incredible promise made by the aroma. The first bites and each afterwards delivered a powerful explosion of heat, smokiness, and sweetness, followed by a lingering warmth that danced on our tongues.
The rice and peas brought the heat level down and provided a short break for our pallets before we rushed for the next bite of proteins. Despite our enthusiasm and delight, we managed to finish less than half of each “small” plate before we surrendered with full stomachs. But the great news was we were each carrying home a dinner-sized serving for another meal.
Though we hesitated because of the adjacent hookah bar, we went in as the smokey aroma wafted from the outdoor smoker.
Though we only sampled the two lunch meals, we’ll definitely return to Juicy’s Jerk. In fact, we have our eyes on some of their larger to-go offerings as a carry-home option the next time we have hungry visitors.
We’re also not the only folks impressed by this hidden gem. We checked out reviews from multiple local foodies we follow, and virtually all of them gave Juicy’s five-star reviews. Consistently, they commented both on the quality and quantity of food. And one even mentioned the same initial hesitation we felt, while also continuing in for a delightful experience.
During our lunchtime visit, the hookah bar — complete with a poster of the legendary Bob Marley and plentiful hookah pipes — remained empty.
So next time you want a Caribbean food experience in land-locked Marietta, navigate your car on down Sandy Springs St. to Juicy’s Jerk.
Our Restaurant Disclaimer: We eat where we want and what we want, and pay for our meals. And when we find a restaurant we like, we write about it. When we have a poor experience, we tell the restaurant. But we don’t do negative reviews — you just won’t read about any bad experiences on our website.
When we moved to Georgia, we set about to explore the state and learn its history. That journey has been alternatively fascinating and frustrating. We’ve occasionally faced difficulties locating succinct history resources that fit our time schedule and short attention span.
After moving near downtown Marietta, we focused more on the rich past of the city and it’s surroundings. We visited museums, walked the downtown checking historical plaques, and took self-guided walking tours found at the Visitor’s Center. Plus, we read a few books. (BTW, Stealing the General by Marietta native Russel Bonds is definitely worth reading!)
Stroll approximately 25 steps along the pedestrian-only Depot Street to get a bite-sized version of Marietta history.
Then, we accidentally discovered one of the best, most succinct history resources available about the city. And it’s literally set in concrete. Amazingly, you’ll learn basic Marietta history in 25 steps — human, walking steps. From native Americans, through the city’s establishment, rebuilding after the Civil War and all the way up to recent downtown beautification, the facts are laid out directly in front of you.
You’ll find this “history walk” at Atherton Square behind the Welcome Center. At Atherton Square, the history walk stretches between the Marietta Welcome Center at the old train depot and the Marietta History Museum in the former Kennesaw House Hotel. It’s a pedestrian-only street running from Church Street / West Park Square toward Atherton Square and the railroad tracks
Each block includes a brief description of Marietta’s history.
A total of 12 concrete blocks are inscribed with brief history, each block focusing on a single topic. You’ll spend less than 10 minutes getting a good basic history timeline of major events in Marietta.
Afterwards, just walk across Atherton Square to Cool Beans Coffee Roasters for a hot or cold pick-me-up. Or, if you’re intrigued and want to learn more, you can always pop into the Marietta History Museum. It’s one of our favorite downtown stops, featuring both permanent displays and an ever-changing array of temporary exhibits. While you’re there, ask about some of their popular history tours, including the walking tour of Marietta City Cemetery. The tours are seasonal, with very limited schedules. You’ll likely want to get information during your pop-in visit and schedule a return. Plus, the friendly teams at the Marietta Welcome Center are always ready to share tidbits of history and a full schedule of Marietta’s upcoming events and activities.
If you walk on a a Saturday, cross the railroad tracks to the Marietta Farmer’s Market. Be sure to stop at Open Heart Bakery, where we always enjoy their scones and other goodies.
Another option if you’re exploring on a Saturday: visit the Marietta Farmer’s Market. You’ll find it just across the railroad tracks starting at 9 a.m. each Saturday, year-round. Be sure to stop in and visit Jenni and (husband) at Open Heart Bakery, where we always pick up a bacon and cheddar scone and other great items.
(Updated March 2025. Original post: March 17, 2023)
During this Lenten season, we made one of our too-infrequent visits to JimPa’s, a local fried fish and chicken joint located in a former Huddle House at the corner of Cobb and McCollum Parkways in Kennesaw.
We always enjoy our irregular visits here, filling ourselves with delightful thin-cut fried catfish filets, plus incredible sweet and tangy hushpuppies. Then, we add some of our favorite sides like an extra order of fried hushpuppies, fried okra, fried, pickles, steak fries, white beans and coleslaw.
Eat and Enjoy
So why are our visits infrequent and irregular? Well, we could get really specific and refer you to our primary care doctor and cardiologist, armed with detailed cholesterol test results. But for our purposes here, let’s go with the less-specific answer. We just eat and enjoy way too much of JimPa’s fried fish for our own good. So while we’d love to visit more frequently, we think its in our own best interest to demonstrate some level of restraint. So we simply pass by, then always regretting our directional determination.
JimPa’s is a local “joint,” and we mean that kindly. A few tables away, a skeleton and frog sat together while fish stared down from their wall plaque mountings.
But for a special Friday lunch – and perhaps to spite that grumpy, spoilsport doctor! – we drove in directly from a recent physician’s visit. Nothing had changed since our last drop-in. We ordered fried fish at the counter. While a line of people waited for to-go orders, we took a seat at one of the checkered-table-cloth-covered tables to await our fried feast. A few tables away, a seasonally-decorated skeleton and a frog sat together. Fish stared down on us from their wall plaques.
Sharing The Fish Love
For the two of us, we shared a 3-filet fried fish meal, served with two sides plus those incredible hushpuppies. On this visit, we chose sides of coleslaw and white beans – darned that aforementioned grumpy doctor! But before walking away from the counter, I gave in and added four more hushpuppies to our order. HAH, take that, Doc!
By the time I started taking the always-required photos, some of the food had disappeared from my plate — including those hushpuppies!
We waited a few minutes, a hallmark and badge of honor at JimPa’s because nothing is cooked ahead for dine-in. And that means everything comes to your table steaming hot, especially those cornmeal covered catfish filets that melt in your mouth once you enjoy that momentary crunch from the seasoned coating.
SNAP! My Food’s Gone!
When the waitress delivered our food, items started disappearing from the plate faster than I could snap the always-required photos. Instead of three filets, there were less than two whole fried fish pieces left on the plate. SNAP! When I turned my camera to the hushpuppies, same story. SNAP! Only the cup of white beans remained untouched. And that was because we sent the waitress back to fetch silverware while we snatched up other items by hand. SNAP! And while I was snapping, more fish and hushpuppies were disappearing quickly! So no more snapping!
