John’s tour brought us to the perfect intersection of mind-boggling history and awe-inspiring nature. We hiked a desert mountain covered in blue and pink springtime flowers, we stood in quiet reverence of the grave of a millennia-old saint. We stood at the top of the crumbling rampart of an old fortress and contemplated the green valley below, where hundreds of years earlier the farmers of that rich land feared the ever-present threat of raiders. John’s engaging commentary brought the landscape to life, and fortunately he also knew the countryside like the back of his hand, so he navigated winding, unmarked roads with ease. Often, the end destination was a delicious meal at an off-the-beaten-track restaurant. John conveyed his love for Georgia, and convinced us to fall in love as well. We can’t wait to go back.