Macon's got talent!

We enjoyed Savannah, but like all good things our stay had to end. For the first time this trip we couldn't find a luggage trolley and had to execute several trips to load and stow cargo! Job completed we set of on I14 and I16, driving around 140 miles to Macon. Now it has to be said that Macon was to us a very unknown quantity ..... merely a stopover on our way to Asheville or so we thought! On route we discovered that Macon was home to Georgia's Music Hall of Fame and decided to pay it a visit before checking-into our next hotel. Arriving down-town we made several unsuccessful passes attempting to locate our goal. Plan B was invoked and we pulled into the Tubman American African Museum. Initially, our prime aim was to seek directions, which we did, and discovered that we were three years too late ..... it had gone! However, fate had dealt us a winning hand in the form of Ivy, one of the charming and super-helpful ladies at the Museum.

For a start, we were introduced to the very piano that Little Richard played whilst in Macon ..... yes, he really lived there and worked in the building that is now the Visitor Centre and played in the nearby Tick-Tock Room.

Ivy then kindly drew-up a walking tour for us and after we had spent some absorbing time touring the Museum ....... a 'must-do' for any tourist ...... we set off on our walking tour of the centre. And what did we discover? Macon is an oasis of interesting houses and buildings It boasts three active theatres, one of which we got to see inside, thanks to a chance encounter with a wardrobe assistant! And it also has the most incredible musical connections. For instance, try these: Lena Horn was born there; The Allman Brothers lived there and their house 'The Big House' is now a museum of Allman Brothers memorabilia; Otis Reading lived in Macon and was discovered in the Douglas Theatre; Billie Holiday and a host of greats regularly played in there; and two members of REM lived in the City. And the list goes on!! During our tour, we called at the Otis Redding Foundation (run by the singer's widow and daughter) and there met Layla, a charming young lady originating from Buckinghamshire and now a Macon resident and Foundation helper.

Macon is definitely an untapped wealth for the tourist and we'd love to return!! (Incidentally, if you're in the area and want lunch, go to the Market City Cafe .... best Caesar Salad around!) Finally, my musical choice today is a tough call, but Otis won-out in the end with a live rendition of his early hit 'Shake'