Atlanta

Slept really well last night, didn't hear a thing until I woke up at 0523 (rolled over and looked at the clock). Got up and took my shower. Got all my stuff organized and in order for the day: directions to the Aquarium, tickets, camera, spare battery and rain coats (we may get some showers today). This is what I do, get organized.

Took some stuff down to the car and got Riley's cup to fill with milk at the breakfast room. Gave Andy a call and they were up so we went and got Riley to get a head start on breakfast. Made two waffles, one for Riley and one for me. Love having a continental breakfast where you can do this. The breakfast room really filled up and was just plain crowded by the time Andy and Nikki arrived, thank goodness we came down early and had a table. Finished up and we were on our way.

The drive to the Aquarium was pretty uneventful until we got off of 75 and our directions didn't match with the signs but we just followed our directions and got right there. Then we followed the first sign for parking and it was just this little rinky-dink space so we just went around the block to the official Aquarium parking that cost the same and was undercover. Of course from here you have to walk almost around the full block to get to the entrance.

This picture was actually taken when we were all done and getting ready to leave but it gives you a good view of the aquarium.

What a change from the last time we were here. No line, walked right in, it was great. Went the opposite direction this time. Started with the Georgia Area, then Rivers, Cold Water Quest, Oceans and lastly Tropical.

This is one of the touch pools in the Georgia area, it had sting rays in it. It was too far down for Riley to be able to reach anything.

Some of the things we learned today were: Sea Otters have a million hairs per square inch of their body, that square inch has more than our whole head, this is because they have no blubber and the fur has to keep them warm so they are constantly preening and keeping it in good shape. Horseshoe crabs can live for 25 years or more. The three biggest predators of beluga whales after humans are killer whales, polar bears and walruses.

This turtle was pretty fascinated with the people outside the tank.

These are ciclids, found in South American Rivers. Always so interesting because there are always so many and so many different colors.

This was also in the Rivers sections, Riley and Grampa got to go into the tunnel and look out at us through part of the river.

Just liked the way the gator looked.

The most magnificent views were the 2 big tanks, the coral reef and the open ocean. Could have sat and watched both of these for hours. Of course the smaller tanks were pretty fascinating too. The jellyfish, piranhas, clown fish, seahorses and many more.

This is the open ocean tank and a picture of one of the huge groupers.
About three quarters of the way through we stopped for snacks and a drink. Our last stop was the gift shop and then we walked across to The World of Coke. Got a nice surprise because Dan and I got in for free because we are retired military.

Not sure I like the new set up at The World of Coke, seemed very closed in and very crowded and very hard to see and enjoy the displays. The best part was the tasting room, where they had coke products from all over the world to try. Everyone found something they liked, Nikki and Andy are ready to go to China because that is the one they liked. I'm going to stick with diet coke and it was really good here.

Gift shop was next, we also picked up our picture we had taken (forgot to mention we got one at the aquarium also).

Set off for the parking garage, not realizing there are two. One for the Aquarium and one for The World of Coke. Of course we went to the wrong one but finally got ourselves straighten out.

Left Andy and Nikki by the World of Coke and Dan, Riley and I went to get the Expedition. Just as we walked up to the car, one of the cars looking for a parking place decided to wait for ours blocking traffic. Well, we had a lot to do, get Riley in his seat, empty the stroller, stow everything and get into the vehicle. Well someone got impatient and started blowing their horn. It sure didn't speed us up any but it must have made the driver of the first car feel bad because they pulled away to look for another spot. Just so you know there were lots of empty parking spaces and ones that were much better then ours if you just continued on.

Picked up Andy and Nikki and we were on our way. No problems finding 75 south. Traffic going south wasn't bad but going north it was pretty much at a stand still all the way back to the exit before ours. We don't know how far it really went on on because we got off at that exit to have lunch. We went to KFC. Riley was cranky, tired and not feeling his best so he wasn't a happy camper sitting in the high chair.

After lunch we went to WalMart to just walk around and check it out. Got gas and then headed back to the hotel to rest and we sure needed that.

Andy brought Riley up to our room at about 1700 and we went for a walk. Not much around here and no sidewalks so our walk was very short.

Back at the room Riley was a little energizer bunny, he just ran and ran and ran. Every now and then he would climb up on the bed and lay his head on a pillow and make us think he might take a nap but he would pop right back up in about 10 seconds.

Went back down to Andy and Nikki's room to discuss dinner. No decision could be made so we just headed out. Rode around and came across a Sonic, so that became dinner. We sat outside and enjoyed our meal and watched a beautiful sunset. Time to head back to the room.

Had a great day and saw lots of interesting things.

We're Off

Had to wake Riley up this morning, it's the first time in a long time. We were out of the house to go get Grampa. He was coming with us on our errands this morning.

