Barbie Beach –
Trying to find a “Peach” connection in December is a bit of a challenge. I check out Peachtree City in search of a Georgia Peach or just something peachy but am quickly diverted from my peach hunt once I learn of Barbie Beach.
I am not far outside of Atlanta and nowhere near the ocean. The Beach is just outside of Peachtree City in Turin, GA. The Beach is a popular attraction for locals and has even been the subject of a Cannes film festival documentary. Barbie Beach intrigues me and is something I’ve got to see.
The highway leading to the beach is very busy. I’m towing a 29′ camper and despite seeing
Beach Parking signs I can’t slow down fast enough and miss the turn for the parking lot. I pullover just down the road at an out of business roadside store and backtrack on foot to the beach.
I was expecting a small beach, and I was even expecting nude Barbies posed precariously. However, I wasn’t expecting to just shake my head in utter astonishment at what the curators, Steven and Lynda Quick, had assembled. More importantly, why they chose to make a roadside attraction of it.
The stage is set
Locals explain that this is a living exhibit that changes themes periodically. Try as I might I couldn’t quite figure out the theme on this visit. The pirate ship (Manatee figurehead is a nice touch) Barbies chasing a pod of whales was interesting but the Malibu Barbies driving the beach didn’t seem to even notice them. Of course, if you’re from Malibu you’ve probably grown accustomed to such sights. Then there were others appearing to be even more aloof watching it all over drinks at Morts bar. I overhear Ken recount loosing a leg in the war as I depart.
It’s a little hard to even describe the scene. I believe I’ll just head on down the road to Lane’s Orchard.
Lanes Southern Orchard – Peach County Georgia
The drive into Lane’s Southern Orchard is a tree-lined road with rows upon rows of peach and pecan trees. The orchard is 6,000 acres that has been operating since the early 1900s. Tours are available during the production season, but things are quiet today.
My desire to find something peachy is quieted. I enter the market and there is an overwhelming array of peach products. Feeling like Bubba from Forrest Gump. Dey have “peach jam, peach jelly, peach preserves (dang if I know the difference). there is peach honey, peach butter, and peach bread to put it on. Dey have peach chutney, peach salsa, and peach BBQ sauce. There’s peach cobbler and peach pie. You can drink it too ’cause there’s peach cider, peach soda, and peach wine.
Heck, they even have the things cut in half and packed in jars.
I couldn’t, of course, leave without at least checking out the cafe and having a large helping of peach cobbler. I was gonna top it with peach ice cream but that machine wasn’t working today.
When not on the road, he helps others fulfill their yearning to travel as a Membership Specialist for Thousand Trails.
store. It’s about an hour drive to
This place is wild! Leave it up to Curious Craig to trek down there! I just watched a Netflix documentary on the invention of the Barbie doll.
Recently a soulful and dear friend died.
Pepper, too, had an insatiable hunger for discovering. His was more in the realm of poetry, arts, books, communities and fascinating people. But it doesn’t matter the path, and you certainly are touching the Real.
He was only 53. Now he’s gone. All this being said, live out loud with surrender, playful and joyful
wonderment. And that you are! We truly don’t know when our name will be called to leave here. Life itself is our elixir and that, you can’t get enough of and that’s a good thing.
First stop was to see naked ladies! SMH! Good blog!
I know!! This is gonna be better than I imagined!