The Gilberts' go to Georgia to welcome a new member! (A non-Disney Trip Report)

[jason4024]

I recently posted a poll on the DDC on Facebook and after some re-assurance and a bit of heckling, thanks Capt_Oblivious, I decided to write a non-Disney Trip Report. We recently spent the weekend in the Atlanta area for my cousins wedding. We spent some time visiting downtown Atlanta including Zoo Atlanta, the Centennial Olympic Park and me making some vlugar finger getures towards Turner Field. Not sure if thos epictures will make it into the trip report yet. There was a lot more things we would have like to see, the World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium and Leslie wanted to see the Peachtree Theatre. So I am thinking another trip back to Atlanta very soon.

 

[jason4024]

Tables of Contents

Chapter 1 - The Cast of Characters
Chapter 2 - Travel Day
Chapter 3 - Zoo Atlanta
Chapter 4 - A Beautiful Lakeside Picnic
Chapter 5 - Centennial Olympic Park

 

[jason4024]

Jason - 32yo father of two. The reason we are going to Atlanta is for my cousin Michaels wedding. Our fathers are brothers, and we were pretty inseperable when we were kids. Michael was in our wedding and there was no way we would miss his special day.

Leslie - 33yo wife to the BEST husband ever. HAHA! All kidding aside, she was amazing on this trip. She drove all but one hour of the trip to Atlanta. I had a flare up of cellulitis and I was very sick, chills, tired, and fever all the way. She paced herself wonderfully for the long trek.

Here is a pic of us with the newlyweds at their rehearsal dinner at Cauble Park at Lake Acworth.

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Kaylee - The 8yo, fun-loving princess on our trip. This girl can make a friend anywhere. At the park, she saw some high school girls kicking a soccer ball and she immeidately asked if she could play. They were so awesome to let this little kid join in. When the game was over, one of the walked her over to us, even though we could see her the whole time, to make sure she was ok. The girl commented how good she was going to be if she keeps it up.

Kaylee riding a spinning seat at the Centennial Olympic Park in Downtown Atlanta.

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Kory - The rough and tumble 5yo wildman on this trip. If he found something, he could climb on, slide down, roll on, tackle, jump off, he found it on this trip. He spent time climbing everywhere went. He had a blast hanging out in the park, and just relaxing.

Kory getting the hot dog roller feeling, on a sliding "board"

Fall is a very busy time of year for us, with soccer, karate, and school. This is also our second wedding in 6 weeks time. To get away from the stuff going on at home, was definitely a nice retreat from the everyday headaches. It was great to not worry about anything for a few days.

 

[jason4024]

We left our home on Friday morning to begin our southern bound journey. We had pre-reserved a king suite room at the Super 8 in Kennesaw. It is right off the campus of Kennesaw State University. The two room suite, worked out well for us, because the kids shared the pull out bed and had their own TV, which meant, no constant string of cartoons for >>this guy<<

Our journey began about 3:30 am Friday morning. We filled up at the Turkey HIll just before we got onto Route 81 South. The best part of the whole way to Atlanta, three different highway and you are there. None of that switching routes every hour or so. During this leg, we exited Pennsylvania went through Maryland and West Virgina and entered into Virginia. We made it into Virginia before anyone had to use the bathroom, which might be a personal record for our children. Sleeping most of this time, probably didnt hurt at all. About 900, the kids were awake, we needed fuel and they were getting HUNGRY! So we stopped at a Waffle House. So guys, no food porn on this trip. We were eating with a purpose at this point, and not relaxing just yet.

After about 45 minutes off the interstate, we started heading south on 81 again. This was a pretty uneventful stage of the ride. After a long stretch of non-stop cruising(about 80) on Routes 81, 40 and 75, we finally entered in to Tennesse. About an hour in the kids decided they needed to stop and stretch.

Not sure what happened to the pictures of Kaylee rolling down the hill, they may be on Leslies' phone. The kids did spend some of the pent up energy that had been building. Once back in the car, we continued on to the Super 8. We made it to Atlanta in just under 13 hours. Once we arrived at the hotel, we checked and let our families know we made it safely, and contemplated dinner. After suggestions of Arbys/McDonalds/Pizza, I decided on Buffalo Wild Wings. There is not one very close to us, so we don't the family has never eaten there. I had eaten there in the one in Clearwarter last srping. Plus this gave a chance to wear my Halladay shirt at least one time in Atlanta. Thankfully we were out of dinner and back to the hotel before the game started where I can sulk in the loss with my family.

Fuel: Filled 2x. Arrived with a quarter tank.
Total Stop: 3 bathroom, 1 fuel, and 1 breakfast
Travel Time: <13 hours
Miles: 671 miles

Up next: Zoo Atlanta...