If you’re looking for fancy, you won’t find it at the downhome JimPa’s.
Now, when I described JimPa’s as a “joint,” I meant that in the kindest manner. This place has character, often is patronized by characters, and, in fact, was established by a character. JimPa, aka, Catfish Jim, aka Jim Schrampfer, was a well-known fixture in the chain, franchise and Georgia restaurant industry before venturing out on his own. The latest incarnation of Jim’s fishy vision features the dine-in and take-out restaurant in the former Huddle House. A highly-popular, in-demand catering business serves regional businesses and events alike. I’ve enjoyed the catered meals at corporate events. We’ve also placed catering orders for holiday events at home. We mix catfish along with shrimp, chicken and those craveable hushpuppies, too.
What’s a Catholic boy supposed to do after ordering fried pork skins to accompany his meal on a meat-free Ash Wednesday. My answer: eat, and beg forgiveness!
If you’re looking for a fancy seafood meal, you won’t find it at JimPa’s. But, if you’re after a downhome feast featuring catfish, chicken, homemade sides and perfect hushpuppies, ignore your doctor or cardiologist and set your GPS to JimPa’s.
Located in a former Huddle House, JimPa’s has been selected among the “Best in Georgia” for multiple years.
Our Restaurant Disclaimer: We eat where we want and what we want, and pay for our meals. And when we find a restaurant we like, we write about it. When we have a poor experience, we tell the restaurant. But we don’t do negative reviews — you just won’t read about any bad experiences on our website.
Marietta’s downtown is experiencing an Italian Renaissance. After years of having just one stalwart Italian restaurant, two newcomers have opened offering more choices for good Italian dishes.
We’ve always enjoyed the European feel of dining at a window seat at Piastra. Then, when Bottega opened in 2024, it brought a homey, street-cafe feel that stirred warm memories of visits to Italy. Now, Gianni and Mac’s enters the mix with a large-format, multi-room dining experience straight from the heart of Tuscany.
A charcuterie and mozzarella bar offers a unique and authentic feature in an intimate setting.
Gianni and Mac’s is a love letter to Italy from founders Gianni Betti and Marietta restauranteur Randy “Mac” McCray. Arriving at the restaurant, you’re immediately captivated by the street-side charm of the window views. Walking in, the classic dining room expands in front of you. A bustling open kitchen anchors the room. To the left, a charcuterie and mozzarella bar offers a unique and authentic feature. And the long, open-seating bar delivers both Italian-inspired beverages and dinner service for those not willing to wait for a table.
Reservations Suggested
We walked in on Tuesday night, expecting no wait. Instead, the tables were fully booked with reservations. Thus, we were thankful for the bar seating and the friendly, attentive service we enjoyed there.
For an appetizer, we chose one of our favorites: fried calamari. Fried to perfection, it was accompanied by a pomodoro sauce and sprinkled with pepperoncini for just a touch of heat.
We studied the extensive appetizer list before settling on one of our favorites. And the calamari was delivered perfectly: lightly battered, fried to perfection, accompanied by a pomodoro sauce and sprinkled with pepperoncini for just a touch of heat.
Our dinner choices proved more difficult given the array of fresh and authentic dishes. Finally, we settled on branzino al forno, a standard menu item, and risotto ala scoglio, one of the chef’s specials. Thanks to the English descriptions, we knew that to be a Mediterranean Sea bass and a risotto accompanied by scallops and clams.
Small Glitches
Due to a slight kitchen delay, one of the dishes arrived slightly before the other. For us, that just meant we could each sample the first dish and discuss it a bit before the second arrived. However, we did notice this to be a pattern in the dining room, perhaps a glitch due to the recent opening.
The branzino was brushed lightly with olive oil and sprinkled with fresh herbs to enhance the appearance and flavor.
Sight, aroma and taste wise, both dishes delighted our senses. The branzino was succulent and moist, cooked through but not overcooked. The light brushing of olive oil sprinkled with fresh herbs enhanced the appearance and flavor. It was served over a bed of simply sauteed spinach, with roasted potatoes positioned around the edges of the plate, both of which complemented the main course.
Our risotto was good, and we weren’t disappointed. But both of us agreed that we wouldn’t put it in the “great” category. It was a bit more starchy than creamy. In fact, we also agreed that we preferred the risotto dishes we’d had at Mac’s Chophouse, operated by co-owner Mac McCray across the street.
Our risotto with scallops and clams was good, but didn’t reach the “great” level. We preferred the risotto at Mac’s Chop House over Gianni and Mac’s.
Overall, our initial visit was promising, especially for a relatively new restaurant still working through some of the kinks. We did think the menu was just a bit on the pricey side, especially the branzino as a $40 entree. That said, we’ll be back, likely to try the lunch menu and to experience the charcuterie and mozzarella bar. And while as downtown residents, we like to “pop in” to nearby restaurants, we’ll be sure to have an advanced reservation at Gianni and Mac’s — at least until the “newness” wears off.
What Others Say
Curious what others thought, we checked out recent reviews of Gianni and Mac’s from other diners. Here are a few of the highlights we noted among the overall 4-star rating on Yelp:
Overall, we will return to Gianni and Mac’s. Next, we’re going to try it at lunchtime to sample the daytime menu.
“Everything was delicious – from the hot bread basket, Caesar salad, cacio e pepe, arancini, gnocchi (pleasant surprise – our absolute favorite – didn’t see this on the online menu), and chicken parm. We were offered a complimentary slice of house made tiramisu for our anniversary, and it was divine. Only critique is the atmosphere is quite noisy on such a busy night.” – Anon, March 2
“Incredible experience last night, great vibe, impressive decor, great staff! With all the said, food is simply incredible. I had the Taglierini Norcina, it was unreal, best pasta dish I have ever had.” – Adam, Feb. 4.
“Food, Service, Ambiance all excellent! My only suggestion: Make the risotto more creamy. It felt more like regular rice. Recommendation- shop early for a reservation or get there by 5:30 for a seat at one of two bars.” – Feb. 27
Our Restaurant Disclaimer
We eat where we want and what we want, and pay for our meals. And when we find a restaurant we like, we write about it. When we have a poor experience, we tell the restaurant. But we don’t do negative reviews — you just won’t read about any bad experiences on our website.
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.
When most people think of cruising, Port Canaveral on Florida’s east coast or Miami and Fort Lauderdale often is the chosen departure port. But for another convenient option, don’t overlook a New Orleans cruise. Fares may be lower for a New Orleans cruise down the Mississippi River, which offers a unique and fascinating journey.
