Blue Ridge Mountains

 We got lucky today and it finally stopped raining. We headed out for a stroll of the near by national park. 

Chattahoochee National Forest

Lake Blue Ridge

Chickens hanging out on Main Street, got to love it. There were quite a few restaurants and shops on Main Street. They were setting up for the big Trout festival starting on Saturday. This ends our southern vacation and we had a great time rain and all. 

Blue Ridge Mountains

 We have left the city slicker life and are now in the mountains. 

Our mountain cabin has southern charm with a porch and rocking chairs. 

Inside our cabin is appropriately decorated with an antler chandelier and do not feed the bears sign. 

This place is green, green and more green. Our mountains in California are not this lush and green.

If it wasn't for all the rain we could enjoy outdoor activities like this fire pit. The cabin also comes with a BBQ grill and jacuzzi.

Enjoy the zen. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park

Part of the National Park Service, Martin Luther King, Jr National Historical Park is comprised of several buildings and we stretched our visit over two days.

Ebenezer Heritage Sanctuary, also known as Ebenezer Baptist Church, is where Martin Luther King Jr was baptized, became a co-pastor and where his funeral was held. The Ebenezer Baptist Church has a new location across the street and they own and operate both locations. Our guide told us that MLK sister recently attended a service here for her 95th birthday. This church had major restoration in 2002. 

1895 two-story frame Queen Anne style house.

We took a tour of his birth home, led by the National Park Service. We learned much about this accomplished family. Many of the homes in the area are being restored and preserved which is nice. 

Historic Fire Station No. 6.

Final resting place of Dr. King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King located at The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Inc.

Reflecting Pool.

This eternal flame made me think of JFK final resting place. 

The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum

 We spent about 2 hours at the Presidential Library. I feel like I have a better understanding and appreciation for our 39th President. 

In the rose garden. 

Looking out from the entrance, very tranquil. 

Nobel Peace Prize 2002.

Medals of Freedom. On August 9, 1999, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were awarded Presidential Medals of Freedom by President Bill Clinton. This award is the nation's highest civilian honor. 

I didn't realize how much of a trail blazer Rosalynn was, she was a true equal partner. 

Life-size replica of the Oval Office. 

Wasn't expecting to see a shofar in the library. The Synagogue Council of America gave this shofar to President Carter in 1979.

Michael, Edie our friend and her youngest son Ry all went out on a bike ride yesterday. These 2 were rewarded with gelato. 

Birthday wishes. 

Georgia Aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the United States, it was impressive. 

The whale shark exhibit is the reason I wanted to go to this aquarium.

The aquarium has two that were rescued from Taiwan.

Whale Shark

Staff told me that this shark was not albino but definitely lighter than usual. 

There was a small alligator enclosure which did have an albino alligator. 

Shark encounter was also impressive. There were several species of sharks.

Beluga whales were also at the top of my 'must see' list. 

Big Bellied Seahorse.

Green Sea Turtle. 

When Edie found out it was my birthday she put up these decorations. 

We purchased a cake from Whole Foods, it was the perfect way to end the day. 

Atlanta History Center & National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Our first full day in Atlanta could not have been nicer, not only was the weather perfect but our host family is first rate. We have a lovely bedroom and private bath that is adjacent to their pool and hot tub.

First stop was the Atlanta History Center. 

Who doesn't love a good hat?

"In 1886, Dr. John C. Pemberton, an Atlanta pharmacist, produced a beverage syrup and delivered it to his friends at Jacob's pharmacy in Downtown Atlanta. Declaring it "excellent" they mixed it with carbonated water and served it for 5 cents a glass as a soda fountain drink. Pemberton's partner, Frank M. Robinson, suggested the name Coca-Cola for the new drink sensation."

"Margaret Mitchell's novel, Gone With the Wind, was released June 30, 1936. Translated into more than 40 languages, the Pulitzer Prize-winning book remains one of the best-selling novels of all time. When David O. Selznick's popular, yet controversial, film adaptation debuted in Atlanta at Lowe's Grand Theater in December 1939, it broke box office records during its first run."

The Texas, 1856-1895. The locomotive was a workhorse for the western and Atlantic Railroad. 

Picturing the Past: The Battle of Atlanta Cyclorama. 

Now onto the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. This was a quilt.

Norman Rockwell

This lunch counter was an immersion exhibit, you sat down with earphones and listened to what a sit-in protest was like, very violent. 

Eleanor Roosevelt and Mahatma Gandhi

Making pasta on Edie's new pasta maker. 

Our homemade pasta, it was delicious. We were also treated to a Caesar salad and tiramisu.