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1/18/2019: We put off celebrating Dylan’s big 10 birthday due to travel constraints. We also presented him with a couple options for things to do in Atlanta and he picked the Georgia Aquarium. Now, for those of you that don’t know, the Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the world…..by a long shot! Apparently aquariums are ranked by number of gallons in their largest tank. Now it’s time for a little perspective; Everybody’s “Gold Standard” in the USA seems to be the Monterey Aquarium and their largest tank is 1.2 million gallons of water which puts them at #6 in the world. Let's skip ahead to the 2nd largest in the world though and that would be the Dubai Mall Aquarium; they have a 2.64 million gallon tank. How about the Georgia Aquarium? Hang onto something…….6.3 million gallons of water! That is not a typo…..and trust me when I say it is HUGE!
1/18/2019: We put off celebrating Dylan’s big 10 birthday due to travel constraints. We also presented him with a couple options for things to do in Atlanta and he picked the Georgia Aquarium. Now, for those of you that don’t know, the Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the world…..by a long shot! Apparently aquariums are ranked by number of gallons in their largest tank. Now it’s time for a little perspective; Everybody’s “Gold Standard” in the USA seems to be the Monterey Aquarium and their largest tank is 1.2 million gallons of water which puts them at #6 in the world. Let's skip ahead to the 2nd largest in the world though and that would be the Dubai Mall Aquarium; they have a 2.64 million gallon tank. How about the Georgia Aquarium? Hang onto something…….6.3 million gallons of water! That is not a typo…..and trust me when I say it is HUGE!
The enormity of this viewing window simply boggles the imagination; It is 63ft long, 27ft high, tips the scale at a scant 240,000 pounds and is 2 feet thick. It is, without question, the absolute best High Definition TV I’ve ever seen and I could watch it all day long and never get bored!
The enormity of this viewing window simply boggles the imagination; It is 63ft long, 27ft high, tips the scale at a scant 240,000 pounds and is 2 feet thick. It is, without question, the absolute best High Definition TV I’ve ever seen and I could watch it all day long and never get bored!
The “main attraction” of this tank is the four whale sharks they have. Up close and in person, these whale sharks are just stunning to look at and watch. It blows my mind to think that there are many, MANY sea creatures out there in the wild that are much, MUCH bigger than these things. It’s also worth mentioning that they have Manta Rays in this tank that are bigger than our RV!
The “main attraction” of this tank is the four whale sharks they have. Up close and in person, these whale sharks are just stunning to look at and watch. It blows my mind to think that there are many, MANY sea creatures out there in the wild that are much, MUCH bigger than these things. It’s also worth mentioning that they have Manta Rays in this tank that are bigger than our RV!
When you are heading into the main aquarium viewing room, you stand on moving walkway inside a tunnel that passes through tank itself. Of course that means that there are ALL kind of interesting creatures that are swimming all around you.
When you are heading into the main aquarium viewing room, you stand on moving walkway inside a tunnel that passes through tank itself. Of course that means that there are ALL kind of interesting creatures that are swimming all around you.
That thing that I found jaw dropping about this place is the fact that that main viewing tank that crowns them “King” of the aquarium world is just _one_ area of the aquarium. There are multiple areas under the roof with multiple different tanks, displays, shows and attractions. As an example, they have a HUGE dolphin tanks that also serves as Sea World/Shamu style “show” (which you're not allowed to take pictures of!)….and that’s just another ONE of the areas….of MANY.
That thing that I found jaw dropping about this place is the fact that that main viewing tank that crowns them “King” of the aquarium world is just _one_ area of the aquarium. There are multiple areas under the roof with multiple different tanks, displays, shows and attractions. As an example, they have a HUGE dolphin tanks that also serves as Sea World/Shamu style “show” (which you're not allowed to take pictures of!)….and that’s just another ONE of the areas….of MANY.
A penguin tank with tunnels for crawling around under the water.
A penguin tank with tunnels for crawling around under the water.
It was really just an amazing place. If you are ever in, around or near Atlanta, it is a must see. Do not pass 'Go', do not collect $200, just buy a ticket and go in. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
It was really just an amazing place. If you are ever in, around or near Atlanta, it is a must see. Do not pass 'Go', do not collect $200, just buy a ticket and go in. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
Naturally, being a birthday, there had to be presents..........
Naturally, being a birthday, there had to be presents..........
....and cake.....
....and cake.....
....and singing.....
....and singing.....
1/20/2019: CNN World Headquarters. If I’m being honest, it was a tad underwhelming and picture taking was severely restricted. Grace did volunteer to experiment with “Green Screen” technology and she became a floating head on a weather map.
1/20/2019: CNN World Headquarters. If I’m being honest, it was a tad underwhelming and picture taking was severely restricted. Grace did volunteer to experiment with “Green Screen” technology and she became a floating head on a weather map.
1/21/2019: Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Nestled in a beautiful old neighborhood in Atlanta is this really nicely done museum and 10 acre outdoor area with trails, interactive exhibits and play structures. With the exception of the aquarium, this was the best thing we saw in Atlanta. Really, REALLY nice place!
1/21/2019: Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Nestled in a beautiful old neighborhood in Atlanta is this really nicely done museum and 10 acre outdoor area with trails, interactive exhibits and play structures. With the exception of the aquarium, this was the best thing we saw in Atlanta. Really, REALLY nice place!
