HIGHLIGHTS:
Callaway Gardens is a 13,000-acre
luxurious resort that is located a short distance from
Columbus, Georgia. It is well-known for it's four distinctive
gardens and a host of outdoor activities which include
hiking, swimming, fishing, tennis, golf and
even organized shooting events.
The gardens were named for the mother of founder Cason J. Callaway, and were
created to promote and protect native azalea species. The property opened
on May 21, 1952 as the Ida Cason Gardens, and includes a number of lakes, a golf
course, and a scenic drive that still circles the property and provides access
to the impressive gardens at the resort.
During our stay, we did a 1.2 mile
loop in the Azalea Bowl but missed the coveted spring blooms which
happened a month earlier. Regardless, the route has outstanding
views across a lake, is extremely well-maintained (even paved in parts),
and passes numerous species of Azaleas as the route winds down, across a
small bridge, and around the lake.
