Trip to Atlanta Georgia

This weekend we had to cancel our planned beach trip because of the hurricane. So Friday night we headed to Atlanta instead. Saturday a.m. 1st stop Atlanta Botanical Garden.

It was cheaper to buy a family membership so hopefully we'll use it to get into other gardens this year! My favorite sculpture.

Which way should we go guys?

Very neat canopy walk.

Pink banana trees!

Be still my heart. It's these moments I treasure most.

Venus fly traps. They actually bite your finger! This was in the children's area where they influence touching. There were also tons of pitcher plants. NCs other carnivorous plant.

This girl's got skills. She caught a goldfish 1st try.

One of about 14 very impressive plant sculptures on display for a special exhibit.

The kids were hunting a huge green frog. I love when they are interested in the same thing.

I have a thing for beautiful lily pads.

Looking up in the jungle forest. I still don't know what plant all these long strings were hanging from.

The desert section of the green house was a favorite. The boys had to touch every spiky plant. And they used some aloe on a cut.

After the gardens, we went downtown for lunch at the CNN center. Then in the evening we saw the light show at Stone Mountain State Park. It was not very good. The next morning...my sleeping beauties.

The star of the show...Georgia Aquarium!! One of their 4 infamous whale sharks. Magnificent.

Everything at this place was HUGE. This manta ray was the size of Josh.

Side view of the whale shark.

So cool! I don't remember ever seeing such a beautiful octopus so close up!

The amazing dolphin show! No pics allowed during the performance.

Belluga whales playing with their blanket.

We can't see your face! For scale. Bigger than all three boys.

Huge tropical fish tank.

The very fun sea lions.

The sea lion show. I almost liked it more than the dolphin show!

Again, no pics allowed during the performance.

Another beauty.

This place was worth every pricey penny we paid.

Twins! I told the kids no hiking this trip but...

Tallulah Gorge State Park was sort of on the way home.

With an 80 foot high swinging bridge above the deepest gorge in the eastern U.S. My legs were shaking.

About 250 steps down to the bridge and another 250 down to the falls. My calves are still sore!

Family photo at Hurricane Falls. Then back up about 500 steps to complete the loop.

There were multiple overlooks with views. We wanted to get down into the gorge. Only 100 hikers allowed per day by permit only.

The giant 200 ft man made waterfall from the dam feeding the gorge.

The most awesome road kill ever...a dead armadillo!!!