After many years of traveling to Florida ports, we recently completed a journey on Norwegian Getaway on a New Orleans cruise. We made the easy drive from our Atlanta-area home to New Orleans. Surprisingly it’s approximately equal drive in time as Port Canaveral. We paid hundreds of dollars less for each passenger in our party as compared to a similar Florida-departing cruise. And we enjoyed a less-crowded ship after reveling in some New Orleans entertainment and food, too.
We paid hundreds of dollars less for each passenger on our New Orleans cruise as compared to similar voyages from Port Canaveral and other Florida cruise ports.
Down the Mississippi
The daylight cruise down the meandering and historic Mississippi River enthralled us. The river twists, turns and almost meets itself before disappearing in as a brownish tide into the deep, blue Gulf.
Now, as Louisiana natives, the Mississippi River portion of our New Orleans cruise was especially memorable. At the foot of Canal Street, we waved goodbye on our New Orleans cruise. Amazing views of downtown and the historic Jackson Square in the French Quarter revealed themselves. Further downriver, we passed the site of the Battle of New Orleans, sugar and chemical manufacturing facilities and more ferries, tugs, barges, crewboats and ocean-going ships than we cared to count.
As Louisiana natives, the Mississippi River portion of our New Orleans cruise was especially memorable. We watched history go by, sailing past the Chalmette Battlefield, where in 1812, Native Americans, pirates and backwoods hunters defeated the British.
As darkness approached on the river, we stood on our balcony and marveled as our river pilot navigated downriver. We glided around a 90-degree bend, effortlessly and silently slipping past a huge upriver-bound freighter – all with other ships anchored in the river nearby!
Onboard the Getaway
After leaving the US on our New Orleans cruise, we spent a sea day aboard the splendid Norwegian Getaway. We’ll say here that this was our first Norwegian cruise. Previously we’ve cruised Holland America (our most frequent line), Royal Caribbean, Princess, Cunard and Carnival. We’d compare Norwegian directly and favorably with Royal Caribbean, as the ships, amenities and vibes are similar. So, expect active families, but also to be thoroughly entertained, well-fed and comfortably quartered in well-appointed cabins. (Click here to jump to our direct comparison to other cruise line experiences!)
While we’re accustomed to smaller ships on Holland America, we found Norwegian Getaway a comfortable and pleasant home for a week. It never felt as crowded or hectic as a Royal Caribbean mega-ship.
Our “public” ports included stops at Costa Maya, Roatan and Cozumel. Frankly, the port experiences are no different than on any cruise line. Enjoying a beach outing or other excursion, the experience largely was similar to other lines. It’s was easy and convenient to book an excursion with a cruise line. At the dock, there were more options and lower costs, but always with the risk of getting left behind. (While we didn’t do it this time, we often book our excursions through TripAdvisor and Viator. We also noticed — too late for this cruise — that Costco is again offering excursions after dropping the service during Covid.
Ports of Call
In Costa Maya, we joined a tour of Mayan ruins at Chacchoben, or “place of the red corn.” After a one-hour bus transfer, we reached the not-fully-excavated site of large temples and massive platform groups. Our guide led us on the circular path that includes excavated and restored pyramids, as well as walls and staircases. Overhead, a few howler monkeys loudly disrupted the sound of jungle birds. (We had a momentary scare when a mobility-challenged member of our group unwisely chose to climb the uneven stone stairs and fell. While he was unhurt, it’s a reminder to know and recognize your abilities and limitations when choosing or pursuing excursions. And, if you find yourself feeling uncomfortable, just talk to your guide. They’ll likely be able to suggest an accommodation.)
At Chacchoben Ruins, one of our fellow cruisers unwisely choose to climb some uneven stone stairs (not these!) He fell. Reminder: recognize your abilities and limitations, and let your guide know if you’re uncomfortable.
At Roatan, a port which we had visited previously, we selected a relaxing day visiting a coconut farm and processing facility. What we didn’t see was that it also included a stop at a “straw market.” That turned out to be a cheesy souvenir trap where tourist boats depart for reef and mango grove tours.
Private Island
Our stop in Belize featured Norwegian’s “private port” at Harvest Caye, the only port in Belize with a cruise ship dock rather than requiring a tender ride to shore. The 75-acre private resort spreads across two islands, and offers pools, beaches, wildlife walks and lots of other free activities. If you’ve experienced the “private islands” of other lines, this stop is most comparable to Royal Caribbean’s “Perfect Day at Coco Cay.”
Harvest Caye is NCL’s private island stop, complete with beaches, pools, wildlife walks and lots of food and beverage options. We enjoyed some close-up photography in the butterfly house.
There’s also a full range of the port excursions accessible, without the hustle and bustle of a busy shared port. We chose a small-boat nature and jungle tour on Monkey River. The bumpy ride across open water in white-capped seas proved a bit harrowing and very wet due to windy conditions. But we really didn’t mind the cool ocean spray blowing into the boat constantly.
Disembarking and Pro Tip
We did find that Norwegian’s disembarking process was always efficient since we were docked rather than tendering. In Cozumel, we docked nearer to the downtown area than all other lines, which made it easy to walk into town. We’re not sure if that’s always the case with Norwegian, or if that’s a port decision based on dock availability.
After watching the New Orleans phenomena of a sunrise over the west bank of the Mississippi, we learned a few things about disembarking. Don’t miss our cruise terminal pro-tip in the article.
One more port note, and that’s on the return of our New Orleans cruise. After disembarking, claiming luggage and clearing customs, we encountered a long, snaking, slow-moving line approaching the arrival terminal. Frustratingly, lots of the New Orleans cruise terminal doors were closed and blocked by security guards who refused to let us out to the street. As it turned out, the line was for group transportation and taxis, which we didn’t need. So, pro tip, if you’ve parked your car or have another pre-arranged ride, just bypass that line New Orleans cruise terminal line — despite the evil stares you’ll get.
Cruise Line Comparisons
We promised some comparisons, so here goes. Recognize that all comments are based on our experiences, preferences and requirements. Thus, this may not apply equally to your situation. Plus, full disclosure, our preferred line is Holland America, where we enjoy a top-level loyalty status (Click this link for a video of our recent Panama Canal cruise on HAL). On other lines, we’re just regular passengers.
Though our preferred cruise line is Holland America, we were well-pleased with our NCL cruise from New Orleans. The 7-day itinerary proved to be a great value and wonderful experience.
We’ve found that the secret to cruising is understanding the type of vacation you want, then selecting the right type of voyage and cruise line in accordance with that. Those critical actions virtually assure your expectations will be met and that unwanted surprises are avoided. While different people likely would describe their views differently, following is how we group (and rank, in order) the experiences we expect on the lines we’ve travelled (so far) AND would travel again without any hesitation:
Elegance, luxury, comfort, service, culinary relaxed, informative: Holland America, Cunard
As noted above, we directly compare Royal Caribbean and Norwegian. They deliver active, high-energy family vacations where you’ll enjoy comfort, entertainment and an incredible on-board experience. Both lines feature fun-filled ships, with all the latest in on-board activities. You’ll find water slides, go-cart tracks, ziplining, boogie boarding, and an incredible variety of entertainment.
Overall, we’d give Royal Caribbean’s mega-ships the edge in onboard entertainment and activities. But we found the Norwegian Getaway to feel less crowded.
For onboard entertainment and kids activities, we’d give Royal Caribbean a slight edge, especially on the newest mega-ships in the Royal Caribbean line. Aboard the 5,700-to-6,900-passenger Wonder of the Seas we occasionally felt cramped or crowded. But we found the 3,900 passenger Norwegian Getaway to be less crowded in all important areas, even on sea days. The only time we felt a little crowded on the Getaway was on boarding day. Everyone was required to be onboard 2 hours before sailing time but most of the cabins were not yet ready for occupancy. Then, it was a little “snug” around many public areas.
Food and Beverage
In the food category, we thoroughly enjoyed the “freestyle” dining of Norwegian. That means you can just “show up” during open hours at the buffet, dining rooms and casual dining locations. And it means there’s no strict dress code at those locations either. Now, that might bother some more traditional cruisers who enjoy the elegance of dressing for dinner and the people watching that goes along with it. But freestyle also means you can dress up to formal wear, gala wear or “resort casual” style. And when you do, you’ll really stand out among the fancy crowd to your fellow cruisers.
Though the culinary offerings and service didn’t measure up to our favorite Holland America Line, main dining room fare included some fine dining-style dishes and desserts.
We also found Norwegian’s food offerings to be comparable to that which we enjoyed on Royal Caribbean. Main dining room fare included some fine dining-style dishes and desserts, though sides offered were more ordinary. The service didn’t measure up to higher-end cruise lines, nor did the tableside presentation, variety or culinary “wow.”
Specialty Dining
Our experience in “specialty dining” (at an extra charge) truly was hit-or-miss. The seafood-centric Ocean Blue delivered an outstanding food experience that we’d match against any we’ve enjoyed, even on the high-end lines.
The entertainment and food quality at the shared table Teppanyaki was enjoyable, too. Our chef was entertaining and energetic, amazing us by juggling raw eggs. He also checked twice with everyone regarding food allergies before starting, and made a point of checking again before serving the cooked items. Servers seemed to be stretched thinly across lots of tables, so they could have been more attentive to our drink replenishments.
Our entertaining chef at the specialty outlet Teppanyaki juggled, sang, and drummed a beat, all while delivering fantastic food.
But our experience at Cagney’s Steakhouse proved truly disappointing. Though the steaks were tender and moist, they lacked any sort of charbroiled or grilled flavor, even when consumed with one of the sauces.
That said, overall and consistently, the variety of food offerings, the elegant presentation and culinary delight that we’ve enjoyed on Princess, Holland America and Cunard just wasn’t to be found on Norwegian. But, we also didn’t expect it, so Norwegian met all our food expectations for the type of vacation we chose.
Casual Dining
In addition to the buffets, main dining rooms and specialty dining, Norwegian (like Royal Caribbean and Princess) offers a variety of casual dining outlets. These are smaller venues featuring limited menus of different cuisines, and are included in the base price. On Getaway, we frequented American Diner for their huge burgers and their quiet breakfast buffet. We also enjoyed O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill, an Irish pub as you can deduce from the name. Of course we sampled the delightful fish and chips, and we appreciated the order-from-the-menu option at breakfast versus the more crowded dining rooms.
American Diner, a casual dining outlet included in the cruise fare, featured huge and delicious burgers and other typical diner fare.
Shows and Entertainment
We mentioned that we’d give Royal Caribbean a slight advantage over Norwegian here. But that’s largely because our experience on Wonder of the Seas included a high-dive water and musical extravaganza, an ice skating show, an incredible multi-media production show, and more.
On Norwegian, we enjoyed the production shows, which included a full presentation of the Broadway production, “Million Dollar Quartet.” Multiple comedy shows and small-venue music shows were offered each night, delighting those who could squeeze in to the often-crowded sites.
If the grandkids would have been along, no doubt we would have enjoyed the family-oriented escape room. We heard great reviews from others.
While we didn’t participate in the family-oriented escape room theater events, we heard great reviews from fellow passengers traveling with their families.
Norwegian also has adopted television game shows as onboard interactive entertainment. Audiences are able to join in with selected players in Deal or No Deal, complete with a grumpy banker persona positioning for bargain buy-outs.
At this cake decorating “demonstration” or “competition,” the wacky antics and wild results from the F&B director stole the show from the serious pastry chef.
One of our favorite shows was a cake decorating “demonstration” or “competition,” featuring the pastry chef, the cruise director and the director of food and beverage. While the pastry chef’s decorating was impeccable and the cruise director’s meticulous effort drew praise, the wacky antics and wild results from the F&B director stole the show.
And The Rest
There’s just too much available to compare every ship offering. We’ll note that both Norwegian and Royal Caribbean offered adults-only areas, allowing for an oasis of quiet away from all the frenetic family fun. And both offered “exclusive” ship areas accessible to those willing to pay for an upgrade.
Family travel is delightful. But sometimes, adults need a break. Norwegian Getaway featured an aft-deck, adults-only retreat available to all without an upcharge. Another private area awaited those willing to pay.
On both lines, you’ll find an incredible array of on-board active areas. Getaway featured a ropes course, multiple water slides, two arcade areas, a dedicated kids area, plus the age-segregated kids’ clubs common on most lines. On Royal Caribbean’s newest mega ships line Wonder and Icon, there are more of these with greater capacities. But on the older Royal Caribbean ships, the offers are very similar to what we saw on Norwegian Getaway.
Oh, and if you’re celebrating a special occasion on Norwegian, let them know at time of booking. My wife received a colorful plate of chocolate-covered strawberries and a bottle of wine in our cabin. Then, when we presented a note at the host stand of the main dining room, she was treated to a special cake and — of course — birthday sing-along.
Don’t forget to notify Norwegian of special celebrations. We found chocolate strawberries and wine awaiting Glenda for her birthday. Then, we were treated to cake and a sing-along in the dining room.
