STONE MOUNTAIN EXPEDITION, version 2.0!

I recently had an opportunity to return to Stone Mountain Park, while on a group tour with Making Memories Tours (www.MakingMemoriesTours.com) and this time, I had the opportunity to ride the cable car to the summit of the mountain.

Even before one arrives at the top, the visitor can enjoy breathtaking scenery in all directions, from this elevation,  as you either stand or sit, inside the window-lined compartment:

 The only problem with taking pictures from inside the cable car, is that you may get reflections from the glass windows.  

After exiting cable car at the top, there is an abundance of amenities for the guests, including placards that help educate a viewer on how the mountain was formed:

I was so thankful to have this opportunity to be "on top of the world", that I lifted my arms in gratitude to our Creator, for the beauty of His creation!

Apparently, I was not the only one happy

to make this journey, as I observed another visitor, with her phone on a tripod, taking a selfie, doing the same gesture!

 

Not surprisingly, there are very few trees on top of the mountain, but this group of visitors found a shady spot under one of them: 

Seeing the aerial tram suspended high above the mountain, may discourage a visitor who is afraid of heights!

The Atlanta skyline is barely visible in the distance: 

One can see some recreational lakes at the base of the mountain:

The markings on the side of the solid rock mountain make for an interesting geology lesson!

I was glad to see the Geodetic Survey Marker, as I explored the top of the mountain.

These three folks, who were part of my Making Memories tour group, seemed to be enjoying taking in the view, as they waited to catch a return tram, back down to the bottom.  

For those who want to walk, instead of taking the aerial cable car, there is a thick white line painted on the rock that shows the way to the trailhead at the top and the trailhead at the bottom.  If one ignores this line, they may get lost, and lead others astray.  I am using this image as a visual aid for one of my First Place 4 Health (www.FirstPlace4Health.com) memory verses that says, "Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray."  Proverbs 10:17.

The entry to the aerial cable car facility is impressive, and is called SKYRIDE PLAZA.  It did not look like this when I visited almost a decade ago, so I am thankful for this return visit!

The remainder of this blog, recounts my visit in 2016:

Stone Mountain Park ( stonemountainpark.com )is located just outside Atlanta, Georgia, and has been a popular tourist attraction for decades.  It includes walking paths, picnic areas, museum, and various types of rides.  My friend and I made a stop to this familiar landmark, on our way to attend a Road Scholar ( www.roadscholar.org ) program in Florida.

The centerpiece of the park is the famous rock relief carving on its north face, said to be the largest bas-relief carving in the world. 

The carving covers a surface area of 1.57 acres, and is recessed 42 feet into the mountain.

The carving was started in 1925 by Gutzon Borglum, who went on to become famous for carving the presidential faces on Mount Rushmore, in South Dakota.

This photo of a different side of Stone Mountain, without a carving, can help one understand the immensity of the undertaking, and perhaps one of the reasons that Borglum abandoned the project.  The mountain can look less remarkable when viewed some angles, which may explain why I have no memory of it from my attendance at archery events for the 1996 Olympics, headquartered in Atlanta.  The Stone Mountain area was the location of both the archery and track cycling events for the 1996 Olympics. 

However, after many decades, and a long string of subsequent carvers/supervisors, the project was finally declared as "complete", on March 3, 1972. 

The carving depicts three Civil War figures---General Stonewall Jackson, General Robert E. Lee, and Confederate President Jefferson Davis.  This photo of the carving from a distance shows why it had to reach 400 feet above the ground, in order to be viewed, as one approached the mountain. 

One of the attractions at the park, which is operated by Hershend Family Entertainment Corporation, is the Skyride, shown in the upper left corner of this photo.  The Skyride has Swiss-built cable cars that take visitors to the top and back, and pass by the carving on the way.  (I am very familiar with the Hershend Family businesses, as they were started in Branson, Missouri, just 30 minutes from where I grew up, when they purchased Marvel Cave, and turned it into a tourist attraction)

For those who want to go to the summit, but do not want to take the cable cars, there is a walk-up trail on the west side of the mountain.  Keep in mind that the summit has an elevation of 1,686 feet above sea level, and rises 825 feet above the surrounding ground.  If you would enjoy hiking in the area, but do not want to make the climb, there are several other choices available, since the mountain has a 5 mile circumference at its base. 

In 2015, there was talk of destroying the carvings, because of their reference to the Civil War.  Fortunately, however, the Georgia State Legislature did not authorize their removal, citing the historical significance, and the fact that the same carver who did Mt. Rushmore U.S. Monument, also started this monument. 

When the sun hits the mountain at certain angles, it may sparkle.  That is because of the quartz monzonite that makes up its dome. 

There are several statues around the base of the monument that bring out various significant events in U.S. history.  Since pastor Martin Luther King mentioned Stone Mountain in his 1963 "I Have A Dream" speech in Washington, D.C., one of the remembrances has been a bell ringing.  In the speech, MLK proclaimed, "Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia."

