It's the Real Thing-Spring Break Much Needed Getaway

With all the crazy winter freezing, bone chilling cold weather, you know when it is time for a getaway and I jumped at the chance. The trip was to see my friends who have just recently relocated to Atlanta, Georgia area from Sedalia to which I am still adjusting too, as are they into their new downsized living space.

As I left Kansas City Airport (still a shock to the system to adjust to all the newer security, sad that our society has had to be on our toes on a minute by minute basis) off I went to stop one Milwaukee, WI. Yes to get a cheaper flight you must go to all parts in between to get to your destination. After the layover I was happy to get a row to myself (almost unheard of these days with packed, overbooked flights) I was on my way to Atlanta.

Once at the Atlanta Airport I hopped onto the MARTA train. I have to say of the several I have had a chance to ride (NY Subway, DC, Los Angeles, Atlanta's rail system is clean, quick and easy and the end of the red line led me right too my destination and pick up by my friends).

Our first day out to explore was to the World of Coke Cola Museum.

The approximate two hour tour was well worth the price of admission. Although I rarely drink any coke or soda product as in years past, It was a fun experience trying all the flavors from around the world.  Favorite flavors were from South Africa which had a tropical fruit flavor, England had a ginger ale taste but the absolute worst taste of all was from Italy. If you see a can or bottle of Beverly take a chance but my opinion was that it tasted HORRIBLE!

The museum had a terrific display of memorabilia from the first coke porcelain urn dispenser to the Sochi 2014 Olympic souvenir glasses. Of course I had to take a picture of the figure skating glass.

After the museum we walked through 1996 Olympic Centennial Park. 

Having just recently watched the Sochi Olympics weeks before, this plaque at the bottom of  a statue was something that I think  people, not only athletes should take to heart.

Of course one of the things I truly enjoy about traveling the country is eating at off the beaten path eateries. Friday night Jennifer and Roger took me to a Cajun inspired restaurant in Canton, GA called The Roux. It was well worth the hour plus wait. The place was rather small, but the food was big. The Jambalaya was almost as if you were in New Orleans. Definitely a thumbs up experience.

How fitting that my visit was during the St. Patrick's Day festivities. Saturday morning we decided to take the MARTA to downtown and enjoy the parade. 

After having made several trips on the rail we met a very nice couple from South Africa on the trip. They joined us to watch and they were very interesting to talk too and learn how the weather in Atlanta is not that much different than South Africa. Although they had been living in Atlanta 13 years (they still had the accent). A little bit of MO again popped up in the parade with the Budweiser Clydesdale's being a highlight for the crowd. Also the largest human Irish flag at the end of the parade was a crowd pleaser. After about a two mile walk back downtown down the middle of Peachtree St. we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe. Food was delicious and the 80's music that played during our meal was fun.

My second to last day Jennifer and I decided to antique hunt and we found a great place. Just down the street from her was Red Baron's Antiques. 

Jennifer you can't take the dealer out of her.

Early switchboard (way before cell phones)

Apparently after talking to one of the proprietors he said this shop had spearheaded the Auction Kings show.  You name it they had it from vintage cars to a $37,000 bedroom set from a Spanish Monastery.  

Another terrific eatery was Le Bistro in Roswell Provisions at Canton, GA. We had the most wonderful cupcakes, quiche and tea. 

 My last day I was also able to visit a transplanted California friend. We have known each other since we were six and it was so much fun having lunch with her and talking about our lives today. Although we are far apart, Facebook has kept us in touch and I hope that we can try and stay in touch even more now that I have brought her and my other friend together. 

Overall it was a great trip, always nice to get away from the daily routine, glad my friends have gotten back to a life that is a little faster paced then what they have had for the last several years and look forward to exploring Atlanta again. The people were friendly, helpful and a breath of fresh southern hospitality. 

Up a Tree With a Whole Different Meaning

 I had my camping out period back when my son was in Scouting. Those weekend trips where my real first experience of the great outdoors. We would pack up on Friday night, drive a few hours, unpack and sleep under the stars and wake up the next morning at the butt crack of dawn.  His Dad and other parents would fix breakfast and we would start our day in nature. I have to say I really did enjoy those times but camping out is not for me at this time in my life.

Cut to present time.  Recently channel surfing I came across a program on Animal Planet called Treehouse Masters. I have to say, I am hooked!. Pete Nelson started this tree house building empire 30 years ago . Born in Brookhaven, NY his love for building and art was partly inspired by artist Michael Ince.  Over the weekend I came upon his special Ultimate Treehouses-The Roots, where he talked about how tree houses are not what they used to be or where they are going.

A brief overview gave an interesting look back at some of the first tree houses. France's oldest known tree house is build in an old oak tree in Allouville Bellefosse. Struck by lightening in the late 1600's, it still proudly stands today.

The oldest known tree house in the world is located in Great Britian at Stropshire's Pitchford Hall. Once visited by a 13 year old Queen Victoria, this house once a tourist attraction, still strands proud and untouched.

One of the repair projects that Pete Nelson took on stands right in my old back yard in Sherman Oaks, California. Rick Polizzi built a "haunted" tree house in his front yard. Each year he elaborately decorates it for the ghoulish holiday and conducts tours. See pics at hauntedlawn.blogspot.com.

In most of the episodes I have watched of Treehouse Masters, the prices seem to run between $40,000 and $90,000. It all depends on how much your childhood memory turns into an adult reality.

One tree house in the State of Alaska Pete did a repair on was all built with recycled materials and literally put together with just a saw, hammer and nails. After almost 20 years, this tree house can only be accessed by helicopter and has no heat, running water or electricity. This is the true meaning of "back to nature".

As a kid my grandparents had two very large avocado trees in the back yard. I always imagined having a tree house in them, someplace to have personal, quiet adventures. Much like Scouts' brother Jim in "To Kill A Mockingbird" a place to get away and just think, the tree house's of today bring a whole different meaning to up in the trees.

Futuristic tree houses and science fiction, reptilian looking mock ups, many people have a view of what they see in a tree house in the future. Somethings are best left to plain old nature. This kind I don't mind at all.