Our first stop was Weight Watcher's. Grampa and Riley walked around, I had gotten a monkey halter (leash) to try with Riley and he loves walking with it. I went in to get weighed and was up .6 which I kind of expected after last weeks big loss. Now I have to be a bit more careful while we are in Atlanta this weekend.

Breakfast was at Panera and we were all hungry so we really enjoyed our bagels. Stopped at WalMart to pick up some last minute things and back to the apartment to drop Riley and me off. Dan was going home to mow the lawn, put the car seat in the Expediation, and load everything up. Then back to sit with us until Nikki and Andy got home.

Tammy called to let us know they were on the bus heading for the ship. Then she called again, guess she just missed me. Dad was the next to call, he wanted to know how much it would cost to use the cell phone from Panama. Thinking I had heard from everyone I put the phone down but then it was Andy's turn, they had forgotten kitty food when they went shopping and could I pick some up. I did.

We were ready to leave at about 1430, stopped at the apartment office for Andy and Nikki to sign their new lease.

We officially hit the road at 1445 and traffic was really heavy but manageable. We made it to Okahumpka before we stopped for the first time. Found you should never buy a dozen donuts there because they cost $9.99. I was dumbstruck when our order of a dozen donuts and 25 donut holes came to $17.00, no drinks, nothing special just donuts. Learned our lesson. Good thing we were on vacation because just about anything goes then.

Back on the road and we made it to Valdosta, GA for dinner. Ate at Cracker Barrel, it was very busy and noisy but we had a good meal and everyone needed a break to get out and stretch.

Dan took over driving at this point and we had about 200 miles to go. Riley fell asleep almost immediately which he really needed because he hadn't napped much today.

This was my one and only picture for the day.

"Sunset over Georgia from Front Seat of Expedition."


Now that Dan was driving of course we hit all the construction, but luckily it only slowed up down a bit. We got about a mile from our exit and it started to rain and by the time we got to the hotel (Country Inn and Suites) it was pouring. Got all checked in and Andy and Nikki got a complementary upgrade to a king suite and we were across the hall. They were trying to keep us on the same floor. Got the luggage up to the room and ours reeked of cigarettes. So back down to the desk and we were moved to the 3rd floor and the room was much better. Made plans to meet at 0730 for breakfast.

Made really good time took us about 7.5 hours and that included two stops, one that lasted about an hour.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Started this busy day going out with Tammy to do some errands. First on the list was to wash and clean the expedition. Went to the car wash between Walgreens and Andy and Nikki's Apartments. Didn't really take to long to get it all done and it looked so nice when it was done.

We headed over to WalMart for some shopping. This new layout still baffles me sometimes, just not use to where everything is yet. Riley and I have no problems on Friday's because we usually get the same old thing but when you want to pick up something different might just as well take a tour of the store.

Stopped at Sonic for something to drink while we were getting our pedicures done. There was no one at Nail Central so they were able to start on us right away. Everything was going fine until she started scrubbing on my feet and today it was tickling me so much I was actually in pain. I didn't think she would ever get done. But I did survive. It seems every time we go in there it takes longer and longer to get the pedicure. We did come out with beautiful feet.

Walked over to Publix so Tammy could get a sub for lunch and then we were on our way home.

I kept busy this afternoon working on my Thursday list. Didn't do to well today. Only knocked two things off the list. One was a really big one though, got the February pictures edited and backed up. So next Thursday will be March and I'll be caught up, will just have to upload them so I can get them printed out. Also got all the laundry done, always an accomplishment. Didn't work on any actual scrapbooking, maybe next week.

Mum, Dad, and Tammy came over to fax off some stuff and they stayed for a few minutes. Dad wasn't to happy with me, still haven't baked him a cake. So he had to eat a couple of pieces of candy.

This evening we went over to Tammy's to pick up the expedition and visited with everyone for a bit. Then it was home so I could get to bed before 2300, which has been my bedtime this week. Hate when I start working on stuff on the computer because I hate to stop. But tonight I have nothing to do and I'm tired.

Guess Who Came To Visit?

Riley was an early bird today, he was up before Andy left for work and was raring to go this morning. So I fixed him a waffle with jelly and he was done with that in no time, must be going through a growth spurt, his belly is looking kind of skinny lately.

We were off to the lake front for our walk. Ran into GG and Jagee, they driving by and pulled over to talk. When we started back on our walk we saw one pair of sandhill cranes with 2 chicks. I went to put my zoom lens on the camera and found it was back at the apartment in my bag. So made due with the lens I had with me. Didn't see much else on our walk and we finished up at just the right time because the landscapers were just starting to mow and it was pretty loud.

When we got back to the apartment Dan called and the job he was suppose to do this morning was canceled and his next job wasn't until 1330, so he decided to come visit us. Had lots of fun, Dan and Riley played and then built stuff with the mega-blocks. We decided to go for another walk around the apartment complex. First we went to the tennis court and Riley ran around and we chased him.