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I'm in! Of course, since you called me out by name, I pretty much have to read it now!

Sounds like you made great time, and making it to Virginia before the first bathroom stop is quite the achievement. Did you enjoy Buffalo Wild Wings? I gotta be honest, I'm not a huge fan of their food. Tons of giant TV's, yes, but the food, not so much. Still, you get bonus points for the Halladay shirt in Atlanta!

 

[jason4024]

I'm in! Of course, since you called me out by name, I pretty much have to read it now!

Sounds like you made great time, and making it to Virginia before the first bathroom stop is quite the achievement. Did you enjoy Buffalo Wild Wings? I gotta be honest, I'm not a huge fan of their food. Tons of giant TV's, yes, but the food, not so much. Still, you get bonus points for the Halladay shirt in Atlanta!

Yay! My first follower. I honestly didnt enjoy it this time. The wings were not meaty at all. They had a good flavor, the spicy garlic, but no substance. The kids enjoyed their food, but how do you screw up corn dog nuggets and chicken fingers. Leslie had the chicken finger/popcorn shrimp platter and enjoyed it as well.

I was a little disappointed with our waitress and the manager. They both came to the table numerous times, which is fine, but I was waiting for some heckling and it didnt happen, so I was hesitant to heckle back. I did ask the waitress what the extra $20 on the bill was for and she said, "Cause your from Philly. Sorry City Rules."

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

I did ask the waitress what the extra $20 on the bill was for and she said, "Cause your from Philly. Sorry City Rules."

Works for me.

 

[afwdwfan]

and me making some vlugar finger getures towards Turner Field

I would have been tempted to give a different gesture involving my butt hanging out the window...

Fuel: Filled 2x. Arrived with a quarter tank.
Total Stop: 3 bathroom, 1 fuel, and 1 breakfast
Travel Time: <13 hours
Miles: 671 miles

Looks like a successful drive.

Did you enjoy Buffalo Wild Wings? I gotta be honest, I'm not a huge fan of their food. Tons of giant TV's, yes, but the food, not so much.

I enjoy the food there. I mean it's fried buffalo wings so I don't see where one place can be much worse than another, but I do like their sauces.

There was the time I ate there though, and took a bite of a chicken leg that was cold in the middle.

 

[jason4024]

I would have been tempted to give a different gesture involving my butt hanging out the window...

I was driving and it would have been heard to flip around. If we would have stopped, I might have been arrested for public urination or something else.

Looks like a successful drive.

Very successful in my book.

I enjoy the food there. I mean it's fried buffalo wings so I don't see where one place can be much worse than another, but I do like their sauces.

There was the time I ate there though, and took a bite of a chicken leg that was cold in the middle.

They were good, but I have had better and much worse wings. Would like to use this time to recommend the Spicy Garlic sauce. I would freak if I ever bit into something and it was cold.

 

[jason4024]

So, when we woke up on Saturday morning, I was feeling 100% better than I did on the way to Georgia, other than the Phillies lose to the Cardinals, and hearing of the Ryan Howard Achilles' injury. We had our free continental breakfast at our hotel(it is so hard to not say resort...). After breakfast we decided we were going to visit Zoo Atlanta.

We didn't have anything on the agenda until later in the afternoon when we had the rehearsal picnic and Lake Akworth. The kid love visiting the zoo. We have been to Philly, DC, Raleigh, Cape May and Leslie and I have also been to Honolulu.

We decided to purchase the unlimited ride passes for the kids while we were at the Zoo as well. They were $8.50 each for non-members of the Zoo. They included the Rock Climbing Wall, Zoo Train, and the Carousel. They also have a Kangaroo Dance Party and fun & games area for the kids. Total cost to visit Zoo Atlanta was under $100.00.

When you first enter the zoo, the herd of people was going to the right, so guess what, we used our Disney approach and went to the left. The first two exhibits were Pumbaa and Timon, I mean the warthogs and the meerkats, how fitting, huh?

Immediately across the path was the elephant and rhinocerous area.

We then wandered up the path to the zebra and giraffes exhibits. They have a giraffe that was born within the last 18 months. Take a look...

We also stopped to the see the lions. Kaylee said "look they are sleeping just like Animal Kingdom." She wasn't joking.

The next area is the gorillas. These were by far the most active gorillas I have ever seen. There was a baby gorilla still small enough to be riding on mom's back. There were also some just over a year old and then a few more possibly three or four years old. All the juvenile gorillas were running, playing, and fighting constantly. They were building their nemesis status for the future gorilla division of the DDC. The best part was watching run up the hill, and then do tumblesets down to the bottom and run back up. Once I upload the videos I will add the here. Here are a few picture from the gorillas.

