In case you had trouble viewing it below (I had trouble embedding it).
6.21.2010
6.19.2010
Busy week and vacation montage
We have had a busy week in the Hain household with swimming lessons, baseball, painting and other happenings. We're trying to get the kids out and about as much as possible, going to the pool and zoo, etc. Here are some pictures we've been snapping along the way: 
Caleb has been throwing, hitting and playing out on the baseball field-
My good friend Shelia invited me out on a "girl's night" at the Intrust Bank Arena to see Tim McGraw =)
We went to the Jordan family reunion, and had fun exploring Winfield during a scavenger hunt-
We've been going places, such as the zoo, to see the animals-
It's been a busy week, but we've had a lot of fun! Here is a video we made with additional pictures from our vacation. Enjoy!!
We've been going places, such as the zoo, to see the animals-
It's been a busy week, but we've had a lot of fun! Here is a video we made with additional pictures from our vacation. Enjoy!!
6.06.2010
Day 9 and Done...
We made it home early Sunday evening-back to Wichita, KS aka "flat lands". It was slightly disheartening seeing all of the beautiful terrain and scenery slip out of view from our windows, and coming into Kansas where you can see for miles in all directions.
We had a wonderful time with all of our travels, but there's something to be said about being home in your own bed, not living out of a suitcase, and letting the children have their comforts like the Wii for Caleb =)
The South taught us a lot, and this is where I'll conclude my list of things we've learned:
4) If you like to travel, this is an ideal place seeing that the states are in close enough proximity to visit the beach and mountains as well as other states.
5) When people speak they are kind to their consonants, but accentuate the vowels.
6) Drivers often take the speed limit as a suggestion, and may not use turn signals when indicating their intentions-however as long as anyone waves, it's all okay.
7) Food is their specialty. If you've ever been curious just visit any particular restaurant with a variety of license plates in the parking lot.
8) Hosting is also their specialty. The South is known for it.
9) I cannot express enough the hospitality that we experienced during our short stay. This was most demonstrated as we were pulling off a ramp in Savannah and stopped a minute to change our GPS setting. A gentleman pulled up beside us, asked us if he could help us and after telling him we wished to go to the nearest beach before the sun set, he proceeded to go out of his way to escort us there.
10) The climate may be warm, but now I know why they serve their tea so sweet. It is only when you are dripping in sweat, red in the face, and feel as if your whole body is in a sauna that you can truly appreciate the sweetness of that drink.
There are many, many more things that make it so unique and different from where we're from. We all had a wonderful time on this adventure, and will always remember our hot summer nights in the South =)
We had a wonderful time with all of our travels, but there's something to be said about being home in your own bed, not living out of a suitcase, and letting the children have their comforts like the Wii for Caleb =)
The South taught us a lot, and this is where I'll conclude my list of things we've learned:
4) If you like to travel, this is an ideal place seeing that the states are in close enough proximity to visit the beach and mountains as well as other states.
5) When people speak they are kind to their consonants, but accentuate the vowels.
6) Drivers often take the speed limit as a suggestion, and may not use turn signals when indicating their intentions-however as long as anyone waves, it's all okay.
7) Food is their specialty. If you've ever been curious just visit any particular restaurant with a variety of license plates in the parking lot.
8) Hosting is also their specialty. The South is known for it.
9) I cannot express enough the hospitality that we experienced during our short stay. This was most demonstrated as we were pulling off a ramp in Savannah and stopped a minute to change our GPS setting. A gentleman pulled up beside us, asked us if he could help us and after telling him we wished to go to the nearest beach before the sun set, he proceeded to go out of his way to escort us there.
10) The climate may be warm, but now I know why they serve their tea so sweet. It is only when you are dripping in sweat, red in the face, and feel as if your whole body is in a sauna that you can truly appreciate the sweetness of that drink.
There are many, many more things that make it so unique and different from where we're from. We all had a wonderful time on this adventure, and will always remember our hot summer nights in the South =)
Day 8
On Saturday we ventured out into the Georgia mountains to see the infamous Amicalola Falls. Just a little information for you first...the Amicalola Falls are 729 feet drop in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Cherokee named the falls Amicalola, meaning "tumbling waters." We began our journey at the top of the falls:
We had a fun time fishing at the Reflection pool:
The view of the top of the Falls looking up:
We had a fun time fishing at the Reflection pool:
After driving to the bottom of the Falls, we decided to make the trek up to see the big drop by foot. Beautiful scenery greeted us along the way:
The view of the top of the Falls looking up:
We started making the 175 step climb to have the best view, but a huge rain storm started and we had to start heading back to shelter. This is the closest view we had before heading back:
On the way down we actually walked by a rattlesnake =0 But we walked slowly and came away unharmed. As Mark put it: "You wanted to see the wilderness, honey!" We enjoyed the views and even with all the rain, this terrain was simply beautiful!
We left Georgia Saturday afternoon, and started our drive northward. We drove through Tennessee again, a little bit of Kentucky and Illinois before settling into our hotel in St. Louis, MO for the evening.
Sunday we are officially on the "road to home", whether we are ready or not =)
Day 7
Friday we headed out of the Atlanta city life, and went north to Amicalola Falls, part of Georgia's Blue Ridge mountains. We stayed at the Amicalola Falls lodge:
The views inside were incredible!
The views inside were incredible!
We were on the top floor, in a loft room. The kids absolutely loved it because they could climb a ladder to go upstairs.
This was the view from our room...stunning!
After checking out our room, we explored the lodge. We went on a "loop trail" that was a 0.25 mile. Then we had dinner in the lodge restaurant, and ended our evening with a nice relaxing view from the patio.
After checking out our room, we explored the lodge. We went on a "loop trail" that was a 0.25 mile. Then we had dinner in the lodge restaurant, and ended our evening with a nice relaxing view from the patio.
While we were up in the mountains we did not have reception with our cell phones, and no access to Internet (hence the late entry). Saturday we went on another nature walk-this one a little more interesting...
6.04.2010
Day 6
On Thursday we spent a good portion of our day at the Georgia Aquarium. If any picture could sum this trip up, it would be this one....very big!
The Georgia Aquarium is the world's largest aquarium with more than 100,000 animals and 500 different species.
They also feature a whale shark in these waters!
Jelly fish! First time we had ever seen one of these!
No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you-they are really that large!
Caleb, Katelynn what are you doing in the water?! =)
They also feature a whale shark in these waters!
Jelly fish! First time we had ever seen one of these!
No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you-they are really that large!
Caleb, Katelynn what are you doing in the water?! =)
Friday we will be leaving the Atlanta area to head north to Amicalola Falls, GA. We are very excited to see the Blue Ridge mountains and enjoy some hiking!!
6.03.2010
Day 5
We spent Wednesday in the Atlanta area. I had no idea how big this city was!! We meandered around Decatur, Tucker, Marietta, and Roswell (where our hotel is). We also drove through the city of Atlanta and spent time in a beautiful place called Piedmont park:
In comparison, it was a day of relaxation and we enjoyed the beautiful views. It was nice to come back to the same hotel and get a good nights sleep.
Thursday we're planning on going to the Georgia Aquarium and maybe getting in a little shopping =)
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