Bluebirds Nest: Stone Mountain Georgia

Georgia was on our mind... until it dropped below 40...then we came back to Florida where we belong. ;)

So we spent our "Happy New Years" at Stone Mountain Park in Georgia. We've been there a couple of times and have enjoyed the Stone Mountain Christmas in the past. They do hokey "shows" and have a mini-disney feel with the lights, the nightly parade and the snow angel that makes it snow every evening. ;) All that is fine and dandy, but we really like the train ride at night and the show "The Gift" where the REAL meaning of Christmas is told in an "old town" setting... it's just beautiful.
The last time we visited was several years ago (at the same time of year) and we sure don't remember it being so crowded...boy howdy was it packed...the campground of full and we are just not into mega crowds. Last time we visited the campground was nearly empty... that was quite a few years ago, I guess with the addition of "snow Christmas" (snow blowers and tubing) it has become a bigger attraction. We left early last time we visited due to rain and cold.

Guess what? We left a day early this time as well. Don't get me wrong, it's a fun time, and if you have kids, they will definitely love it... but it ain't cheap! ... and it ain't warm! lol. Well, for us thin blooded Florida peeps it was just too cold, especially since our mode of travel while there was "Ruby"... our scooter.... just a weeee bit too cold for us. ;)

Our next trip to Stone Mountain will most likely be in the Spring or Fall, when we can see some color (wildflowers blooming or leaves changing color) and can spend some time hiking the woods in a more decent temperature. ;)

The views from the top of the granite mountain are really lovely, and the hike up is always fun!

Heading out early in the morning....Travelling was lovely until just outside of Atlanta, near McDonough... we hit a nasty traffic snag. We literally crawled and mostly didn't move at all for 2 1/2 hours!!!!

Schlotzskys for dinner!!! Sigh....why can't we just have one near us? :/

Cozy sleep in day...rainy day.

Rainy day breakfast... coffee... pancakes n' bacon.

New Years Eve...day... :) Lunch at The Commons Restaurant... Nice view of the Mountain and lake. Good food, decent prices, very friendly service. Cozy Fireplace. :)

Lovely weather this day... perfect for hiking the Mountain.

We even got hot ... and worn out, lol.

We like to leave the "beaten path" and take the harder route. ;) This is part of the "old" trail up the Mtn. I don't know when or why they changed it...

Awe.... Sweetness! The views are very pretty.

It's way more fun if you don't take the painted "trail" ... as long as you don't pass any signs that say "don't go beyond this point", you are free to roam about... we saw some white tailed deer out there.

New Years Eve .... millions of lights everywhere...so pretty.

Happy New Year from us two goofies!

Me and Ruby. :)

We took the Tram up the Mtn. this time, it was SO cold... I am actually freezing in this photo.

On the train... again... freeeeeeezing!!!!! lol

New Years Day Night. ;)

This is me after riding Ruby round the park... it's SO cold! Let's go home!

Yummy breakfast before we hit the road....

Packing up...We were on site 151. It had a deck and a full size gas grill, many sites do. Very nice addition. This site overlooks the lake and a nice view of the mountain as well, however it's right on a busy corner.