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If you just have a one-day to spend in
Columbus Georgia, here is how I spent one perfect day;
I went whitewater rafting on the river, ate at SaltCellar, and
stayed at the Columbus Marriott.
Columbus Marriott
Columbus Georgia's Marriott Hotel
downtown across from the
Convention and Visitors Center wasn't
always the comfortable hotel it is today.
Back in 1861 it began life as a grist
mill. Owner, George Waldo Woodruff, named
it Empire Mills. During the Civil War, it produced food for
soldiers and civilians. In 1865 when invading Union forces
burned all weapon producing mills, it was spared since it only
provided food. It grew to be the largest producer of meal and
flour in the South. Empire also produced
stone ground Graham flour, bran, grits, and cornmeal.
By 1930s stone ground mills were being
replaced by cheaper electric ones. The mill shut down. Empire
Mills was renovated in 1980 to become a part of a hotel.
When you enter the lobby of the Marriott in Columbus,
the red brick wall on your right proclaims its authenticity.
It was once the wall of the old Empire mill. Today it houses
the hotel's restaurant, Houlihan's and a small coffee shop,
the Grist Mill. Houlihan's retains much of the old mill
character with its brick walls and exposed beam ceiling softly
lighted with Tiffany style lights. Perfect for breakfast or
lunch.
The lobby blends the history of the
mill with the modern day accommodations. You'll find the Grist Mill Coffee
Shop to the rear of the lobby and notice touches of the
mill including a gilt framed mirror, an antique clock, and a
pair of wrought iron hanging street lamp type lights.
The rooms are perfect. My room had a
great view overlooking the spacious pool. In fact, that outer
wall was one huge window so you can let in the great outdoors
or pull the drape as needed. Having a small fridge and
microwave was handy. There is a closet for hanging clothes
and the bath gives you a choice of a tub or shower. Naturally
there is a business center and a fitness room.
Whitewater Rafting
A bit of fitness helps when you visit
Columbus's wild Chattahoochee River. This two and a half mile
run through downtown Columbus is the longest urban whitewater
rafting in the world. two types of trips (Classic and
Challenge) due to the dam-controlled release which occurs
daily! In the morning, the 9am run, you'll face approx. 800cfs
with Class I-III+(IV) rapids in the afternoon after the dam is
opened those same rapids jump up to Class III-V rapids.
This makes the run some of the biggest rapids east of
the Mississippi.
This was a new adventure for me so I
choose the morning Classic run. My compamion, Chloe Padgett
from the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, accompanied
me. She had done this before so she knew what to expect.
We arrived at the headquarters building of
Whitewater
Express where we got outfitted with a life jacket, helmet, and
paddle. We then boarded a bus to our destination at the head
of the rapids.
We were seated six to a raft plus our guide,
Carson. Carson instructed us how
to paddle when he said "forward" and a number,
that meant paddle that many times.
He pointed out how important it is to keep a firm hold on
the T handle section of the paddle to avoid
“summer teeth.” A situation he explained as “some are in the
raft, some are in the river, and blood is everywhere.”
He told us when he called "DOWN,'
slide off the seat to the floor of the raft. First rapids
we hit, I understood why. The raft almost
stood on end and we were treated to a shower. If you ever did
a whitewater rafting, you will understand why I took very few
photos. No prize winners here. I was using a backup camera I
could afford to lose but fortunately it remained relatively
dry and safe unlike some of the othere rafts, which did flip.
The rapids all have
names. Ambush was the first one. Then Jaws followed by a calm
stretch of the river called Lazy River. The last one we came
to in the 2
to 3 hour trip is called Cut Bait. I really thought we were
going to flip there but we managed to stay afloat and
shortly after we paddled to a landing along the River Walk and
walked the few blocks back to the headquarters to return our
gear.
It is lots of fun and excitement but
not for the faint of heart.
Dining in Columbus
After braving the rapids, I deserved a
wonderful dinner. Shelby Guest from the Convention and
Visitors Bureau took me to a restaurant called
SaltCellar.
It has been opened since February 2019. Buddy Nelms,
co-owner, was there and greeted us. He also owns
The Loft
which I
visited awhile back. So I was prepared for great food and was
not disappointed.
Our waiter, Miles, brought us a large
plate of some of bread and butter to nibble on as we decided
on our orders. It was delicious, crispy on the outside and
light and airy inside.
For an appetizer, we sampled the
Grilled Halloumi Cheese with roasted tomatoes, arugula, and
fresh mint, drenched in pomegranate syrup. It was delicious
and had an unusual flavor for cheese. Probably the syrup
did it; whatever it was it really worked.
Miles suggestedf two house specials
and I decided on one of them, a wood grilled flatbread topped
with mozzarella cheese, and covered with shrimp, roasted
tomatoes, mushrooms, and herbs. It was a little like a pizza
but more filling. The toppings mixed well with the cheese.
 I was pretty stuffed but having heard
of the legendary desserts, I had to try one. Hard choice
between the German Chocolate Cake and the Banana Pudding
Cheesecake but the cheese cake won out. Let's just say I would
have killed anyone who tried to take it away from me after I
took the first bite. WOW!
Of course there is so much more to see
in Columbus like the brand new
Historic Westwood,
Civil War Naval Museum,
The Coke Cola Space
Discovery Center ,
Springer Opera House, Fort Benning Infantry
Museum, even Ma Rainey
House and the Liberty Theater. So you will have to return
when you have more time.
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