Posted by Our brief stopover in Columbus, Georgia let Andy cross the last state off his Bingo Card, albeit on a technicality. By strolling across the 14th Street Pedestrian Bridge, we briefly set foot in Phenix, Alabama.
Originally constructed by freed slave and noted covered bridge-builder Horace King, the bridge features kiosks celebrating historic ties to the military at Fort Benning, the area’s history in textiles and industrial development, jazz music, and the man who developed the formula for Coca-Cola, John S. Pemberton.
We walked the historic district downtown, admiring the gracious porches and gingerbread on the stately homes. There were many references to the Civil War, and the twined cities were the site of the last major battle of that terrible conflict. The history weighs on the somnambulant streets with their tall magnolias and soft buzzing of bees. A good time for reflection on the costs and scars of war.
The 15-mile linear riverwalk along the Chattahoochee River gave a noisy, white-water welcome – although we skipped the zip line…toasting the exploration with a sunset cocktail above the river offered a welcome respite and a fine capstone to an intriguing visit. (Jen)
