Our Day Date to Rome, GA

During our Christmas hiatus, we went on a day trip to Rome, GA to do a little exploring and of course eating. 

I should have really titled this post "How We Ate Our Way from North Alabama to North Georgia and Back" because eating is what it is all about on trips, right?

I'm sure you are wondering why Rome. Well, back a few years ago, I went with some friends to Hotlanta and ate my last meal in Rome before hearing banjo music on every line less back road from my house to Atlanta. A three hour trip turned in a 5 1/2 trip. Good times. I loved what I saw in Rome before the rest of the crazy trip and always wanted to go back to do some investigation.  

Any ways

On our way, we stopped to stretch our legs and take in the beautiful site at DeSoto State Park

We finally got to Rome, and our first stop was the Rome History Museum

where we learned that Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone with the Wind, had friends in Rome and two plantations were thought to be the basis of the plantations in her book. Rome even hosted an early premiere of Gone with the Wind.

Woodrow Wilson's wife Ellen lived here prior to their marriage and is buried here.

I made my grandmother proud and visited the cemetery

 to see the grave.

Hi, Betty Love! 

The view from the cemetery of the city was beautiful!

Coca-cola was actually invented here before being sold a couple of times of what we know today. In fact, this county is known for drinking more cokes than anybody in the world. My daddy would fit right in. 

Also, Rome is the city of Seven Hills. 

We climbed one to visit the clock tower that once was a water tower for the city.

I am still feeling that climb today. :)

We ate lunch at the Mellow Mushroom

where we devoured a small Funky Q Pizza

so we could save room to go here

for a perfectly sweet combination of hot chocolate and gelato.

I would have taken a picture, but clearly my hands were full. 

Next time, I think I will be a lady that lunches here:

The chicken salad and pimento cheese was calling my name.

My childhood disease of loving old houses and architecture kicked in as well ...

I would love this house on about 5 acres ...

Also, I thought this was funny ...

On our way back, we decided to go a different way and I am so glad that we did, because we went through Mentone, AL. I will definitely be visiting this small town again. 

Mentone, AL, population of around 200 that boasts of 2 gorgeous inns, one that has been around since 1880's.

(Apparently in the early 1900's, Mentone was place where people went for the mineral springs and fresh air.)

They also had a huge antique store next door to the old inn

as well as a delicious Wildflower Cafe, featured in Southern Living. 

Delicious is an understatement. Here we were on top of a mountain, eating in a quaint little cafe with scrumptious food. There was a patina bead board ceiling and gorgeous old floors. It basically looked like a little house that had been added on several times with white table linens and little lamps on the tables. The booths were made out of bus seats and looked quite comforting and welcoming. Quaint. 

We dined on shrimp scampi and smothered chicken with garlic mash potatoes, to die for sauteed vegetables, and grilled cabbage. I so wanted dessert, but decided that we probably needed to head home. The Tootsie Girl was probably hungry.

What a lovely day with wonderful memories!

If you plan to visit us anytime soon, be prepared for a day trip to Mentone. I cannot wait to go back!

Lastly, my favorite quote from this trip was by my lovely husband, who after getting breakfast at McDonald's stopped at another McDonald's for a bathroom break in which he also helped himself to a refill, "Haven, we could stop at all the McDonald's, and we would not have to pay for a drink this whole trip." 

I know you are jealous that I get to spend the rest of my life with this man! Ha!