As you can see this is the outside of the CNN building. Since they have security that would rival protecting the worlds greatest secrets I was not allowed to take to many other pictures once we got behind the scenes. I took a few on the worlds longest suspended escalator before being told rather loudly that NO PICTURES WERE ALLOWED. Oops must have missed the sign. We had to go through metal detectors and have our bags checked, she said nothing about the camera, so I guess I just assumed it was fine. Anyway, it was fun to see behind the scenes and we saw many of the people we see on television, we got to see them before they were actually live and one seems to have a very nervous habit with his nose. Deb and I were very amazed with the security guards, they followed our tour all through the building, and they carry guns, we really were surprised by that one. They even have an Atlanta police station within the CNN complex. The complex also has a mall area with food, bookstores, CNN stores, and the Omni hotel has balconies that look onto the mall courtyard. They told us this used to be an ice skating rink. The escalator used to be the way to get into the pinball ride for the amusement park that used to be in the building as well. I will be posting more pics later on Shutterfly. We had a blast, especially Alex.
We took some time to check out the Pine Mountain Gold Museum. We found out that Georgia is the forgotten gold rush. There is still 80% of the gold in the Georgia hills, so we thought about going on a gold mine hunt, but it was just too cold that day. They actually let you do some gold mining, but the water was frozen. They had a working water wheel, but it was not working well due to the frozen water. This wagon that the kids are standing in front of is actually a working covered wagon. They have two oxen they hook up to the wagon and at certain times and take kids for a ride in it. Great museum and we learned a lot about the gold mining times. Did you know that Pine Mountain actually is on a fault line? We didn't, thought that was interesting.
Meet the General! We saw the General at the Kennesaw Civil War Museum and Locomotive Museum. We saw all kinds of guns, uniforms, and pictures from the Civil War. We even saw a picture of Atlanta after Sherman's March. The rail lines were so destroyed, not just burned, they actually pulled and twisted the metal so that the only choice would be to put new track in. The General was damaged, but restored and put back into service after the Civil War. It was truly awesome to see! They had a telegraph office, two actually, and the boys had fun sending telegraph messages to each other.
Meet the Coca Cola polar bear. The girls got their picture made with him, I declined, though he kept trying to encourage us adults to come for a picture. I commented on what a beautiful bear he was to Eddie. The bear heard and came around the line and out to where I was standing to hug me. I laughed and told him how I loved him. I got a big bear hug literally. He even closed his eyes. The eyes were gorgeous, and could open and close. The person working this outfit was outstanding! He even sniffed one of our kids, which they found very funny.
Meet the Coca Cola polar bear. The girls got their picture made with him, I declined, though he kept trying to encourage us adults to come for a picture. I commented on what a beautiful bear he was to Eddie. The bear heard and came around the line and out to where I was standing to hug me. I laughed and told him how I loved him. I got a big bear hug literally. He even closed his eyes. The eyes were gorgeous, and could open and close. The person working this outfit was outstanding! He even sniffed one of our kids, which they found very funny.
We also went to the Georgia Aquarium and saw many amazing things. These are Japanese crabs and I know I don't want to find these on the beach! They looked like something off Sci Fi.
These were the piranhas and in an effort to get a picture of Alex we had him look for their teeth, which he actually did amazingly enough.
I think the highlight of the trip for all the kids was riding Marta. Why you ask, because they can't do this at home! We went to the Peachtree Center where the longest escalator in the south is. So we got to see the longest freestanding escalator and the longest escalator in the South, all right here in Atlanta. Of course, Marta did not care if we took pictures. Just keep in mind that pulling out a camera in Marta screams tourist. The people here were very friendly and actually posed for us, even though were actually trying to get pictures of the kids who had to ride this escalator a couple of times. Okay if I had known they would be so easily and cheaply entertained we would have done this all week long. On our last day we rode Marta from the end of the East line to the end of the West line, because we could and the kids were begging. As long as you never exist the train it is a one fare price. They also thought the breeze cards were cool because you only had to tap them and it would open the doors for you. The woman that got off at the same stop we did laughed when the kids begged to ride the North/ South line and we refused. She said she rides it everyday and there is no joy in it for her. She told us that she could either pay $90 a month to park in Atlanta or let her company pay the monthly fee to ride Marta, it was a no brainer for her. The kids thought it would be awesome to ride Marta everyday. Personally, I don't feel that way at all! Of course it was easier to get around Atlanta since we did not have to worry about finding parking. We did do lots of walking though.
These were the piranhas and in an effort to get a picture of Alex we had him look for their teeth, which he actually did amazingly enough.
We also went to the Museum of High Art, I nearly forgot that. We saw the Terracotta army. It was very nice and we enjoyed it, but again no pictures were allowed. Another place we went one afternoon was a trip up to Decatur Georgia to the World Market. I was going to take pictures, but oddly enough they don't allow pictures either. I love this place. Anytime you go to Atlanta I would suggest going here and checking it out. It is about a 30 to 40 minute drive past Atlanta. The spices here are super cheap. Eddie and I stocked up on many spices. We also found some really good coffee and 50lbs of potatoes for $13. The coffee was not necessarily cheap, just coffee you don't find just anywhere. There are things from all over the world here. We found sugar cane and got one for the kids to try. They have some very odd things as well such as some sort of seaweed to eat. A friend of ours who used to live in Georgia told us about it and we met her there and did some shopping. She told us she really missed this place and every time she is coming she makes a list of things she needs from there. Her sister still lives in Georgia, not too far from this market, so she usually goes when she is visiting her.
Well that is our trip in a rather large nutshell. I will post many more pics if your interested later today hopefully. I hope all of you had a great week and I hope to see or talk with you soon! Until then blessings to you and yours.
1 comment:
It looks like you had a great time! Pictures are such a fun way to remember a trip!
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