Final Verdict
We definitely would go back again on any Norwegian ship, without hesitation, when we were looking for an active vacation onboard a high-energy floating entertainment palace. And we’d certainly choose recommend Norwegian (and Royal Caribbean!) for active grandparents like us traveling with their multi-generational families.
In fact, we’re booked for a Thanksgiving time cruise around Hawaii on the Pride of America with kids, spouses and grandkids This time, we’re opting for a suite, so we can better handle the inevitable on-ship visits. Check back in December 2025 for a full report.
Final Verdict: We would recommend Norwegian for active, family-oriented cruisers and multi-generation trips. We’ll be back for a Hawaii Circle Cruise on NCL.
As days get warmer and longer, Georgia’s slumbering bears begin to venture out of their winter dens in search of food. And for female bears, that responsibility is greater because bear cubs are born in January and February, according to Bearwise.com. And that makes food-finding job one for mamma bear.
Bears naturally are shy and tend to avoid humans. But, even though Georgia’s black bears are large and noisy when stomping around in the woods, it’s wise to know the warning signs that a bear may be active nearby — before you come face-to-face with a 7-foot-tall, 400 pound eating machine on a food-finding mission for its newborn family.
Never approach a bear! Even those that look “tame” and shy at Smokey Mountain National Park can be protective and aggressive, especially when cubs are nearby.
To answer one of the eternal questions of life, YES, bears DO poop in the woods. And bear droppings — also known as “scat” — are among the tell-tale signs that bears are active in an area. Bear scat usually is found in large piles of dark, fibrous droppings with berries, seeds, fur, or insect parts. Fresh scat is moist, while older scat is dry and crumbly. If you spot a pile of poop, make lots of noise (Bearwise.com recommends shouting “Hey Bear”) and leave the area slowly to avoid danger.
Two other warning signs, according to Bearwise.com, include bear prints in the mud and large areas on trees where bark may be scratched off — often leaving visible claw marks. Once again, it’s recommended that you stay alert, make noise and slowly head to another well-traveled path to avoid a Georgia black bear encounter.
Young bear cubs in a tree are a sure sign that a protective mamma bear is nearby.
If you do encounter a Georgia black bear, Bearwise.com recommends that you take defensive measures. Those include:
Make yourself look bigger by raising your arms and jacket, and/or standing on a rock or stump.
Yell “Hey bear” loudly. You can also use other noise-making devices like a whistle or air horn, always good items for an array of backwoods emergencies.
Get your bear spray out of the holster and into your hand. Remove the safety latch.
Back away slowly when the bear stops its approach. And never run, as a bear is more likely to chase a fast-moving target.
In 1879, the City of Marietta purchased a revolutionary new steam-powered fire wagon. Firefighting historians generally acknowledge that the Silsby Steamer was the innovation that created modern fire departments. Prior to its development, each fire company depended on bucket brigades and hand pumps to fight blazes.
And in Marietta, the newly arrived fire wagon also led to another first in 1881 — the creation of the Blue Eagle No. 2 Volunteer Fire Company, comprised entirely of citizens from Marietta’s black community.
When the new Silsby Steam fire wagon, Aurora, arrived in Marietta, it paved the way for formation of the city’s all-black volunteer company.
As Marietta’s volunteer fire department became more experienced and proficient with the Aurora — the name given to the new wagon — it also made the city’s Blue Streak hand pumper engine obsolete. So the older apparatus was eventually provided to the newly-formed Blue Eagle No. 2 Volunteer Fire Company.
Community Service, and Social Clubs
Unlike modern city-operated fire departments, volunteer units of the day were a combination of social club and emergency response units. According to local records and newspaper accounts, the Blue Eagle Fire Company elected officers, held regular meetings, participated in community events and joined firefighting competitions and fought fires — sometimes alongside their white counterparts.
A display in the Marietta Fire Museum lists the original members of the Blue Eagles as: W.P. Butler, president; H. Frasier, foreman; Charlie Burke, second assistant foreman; John King, first pipeman; and members Thomas Alexandria, Author Cary, Author Darnell, John Easley, Miles Harvey and Oscar Lewis.
A mention in the Marietta Journal from Dec. 21, 1882, reported on the annual meeting of the Blue Eagle No. 2 Company, and the election of its officers. W.P. Butler, a Baptist minister, was elected president, a position he would hold for many years.
Original members of the Blue Eagles are memorialized on the timeline in the Marietta Fire Museum.
While the Blue Eagle Fire Company No. 2 was a volunteer organization, the City of Marietta often interacted with the crew. Membership benefits included exemption from the $3 city street tax, which was granted in March 1883 for up to 30 members of the Blue Eagle crew. And in May 1883, a report to city council noted the cleaning of the Blue Eagles’ No. 2 hand pump engine by the members.
Unified Response
The Blue Eagle Fire Company often responded to local fires side-by-side with their white counterparts, answering the call of the fire bell for blazes throughout the city. The Sept. 13, 1883, edition of the Marietta Journal reported one of those responses as follows:
“An alarm of fire, Monday morning about, half past nine o’clock, brought out the fire department. The kitchen on the premises of Mr. Chuck Anderson was on fire, and the fire being between the ceiling and roof, rendered it difficult to reach. The Hook and Ladder put in prompt work, while the Blue Eagle Hand Engine (colored) with a good stream kept the fire in check.”
During a streak of bitter cold in January 1886, the Blue Eagles and the rest of the Marietta firefighters answered a call in subzero temperatures and high winds to fight a blaze at a railroad warehouse. Cotton bales had caught fire from the sparks of a passing train. In temperatures of four below zero with a “glacial gale blowing at a terrible rate,” the fire companies threw water on the burning cotton and “the water would freeze soon after hitting the bales,” the Marietta Journal newspaper reported. Their dedicated efforts in the sub-zero conditions saved most of the cotton and prevented the fire from spreading to surrounding warehouses.
The thankful owners of the Winters and Legg Warehouse thanked the firefighters for the quick response and dedication with an oyster dinner. As with many events of the time, the white members of Marrietta Fire Company No. 1 and the Marietta Hook and Ladder Co. enjoyed their dinner on a Tuesday night at the Whitlock House. Meanwhile, on the same evening, Winters and Legg treated the Blue Eagle Company to a similar oyster dinner at the Simm’s Restaurant, the Marietta Journal reported.
Parades and Contests
Marietta hosted a fire tournament on July 4, 1902, which featured all the city’s firefighting units. A 4 pm parade featured the fire fighters and their fire wagons, starting at the fire house on Atlanta Street and led by a military band. The Blue Eagle Firemen, with engine and reel, participated in costumes of black pants and blue shirts.
