Why is that a stuning revelation?
I've also never had grits.
Artichokes are delicious dipped in melted butter, but require instructions in tasty eating if you are unfamiliar with them. You only eat the fleshy bottom part of the leaves until you get to the heart, and you don't eat the hairy stuff surrounding the heart. Grits are kinda like the corn equivalent of cream of wheat, for lack of a better way to descibe it.
Now you need to go south for you vacation at some Country Inn? Even a weekend and get treated to some good food!