Returning to Augusta, Georgia this time felt a little like returning to the scene of the crime. After all, this was the city where we received official word that the pandemic was shutting down my husband’s road duties and, therefore our travels. We would spend the next seven months hunkering down with the rest of the world. For our return to Augusta, we decided to try a new hotel. The Courtyard on Stevens Creek Road was an experiment for us and we are so glad we experimented! What a great experience! The architecture is an older style Courtyard. Marriott isn’t building them quite like this anymore, I don’t think. That’s a shame because this one had an actual courtyard in the center that was stunning! The pool area/grilling area/courtyard was secluded from the road, beautifully landscaped and made you want to hang out at the hotel. We ate breakfast out there more than once.
Speaking of breakfast, Courtyards have a mini-restaurant called “The Bistro.” During the pandemic, some Courtyards have chosen to close their bistro and some have chosen to open with a limited menu. This one was operating on a limited menu. However, the highlight of my morning, was my English Muffin with scrambled egg whites and mixed vegetables. It is so rare that a hotel offers an egg white option and I am always looking for one. San made our breakfasts every morning and she was so sweet! My husband and I agreed that we hope she is still working there next time we pass through town. It’s just nice to start off an early morning with someone smiling at you.
The other benefit of this Courtyard is that it is just a 12-minute drive from the “Spirit of Funk” mural. This mural honors James Brown, who died in 2006. Brown moved to Augusta when he was four or five years old and began his music career by singing for change at dances intended to entertain the troops of nearby Fort Gordon early in World War II. With a good deal of success under his belt, he began buying radio stations in the late 1960’s. He even bought one in Augusta.
Finally, in 2020, the Greater Augusta Arts Council realized that there was very little in town to honor or memorialize their favorite son. They held a mural contest and asked for artists to submit designs. The public voted and with 35% of the vote, Cole Phail’s design was selected. Phail worked on the huge outdoor masterpiece during the pandemic from June 2020 to October 2020. The mural is as colorful as James Brown himself. Brown was an over-the-top, larger-than-life performer and the mural, too, is HUGE. My photos include cars so that you can appreciate the sheer size of it.
Next time you are passing by Augusta, do yourself a favor and take a quick detour to see it. It is located at 879 Broad Street in Augusta’s historic downtown. Bonus item: Across the street is a statue of the man himself!
Do you have a favorite attraction that honors a celebrity? Is there something like this that I shouldn’t miss out on? Share it in the comments.
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