The Marietta Journal estimated “that some three thousand people were on the square at the time the parade and tournament took place. There was a regular jam of human beings.”
The day’s activities also included a reel race and foot races by the firefighters, with prizes of rubber fire coats and cash to the winners. The Blue Eagles received two rubber fire coats in the reel race. In the foot races, Blue Eagle member Gus Nelson won the $2 first prize and Ed Robinson received the $1 second prize.
Of the day, the Marietta Journal concluded: “Marietta has had no more enjoyable day than the fourth of July. Good order prevailed throughout the day, no drunkenness and everybody seemed to be in a good humor. We have a splendid citizenry, hospitable, courteous, clever and enterprising, and the best town in the state.”
The final reference we could find to the Blue Eagle Fire Company appeared in May 1911. While the white Marietta firefighters participated in a city recognition event, the Blue Eagles were provided a separate barbeque lunch for their members.
Final Chapter for the Blue Eagles?
The final chapter of Blue Eagle history is unclear.
The Marietta department responded to a fire call at Zion Baptist Church in July 1914, after which the pastor publicly thanked the department in the Marietta Journal. But no mention is made of the Blue Eagles, who likely would have responded to the emergency at the church which was the heart of Marietta’s black community.
In October, 1914, the Marietta Journal published a notice or a meeting for reorganization of the volunteer fire departments, but published no follow-up report.
And, Sometime in the 1900s, Marietta switched some of its firefighting duties to a paid force. The volunteer departments continued alongside for awhile. A request in the Marietta Daily Journal requested that volunteer departments continue answering the fire bell along with the city’s new department. But how long that arrangement lasted is unclear.
We’re continuing to search the available digital records of the Marietta Journal and other sources for more information. You can also find a reference to Marietta’s Blue Eagles at the Marietta Fire Museum, located in the main fire station near downtown. Check out our article on a previous visit.
Some school systems in Georgia soon will be observing a winter break. There’s still time to plan a fun, family getaway in Georgia or nearby — without risking flight delays.
For those Georgia families looking but undecided, here are a few of our favorite options to amp up your winter break:
State Park Staycation
Park destinations are most heavily booked in spring, summer and fall. But it’s easy to find a comfy cabin, funky yurt or a camping spot during winter break. Approximately 40 Georgia state parks offer overnight stay options, including tent and RV sites, spacious and full-featured cabins, and yurts. And several, like Amicalola, Unicoi and others, offer full-service lodges for those who prefer a hotel or resort style experience. Find detailed information on each park’s accommodations and make reservations, on the the Georgia State Parks reservations page.
Whether you like primitive camping or modern “glamping,” Georgia’s state parks have a plethora of lodging options for all tastes.
Mountain Adventures
Beyond state parks, North Georgia offers lots of mountain adventures and exploration opportunities. Four of our favorite winter break destinations include Helen, Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, and Clayton, all offering unique local outings, excellent farm-to-table dining and interesting exploring. For example, in Dahlonega, combine gold and mining history with a tour of the Consolidated Gold Mine. Helen’s German-themed town offers unique shopping and exploration. Plus, there’s lots of scenic adventures by car or by foot around all the mountain towns. Or, perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to enjoy a frozen winter wonderland at one of Georgia’s tall frozen waterfalls.
In the North Georgia mountains, winter break means uncrowded hiking trails, new scenic views, and farm-to-table dining.
Savannah Sojourn
This historic Georgia riverport attracts throngs of visitors in peak season. But except for St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll find fewer visitors and more bargains on hotel stays during winter break. And “winter” in Savannah typically means sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s. Thus, walking the city’s historic squares or taking the open tour carriages are still great options.
Savannah’s moderate winter means lots of warm, sunny days to enjoy dining al fresco and exploring the historic squares.
Always Atlanta
Yes, Atlanta is always an option when you think of a Georgia destination. Downtown offers a plethora of high-end hotels that deliver on fine accommodations and luxury spa services. Plus, many of the city’s best eateries also are near downtown. Some favorite winter attractions include touring the Carter Presidential Library, visiting the Georgia State Capital under it’s golden dome, and exploring Martin Luther King National Historical Park. Sports fans will enjoy the 90 minute tour of spectacular Mercedes Benz stadium. Just outside the city, scenic and historic Stone Mountain offers spectacular views.
Whether you choose one of the city’s historic indoor sites or a visit to nearby Stone Mountain, Atlanta delivers as a winter staycation choice.
Small Town Charm
Throughout Georgia, the countryside is dotted with charming small Southern towns. Often built around a historic square, these Georgia treasures deliver on relaxing days full of antique and bargain shopping, site seeing, history and hometown favorite foods. Of course, we’re partial to Marietta since we live there. We can walk to the historic square, bike to Kennesaw Mountain or saunter downtown for cocktails and dinner. Some of our other favorites nearby and around the state include Acworth, Kennesaw, Woodstock, Roswell, Alpharetta, Dahlonega, Blue Ridge, Taccoa, Ellijay, St. Simon, Clayton and Pine Mountain. And if you ignore some of the politically-charged commentary, we loved our time in Columbus, too. That’s not a comprehensive list, but consider it a starter for small-town adventures. And given Georgia’s place in the movie industry, don’t be surprised if you stumble across a film site.
With Georgia’s major presence as a Hollywood filming destination, we’ve often run across movie sets as we visited Georgia’s charming small towns like Toccoa, Marietta and others.
Amtrak Adventure
We haven’t done this one — YET! — but it’s definitely on our list. Amtrak’s Crescent line serves Atlanta’s Peachtree Station (ATL), providing daily service on it’s route that runs from New York City and New Orleans. Theoretically, you can make a one-day round-trip southbound journey from Atlanta to Birmingham, leaving Atlanta at 9:08 am and arriving in Birmingham in early afternoon. Then, you can return on the 5:15 pm northbound from Birmingham, arriving in Atlanta around 11:30 pm. BUT, Amtrak’s long-distance trains are notorious for not keeping schedules due to freight train priorities and other track issues. So it may be best to plan an overnight stay — or just make the longer run to New Orleans and stay awhile. Going northbound from Atlanta, be aware that the Crescent departs in late evening. Thus, stops like Charlotte, Washington DC, Baltimore and New York require an overnight journey.
While we’ve taken Amtrak elsewhere, a trip on the Crescent route from Atlanta remains on our to-do list. We’re thinking a trip to New Orleans or Washington is in our future.
