DROP EVERYTHING AND ROAD-TRIP!
Recently, on a beautiful, sunny Saturday that felt more like a day in May than in February, Denis and I, in a spur of the moment fashion, grabbed a Starbucks and hit the road! Destination – Milledgeville, Georgia for a late lunch. We meandered our way out of the city through East Atlanta. The traffic was heavy everywhere, seemingly everyone had the same idea as us! Once on the 212, we settled into a groove and our adventure began…
In Conyers, Georgia, we were delighted to come upon The Monastery of the Holy Spirit. A quick left onto the campus brought us down a lovely tree-lined road. We immediately felt a sense of peace come over us.
The Monastery was founded in 1944 by the Cistercian (Trappist) monks. The monastic religious life goes back to the early centuries of Christian history. Forty monks reside at this monastery, spending their days seeking God through prayer, penance, manual labor and reflective reading.
The members of this order are cloistered and do not leave the grounds. This self-contained community has its own water tower.
In addition to the Monastery, the campus includes The Abbey Church, a retreat house, a lake and walking trails, The Abbey Store and a Bonsai Greenhouse.
The eclectic Abbey Store offered a variety of handmade food items produced by the monks, a large selection of Christian books and an extensive collection of religious artwork, sculpture and icons.
Promising ourselves to return again one day to explore more of the grounds, or perhaps to attend a retreat, we left the Monastery of the Holy Spirit knowing that we had just spent some time in a very special place!
Back on the road, we enjoyed the sights of middle Georgia, stopping briefly in the little town of Monticello. Another 50 miles down the road, we entered historic Milledgeville boasting southern mansions and gracious gardens. This southern city with impressive architecture, historic venues and a glistening lake, also has a very charming downtown. Home to Georgia State University College and the Georgia Military College, both with beautiful downtown campuses, the area was alive with students and alumni visiting for Homecoming Weekend.
Blue skies over the Military College of Georgia
This rustic little church is on the campus of the Military College of Georgia
Another Cinema Treasure to add to my collection! The Campus Theatre, located in downtown Milledgeville was originally built in 1935. It now houses the Theatre Arts Department of GSUC.
And now it was time for that late lunch! We perused all of the offerings up and down Hancock Street and chose a lively place called The Brick.
A yummy veggie wrap for Denis.
A tasty Greek Salad for me.
After lunch, we strolled back to the car which was parked in front of the Campus Theatre and I had one last look through the window at the lobby bookstore chock full of books, scripts and librettos for all of those Theatre Majors!
We followed the setting sun back home to Atlanta that evening.
These stunning rays reminded me of a Sunday School song from long ago…
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I’ll be a sunbeam for Him!
Hit the road. It’s good for your Spirit!
Starr
