2024 KLOVE Cruise USA Travel Itinerary Day 15: Visiting Striplings General Store, Ole Times Country Buffet, Thrift Stores and Driftwood Inn enroute back to Miami!

On Day 15 of our post-KLOVE Cruise 2024 travels in the USA, we commenced our journey back to Miami after visiting Jacksonville, Charleston, Charlotte and Atlanta. We set off at about 8am and reached the Barnes and Nobles ast The Shoppes at River Crossing near Macon for Starbucks breakfast this morning…

Saying goodbye to one of many Coca-Cola signboards in Atlanta

Arriving at Starbucks in Barnes and Nobles The Shoppes at River Crossing Macon

Inside Starbucks in Barnes and Nobles The Shoppes at River Crossing Macon

Breakfast and Shopping at Starbucks in Barnes and Nobles The Shoppes at River Crossing Macon

One of the reasons why we chose to stop by at Barnes and Nobles was because of the deals that different Barnes and Nobles offered. While we were at Miami, we noticed that some high-end board games were going for as low as $5, while others were being discounted to $20 (from prices at $60-$80). Although we were not able to find these board games at this particular store this time, we still found some good deals that went for $1! So low that even the cashier was amazed at the deal – she even asked if there was any left that she may want to snag some on the way back. At Starbucks, we had the Latte and Breakfast Sausage Croissant as well as the Italian Coffee Torte for $20. A little expensive but we don’t usually have Starbucks in Singapore – so it was kind of a treat for us as well.

Enroute down south, we also stopped by Striplings General Store at Tifton along Highway 41.

Travelling along Highway 41 to Stripling's General Store at Tifton GA — Travelling along Highway 41 to Stripling’s General Store at Tifton GA

USA Trip 2024 Day 15 – Stripling’s General Store

2bearbear at Stripling's General Store Tifton GA on Highway 41 — 2bearbear at Stripling’s General Store Tifton GA on Highway 41

One of the reasons we stopped by Stripling’s General Store was because besides fuelling up for your car, you’ll be able to find full-service butcher shop, world famous sausage and jerky right at its convenience store! Established in 1964, it is a nice quaint rest stop where you can also do some souvenir shopping as well…

Entrance to Stripling's General Store Tifton GA on Highway 41 — Entrance to Stripling’s General Store Tifton GA on Highway 41

Pig Mascot at Entrance of Stripling's General Store Tifton GA on Highway 41 — Pig Mascot at Entrance of Stripling’s General Store Tifton GA on Highway 41

Shopping of spices and T-shirt at Stripling's General Store — Shopping of spices and T-shirt at Stripling’s General Store

We reached Stripling’s at about 1130am this morning and bought about $40 worth of items including spices and T-shirt. They even have in-house jams but no snacks as they’re actually more of a butcher. Inside, the convenience store of Stripling’s, it felt more like a homely supermarket. After pumping up $24 worth of petrol (7.6 gallons), we were off for lunch!

Arriving back in Florida enroute to Ole Times Country Buffet at Lake City Florida

USA Trip 2024 Day 15 – Ole Times Country Buffet Lake City Florida

2bearbear at Ole Times Country Buffet - A Review — 2bearbear at Ole Times Country Buffet – A Review

For lunch, Kate found Ole Times Country Buffet which offered BBQ meats on buffet at a relatively low price. Arriving at 1:30pm, we paid $33 for 2 pax, inclusive of 2 iced teas. Not too bad. As we paid the tips in card, the amount in tips were also given to us in cash so that we can hand it over to the waiting staff before we left – another concept that we’ve not experienced before.

Inside Ole Times Country Buffet & Barbecue

Inside Ole Times Country Buffet & Barbeque - Cookie Jars! — Inside Ole Times Country Buffet & Barbeque – Cookie Jars!

Inside Ole Times Country Buffet & Bar-B-Que

Ole Times Country Buffet and BBQ - Meatballs, beans and Mac 'n' cheese — Ole Times Country Buffet and BBQ – Meatballs, beans and Mac ‘n’ cheese

Ole Times Country Buffet and BBQ - BBQ Meats, Fried Fish and Chicken — Ole Times Country Buffet and BBQ – BBQ Meats, Fried Fish and Chicken

Ole Times Country Buffet and BBQ - Grilled Chicken and Sweet Potato — Ole Times Country Buffet and BBQ – Grilled Chicken and Sweet Potato

Ole Times Country Buffet and Barbeque - Fried Chicken, Fish and Cooked Vegetables — Ole Times Country Buffet and Barbeque – Fried Chicken, Fish and Cooked Vegetables

Ole Times Country Buffet and Barbeque - Fried Chicken and Grilled Chicken — Ole Times Country Buffet and Barbeque – Fried Chicken and Grilled Chicken

Ole Times Country Buffet and Barbeque - Cinnamon Roll — Ole Times Country Buffet and Barbeque – Cinnamon Roll

We must say that the buffet at Ole Times Country Buffet was VERY extensive. You’ll be able to find the salad bar, hot vegetable selection, beans, mac and cheese, BBQ meats, country-style fried chicken and desserts – loads and loads of desserts! Although it was a buffet, we must say that most of the offerings at Ole Times Country Buffet and Bar B Que was actually quite good. We enjoyed the fried chicken and pork cutlet which were both crispy on the outside and moist within. Tender as well. Our favourite was surprisingly, the cabbage, which tasted like a cabbage soup back home – something that we would make and was rather comforting. The baked sweet potato – similar to what you might get at Don Don Donki, was excellent as well. No added sugars, just natural sweetness from the sweet potato itself. Overall, it was very good value for money.

Nearby, Kate did some shopping at the local thrift store, while Tom found a “Harry Otter” shirt from Georgia Aquarium for only $3! Perfect souvenir since we did stop by Georgia Aquarium during this trip.

USA Trip 2024 Day 15 – Driftwood Inn Lake City Florida

2bearbear at Driftwood Inn Lake City Florida

At about 3:30pm, we arrived at Driftwood Inn Lake City for our motel stay evening. Staying at Driftwood Inn was more to break up the drive time down to Miami but it turned out to be a rather decent motel. At $100SGD (or $70USD), the hotel was beautifully renovated and we were within steps from Dunkin’ Donuts as well as Walmart, just a short drive away.

Dunkin' Donuts next to Driftwood Inn Lake City Florida — Dunkin’ Donuts next to Driftwood Inn Lake City Florida

Within, the hotel looked newly refurbished with modern vinyl flooring in the bedroom and nice backsplash in the bathroom…

Driftwood Inn Lake City Florida - 2 Queen Sized Beds — Driftwood Inn Lake City Florida – 2 Queen Sized Beds

Driftwood Inn Lake City Florida - Comfortable Seat — Driftwood Inn Lake City Florida – Comfortable Seat

Driftwood Inn Lake City Florida - Cable TV and Microwave Oven — Driftwood Inn Lake City Florida – Cable TV and Microwave Oven

Driftwood Inn Lake City Florida - Sink and Mirror outside Bathroom — Driftwood Inn Lake City Florida – Sink and Mirror outside Bathroom

Driftwood Inn Lake City Florida - Bathroom and Bath Tub — Driftwood Inn Lake City Florida – Bathroom and Bath Tub

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Nearby, we also visited Ross where Tom bought a pair of bermudas for $15. In the evening, we also visited Walmart for dinner and breakfast the next day. Voodoo Juicy Hazy IPA tasted great! Check out our post on Day 16 of our post-KLOVE Cruise USA trip where we visited the Orlando Premium Outlets!

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