Then we walked down by the pond and saw lots of turtles up on the bank sunning themselves, it was a good day for that. Playground was next and Riley went on the swing and played on the slide.

By this time it was getting warm so we headed back to the apartment. Riley went down for his nap at about 1130 and Dan left shortly after that. After his nap we pretty much just played and waited for Andy to get home.

When I got home started working on another layout and finally finished it up at about 2100 or so. Hate to stop in the middle of a project. Still having some problems getting ideas from my head to the paper. But this one was easier and I got it done in a lot less time.

It's What Little Boys Do

As you can see Riley had a run in with a corner in the apartment. The swelling has pretty much gone away but the bruise is going to take a few days to heal. I think it gives him character, not that he really needed any more.

What a beautiful day for a walk. No humidity and a good breeze. Nothing exciting to see but we did run into Wally and Hope just as we finished up.

Riley didn't seem hungry before our walk so he had his breakfast when we got back. This morning it was OH's cereal. I gave him a spoon to eat with and he was torn whether to use his fingers or the spoon, so it was kind of half and half. He really loves his Oh's!

Riley and I created a new game. I would run to a corner of the apartment, stamp my feet and run to another corner. Riley would try to catch me but he was laughing so hard he was snorting and couldn't keep up with me. We did this for about 15 minutes and Gramma got tired, Riley could have kept going forever.

I called the Minuteman National Monument to make reservations for Tammy, Kim and the kids to take a tour when they are in South Dakota this summer. I thought they were on Central time but it is actually Mountain time so I couldn't call until ten and it took about five minutes to get everything taken care of. By the time I got home the e-mail with all the info had arrived and I sent it on to Tammy.

Found another reason Chris makes an appearance at home; he needs a haircut. I told him I charge extra for after-hour appointments but it didn't seem to bother him. Thank goodness I just put on the guard and run it over his head, doesn't take very long. Plus it was starting to get dark out.

Spent most of my evening working on this week's layout for my digital class. The lessons this time are so much more involved. This time we created our own paper with a design and texture, pretty neat.

This is what I came up with. Now I have to start on the second layout for this week. Haven't really read what we are doing so I guess that is a good place to start.

The Climber

Riley tried something new for breakfast, an english muffin with some peanut butter and jelly and we found he really likes the jelly.

Headed out for our walk pretty early, wanted to beat the rain if it comes today (it never did). It was very humid with low lying clouds so we couldn't see any of the planes flying over. But we did see more kitties in windows today, then we have ever seen.

Spent the rest of the morning playing. We are going to be in trouble soon because today Riley pulled his ride-on car to the door and stood on it trying very hard to get the door open. Didn't succeed today but it will happen soon.

Put him down for his nap and he took a nice long one. Lunch of grilled cheese and an afternoon that was very busy.

Besides playing there was lots of activity going on outside. This is the first time we have seen the landscape guys in quite a while and there was lots to do. So we watched them from the window and every now and then we would go out on the sidewalk and watch but that was kind of loud.

More Nature, Can You Stand It?

We were up bright and early and if all the wildlife we saw on our walk is any indication it is true that the early bird gets the worm and you can take that literally as you will see later.

It was still kind of dark when we came upon the first pair of sandhill cranes and they had two chicks with them, not the best of pictures but at least we have documented that they are there.


Down just a bit further it was bunny alley, if we saw one bunny today, we saw 50. Have never seen so many on our walk.


All set up for the Spring Fling, guess it wasn't a very good day for them seeing as how it rained almost all day at our house. So I'm sure they got some rain there.

Shooting across the pond at the second pair of sandhill cranes with their two babies. I really like how they reflected in the pond.

Now we are on the berm heading back to the car and this was our first alligator of the day. This is a bigger one then we normally see and he was right at the edge.

This is the pair that had the first hatched chick and they were right on the berm with us, so we got really close to them. They have to be careful because that gator was just on the other side of the berm and I'm sure sandhill crane chick makes a tasty breakfast.


Just looking around, the chick was more concerned than the mom and dad.



The dad (just assuming it was the dad, don't know for sure and don't know why I would think that) pulled up a worm and put it down for the chick to eat and he thought it was a tasty breakfast.

This is the gator I think we have seen before, looked more like the size of the one that is usually along the edge of the pond. But today he was out in the middle a long ways from the other gator.

That is one humongous snail this bird was having for breakfast, didn't really know what it was until we got home and I could zoom in on the picture and get a better look at it.

So as you can see we had quite the walk today. We also ran into Mum and Dad, once when they were trying to find a place to park and then out on the berm just before the single sandhill crane chick.

We were off to Burger King for our tasty breakfast. Dan tried one of those new breakfast wraps that they have and said it was pretty good. Did you hear that Andy?

Then it was to WalMart and Publix for shopping. Then home for a quiet, rainy day.