Georgia’s Discovery Trails
Whether you enjoy scenic drives or historical exploration, Georgia’s state tourism department has something for you. Several designated scenic drives cut through regions of Georgia, including the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway through the mountains, the Altamaha Historic Scenic Byway along the Southeastern Georgia low country, and the Enduring Farmlands Scenic Byway in mid-state. More historically-themed exploration “trails” also have been established, with recommended stops and supporting guides. The 200-mile Chieftains Trail in Georgia is a heritage tourism route that highlights key historical sites associated with the Native American Cherokee Nation. Established to honor the legacy and culture of the Cherokee people, the trail takes visitors through significant locations in Northwest Georgia that played a central role in the Cherokee’s history before their forced removal on the Trail of Tears in 1838. The Georgia World War II Heritage Trail is a state-wide tourism initiative that commemorates Georgia’s significant contributions to the war effort during World War II. This trail links historic sites, museums, and memorials across the state that highlight various aspects of the war, including military training, manufacturing, home-front efforts, and the personal stories of Georgians who served.
At a stop on St. Simons Island along the Georgia World War II Heritage Trail, we learned about the blimps that once protected the Georgia Coast.
Caribbean Cruise
For those who want to get a bit farther away, the Port Canaveral cruise port in Florida is one of the country’s best starting points for cruises of all types. During winter, several cruise lines offer three, five or seven day cruises that fit just about any budget. Favorite destinations include the Bahamas, and Eastern Caribbean Cruises. Port Canaveral is less than a one day drive for most Georgians.
A variety of 3, 5 and 7 day cruises depart nearby Port Canaveral, an easy one-day drive from most points in Georgia.
When the winter solstice passes deep into December, many we know pack up their hiking gear and wait for the spring before venturing out again. For us, winter hiking in Georgia is just another hiking season, with different appeal, unique sights, and a perfect opportunity to escape those indoor blues.
We love getting out on uncrowded trails on sunny winter days, enjoying the exercise, sunshine and great views that you don’t always see when there’s full foliage.
With an above-average 217 sunshiny days annually, North Georgia’s hiking season definitely extends year-round. Now, we’re saying that winter is our favorite hiking season. But it’s not our least-favorite either, a designation we reserve for humid, sweaty, bug-infested summer when we greatly prefer water, kayaks, beaches or air-conditioned resorts. Winter hiking simply requires a different set of equipment and a brighter outlook for darker days.
Reasons We Love Winter Season
Here are six reasons we love winter hiking, and look forward to getting outdoors during Georgia’s mild winter season:
1. No Sweat.
That may be an overstatement, but you get the point. When you dress warmly for winter hiking, you may end up shedding a layer to avoid a few spots of mild dampness. But compared to the strength-draining, drenching body water works of summer, working up a slight winter sweat signals that you’re getting a good workout while enjoying the outdoors. We always wear a wicking underlayer for winter hikes, which moves water away from the skin and helps retain warmth. And after a winter hike, we generally feel comfortable dropping in at a local restaurant (like Harvest Moon in Rome, GA.) for some comfort food and a beverage, not fearing we’ll offend the olfactory senses of patrons at nearby tables.
We always wear layers for winter hiking, including a moisture-wicking underlayer to help retain warmth. And after a winter hike, we’re not sweat-drenched, so we feel comfortable dropping in at local restaurants without risk of offending nearby patrons.
2. Happy trails
There’s nothing more annoying than heading out into the great wide open to find yourself shoulder-to-shoulder with a herd of humans. During the winter, Georgia trails often are wide-open, or at least far-less-trafficked than any other time of the year. We have the luxury of weekday hiking, and we rarely run into large groups. On weekends, we try to avoid Kennesaw Mountain and other urban hikes, but even those popular sites feature smaller crowds in winter.
Winter trails are happy, wide-open trails, where we can avoid herds of humans while spotting friendly forest creatures enjoying the quiet, solitude and sunshine.
3. More to See
Fallen leaves open the view from different angles, often revealing hidden treasures and vistas impossible to spot during other seasons. Winter at Amicalola Fallsand Dukes Creek Falls reveals the full vertical splendor of Georgia’s tall falls as they cascade deep into the valleys below. Wandering the trails at Red Top Mountain, you can spot chimneys standing alone deep in the pine forest, the only remaining evidence of previous occupants. Mountain-top views at KeMo, Pine Mountain and Sloppy Floyd State Park offer a wider view of the surrounding area with fewer leaves blocking site lines. And if you look into the forest far off the trails or even down near your feet, you may even spot deer and other forest creatures you might otherwise miss in full foliage.
Winter hikes reveal the hidden splendor of Georgia’s most magnificent treasures, like the full length of Amicalola Falls, not visible in other seasons.It’s easier to capture spectacular panoramas, like this one at Kennesaw Mountain, when the leaves are down and the sun is up.
4. Fewer slithering surprises
With more to see all around, you can take solace in the fact that there’s a lesser likelihood of encountering slithering surprises on trails during the winter. But let’s clear up a misconception: snakes don’t hibernate during winter. Instead, they brumate, becoming less active and slowing their metabolism to reduce their food and water needs. But while they aren’t as active, they are still around, seeking warmth, often in underground dens and under wood and rock piles. Here’s a fun fact: while you’re less likely to see a snake outdoors in winter, the odds increase that you’ll encounter one indoors – like in your garage, your storage shed or even in your house. So come on, get OUTSIDE in the winter to avoid snakes! 🙂
Snakes are less active during their winter brumation, when these cold-blooded reptiles seek warmth under wood and rock piles, or in underground dens. We spotted this non-venomous fellow seeking sunlight near a fallen tree along a stream.
5. Bright Light
North Georgia enjoys lots of winter days when the sun is high in the sky or peeking through scattered or thin clouds. That’s good news for those afflicted by Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, which Mayo Clinic reports is most frequent in the winter, sapping your energy and making you feel moody or even depressed. Exposure to natural light delivers proven relief, including accelerating production of Vitamin D and potentially boosting a positive attitude. So while we love the convenience of walking the indoor track at the local YMCA or even making the 40 loops of our basement to measure one mile, there’s nothing like soaking up some sunshine on a winter hike – even on a cloudy day – to improve your health.
When the walls close in, we head outdoors to get the benefit of sunlight therapy — and get visiting family and friends out of the house.
6. Cure for Cabin Fever
We love our home, but we often feel the walls closing in during winter. There’s a reason Jimmy Buffet sings in Boat Drinks, “This morning, I shot six holes in my freezer. I think I got cabin fever; somebody sound the alarm.” Often, by February, we are looking forward to a Caribbean cruise to St. Somewhere. But during the other weeks, we find it much more practical to head to a nearby trail, state park, historical site or national land preserve for a simple walk in the woods — especially when we can get visiting family and friends out of the house for some needed space.
The low-volume falls at Sloppy Floyd are on our list for a return visit this winter. We’ve seen a few pictures of the frozen falls that we want to add to our own collection.
