legend

Stories have come have through the ages of great tusked-beasts who leave nothing but a path of death and destruction in their wake. One such story was uncovered by our supernatural correspondent, David Zelski. Come with us on a journey into the macabre world of giant killer hogs! The Hogzilla legend has its birth at River Oaks Plantation and Ken’s Fish Farm in Alapaha, Georgia. Owner, Ken Holyoak says the legendary hog had 20-inch tusks, and its head weighed over 100 pounds. David tries to get to the bottom of the mystery, and in the process stumbles upon Hollywood’s own take on the tusked-terror! www.kens-fishfarm.com

In Folkston, Georgia, train spotting is serious business. So serious, in fact, that the town erected a pavilion along the tracks, called the Folkston Funnel, so that locals and visitors alike can have a special place to watch the trains. The reason for all the excitement is because Folkston lies between two major rail hubs, Waycross and Jacksonville. Keely’s on the trail of these lumbering locomotives, and stops off at the Folkston Funnel to chat with the experts. Good-natured arguments are all part of the fun here, so whether you want to argue over how giraffes fit onto circus trains or why molten sulfur is transported the way it is, put on your engineer’s cap, don a bandanna, and head on down to Folkston. All aboard!

Pickens County is home to some of the best marble in the United States, and the Tate family has been involved in the marble business since the 1850s. The Tates founded the Georgia Marble Company, and supplied marble for the Lincoln Memorial, the New York Stock Exchange, and Atlanta’s Emory University. Keely visits the Tate House, built by Sam Tate out of native Georgia Etowah marble, and discovers the inherent beauty of this Georgia stone. Today the home remains a favorite spot for weddings and special events. www.pickenscountyga.gov and www.tatehouse.com

"You can eat it with butter, you can eat it with cheese, you can eat it any time with any old thing you please. As long as it’s grits, baby!" Every year in Warwick, the Grits Capital of the World, grits lovers from all over come down to take part in the Grits Festival. Our David Zelski meets up with such local notables as Granny Grits, Mike McDaniel, who came in first place in the Grits Eating Contest, and even the Grits Queen. By the end of the day, David finds himself submerged in a vat of grits. The only things that were missing were the butter and cheese! www.gritsfest.com

Warm Springs is home to the Little White House, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's vacation home. FDR's battle with polio led him to the area, and he found the fresh spring water beneficial to his paralysis. He established the Warm Springs Institute here to treat patients with polio and other diseases. David visits "Dip Into the Past," an event that opens the original spring water pools that the president and patients used to visitors. He also stops off at the Institute to see the "Whatever Happened to Polio" exhibit. With the natural beauty of the pools and the smiling faces of the locals, it's easy to see why Georgia's favorite president loved this area so much. www.warmspringsga.com, www.gastateparks.org, and www.rooseveltrehab.org

Founded in 1942, Koinonia Farm is a Christian farming community that is also the birthplace of Habitat for Humanity. Persecuted in the 1950s and ‘60s for its commitment to brotherhood among all races, Koinonia has flourished into the present day. Pecans and chocolate are produced onsite, and members of the community also operate a bakery. Koinonia is a popular retreat for church groups, and people of all faiths are welcome. www.koinoniapartners.org

Brasstown Bald near Young Harris is the highest point in the state of Georgia, and aside from Georgia, parts of three other states are visible from the peak: South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Phil with camera in tow climbs to the top and catches a glimpse of Keely and some down-home cooking! www.fs.fed.us

Things get mysterious as David Zelski visits Grand Bay, one of the many thousands of huge Carolina Bays that dot the eastern United States. Were these strange wetland areas created by an ancient meteor shower, great winds, giant prehistoric beavers, or visitors from another planet? Join David as he treks through Grand Bay and tries to find out. www.georgiawildlife.org

Paddles, rafts, and a boat full of fun, that is how the Georgia Traveler team explores this local legend. As one of the first streams added to the National Wild and Scenic River System, the Chattooga River was the site for the filming of the movie Deliverance. The team travels down the river to unlock its secrets and discover an adventure that would leave them screaming for more. To plan your own trip or find out more history about the Chattooga River visit the Nantahala Outdoor Center’s website at www.noc.com.