Pettit Creek Farms

Ooh how I wish I had taken pictures of this place. Last year we looked for Christmas trees here, decided they were a little too pricey and then regretted later that we didn't take the plunge and get one. So this year we drove over Monday afternoon to get a tree. Ok, this is just a Christmas tree lot on the side and really an animal rescue place for real. It is in Cartersville and they have who knows how many acres where they keep their rescued buffalo (0r are they bison- they have 2 now), camels (dromedary's- the one hump kind... they have about 5), the tallest pig I have ever seen, various goats, emus, ostriches, chickens, ducks (they may have arrived on their own though- when we drove by the little pond on the way out, they were all butt up under water eating- now that was quite a sight), reindeer, lambs, peacocks and the requisite dogs and cats. Not really sure if it is a rescue place or not, but they do collect a weird variety of animals and then make sure they are well taken care of. They have a hay ride thing at halloween and then they 'decorate' for Christmas and give car 'tours' through the property. It is all very down home and relaxed and fun. I made a fast friend in Duke, the black Great Dane, while we were picking out our tree. He is 5'9" when he stands up on his back legs, but he just loved melding in too my body (you know how a big dog just kind of leans and leans into you until you have to lean back or you will be knocked over) while I scratched his head and face. I love this place! maybe we will drive back so i can take pictures to post. Oh and Sarah, Stone Mtn is about an hour away.

Stone Mountain 3- the evening entertainment

I'm not sure who is telling whom "I told you so" in this picture but you know it is one of them! The 3 Confederate heroes chiseled on the rock (Lee, Jackson and Jeff Davis- no not our relative :-) ) We stayed in the freezing weather to see the Christmas lights, a show and a somewhat disappointing parade, but left before the fireworks (my decision). Thankfully Bry and Kim had leant Wood and me jackets and a scarf because it was freezing to death! Notice the almost full moon in the sky.

Stone Mountain 2

We had fun exploring the top Atlanta from the rock! Oh well you can't really see it from this photo but Wood is pointing to Red Top Mountain out there in the distance Atlanta through the pine trees. I guess pine trees really are the weeds of Georgia, but I still like them :-) A view on the way down in the gondola

Stone Mountain

We went to Stone Mountain with Bry and Kim yesterday to see the rock and the Christmas sights. We believe it is the largest outcropping of granite east of the Mississippi (outdone by Half Dome in Yosemite) Kim and Wood were really good sports about going to the top. I think they loved it once they got there. View from the gondola on the way up At the peak!

Lots of laughs

Although not the best picture of the lot, this one certainly did capture Bob, Brandon and Sheri having lots of fun before he left for his permanent station in the Army in Colorado. 

Welcome home sunset

I can't tell you how glad I am to be home from our trip out west. Wood got a twinkle back in his eye as soon as we landed in Atlanta. Our house welcomed us home and even the sky put on her best colors to remind us of the glorious sunsets that await us here. "Gee but its great to be back home..... home is where I want to be (courtesy Simon and Garfunkel)