Inside, they have the largest dinosaur ever classified, the 123ft. Argentinosaurus.
Inside, they have the largest dinosaur ever classified, the 123ft. Argentinosaurus.
These "stick your face in it" type of picture opportunities simply never get old. They make me laugh every time!
These "stick your face in it" type of picture opportunities simply never get old. They make me laugh every time!
The outdoor area was really the highlight. Just an amazing array of walkways, climbing feature, sculptures, trees…..and….and….and……it was all just so well done and so well maintained.
The outdoor area was really the highlight. Just an amazing array of walkways, climbing feature, sculptures, trees…..and….and….and……it was all just so well done and so well maintained.
This was an interesting part of the day. They have this rope bridge that connects two different climbing structures. It’s probably 25-ish feet of the ground and being rope, it’s very see-through (duh). Well, heights and see-thru-ness is not usually a combination that interests Grant. In fact, he’d typically run the other way. Not today though! He was going to do this rope bridge and nobody was going to tell him different. He walked out on this thing on his own accord. I thought he’d take one step out there and turn around….nope, he did the whole darn thing!
This was an interesting part of the day. They have this rope bridge that connects two different climbing structures. It’s probably 25-ish feet of the ground and being rope, it’s very see-through (duh). Well, heights and see-thru-ness is not usually a combination that interests Grant. In fact, he’d typically run the other way. Not today though! He was going to do this rope bridge and nobody was going to tell him different. He walked out on this thing on his own accord. I thought he’d take one step out there and turn around….nope, he did the whole darn thing!
For the love of all that is holy, everybody seems to be getting in on this photo-bombing game!
For the love of all that is holy, everybody seems to be getting in on this photo-bombing game!
This tree was crazy! We’ve all see those trees that had trunks that split somewhere and it grew into two trees. This one did that at some point in its life, but then it grew back together and THEN it split again. Mother Nature is so nutty sometimes!
This tree was crazy! We’ve all see those trees that had trunks that split somewhere and it grew into two trees. This one did that at some point in its life, but then it grew back together and THEN it split again. Mother Nature is so nutty sometimes!
Here you’re supposed to identify what you are touching without looking.
Here you’re supposed to identify what you are touching without looking.
The concept of these “picture frames” is simple; they are scattered throughout the nature area and you can spin them around and take pictures of nature with the picture frame already in place. They look better with Grace in them though.
The concept of these “picture frames” is simple; they are scattered throughout the nature area and you can spin them around and take pictures of nature with the picture frame already in place. They look better with Grace in them though.
Hands down the best picture of the day! Grace was jumping and spinning and I caught it juuuust right! The sun casting her shadow and coming through the woven vine arch really made this one visually “work” for me.
Hands down the best picture of the day! Grace was jumping and spinning and I caught it juuuust right! The sun casting her shadow and coming through the woven vine arch really made this one visually “work” for me.
While in the Atlanta area, we stayed at the "Georgia International Horse Park", which is where all the equestrian events for the 1996 Olympic games were held. Now-a-days, part of their revenue stream is to allow people like us to use their grounds for RV camping. It was a nice place with lots of nice people, but oddly enough, very little in the way of horses. However, they did have quite a nice network of nature trails and learning about the Atlanta area wildlife.
While in the Atlanta area, we stayed at the "Georgia International Horse Park", which is where all the equestrian events for the 1996 Olympic games were held. Now-a-days, part of their revenue stream is to allow people like us to use their grounds for RV camping. It was a nice place with lots of nice people, but oddly enough, very little in the way of horses. However, they did have quite a nice network of nature trails and learning about the Atlanta area wildlife.
1/27/2019 The Delta Flight Museum. Yep, we’re gonna do another flight museum! I’m pretty nerdy about this stuff, so werrrrrrrrrrrr’re going in!
1/27/2019 The Delta Flight Museum. Yep, we’re gonna do another flight museum! I’m pretty nerdy about this stuff, so werrrrrrrrrrrr’re going in!
This was a really cool cut away of a radial engine and in place of the propeller, there is a hand crank. Obviously, when you turn the crank you get to see how a radial engine works.
This was a really cool cut away of a radial engine and in place of the propeller, there is a hand crank. Obviously, when you turn the crank you get to see how a radial engine works.
Now, THIS was cool! Here you sit in a seat with a yoke and a pair of pedals. The movements you make with these aircraft controls is “acted out” in front of you by the plane. It gives you an amazing perspective of what actually happens to a plane when you move the controls.
Now, THIS was cool! Here you sit in a seat with a yoke and a pair of pedals. The movements you make with these aircraft controls is “acted out” in front of you by the plane. It gives you an amazing perspective of what actually happens to a plane when you move the controls.
This thing is a "Pedal Car" type of toy-ish thing. It was apparently used in parades and Delta promo events. It's almost the size of a VW Bug! I'm not sure who was pedaling this thing in parades, but i'd like to see their legs!
This thing is a "Pedal Car" type of toy-ish thing. It was apparently used in parades and Delta promo events. It's almost the size of a VW Bug! I'm not sure who was pedaling this thing in parades, but i'd like to see their legs!
Even jumping, the kid can’t reach the top of a 747 engine cowl!
Even jumping, the kid can’t reach the top of a 747 engine cowl!
Grant’s favorite “Plane” of the day! ……I’m not joking.
Grant’s favorite “Plane” of the day! ……I’m not joking.
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