Greetings. Queries to this traveling Tomato [me] as to where we should go on our next road trip. This is a fabulous time of year to travel, but then you know I think anytime is a good time except perhaps when there is snow and ice. Suddenly it came to me and I started to reflect on what I would share -Tallulah Gorge and House on the Rock. I must have been in an eclectic mode as both places are not the usual or similar in any way, but they are musts. [Have I said that before? Think so.]

TALLULAH GORGE: Clarksville, Georgia

This awesome and magnificent Tallulah Gorge will not disappoint. It is located in Clarksville, Georgia. You will take US 441 to this beautiful State Park. It was once called the Niagara Falls of the South. FYI: Gorge and Canyon are interchangeable. The canyon is two miles long and close to 1,000 feet deep. The hard granite walls form steep cliffs and the roaring waterfalls can be heard for miles. It is all very beautiful. For the hikers, one can hike rim trails to various overlooks or obtain a permit and hike to the gorge floor – when feasible. The reports and pictures I have seen are impressive and inform me quite well while situated on plain terra firma. There is also a swaying suspension bridge that is 80 feet above the rocks and water and if walking this bridge is appealing to you, go and enjoy. All this to me is a real “tummy tenser” and I confess, these ambulating adventures are not for this Tomato but visiting Tallulah Gorge is a must. There is fishing, swimming, kayaking and more at this beautiful State Park. The visitor’s center is extremely attractive and full of interesting information.

As you stand and inhale the mountain air, hear the sounds of the gorge, and admire the spaces around you, notice the towers that are incongruous to the surroundings. Towers purpose: These are the towers that anchored the wire when Karl Wallenda (in photo) walked across on the suspended wire in 1970! Just seeing the towers and standing on the edge is enough to cause goose bumps as you picture the hair raising feat. Nik Wallenda, the great grandson hopes to duplicate his great grandfather’s feat in 2015. Sidebar: Nik’s feat of crossing the Colorado River was televised by the Discovery Channel in 2013. If you did not watch it, take lots of deep breaths, sit down and watch the rerun.

This magnificent State Park, Tallulah Gorge is a treat and a must to visit. Contact Park Office: 706-754-7970 Camping: 706-754-7979.

There are many places to stay in the area, but I recommend the totally charming and perfect GLEN ELLA SPRINGS INN.

HOUSE ON THE ROCK: Spring Green, Wisconsin.

This is in no way, shape or size “normal” as the House On The Rock is completely unique and eccentric in most every imaginable way. Once you have seen this place you will realize that writing about it with any sensible format is not easily accomplished. Room after room under The Rock’s “umbrella” is huge, chockablock full of whatever theme it might have or attempt to have, and goes on room after room. Samples: There is an entire room with a working carousel filling its space. There is the room filled with look a-like Tiffany lamps. Book shelves fill a room with “antique” books. There is the doll room and the armor room. Truly, the rooms – large – go on and on. This unique place was created to be fun and no claims have been made that all is authentic. Authentic fakes, yes. What it is, is special and different. [Be prepared. No high heels and take care of necessities before you start the tour.]

The most impressive aspect [well one of] in this major amalgam of “items” is the Infinity Room. This room juts out 218 feet from the House without supports underneath. [Eckk!] It has 3,000 windows and without a doubt is impressive.

Alex Jordan who envisioned this creation passed away in 1989. Prior to his death he sold House on the Rock to Art Donaldson, who had the same penchant for such creations. Yes there are two with this focus and desire. Do you think there is something in the Wisconsin water? You will be overwhelmed with the collection of items and – shall I say, stuff. It is all really quite wonderful and amazing.

You [like most of us Tomatoes] have over filled closets and a plethora of things, but after visiting The House On The Rock, you won’t feel as bad about your accumulations of “stuff”.

Contact: The House on the Rock.  608-935-3639

Sidebar: Just up the road is Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright’s home, studio and now also research center. Taliesin is a Welsh term meaning “Shining Brow”. Fascinating to visit.