Well, we've spent just over a month in Atlanta this year off and on. I must admit that after our first visit, I never wanted to return, but it seems that the big city has lured us in and isn't so bad afterall. Yes, it's busy, yes it's crowded and there are certain times of the day when you really should avoid travel on I-75 or I-285 unless it just can't be avoided. But taking all that into consideration, the Atlanta area has some really wonderful attractions nearby and even though it's a big city, some of the suburbs, like Marietta, certainly have a small town feel to them and the people we've met seem to be genuinely friendly. Since arriving there's been one place that we really wanted to visit, but just didn't ever manage to fit in. We weren't eager to leave the area without a glimpse of Stone Mountain, Georgia's most popular attraction. So when my husband suggested that we take a quick drive after dinner, even the kids couldn't resist! The huge hunk of granite has Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis, three well known figures from the Civil War, carved into it's side. The carving is certainly the focal point of the park and the largest bas-relief in the world. Though we had intended to just 'peak' at the mountain and head back to the hotel, we ended up staying for part of the free laser show. The laser show was wonderful and we would certainly have stayed for the entire program if my husband didn't have to get up at 4 in the morning to drive to Alabama and work. He was barely awake for the drive back to the hotel. If we return to Atlanta, we'll certainly spend more time enjoying this amazing attraction which is listed in Frommer's 500 Places to Visit with your Kids Before they Grow Up and also as one of the "35 Natural Wonders to See in Georgia Before you Die". I know the kids and I drove away last night hoping that we'll be sent back to Atlanta...just one more time...
© 2009 Tonya Prater/Live the Adventure