Tailwind Traveler:
Thomasville, GA
Located in southwest Georgia near the Florida border lays a small city that is full of warm, friendly and wonderful people. Thomasville, with a population of about 20,000 residents is the county seat for the Thomas County containing a total population of some 42,000. Thomasville is just a little over 40 miles west of Valdosta and maybe 30 miles north of Tallahassee Florida. Beside the wonderful folks in Thomasville, the epitome of "Southern Hospitality" must have taken roots in this plantation rich soil as well. Never, and I mean never, have I experienced such generosity directed toward perfect strangers as my wife and I encountered on a recent trip to this part of the south. Our adult son, while on a business trip was taken seriously ill and hospitalized in Thomasville. Far from his Vermont home, alone, frightened and facing a potential life changing surgery we knew we needed to get there pronto!
We flew directly from New Hampshire to Thomasville (TVI) with fuel and pit stops in Easton (ESN), MD and Columbia (CAE), SC. It was a Saturday and arranging for a rental car at Thomasville became very difficult. The rental agencies all closed by noon on Saturday and we were still in the air. We left long before the office opened in the early morning hours and our calls to the local airport were greeted by either a continuous busy signal or a recorded message that said to "hang up, check your number and dial again" . Talk about becoming frustrated. I was stammering and mumbling around the FBO at Columbia, SC while the good folks at Landmark were going out of their way to lend assistance. Phone calls were being made to all the rental agencies they do business with, imploring those agents to call upon their colleagues in the surrounding area of Thomasville to help this family clearly distressed.
My mutterings were overheard by a corporate pilot (a son and nephew of the famed and great aerobatic Cole brothers Duane and Marion) who offered a fabulous suggestion. He told us that when they fly into remote fields, especially late at night or on weekends, they make contact with new car dealers and often they are able to rent for these dealers. A quick 411 call on my wife Jan's cell brought us two car dealers in Thomasville. A quick prayer from her to her Higher Power for guidance as to which one to choose brought her to dial Roy Campbell's Chevrolet in Thomasville. Jan explained our dilemma and the person on the other end said he'd have Mr. Campbell call right back. In less than five (5 min.) minutes Mr. Campbell returned the call. He informed us that he didn't rent cars and really couldn't help us. My wife explained the nature of our trip and that we tried to call the airport several times as well as the local rental agencies to no avail and that we'd be arriving late Saturday in a strange community and we'd be stranded. Mr. Campbell jumped into action. This former Thomasville Mayor and present City Counselor, who, coincidently just supervised the construction of the beautiful new terminal building at Thomasville Airport (TVI) made a series of calls but was unable to make a connection with any of the auto rental agents this late on a Saturday. Now for what became for us a common everyday occurrence, "Southern Hospitality" at its finest. Mr. Roy Campbell informed me that an automobile would be waiting upon my arrival. He only asked that I leave a copy of my drivers license and insurance card at the terminal when I arrived.
What for me was an incredible experience, especially in these polarizing days of "Red or Blue State?, Democrat or Republican?, Christian, Jew, or Muslim? White or Black?". Not a single question was asked of us other than, "How can I help you"? We arrived at Thomasville (TVI) and everything was in order as I expected. Now the hospital was some fifteen miles from the airport and two women, heard us asking for direction and volunteered, "There too difficult to give and follow, so just follow us". Later, I learned they went considerably out of their way to make sure we completed our journey and got to our sons hospital room quickly.
On Monday, when I went to visit Mr. Campbell to thank him for his generosity and return the car (I intended to either pay him for the use or rent another car for a local agency). We were still unsure as to our son's prognosis and whether surgery was still on the table. Mr. Campbell was every bit the gentleman in person as he was on the phone. He insisted that we keep the car until our son was well enough to leave the hospital and we were to return home. He would not allow me to pay for the use of the automobile. He only wanted me to let him know when our son was well. Roy Campbell is a shinning example of the wonderful folks in Thomasville Georgia.
But, there's more. Thomasville is rich in history with lots to see while you visit. There are some seventy (70) Plantations and may include tours reasonably priced. It is a very pleasant experience to visit these grand and glorious estates and slip back in time to a much simpler way of life. The visitor's guide provided by the Chamber of Commerce is a wonderful tool to help plan you visit to this grand old southern city. Thomasville offers a really terrific walking tour displaying a magnificent array of architectures.
Lodging is plentiful and very reasonable from the nationally known brand hotels to a more regional brand and Bed & Breakfast and local Inns. Sampling the local cuisine, southern style was a real attraction for this New Hampshire Yankee. I ate much more than I should have and enjoyed every morsel and consequential pound I gained. Thomasville boasts, right in its downtown, a giant and majestic oak tree that is more than 324 years old and is the largest live oak tree east of the Mississippi. To sit and view this wonder with awe is worth the trip to Thomasville in and of itself. But, it is the people like Roy Campbell that make Thomasville a cherished friend for me and my wife. Yes, you'll need to rent a car but make sure you do so in advance of your travels, but by all means, visit this hotbed of southern hospitality and do it soon.
By Stephen Cunningham