Georgia
November 2012
I have been to Georgia many times, Lisa never. So together, we have never been to Georgia. Until now. As we drive north from Atlanta to Brasstown Bald, the high point of the Peach State, it is clear and sunny and we can’t help but sing…
Georgia, Georgia
The whole day through
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind
Neither one of us sounds even remotely like Ray Charles. ’Tis a pity.
And speaking of whom, Ray Charles, who was born in Albany, Georgia, made Georgia on my Mind famous in 1960. In 1979, his version of Georgia on my Mind was proclaimed the state song of Georgia. It had been recorded by at least 40 famous acts.
Georgia is the state song, whereas since 1995, the peach has been the state fruit. When first I visited in Georgia many years ago, I noticed that every other thing and his brother has the word <peach> in its name. In the capital city of Atlanta, there are about 70 such streets. There’s a Peach County, south of Macon. Look at the tails side of the Georgia state quarter. A peach. There are reports of parents naming their kids, Peach. One of my backpacking partners has the nickname of Peaches. I’m the only one who is allowed to call her that.
Y’know why we persist through all this peach rigmarole? (Have you ever tried peach rigmarole? Tastes like chicken.) Georgia produces over 65 000 tons of peaches every year, more than forty varieties, and the growing season is only from mid-May to mid-August. You don’t argue with 65 000 tons of anything. And it’s better that the 65 000 tons is spread over forty varieties rather than just one giant peach.
I grow old… I grow old…
I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled.
Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach?
— from The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock by T S Eliott