Stone Mountain

Trip to Stone Mountain.  Remember back when there was no internet.  We had to use maps to route our trips. Thanks to our parents, they had AAA and we got trip-guides from them.  We would tell AAA our destinations and they would print maps out for each leg of the trip. 

To get from Summerfield, Florida to Stone Mountain in Georgia is about a 5 ½ hour drive.  This is not do-able with five pre-teens.  We had to make a point to stop at 2-3 hours. This trip took us to Valdosta Georgia for our first stop. When we stop for gas, we don’t get anyone out. But the State Welcome stations and rest stops are a great place to get out and throw Frisbees, footballs or just stretch legs.  Of course, every rest stop is enjoyed with a picnic lunch.  Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, Chess and Rummikub were well used during this trek.

Our arrival at Stone Mountain was awe inspiring.  If you have never been there, it is a natural wonder of this great planet. Stone Mountain was formed underground from molten rock that solidified, when the Appalachians were as high as Mount Everest.  Over millions of years, erosion exposed it to what we see today. It isn’t a mountain; it is a dome – just sitting there 850 feet above the area.  There is a monolith on the north side of the dome with a carving of 2 Confederate Generals, Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee, and the President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis. On this side of the dome they have a laser show with music every night, along with a firework display. 

After arriving at Stone Mountain, the children were set free to find the play grounds and activities around the camp ground facilities, while James and I diligently set up camp, prepared dinner and then relaxed looking at the natural beauty around us.  After dinner, we did as all tourists do, and went to watch the laser show.  It was lively with music and depictions of Georgia history and songs about Georgia, like “Georgia On My Mind” and “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”.

The next morning, we did the trip to the top of the dome.  There is a sky ride that takes you to the top.  What a breathtaking view.  When you step out on the dome, you are the highest object there, and it rounds off to a steep drop off.  The children were ecstatic, running around and looking at all the different viewpoints. I, unfortunately, stood frozen in one spot.  I could not move. A sudden wave of agoraphobia swept over me. I patiently stood in one place, while I watched everyone going around enjoying the many different vistas.

 When the viewing was complete, we decided to hike down the mountain instead of taking the sky ride back.  Now mind you, I could not move. The solution to this situation, the family stood in front of me so I could stare at the back of their heads. Once we reached the point on the trial that the tree tops could be seen at eye level I was back in a safe zone, I enjoyed the hike, 2 miles down the trail. 

The evening ended with dinner and a restful night as it would be the last one at this location.

This trip got us hooked on travel!