Wandering through a village that uses reconstructions of daily life in ancient times to understand the history, land and culture of Biblical times and then having a “Biblical meal” with authentic foods from Jesus’ Passover Meal, commonly called The Last Supper.
Spending a morning on the water as well-known fishing guide and television host Joey Mines gives you a nature tour of the lake. Enjoying an afternoon strolling through the pre-Civil War gardens at Hills & Dales estate and then touring the new Kia automotive plant.
These are just a few adventures awaiting visitors to Troup County, home of Lagrange and West Point. Only a couple of hours drive away, the area is an affordable destination with plenty of family-friendly activities.
The Explorations in Antiquity Center is a one-of-a-kind, interactive museum located in LaGrange. Founded by Dr. James Fleming, a Biblical archaeologist and historical geographer, the Explorations in Antiquity Center has docents who lead visitors through a variety of education and inspirational programs including an Archaeological Garden Tour, Biblical Meal, Archaeological Kid’s Dig, Shepherd’s Experience, Psalm 23 Walk and the Time Tunnel.
Among the adventures awaiting visitors are sitting in an authentic goat hair tent like the nomadic shepherds have lived in for thousands of years; seeing tombs like those in which Abraham and Jesus were buried and catacombs like those early Christians used for worship; visiting a village and city gate area to see what life was like 2,000 years ago.
“We’re trying to give the ambiance that makes the stories shine,” guide Barbara Herlan told our tour group.
We ended our visit by sharing a Biblical meal with authentic foods. It’s such a unique experience that adults and children alike will enjoy it.
For more information on the center, visit www.explorationsinantiquity.net.
West Point Lake, a 26,000-acre reservoir with 500 miles of shoreline, is a great place to spend a few hours or stay all day. Known as one of the nation’s best bass fishing lakes, recreational opportunities abound on the pristine lake.
Joey Mines, who is featured on the television special, “Outdoors With Joey Mines” on Fox Sports, offers a fishing guide service at West Point Lake. Stripers, hybrids and crappie are among the fish to be caught in the lake, which is the number one fished lake in the United States and the number one tournament lake in the United States.
Joey, who has been a guide for 35 years, also offers bits of wisdom about fishing and life in general on the tours.
“Part of your tour, when I’m your guide, is I help with your marriage or your taxes,” he told our group. “I do a lot of marriage counseling out here. I feel like Dr. Phil when I get off of the boat.”
The lake was built in the mid-1970s and is unusual in that there are no homes or developments located along the lake. It’s very peaceful and quiet.
“Your blood pressure has dropped 20 points since you got on the boat with me,” Mines told our group.
For more information, go to www.JoeyMines.com.
Hill & Dales Estate offers tours of the gardens and the 30-room home, styled after an Italian villa. The home was completed in 1916, at a cost of $125,000, as the home of textile magnate Fuller E. Callaway Sr. It was used as a family home until 2004 when it was opened to the public for tours. All of the rooms are open to the public and there are no ropes or barriers, common in many home tours.
The Ferrell Gardens at the estate have been continually cultivated for over 175 years. Visitors can rest and relax on the grounds underneath the majestic trees.
For more information, go to www.hillsanddales.org.
Kia plant tours will be offered in late summer or early fall. It’s fascinating to see how people and robots work together to put together the Kia Sorentos.
DINING
Dining options include C’sons in downtown Lagrange. The chef works with local organic farms to plan the menu. The menu changes daily depending on that day’s harvest. Our menu included spring greens, greek orzo salad, beef sirloin kabob and grasshopper cheesecake.
While in downtown, be sure to stop by the fountain and throw a penny in. This tradition comes from when Col. Julius C. Alford, who was leaving for the Creek Indian War of 1836, tossed a coin into a well in Lagrange and said, “Here you go, Lafayette (the Revolutionary War hero who told him of this European culture).” All of the men and their sweethearts followed suit. The custom developed to throw two coins to double one’s wish. A statute of Lafayette is located at the fountain.
For more information on visiting Troup County, go to www.lagrangechamber.com or www.downtownlagrange.com.
Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at AngieEditor@aol.com.