Since I am from Arkansas, I wanted to take a photo of the monument that tells about my home state during the period of 1861-1865.  When thinking about the many Bible verses that have the word "stone" in them, I saw that my Jeremiah Study Bible listed 24 references.  The one that seemed most appropriate to go along with a story about my visit to Stone Mountain was in 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 that says, "You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh,, that is, of the heart." It refers to Paul contrasting the Old Testament covenant of God being written on tablets of stone, i.e., The Ten Commandments.   However, with the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for  my sins, the New Covenant is written on my heart, and seen in my actions.   This is one reason I participate in a healthy living program, called First Place 4 Health ( www.FirstPlace4Health.com )  .  It is a program that constantly reminds me that in order to serve God most effectively, I need as healthy a body as possible!  I want to live in a way that is pleasing to God, because that is the best way to be assured of "MILES OF SMILES"!  Tricia

ALPINE HELEN EXPEDITION!

Helen, Georgia is located in the northeastern area of the state.  The German flag on their sign below, reflects the fact that the city made an economic decision, several decades ago,  to brand itself like a Bavarian alpine town in the Alps Mountain Range, based on its proximity to the Appalachian Mountain Range.

The town is situated along the Chattahoochee River.

A lovely Riverside Park provides a respite for visitors to the area.

The photo below, of me with a round hay bale, painted to resemble a jack-o-lantern, should be a clue that I was visiting in October.

In keeping with Bavarian traditions, Alpine Georgia hosts an Oktoberfest that not only occurs in October, but also on the weekends of the month before and the month after!

The photo below shows one of numerous Alpine-themed murals that are located throughout the town.

The murals provide a wonderful photo opportunity to remind people they are actually in the USA, and not Bavaria!

The couple below is wearing the traditional ethnic attire of Bavaria.  The leather shorts with suspenders that the man is wearing, are called lederhosen .  The female is wearing a Dirndl, that consists of a closefitting bodice with a low neckline, a blouse worn under the bodice, a wide high-waisted skirt, and an apron.

I could not resist having my photo made with these four young fellas, sporting their lederhosen, as well as the traditional Bavarian head covering, called a Tyrolean hat (because it originated from the Tyrol area of the Alps). 

Even if you do not have the traditional attire, there is a photo opportunity where you can put your head into the opening of the sign below, and be a "Bavarian for a Day"!

Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture, having been held since the year 1810.  It originally took place in the 16-day period leading up to the first Sunday in October.  The Oktoberfest in Helen lasts much longer than the original!

I read on Wikipedia that in 2014, 7.7 million litres of beer were served at the actual German event.  I have not seen any statistics for amounts served at the Helen, Georgia event, although it appeared to be substantial!

 

A 1969 zoning ordinance that was adopted in Helen, Georgia, mandated that all architecture must be a replica of that which would be seen in a Bavarian alpine town.  The street scene below illustrates this concept.

Besides the unique shops and restaurants a visitor can peruse, there is also a town plaza, where one can enjoy the tunes played by street musicians, such as the one shown in this photo. 

I did all my exploring on foot, but one can also choose a horse-drawn carriage tour around the village.

 

 

If you want a different type of "horse power", there is a miniature train to hop on!

Tourism is a key economic activity in Helen, catering mostly to weekend visitors from the Atlanta area.  Special arrangements can be made for parking motorcoaches.

The village is also very popular for motorcyclists, who enjoy the amenities of Helen, as well as the beauty of the surrounding mountain roads. 

Since I was exploring on foot, I had no trouble accessing a lovely mountainside park, that sits on a hill overlooking the town.  The picturesque gazebo provides a great meeting place!

Looking through the wreath of autumn leaves gives one a bird's eye view of the downtown happenings

The park is also a good place to enjoy the autumn colors of the many hardwood trees surrounding the park.

One can also take their picnic meal to enjoy in the park, if they prefer the woods to a restaurant!

 

The park gives a good view of a very unique building, built with a windmill!

Outdoor dining can also be enjoyed at this riverside restaurant in the downtown area. 

 

The stores stay open later during weekend Oktoberfest, as illustrated by this twilight street scene.

This bridge near downtown is a popular crossing used by pedestrians, and the lights add a festive atmosphere.

Portions of the walkway beside the river are paved, and serve as access points to those who want to enjoy a restaurant beside the river, as opposed to a restaurant that sits above the river.

 

There is also a lodging property located adjacent to the river, which would be very convenient for festival attendees coming from out of town

Another interesting feature along the riverwalk, is the section of "love locks", placed there by couples who want to "lock" this visit into their memories!

Because the main highway that goes through downtown Helen ( Georgia Highway #75) can be somewhat congested during weekend festivals, readers might be interested to know there is a bypass route, labeled Georgia 75Alt, that would enable a driver to avoid traffic jams one might encounter on autumn weekends. 

One can visit the website of www.helenga.org for information on activities available throughout the year.

I felt very blessed to be able to take a walking tour of this quaint location, and want to credit the Grace of God, and the encouragement I have received through a healthy living program, called First Place 4 Health (www.FirstPlace4Health.com) for still having the ability to walk.  One aspect of the program (besides encouraging exercise and healthy eating) is to regularly work at memorizing Scripture.  Something that helps me memorize, is to have a visual picture in my mind, of some aspect of the verse.  I found such a visual aid in the hillside park, at Helen, Georgia, when I saw this paved PATH.  The memory verse has the  word "path" in it:--Hebrews 12:12-13 says,  "So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.  Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong."  (Week 5)

I hope YOU can mark out a straight path for your feet, that will lead you to visit the Alpine Village, of Helen, Georgia.  If you are like me, it will give you "MILES OF SMILES"!!  Tricia