Retired and Happy (Ken)

There was a nice history of the train situation in our latest weekly newspaper in DeKalb County. They used the steam locomotives until a few years ago. Some diesels were donated by New Georgia Railway (now bankrupt) who used to run excursions all over GA including a dinner train into Stone Montain Park. The Steams had gotten too expensive and difficult to maintain, so the diesels are used exclusively now.

I walked up the mountain once...back in '87 or '89...anyway, when I was much younger. It does get quite steep near the top when they have you already suckered into believing you can make it. Back then they gave certificates for making it all the way up and back down. Still have mine around here somewhere.

Our house is off the south side of the mountain, probably in the trees somewhere past Stone Mountain Village. On the north side is the tennis venue built for Olympics...since also gone bankrupt because the local tennis players all live in the northern suburbs and wouldn't come to Stone Mountain after the Olympics. Also The TED was built for the opening ceremonies, etc, then partially torn back to create the baseball field the Braves now enjoy. The tram for getting to the top of the mountain was completely replaced for the Olympics with the larger cars and new cables you see today.

I also loved the Anna pictures, but in the interest of the rest of the story, the rest of Daves family is great too.... As was the whole group of fiends. Our family really enjoyed the outing.

And a special thanks to Carol for the trip report and the amazing pictures.

Brenda, If you lived in Gadsden, you may know or know of Steve Means (formar mayor) A BIG AUBURN FAN and classmate of mine.

And an early season War Eagle!

If we don't willingly contribute to Lou's later years (which are now) he won't spike us, eat our pie, or abuse us either in person or in the Forum. So smile when you pay the increase...whenever it comes. :banghead:

ThermaCell ad says it has a 15 inch by 15 inch protective zone. Is that a misprint. It also says that per Federal regulations it must be returned in its original packaging or special packaging obtained from the Post Office. What the heck is in that thing???

We also tow a trailer for the GC, wheelchairs, and Christmas decorations.

I wear my shoe inside and outside. We have two brooms and two vacuums, so occasional cleanup is no problem (for Judy). :rofl2:

Another point...there is golf cart parking at the Outpost bus stop and at the Settlement near the Marina, near the bus stop, and near Trail End. No car parking except at the overflow lot near the entrance, your site, and for 15 minutes near the Meadows Trading Post.

Blindfold DH until he is in the cabin. All the cabins are alike, but the locations may vary. Try a new adventure in a new location...just be sure it's in the Fort.

Haven't heard anything from Shanta in some time. You there Shanta?

To relax and spend time with the kids, as opposed to their doctors and therapists. Help them enjoy life.

Many of the pictures are everyday things around WDW. I see them. I point out things to the kids. I marvel at some. But I rarely take pictures. Someday when my traveling days are past, I will regret not having pictures to remind me of the joys of Disney vacations. There's an incredible amount of photographic material there, with or without family or FrIENDS in the pictures. I will try to make amends this Christmas if we get there.

KOA's are usually reliable, sight unseen, and we get a discount from them. We used to use COE campgrounds when I worked for them, but our rig is pretty big for a lot of parks and smaller campgrounds.

A couple times a year. One for a week or two, the other for 3-4 weeks.

Some of the previous poster noted the little things about Disney. I think some of TCD's trip reports could provide a lot of opportunity for new adventures, but be wary of some of Yuri's. I am also reminded of the Travels of the Puple Van back in another time and on another board. He posted some really obscure details most of us miss.

We go every visit. The last two I saw a meet and greet off toward the back side of the pavilion before the crowd was allowed into the pavilion. Then as we left early (high noise level for DS), we passed a meet and greet near the entrance with many of the characters on hand.

One of my most favorite attractions. They stopped it twice last time we visited. The announcement said something about an outside intruder that had to be caught before we could continue. They never did explain what happened. It just started again.

Of course I also like Small World, so what does THAT say?

I bought my last two off ebay. The older one was a lesson learned. It had a lot of hidden rust and it blew holes in two pistons on our first major trip. we drove back from NJ blowing smoke and stopping every 75 miles to add two quarts of oil. The second proved to be local and I was able to go inspect it before I placed a bid. We've had this one for about 9 years. Just do your homework. and protect yourself.

We installed a Red Dirt Devil central vac, but more often use a hand held Dust Buster mounted on a convenient corner wall in the bathroom. DW often sweeps the hard sections of floors when the rest of us are outside. We keep a small trash can in the bath and in the dining area, but more often use a large black garbage bag kept under the small table behind the passenger seat. We keep two laundry bags in the bathroom, usuallly in the shower...one for whites, one for colors. We use mostly paper products, foam plates. I refuse to remove my shoes going in or out, but we have carpet and a mat just outside the door that helps knock sand off.

With our crew, laundry is done at least every other day. Heavy cleaning gets done later at home.

The Disney trash cans are convenient and are located every few campsites around the loops. They also have recycling bins for aluminum, glass, plastic, and paper. During busy periods, these seem to be emptied a couple times a day.

Also the smaller boats don't accommodate open strollers or wheelchairs.

We've stayed in 1200 our past two visits. It's a premium loop. With a GC everything is close. The sites along the back road (mind block...where the Yellow bus runs), close to the 4-way stop, are bigger, but a bit more noisy.

Slight clarification. You catch the boat to the MK at the Marina. There are also smaller boats to GF and Cont .All other parks and DTD are by bus from the Outpost. There are three bus lines; yellow, orange, and purple, depending on what area you are in and where you want to go.

Robert, We saw your sign last evening while we were looping, but all was dark. Hope you enjoy your stay. We're here for another week in 1216. Yes, being (or is it getting) spiked is the best.

We haven't seen we3peas and we missed the Litchfields (no sign out).

You mean these will not be loaners? :dass:

Robert, We'll be there during your stay. Maybe run into you there, and thanks for your service.

As for how we got HERE, It was Other: an email from either Lou or Jen. Sorry, can't recall which. But it was in the first couple of days.

I still admit to posting occasionally over there, but mostly on the DISabilities forum. I did not get flushed, but received a substantial block of points for referring someone over there to Donnie for his rentals.

Look out Fort, we're almost on the way.

My father and two uncles returned safely from WWII, a nephew from the first Gulf War. I am grateful for their service and safety. All vets have done so much to keep the rest of us safe. I worked for the DoD for 38 years so I was around many active duty personnel who were in some outlandish places often under austere conditions because that is where the need is/was. Thanks to all.. It's no longer Veteran's Day, but I choose to be thankful every day.