James “Sloppy” Floyd State Park. We’ve hiked Sloppy several times, up to the Marble Mine and then to the high intersection with the 300+-mile Pinhoti Scenic Trail. (We promise we’ll get around to writing about our adventures, as it’s a fun family outing.) For Winter 2021, this one is on our list to visit again after a couple of days of freezing weather, when the low-volume falls can create some incredible winter picture opportunities.
Cloudland Canyon State Park. One of our favorite Georgia State Parks, featuring two major waterfalls, several smaller ones, and a spectacular canyon view. Fall is our favorite time here, and we tend to visit on weekdays, as weekends have been crowded during this year of Covid-19. Again, freezing days can create a winter wonderland of photo ops.
Cloudland Canyon is one of our favorite destinations year-round. We snapped this colorful fall photo, while winter reveals even more of the park’s smaller falls.
Black Rock Mountain State Park. Hiking the 2.2 mile Tennessee Rock Trail offers incredible vistas anytime of the year, but the views really open up when the leaves fall down.
Pickett’s Mill State Historical Area. Visiting in the winter can offer a better understanding of how battle activities played out during this bloody Civil War assault. We also prefer the winter because lower temperatures and shorter grass on the lesser-traveled trails means lower risks of ticks.
Mountain to River Trail. We often combine an early-Saturday-morning visit to the Marietta Farmer’s Market with a hike on this urban trail. We like it in winter because we can then grab a hot coffee or warm lunch at the Marietta Food Market (we owe an update on this post!) or from one of the many restaurants at the square when we’re done. We wrote this up as a fun bike trail, but we often walk it from the Square.
Creative hikers brought along hammocks, attached them to mountain-top trees, and enjoyed a rest coupled with great views. We’re looking forward to trying this with our Christmas-gift hammock soon.
A Walk in the Woods
We’ll conclude with a book recommendation. If you can’t or won’t take our advice to get out for a winter hike, you can enjoy our favorite hiking book, A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. It’s a personal and highly comical story of Bryson’s attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine with a friend. If you’re not hiking, winter’s a great time for reading this or any other Bryson book, for that matter – to improve your attitude and outlook!
When we’re done walking in the woods, look for local restaurants for some comfort food and a refreshing beverage. Cooler temperatures mean we’re less likely to offend the olfactory senses of patrons when nearby tables are crowded.Hikes can be through urban areas, too. We enjoy visiting the Marietta Farmer’s Market on early Saturday mornings for fresh buys, then walking the Mountain to River Trail. We usually end up at a Marietta Square Market food hall, or one of the plethora of options surrounding Marietta Square.
After Hurricane Helene ravaged the areas with floods, the legendary Biltmore Estate reopened recently, just in time for its annual Holiday event that is a tradition for many extended families.
And as usual, the main home and other areas of the estate are shining brightly, illuminated by hundreds of thousands of flickering lights, countless fresh-cut trees and imaginative decorations throughout the huge estate.
Inside, the Biltmore is illuminated by hundreds of thousands of flickering lights and countless fresh-cut trees.
For our pilgrimage, we enjoyed a Sunday evening tour of the main house and a quiet day exploring the gardens, winery, restaurants and the shops of Antler Hill Village. Frequent Biltmore visitors will be aware of on-property closures remaining after Hurricane Helene. But those who visit less often simply will be dazzled by what they experience at the estate during their visit.
By far, the evening Biltmore Candlelight Christmas tours remain the stunning highlight of a holiday visit. While the crowds we endured were sizeable, that didn’t stop us from enjoying the flickering candlelight and the extravagant decorations that adorn the massive house. And that was made even more festive by live choral and music performances placed strategically inside. Yes, visitors can tour the home during the day (saving a few dollars on a ticket) to experience the incredible decorations. But if you’re visiting, why not get the full experience and be amazed by how the house is transformed during the evening illuminations?
Touring the Biltmore house during the day is an option, but why not get the full experience and be amazed by the evening illuminations?
One of our best decisions was enjoying some of the casual dining options on-site during our visit. Since we arrived early for our evening tour but weren’t particularly hungry, we created our own informal courtyard picnic with offerings from the Courtyard Cafe and the Bake Shop. Some fresh-baked goods, a nice salad, an espresso drink and some rich hot chocolate were perfect for a light evening meal after our late, off-site lunch.
We stopped to enjoy choral and musical performances throughout the Biltmore’s incredible gilded-age rooms.
As we toured the estate and Antler Village on the second day of our visit, we meandered into Cedric’s for some pub grub, a beer and some wine. The portions were satisfying, the beer cold and the ambiance reflected that of a comfortable pub.
We stayed until early evening, watching the sun set, then the twinkling lights awaken to illuminate the village area. Of course, no day would be complete without a dessert, so we made a stop for ice cream just before sunset — getting a sugar rush going to optimize the nighttime illumination.
Beyond the main house, Antler Village also features a plethora of twinkling lights and some yummy delights.
Yes, there are lots of other dining options at the estate — including some incredible Forbes four-star fine-dining at for breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner at The Dining Room — but our appetites (and a failure to make reservations in advance!) didn’t allow for those experiences.
Weekends at the Biltmore Estate are crowded, so go on a weeknight to avoid the largest crowds.
For lodging and other dining, we chose off-site locations for convenience, price and to spread a few dollars throughout the local economy. We used a walking tour we found on the GPS My City to walk through some of the downtown area. Some of our favorite stops included the art deco City Hall, the Woolworth Walk and Kress Emporium — both inside historic old department store sites — and the Grove Arcade, formerly a shopping center now converted again to shops and residences. Downtown we also stumbled upon the quirky Asheville Iron Sculpture and Shopping Daze Sculpture, then investigated more about the provenance of these artworks.
We used a walking tour from the GPS My City app to meander through downtown, stumbling across this “Shopping Daze” sculpture before investigating further.
And, that exploration led us to artwork of a slightly different kind: the architectural wonder of the masonry elliptical dome inside of the Basilica of Saint Lawrence. For those who love unique architecture, we highly recommend that you download The Art & Architecture of The Basilica of Saint Lawrence, then put the Basilica on your visitation list.
Since we drove from the Atlanta area, we also were able to enjoy some other nearby touring on the way there and on our return trip home.
The Basilica of Saint Lawrence and its masonry elliptical dome are unique architectural wonders.
But if you’re planning on visiting in 2024, be aware that Asheville and much of the surrounding area were hard hit by flooding from Hurricane Helene. Thus, you’ll want to make lodging reservations far in advance AND check out the North Caroline Department of Transportation website for all the latest on road conditions in the region.
