Friday, July 22, 2011

Weeks 4-5-6 Mountain Vacation

Glorious vacation........We are home, but here is a summary of our beautiful mountain trip. We went with my siblings, their families, & my parents. It helps that we all get along very well. We rented this gorgeous 3 story cabin. It had a master bedroom on each floor & then various sleeping areas throughout.


Another great amenity was this outdoor covered sitting area with fireplace. Perfect spot to sit & read or visit until the mosquitoes came out around 7PM. The mountain air was beautiful. Mostly in the 80's.

We did a meal rotation, so each family only had to make a dinner every 4th night or so. Nice to be gone for a day out & come home to a home cooked meal.

Our first stop: Ocoee Rafting Center. This is where the white water events from the 1996 Olympics were held. We also picked up info on area hikes from here.
First scenic overlook....Boyd's Gap.

Ocoee Rafting Center



Leisure hike to a waterfall. RT 3.2 miles

A few streams to cross along the way. Here they opted for the log after Jami fell in trying to hop onto the rocks.....
Ahhh...made it, but those rocks were wet & slippery!

The next day my brother, nephew, the girls & I drove over to our old college ala mater...Berry. We had a very nice time visiting the campus. Doug & I enjoyed it alot more than the kids though......


Down the road from the cabin was a big orchard & country store. The kids liked checking out their in house bee hive. Interesting!
And we spent too much time checking out the "real" phone booth......

A day at Stone Mountain. Train, Mountain Top, CrossRoads Course, Laser Show. Very fun day. We LOVED everything there. I was so proud of Lindsi for doing the skywalk course. Lindsi loved the skywalk... Our littlest ones were not quite up for that, so I stayed below, with the full intent of taking the next turn. But, everyone was up there for so long, that we had to hurry if we wanted to go do the sky lift. Maybe next time I can do it too.




Atop the rock.....
With my sister.....

With my girls....

The cousins....

A visit with our Atlanta travel mates......
Lydia & Lindsi
The whole sibling group...

Celebrating a BIG Birthday for my sister....


A visit to the Cabbage patch



Amicola Falls
The girls & my Dad

Panning for Gold & Gems in Dahlonega, GA


Touring the old gold mine

Showing off our "Haul"

Cheering on John & Pam as they tackle white water rafting (I went earlier in the week, I just didn't have a photo crew following me...lol) or what they & their boat mates referred to as their own papparazzi.



Once they sailed out of sight, we went back to the cabin to enjoy the hot tub...
Lindsi says...Yowza..That is HOT!

Monday, July 4, 2011

Weeks 2 & 3.....

Well, that went well......LOL....

We've been relaxing, cleaning house, swimming, visiting friends near & far & taking advantage of our free summer bowling.

On week #2, the girls both opted for short "do's"....since Jami had been promising me for months that she wanted hair as long as "Tangled", I was less encouraging of her to lop it all off. Also her hair grows SLOWER than anyone I know. Lindsi's will be long again by Christmas, no matter how short she cuts it now.




We visited with my longest BFF who was visiting the Orlando area with her family. I LOVE her so much. We can go a long time without seeing each other & then pick right up just like it was yesterday. I have traveled the most with her. She is such a blessing to me.



A few pics of the girls enjoying the afternoon in Orlando....





The girls attended VBS this past week, met some friends for Free Bowling, & alot of this: