Though we were traveling on 'space available' passes (thanks to E.P.!) we all got on our first flight to Atlanta. Here is Charlotte somewhere over America...
Once we landed Dan's family assembled at his Dad's (E.P.'s) house for a great family get-together. The highlight was an early-birthday party for Charlotte...
Our trip was jam-packed with fun. Bright & early the next morning we left Newnan for a Braves game (Go Chipper!). A bunch of family came along and Aunt Christine (Dan's sister-in-law) organized a great tailgate picnic before the game.
The Braves, behind a great outing by John Smoltz beat the Mets! We had great seats behind homeplate (thanks again, E.P.!).
Our seats provided a great view of downtown Atlanta - still recovering from a fluke tornado that swept thru a couple weeks earlier...
At the ballpark from L-R - Aunt Julie, Charlotte, Whitney, Savannah, Lesli...
And to my right - Sean, Kendall, Matthew, Brandon, Ashley, Aunt Christine, Beth and Evan...
Evan with his girlfriend Beth Watson...
A giant chair at the ballpark makes a great setting for a photo of E.P.'s grandkids. Unable to attend, and not pictured is Harper Harris. L-R: Savannah, Evan, Charlotte, Kendall, Matthew and Brandon.
Monday we were back into Atlanta for two uniquely Atlanta sights. First, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Site. Charlotte, Whitney & Savannah seemed to appreciate the significance. I know Aunt Linda, Aunt Julie, Lesli and I were moved...
Passing thru downtown, the tornado damage was all-too apparent. The black rectangles on the Westin Peachtree Plaza are plywood - testimony to all the windows that were blown-out...
So after a meaningful but somber visit to the King Memorial, it was time for some meaningless fun. The Coca-Cola Experience was just that, along with unlimited sodas from around the world. Here is Savannah getting her sugar-buzz on...
CCK goofing around on a bicycle rack at Centennial Park
In the car on the way home Aunt Julie 'accidentally' spit her chewing gum into Lesli's hair. Everyone thought it was great fun...
Tuesday's highlight was another family outing - this time Georgia's Stone Mountain was the backdrop...
Spring and the lovely Dogwood trees were in full bloom...
SBK seeking context...
Savannah took this picture of Dan's sisters Julie & Linda...
The park had a bunch of historical buildings that were relocated from all over the state. I asked the group to look serious for these shots...
...but this group doesn't stop having fun for too long...
Charlotte is not a natural poser, but sometimes she really impresses me. I like this shot as she takes a break from being the clown...
Late in the day we took the aerial tram to the top of the giant rock...
Waiting for the gondola to take them back to the bottom, Lesli & Charlotte share a quiet mother-daughter moment...
On our last day in Atlanta, we visited a willow tree planted in Newnan as a memorial to Dan's mom...
it is planted in a pretty park. In the photo below, the willow is in the upper left, E.P. is on the far right, and SBK enjoys the fountain...
E.P.'s house is on a lovely lake. We spent the afternoon fishing off the dock - the girls were thrilled with their catch!
The next day we woke up in Savannah, GA where Dan lived for 3 years after college. Our accomodations was the gorgeous townhouse of our friend Rachel Allgood (thanks Rachel!). Here is dawn from the back porch...
As many folks know, part of the reason we named Savannah Savannah is because of the beauty of this 300-year-old town...
We did a horse-drawn carriage tour of the historic district. Here the girls pose with Jenny-the-guide and Luke-the-horse...
Tourist destination for decades has been The Pirates House. Charlotte got into the role with gusto - (aaargh!)...
On our way to Riverwalk, down ancient steps...
CCK thinks the world of her Grandfather Van (affectionately known as 'Papa') - Van, this one's for you...
I don't normally recommend taking pictures in public restrooms (!), but when I saw this sign (and it's reference to radioactivity), I made an exception. Is it true that paper products in Savannah are made with uranium?
SBK and Lesli in the Factor's Walk area. the large warehouse behind them was used to store cotton bales awaiting shipment to Europe...
The girls with the venerable Cotton Exchange in the background...
Dan in front of his apartment in Savannah - 235 Abercorn. Rent in 1987? $200/month...
I think this speaks for itself...
Wormsloe plantation was a British attempt at growing silkworms in the New World. It failed, but the fantastic entrance remains and may be best known from Forrest Gump when young Forrest runs right out of his leg-braces...
As with all our vacations, Dan's ambitious agenda kills the girls...
Next day and we're at historic Fort Pulaski. in the moat between the girls is an alligator (not part of the admission fee!)...
In 1987 Dan stood on a cannon here and it became a photo in our home for 20+ years. Here SBK, CCK and Dan seek to reproduce the image...
Unlike most forts in the U.S., this one came under attack. Damage to the walls inflicted by the Union during the Civil War still remains....
East of Fort Pulaski is Tybee Island and the Atlantic Ocean. SBK's first dip in a new ocean...
Angela Beasley, a friend from Dan's early days in Savannah operates a puppet business. She graciously gave us an after-hours tour of her shop...
Our last meal was home-made Low-Country Boil. Key ingredient is fresh shrimp which we bought at Charlie Teeple's Seafood - which hasn't changed a bit since Dan left...
The family in Rachel's townhome, about to head home...
Flying home on the passes, we were less fortunate. Dan (who had to go to work the next day) secured a seat on the 4th flight we tried, and bumped into an old friend Steve "Mandingo" Angel...
Lesli and the girls didn't get home for two more days, trying to get on flight after flight after flight. They handled it with grace, and owe undying gratitude to Aunt Julie for housing them for two more nights of 'extended vacation'. In the end, everyone got home safe and sound.
