Karen and Lee Duquette have been to Stone Mountain, Georgia four times - 1975, 1986, 2002, and June 24-27, 2011 with their grandson, Alex |
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Located
on 3,200 acres of natural beauty, Stone Mountain Park features a wide variety
of fun family activities and things to do in the Atlanta, Georgia area.
Below, In 2011, two RV Gypsies and their grandson got to: •Trek through the treetops on Sky Hike, the nation's largest adventure course, well, Karen and Alex did. Take a Skyride to the top of Stone Mountain to get an up-close look at the Stone Mountain Carving. Ride a scenic train around the mountain. ;End the day at the world's largest laser light show featuring a fantastic fireworks finale! |
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In 1976 and 2002, Karen, Lee and their two children hiked the rough trail up Stone Mountain. Below, Lee Duquette on the trail in 2002. The Walk Up Trail is a 1.3-mile trail to the top of Stone Mountain ascending 786 feet (in elevation to a height of 1,686 feet. The trail was steep, but spectacular panoramic views and cool winds amazed everyone at the top. |
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Below: Lee Duquette enjoyed the view from the top of Stone Mountain in 2002. |
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In 2011, Karen, Lee and Alex took the Skyride up the mountain, which is said to be the rock's top attraction. This high-speed Swiss cable car provides a stunning view of the Confederate Memorial Carving as it transports guests more than 825 feet above ground to the top of Stone Mountain. | |
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Exiting the tram at the top, the two RV Gypsies and their grandson experienced amazing views of the Atlanta skyline, the Appalachian Mountains and more up to 60 miles away. | |
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Back at the bottom of Stone Mountain. the two RV Gypsies and their grandson climbed aboard the Scenic Railroad train, a full size locomotive from the 1940s with open-air cars. The trip included a lively five-mile excursion around the mountain with beautiful views of Stone Mountain and the surrounding landscape. Lee and Alex were not very well behaved on the train, but they had a blast. | |
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The two RV Gypsies and their grandson ate at the major restaurant at Stone Mountain Park. They were not thrilled with their meal. First of all, the restaurant did not even have milk which is Karen's preferred drink with a meal. No wonder everyone drinks so much soda that is not even healthy. Second, the rolls were not ready on a timely basis, then the rolls were taken out of the oven too soon, and the inside of the rolls were not cooked. Also, the two RV Gypsies felt as if they had to beg for a second roll. The restaurant only had honey butter, no regular butter. Finally and most importantly, the food was OK but not great. But despite this, the two RV Gypsies and their grandson laughed and enjoyed the moments. These comments do not make the restaurant good or bad in general, they are just comments about the experience of the two RV Gypsies on this date. | |
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The two RV Gypsies and their grandson ended their day at the world's largest laser light show featuring a fantastic fireworks finale! | |
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A rainy night for the laser show, but totally worth it. |
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Day two at Stone Mountain Park |
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The two RV Gypsies again visited Georgia's first 4-D theater which introduced "YOGI BEAR's 4-D Adventure," starring Dan Aykroyd (Yogi) and Justin Timberlake (Boo Boo). The 12-minute experience engaged guests through a 3D film and spectacular 4th dimension special effects. This original film follows Yogi and Boo Boo during zany adventures to try to snatch picnic baskets from unsuspecting park guests. |
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The two RV Gypsies and their grandson learned about Stone Mountain Park's history in a splashy way with "Ride The Ducks". This tour went from land to water to land again! The Duck vehicles are 1940's era Army DUKWs, converted into comfortable open-air vehicles for the riders' viewing and listening pleasure. | |
The two RV Gypsies and their grandson made lots of noise with the duck quackers provided as part of the duck ride. | |
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Below: One duck coming out of the water, and another duck going in. |
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Views of Stone Mountain from the Duck |
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The daily concert
from the 732-bell Carillon is one of the true joys of Stone Mountain Park.
The Carillon was donated to the Park by friends at Coca-Cola after being
exhibited in the 1964 World's Fair in New York City.
Guests can hear concerts at the Carillon every day. Concerts are at 1:00, 3:00 and 5:00 PM on Sundays and at 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM, Monday-Saturday. Concerts are live on Saturday and Sunday and are taped, Monday through Friday. Stone Mountain Park's carillon has been played by Mabel Sharp for over 30 years. |
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Just as The duck got back on land, the two RV Gypsies saw a deer in the woods. |
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The two RV Gypsies and their grandson also puttered around on a miniature golf course based on the real-life adventures of the Great Locomotive Chase. The course had train-inspired design elements. | |
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The most fun for Alex was the Sky Hike: a trek through the treetops on one of the nation's largest family adventure course. It is a quarter of a mile course with suspended wooden bridges and rope crossings. Alex stepped from one wooden slat to another and balanced on a single rope high above the ground. There are several layers: a 12 foot trail for beginners, a 24 foot high trail for the somewhat courageous and the super challenge trail at nearly 40 feet in the air (four stories high), for the true dare devil. | |
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Karen
Duquette did the lower level of the Sky Hike, while Alex mastered the rest of the Sky Hike. Lee did not attempt it. |
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Alex
on the Sky Hike at various levels |
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Stone Mountain Campground sign and welcome wagon |
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A rip-roaring campfire and s'mores - something Alex loved. |
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June 27th was the birthday of the two RV Gypsies' son, Brian Lee Duquette. Each year, it is a sad day for the two RV Gypsies, but because their grandson Alex was with them on this trip, they hid their pain and acted like it was a normal day. Karen Duquette wore her blouse with Brian's initials in a heart, as she does every year on this date. For more information on Brian, use the "Brian" button above. Brian will always shine as a bright star. |
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Alex
Jones and his giant-sized, fancy s'mores |
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This s'more had wings |
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Below: As they walked to the pool, Alex kept beating his grandfather with a noodle. |
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