Solo Travel in Georgia: 24 Hours in Plains

Plains Depot, Site of Jimmy Carter's Presidential Campaign Headquarters, Plains, Ga.

Recently, I made a solo travel journey to Georgia. I spent 24 hours in Plains with the priority of attending Sunday School with former President Jimmy Carter at Maranatha Baptist Church. Following is a timeline of my trip.

Plains, Ga., June 22, 2019
Main Street in Plains, Ga., June 22, 2019

Stepping onto Main Street in Plains, Ga., is like stepping back in time. There’s a wholesome innocence and strong sense of patriotism. One of the shops, Plains Trading Post, is a cash-only political memorabilia shop.

Plains is the hometown of the 39th president of the United States. The locals refer to him either as “Jimmy” or “Mr. Jimmy” and casually drop his and Mrs. Carter’s names at least once in a conversation. It’s sweet and endearing how proud the residents are of the former peanut farmer.

Plain Peanuts in Plains, Ga., June 22, 2019
A Full Life by Jimmy Carter For Sale at Plain Peanuts in Plains, Ga.

It took me about 7 hours to drive from North Port, Fla., to Plains on a Saturday. And once there, I explored as much as I could.

Plains Trading Post in Plains, Ga., June 22, 2019
Jimmy Carter Presidential Campaign Buttons in the Plains Trading Post in Plains, Ga., June 22, 2018.

3- 5 p.m.: I explored Main Street in Plains which included:

  • Plain Peanuts (yummy peanut butter ice cream and just about every type of peanut products included fried peanuts in the shell! Yum!)
  • Plains Trading Post (claims to hold the country’s largest collection of political memorabilia and Secret Service pin dealer; cash only – BTW, the business and building is for sale).
  • Billy Carter’s service station, now a museum.
Seaboard Railroad Depot - Jimmy Carter Presidential Campaign Headquarters - Plains, Ga., June 22, 2019
The Plains Depot Served as Jimmy Carter’s Presidential Campaign.

Various aspects of the Carters’ lives are highlighted through the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site.

  • Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail.
  • The Plains Depot (serviced by Seaboard Railroad) was converted into the Carter Presidential campaign headquarters, chosen because it had a restroom.
  • The Plains High School Museum and Visitor Center is where Carter, and wife Rosalynn, attended grammar and high school. The facility showcases the couple’s pre- and post-presidency lives.
  • See how the Carter family lived during the 1930s at the Boyhood Farm.
Plains, Ga., June 22, 2019
The Large Peanut Created by Jimmy Carter Campaign Supporters Sits in the Danfair Express Parking Lot in Plains, Ga., June 22, 2019.

Other Sites to See in Plains

  • Carter campaign supporters crafted a quirky site, a large peanut with very large lips. It was made with wooden hoops, chicken wire, aluminum foil and polyurethane. It was sent as a gift and sits in the Danfair Express parking lot next to Maranatha Baptist Church providing the perfect photo opportunity for visitors.
Cheeseburger and the Fixings at the Waffle House in Americus, Ga., June 22, 2019.

5 p.m. I headed to my napping location, the Quality Inn in Americus. The front desk staff were welcoming and friendly and the property was comfortable.
Note: they have exterior entryways, which are not ideal for solo travelers but I felt safe.

The Georgia heat and humidity whipped me. I did not want to drive to a restaurant for dinner so I walked to the nearby Waffle House. The cheeseburger hit the spot.

8 p.m. Bedtime! Sunday School Day with President Jimmy Carter Midnight Awake, showered, and packed up to head to Plains.

My Sleepy Selfie in My Hotel Room at the Quality Inn in Americus, Ga., June 22, 2019.

Sunday

1 a.m.-ish Arrived at Maranatha Baptist Church
2 a.m.-ish Naptime in the car.
6:45 a.m. Rise and shine!
7:45 a.m. Gathered at the church’s side door for an overview of how to line up and what to expect that morning.
8 a.m. Church doors open.
10 a.m. Sunday School with Jimmy Carter begins.
10:45 a.m. Sunday School ends and half the sanctuary rushes to the one of two restrooms in the church.

Sunday School with Former President Jimmy Carter, Maranatha Baptist Church, Plains, Ga., June 23, 2019
Former President Jimmy Carter Leading Sunday School at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga., June 23, 2019

10:55 a.m. President and Mrs. Carter enter the sanctuary and seated where Secret Service detail can keep a watchful eye on the congregation and protect the former First Family.
11 a.m. Church service.
Noon Church service ends and photos with the Carters begin.
1 p.m. About 400-some people had their photos taken with the couple, the sanctuary clears out and the Carter caravan departs.
2 p.m. I made a quick visit to the solar panel field leased by SolAmerica Energy on 10 acres of the Carter peanut farm.

SolAmerica Energy on 10 Acres of the Carter Peanut Farm, Plains, Ga., June 23, 2019
SolAmerica Energy on 10 Acres of the Carter Peanut Farm, Plains, Ga., June 23, 2019

Fun Factoid

Carter is nicknamed the Solar President. He contributed to launching the solar industry in the U.S. Carter installed solar panels on the White House, which Reagan later removed. In 1977, Carter established the Solar Energy Research Institute in Golden, Colorado. The solar panel field in Plains launched in 2017. With 3,852 panels, it is anticipated about half of Plains will be powered by the sun’s energy.

2:30 p.m. Homeward bound!

Things That Made Car Camping Easier

  • Items that made car camping easier included:

What I Wish I Brought

Sunday School with Former President Carter, Maranatha Baptist Church, Plains, Ga., June 23, 2019
Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga., June 23, 2019.

Plan Your Visit to Plains

Maranatha Baptist Church
148 Georgia Hwy. 45 North
Plains, Ga. 31780
Tel: (229) 824-7896
mbcplains.org

Former President Jimmy Carter teaches Sunday school twice a month. Find his teaching calendar on the church’s website.

The church does not accept reservations but RSVP so they have an idea on how many people to expect. Plus, they can send updates should things change.

Although the church’s website recommends arriving by 5:30 a.m. for a seat in the sanctuary, at publication time (July 13, 2019), arrive around midnight and prepare to car-camp.

Sunday School with Former President Jimmy Carter, Maranatha Baptist Church, Plains, Ga., June 23, 2019
Cars Parked in the Pecan Grove Behind Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga., June 23, 2019.

Restroom facilities are two porta-potties outside the church. Danfair Express (a gas station) is within walking distance and opens at 6:30 a.m. Two restrooms are inside the church and doors open at 8 a.m. for the 10 a.m. Sunday school.

On the Sundays President Carter is not teaching and he is in town, he typically attends church and will pose for photos with anyone wanting one after the service.

Again, RSVP so they know you’re planning to visit but remember than an RSVP DOES NOT save you a seat.

Where to Eat, Where to Stay in Plains

Food service is limited in Plains. Locals recommend visiting Americus, about 15 minutes from Plains, for dining. Lodging options are limited in Plains. Include is the Plains Inn and private room and home rentals which can be found through sites like Airbnb.com.

Americus offers the closest lodging.

Consider grabbing a nap and hot shower in nearby accommodations before napping in your car.

Jimmy Carter National Historic Site - High School - Plains, Ga., June 22, 2019
Jimmy Carter National Historic Site – High School – Plains, Ga., June 22, 2019.

City of Plains
www.plainsgeorgia.org/tourism

Visit Americus & Sumter County
visitamericusga.com

Jimmy Carter National Historic Site
300 North Bond St.
Plains, Ga. 31780
Tel: (229) 824-4104
www.nps.gov/jica
Sites open to the public are Plains High School, Historic District of Plains, Plains Train Depot, Carter Boyhood Farm, and the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail.

Plain Peanuts
128 East Main St.
Plains, Ga. 31780
Tel: (229) 824-3462
www.plainpeanuts.com

Plains Trading Post
124 East Main Street
Plains, Ga. 31780
Tel: (229) 824-5207
www.plainstradingpost.com

Plains Inn & Antiques Mall
106 E Main St.
Tel: (229) 824-4517
plainsinn.net

SolAmerica Energy Field
Leaving Maranatha Baptist Church, turn left on Hwy. 45 then right on Paschal Street then right on Walters Street. Follow the road to the end. A prerecorded narration by President Carter tells the story of the fields and his commitment to solar energy.

Additional Photos on Flickr

Sunday School with Jimmy Carter, Marantha Baptist Church, Plains, Ga., June 23, 2019

Disclosure

This post contains affiliate links to support this blog, my traveling habit, and my special-needs dog.

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Solo Travel Girl

Jennifer A. Huber is the voice behind Solo Travel Girl. She's an award-winning travel and outdoor blogger and writer in Southwest Florida. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., a hiking trail led her to a career path in the tourism industry for more than 30 years. She spent a decade with a park management company in Yellowstone, Death Valley, and Everglades National Parks. She founded the travel blog, SoloTravelGirl.com with the goal of inspiring others to travel alone, not lonely. Jennifer holds a Travel Marketing Professional certification from the Southeast Tourism Society, is a certified food judge, member of the NASA Social community, and alum of the FBI Citizens Academy. In 2023, she was a finalist in AARP's Benefits Badass competition. When not traveling, she is either in the kitchen, practicing her photography skills, or road tripping with her dog, Radcliff.

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