2026 Georgia Progressive Tour “A Peach of a Tour” By Russ and Donna Boyle

On Sunday, April 26, a group of antique car enthusiasts met at Little Ocmulgee State Park in Georgia to begin a ten-day progressive tour. That evening, an opening dinner was held at the lodge — a chance to enjoy each other’s company, go over tour instructions, and get ready for the next day’s departure. We had eleven cars and twenty-two friends ready to roll.

They included DeNean Stafford and Stan Carpenter (1912 Packard), Danny and Susan Case (1915 Case), Dan and Janet Clevenger (1914 Ford), Noel and Mildred Dana (1926 Chevrolet), David and Kathy Edge (1927 Packard), Mark and Paula Gember (1926 Ford), Dan and Roseann Gernatt (1926 Rolls-Royce), Joe and Boni Goss (1914 Ford), Milt and Rosemary Roorda (1912 Ford), John and Jeanette Tornquist (1927 Packard), and Russ and Donna Boyle (1924 Packard). Several others registered but were unfortunately unable to bring their cars: Chris Boyle, Jack and Nan Gaugh, Doug and Mary White, and Norm and Kathy Madsen. Some were able to join us midweek, and it was so nice to spend time with them. Participants hailed from Indiana, Illinois, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, and Alabama.

The ten-day adventure was filled with beautiful back roads, quaint towns with unique restaurants and shopping, interesting stops, and — of course — ice cream and coffee breaks. Our destinations offered something for everyone: Oliver Farm Artisan Oils, Georgia Veterans State Park, Plains (the home of Jimmy Carter), Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Warm Springs, the Georgia Quilt and Textile Museum, Shaw Industries carpet mill, Savoy Automobile Museum, Gibbs Gardens, the Bill Elliott Georgia Racing Museum, Miles Through Time Automotive Museum, Currahee Military Museum, Ty Cobb Museum, Laurel and Hardy Museum, Hillcrest Dairy Farm, the Coleman House, and Music Memories Museum.

Almost every night we stayed at boutique hotels, many built in the early 1900s and beautifully restored. Our cars felt right at home parked alongside them. We drove approximately 100 miles each day, and at the end of each day’s touring we found a gathering spot at the hotel to talk over the day’s activities, enjoy refreshments, and tell stories. Laughs were abundant.

We had decided to celebrate our country’s 250th birthday by decorating our cars and ourselves in patriotic décor and attire. On Kentucky Derby Day, we each chose the horse we thought would win, made some crazy hats, and watched the race. It was a fun evening.