This puts us about halfway through the pictures for the Zoo.

Next up - Zoo Part Two

 

[afwdwfan]

So, when we woke up on Saturday morning, I was feeling 100% better than I did on the way to Georgia, other than the Phillies lose to the Cardinals, and hearing of the Ryan Howard Achilles' injury.

Well, I'm glad that you were feeling better anyway. I feel Ryan's pain. That injury is a Beverly.

When you first enter the zoo, the herd of people was going to the right, so guess what, we used our Disney approach and went to the left. The first two exhibits were Pumbaa and Timon, I mean the warthogs and the meerkats, how fitting, huh?

Good plan! Love the Disney references.

They were building their nemesis status for the future gorilla division of the DDC.

As long as none of us have to have a gorilla for a nemesis.
Was one of the fighting pair wearing a hat like Perry?

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

So, when we woke up on Saturday morning, I was feeling 100% better than I did on the way to Georgia, other than the Phillies lose to the Cardinals, and hearing of the Ryan Howard Achilles' injury.

You had to bring that up again.

Nice job going to the left! Glad to see it works in other places too.

And they have the same animatronic sleeping lion as the AK! Who knew?

 

[theduck619]

I would have been tempted to give a different gesture involving my butt hanging out the window...

Purdue fans

This is why we can't take you anywhere.

I'm in

 

[jason4024]

Nice job going to the left! Glad to see it works in other places too.

Yes, yes it does.

As long as none of us have to have a gorilla for a nemesis.
Was one of the fighting pair wearing a hat like Perry?

That would have been AWESOME

Purdue fans

This is why we can't take you anywhere.

I'm in

Agreed - just like all Big Ten fans from outside of PA.

WE ARE... PENN STATE!

 

[afwdwfan]

Agreed - just like all Big Ten fans from outside of PA.

WE ARE... PENN STATE!

I'd talk some trash about this weekend since Penn State is trying to find their groove offensively and the Boilers are something like 34th in the nation defensively... but then I remember that Notre Dame put up 500+ yards on them 2 weeks ago and the only other teams they've played have been Minnesota and a bunch of teams whose names were a state and a direction.

Good luck! Try not to hurt any of our QB's.

 

[jason4024]

This is going to be a quick update, quite frankly, because I forgot I had my camera with us. And not sure how many of the people there feel about their picture being online.

We were invited to the rehearsal dinner picnic at beautiful Lake Acworth. My cousin and his best man made almost all the food for the picnic and it was awesome. We also got to see their condo for the first time.

Here are a couple of pics..

Kory and my Aunt Mel on the swings.

The bride and groom with their parents.

And the Gilberts in attendance, minus the kids, because the were playing soccer with some older kids.

Hopefully another update later today.

 

[theduck619]

A small update is better then no update

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Looks like a nice setting for a meal!

 

[jason4024]

A small update is better then no update

Very true!

Looks like a nice setting for a meal!

It was amazing. They also had their engagement pictures done there as well.

 

[jason4024]

Sunday morning, we awoke about 7:30, which is actually kinda late for us. We are normally out the door by 6:15 on most mornings. Today we were again going to have breakfast at the hotel (YAY FREE!) and then head to DownTown Atlanta to visit Centennial Olympic Park. I have wanted to see Atlanta since the 1996 Olympics. I was very excited about today. Also in the immediate area of the Olympic Park is World of Coca-Cola, The Georgia Aquarium and CNN Tower. Also going on today was Pride Atlanta, which we tried to keep the kids away from for the most part to avoid the conversations that may have occured. We succeeded at this task for the day. I dont have a problem with it, but subjecting a 5yo and 8yo to it wasn't my idea of vacation time.

Some from our drive into the city...

Passing the Turner Building - man does he owe a lot of Channels

Our third attempt at photographing this cool statue

Here are a bunch of pictures from the Olympic Park.

Outside of the World of Coca-Cola

And the Aquarium

The Gymnastic Gold Medalists

And Dream Team Version 2.0 - Nowhere near as good as Version 1 but still great!

Lots of Cheeseheads in town for their SNF matchup with the Falcons.

We headed back to our hotel (I almost said resort, silly me) around lunchtime because after all, we had a wedding to attend tonight. We decided on Papa Johns for lunch, because we needed to have something extra for the kids, because we weren't sure if my cousin knew we had picky eaters. We spent about $15 for pizza and had some to take along and some leftovers for the drive home tomorrow. I have been to three weddings south of the Mason-Dixon Line and all three were on a Sunday.

Up next: Wedding Photos...