Whether you're born and raised in this South Georgia town or Moody Air Force Base brought you here, there are a few things everyone who has lived here will experience in the summer. In Valdosta you'll experience sweltering heat, gorgeous scenery, and some of the best produce in the nation. Here are my eight favorite sentiments towards a Valdosta Summer:
1. "Yes, the humidity is worse."
This is always the question. What's worse, the dry heat or the humidity? Hands down, the humidity is the absolute worse. If you find someone who lives here that disagrees, let me know. Good luck with that.
2. "I need sunglasses to keep the gnats out of my eyes."
The mosquitos are intense here just like they are in my home state of Texas, but the gnats here? I've seen less gnats hiking near the swamps of the Everglades. I've had contractors from just out of town comment on Valdosta gnats. This place has so many gnats; and they love your face. The good news is local knowledge has given me ways to cope effectively: Wear sunglasses, put a Bounce dryer sheet under your sun hat, and wear Avon Skin So Soft lotion!
3. "I need to visit Luck and Moody Peaches!"
If you're in Georgia, summertime is for peaches! If you're in Valdosta but not familiar with this https://www.facebook.com/luckandmoody/peach stand, do yourself a favor and take the short drive to Barney Georgia for some fresh tree-ripened peaches and other seasonal produce, canned goods, and fresh homemade peach or blueberry ice cream! You might forgive the humidity when you experience it!
4. "Is that an alligator in the ditch?"
It might be! Or maybe it's just a log. But if you're visiting Grand Bay off Bemiss Road, you can usually spot turtles and alligators in the drainage on your way into the nature reserve. Other places to sight them include Ray's Millpond, Reed Bingham State Park, Mission Pond, and Grassy Pond. Don't feed them!
5. "When Does Mallory's Farm Open?"
Off Bemiss Road in the summer time you'll want to look out for a sign that says "U-Pick Blueberries". The hours the farm opens to the public will vary based on how the plants are doing and when the farmers are available. During the brief blueberry season you can walk the farm with a large gallon+ bucket to fill with blueberries for a flat rate; or you can pay a few dollars more for picked berries. You'll get a much better rate than the supermarket and the berries are sweeter and plumper.
6. "It's time to visit Wild Adventures!"
Like many theme parks, Wild Adventures' busy season is during the summer when they are open all week and kids are out of the school. You ride the safari train for a zoo experience, go miniature golfing, cool off in the water park, or attend an evening concert. It's pretty much a summer time staple around here.
7. "It's beautiful here."
In spite of the heat and hoards of pestering bugs, Valdosta is truly beautiful. I never tire of driving by colonial style homes with cozy front porches and neat landscaping. I love the shade from the Georgia pines, the huge magnolia blooms, the showy crepe mertles and hydrangeas, and all the greenery the rain provides. Even the swamp is pretty.
8."Is it fall yet?"
Most people who live here look forward to temperatures cooling to the 70s (or at least the 80s?). Again, the heat here in the summer is brutal! After reaping it's rewards of local produce and showy flowers, cooler temps and less bugs sound swell!
Did I miss anything? What do you always think of during the summertime in Valdosta? I'd love to hear from you!
