TS4-2 Hop 5: Stone Mountain GA to Tifton GA

197 miles via US 78, I-285 (around Atlanta), I-675 (south of Atlanta), I-75 and I-475 (around Macon). Cumulative tow miles: 618. Truck miles: 233. Cumulative truck miles: 1017. The extra truck miles were due to a couple of trips to WalMart to buy food and fuel and our sightseeing around Stone Mountain Park.

This was one of the more pleasant hops on the TS4 trip. Basically it was all on expressway, the roads were relatively flat and in good repair, the traffic, once we got about 20 miles south of Atlanta, was not heavy and the weather was bright and sunny. The temperature climbed into the low 70s, so it was a good day to travel in a truck with no heat or A/C. Most importantly, the truck ran fine.

We took a short break at a rest area near the halfway point, more to stretch the legs and relieve the bladders than to eat lunch. We parked next to a very similar rig and had a nice chat with the driver about RVs and the lifestyle.

A good day on the road.

Our three nights in Stone Mountain GA were at the Stone Mountain Park Campground, within the confines of Stone Mountain Park. It is a large campground nestled on the banks of Stone Mountain Lake. Many of the sites are directly on the water. Very scenic and wonderfully appointed: every site had a wooden patio with a propane grill. The recreational facilities, while not extensive, were very nice. I liked the side-by-side playground for ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12. Presumably 5-year-olds can take their pick. The pool was full but the gates were locked (I suspect they open the pool if the weather is warm).

The weather during our tenure was far from ideal. The sun basically did not appear until the morning of our departure. But when it came out it revealed some lovely fall colors.

We dined out on our final night at Stone Mountain. Jett decided that I needed a treat and selected the local German restaurant, the Village Corner German Restaurant & Bakery. I like a good German meal, with a preference for great German sausage. Well, I didn’t see any sausage on the entrée list, so I chose the sauerbraten, a dish that I probably haven’t had for 50 years. I think it was a mistake as it is marinated pork that is, indeed, sour. Not my favorite. But the spaetzle and red cabbage that came with it were very good. If you like German food and are near Stone Mountain GA, this would be a good choice. Yes, it is your only choice, but it is still a good one.

They also brew their own beer and have an interesting selection. I chose a 4-flight combo of grapefruit heffewiesen, a nut brown ale, a pale lager and an Octoberfest. Delicious!