WHETHER IT’S A DAY OR A WEEK, THERE’S ALWAYS TIME FOR A TRIP BY JON GALLO STAFF CORRESPONDENT “JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE IS OLDER AND DOESN’T HAVE THE MOBILITY THEY ONCE
had doesn’t mean they can’t have fun and experience something differently than someone who can put on their hiking boots,” Cathy Stokes, owner of Seniors On the Go Travel in Lawrenceville said. “Everyone has a bucket list and it’s my job to help them get where they want to go and make sure the have fun when they get there.” Stokes business caters to older adventure seekers and said as long as someone’s healthy enough physically and financially, he or she is never too old to see what the world has to offer. “My advice to anyone thinking about traveling is to just try it,” Stokes, a Lawrenceville resident who has been in the travel business since 1983, said. “Someone who is older may be hesitant to go on a group trip since they will be around a bunch of old people. But our groups have a lot of fun. And don’t be fooled by the name, we have all ages of adult travelers join us on trips.” Stokes spoke about the benefits of traveling while she was with a group on a week-long trip to Texas. The group had just stopped at the Texas Energy Museum on their way to the Alamo, where they would be given a tour before spending the rest of the day on their own, free to roam San Antonio’s famous River Walk. “I want to give everyone who goes on a trip with me my personal attention from start to finish so I make sure they have a great trip,” said Stokes, who has traveled to 47 states, with the only three she hasn’t visited being North Dakota, Kansas and Nebraska. “When we go on a trip, I want to make sure everyone has plenty of free time.” Stokes, who has planned hundreds of trips during her 35-year career, said the advantage of purchasing a trip through a company such as the one she’s run out of Lawrenceville for the past 18 years is travelers don’t have to worry about very much. Transportation, lodging and going on tours with experienced guides are just a few of the details her travelers don’t have to worry about. Still, she makes sure that her travelers have plenty of time to themselves. It’s important when planning a trip that travelers take their mobility, overall health and financial situation into consideration. Stokes also makes sure everyone has a wonderful time, regardless of their limitations. For example, during a trip to the Grand Canyon, she ensured those who had trouble walking could use the paved path to the edge of the canyon so they would get a wonderful view.
6 GENERATION S MAGAZINE
Bucket List:
TOP 10 GEORGIA ATTRACTIONS TO ENJOY
While the Peach State has plenty of attractions for those seeking physically strenuous adventures, Georgia is also home to many sites people of all ages can enjoy. Here are 10 places that are pleasant experiences for everyone, regardless of age.
RADIUM SPRINGS, ALBANY:
CALLAWAY GARDENS, PINE MOUNTAIN: Just outside of Columbus, the 6,500acre living piece of art founded in 1952 is filled with trails, a man-made white sand beach, an enclosed butterfly habitat, a golf course and of course, the stars – flowers. More info: callawaygardens.com
DRIFTWOOD BEACH, JEKYLL ISLAND: Find your spot and relax and look out at the St. Simons Sound as the sun sets, casting beautiful hues as night falls. The beach gained its name from the pieces of driftwood and skeletons that are prevalent. More info: jekyllisland.com
STONE MOUNTAIN PARK: The 3,200-acre park features a Confederate Memorial Carving that depicts Civil War legends, President Jefferson Davis and Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson. History comes alive The carving measures as attendees explore three acres which dwarfs exhibits such as “Voice Mount Rushmore. For a to the Voiceless: The phenomenal view, take Morehouse College the cable car ride to the Martin Luther King top of the mountain, Jr. Collection,” “Rolls or if you enjoy a long Down Like Water: The upward stroll, you can American Civil Rights Movement” and “Spark always walk to the top of what’s the world’s of Conviction: The largest high relief Global Human Rights Movement.” More info: structure. More info: civilandhumanrights.org stonemountainpark.com CENTER FOR CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS, ATLANTA:
INDIAN SPRINGS STATE PARK, FLOVILLA: While the trails are easy to stroll, the star of the 528-acre park are its springs that offer a perfect spot for a picnic, a swim or a place to take off your shoes and wade while you find relief from the summer heat. More info: gastateparks.org/ IndianSprings
The springs have been around since prehistoric times and are one of the state’s greatest natural attractions. The springs, ATLANTA which pour out 70,000 BOTANICAL gallons of pure, fresh GARDEN: water every minute, is an ecological and Founded in 1976, the environmental park. 30-acre park adjacent While the Creek Indians used to bathe to Piedmont Park in the water, which remains a must-see were said to have every year since it’s healing powers, constantly evolving swimming is no longer by showcasing new flowers, exhibits and permitted. More info: exploresouthernhisattractions. More tory.com/ info: atlantabg.org
COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME/COCACOLA MUSEUM, ATLANTA: Go Dawgs! War Eagle! Go Jackets! Roll Tide! At least all fans will agree that everybody’s favorite college team is represented throughout the interactive exhibits. If debating the merits of why your team is the greatest team on the planet makes you thirsty, head over to the Coca-Cola Museum. They’ll be happy to quench your thirst. More info: cfbhall.org and worldofcoca-cola.com
AMICALOLA FALLS, DAWSONVILLE:
GEORGIA AQUARIUM, ATLANTA:
One of the world’s largest aquariums is home to more than Founded in 1976, the 100,000 members 30-acre park adjacent of marine life and more than 10 million to Piedmont Park gallons of water. The remains a must-see every year since it’s more than 100,000 constantly evolving creatures represent by showcasing new more than 700 species flowers, exhibits and of fish and other sea creatures. More info: attractions. More georgiaaquarium.org info: atlantabg.org