Bubba's home!!
The heat and humidity remind us of Brisbane's climate. Ironically, several years ago, when discussing potential work opportunities, I'd remarked to Dave that I wouldn't want to live any further north than Sydney, as heat and me don't get along ... It's going to be a looooong summer! We don't have a pool, but airconditioning might just save my life - and our marriage!
La Grange is to the left of the map, Atlanta on the top edge, with Macon just off frame to the right
The internal rafters were covered in graffiti ... "Jesus loves you" was typical of the profound and literary offerings
Not at all posing for the camera
Naturally cheeky!
Yep, trying to fall in
Daniel's hoping his frantic leaf-waving might attract a butterfly
Can you see one?
Entranced and stationary ... for a moment, anyway!
Unfortunately, these little beauties were tricky to photograph - this is the best of the bunch!
Losing our patience and about to lose our hat
Considering taking flight ourselves!
Caught in the act
It really was as beautiful outside the enclosure as it was inside
Finally!!!!!!!!
Leaves, stems and flowers are all made from copper!!
Doing some artwork in the Visitors Centre
Waiting for lunch ... it took a while, but what an outlook while we waited!
Ida Callaway, to whom the chapel is dedicated ...
Now that school's out for the year, we have the pleasure of Isabella's company for two whole months. Not sure how we'll - I'll(!) - go with that, but we do have a few activities planned: Art Camp - she doesn't actually sleep overnight anywhere - just attends a programme for 5 mornings in a row; gymnastics; and swimming. Hopefully, these will stop her from bouncing off, and me from climbing up, the rather high walls in our house.
In between visitors, and to mark the start of Isabella's first summer holiday - I mean "vacation" - we decided to head west for the Memorial Day long weekend, staying in a place called La Grange, just east of the Alabama-Georgia border. La Grange was our stepping stone to a few local attractions, namely Callaway Gardens and Warm Springs - where Franklin D Roosevelt used to spend his holidays.
Heading west, through some tiny - and somewhat depressed little towns - we came across an old covered bridge. It was as good an opportunity as any to stop for a bit, and give us all a little break. Did I mention that Isabella had been vomiting on and off since before we left home? What a great start to a long weekend ... Luckily, the poor thing was only sickly for the day, and I'd packed a bowl, plenty of water, wipes and mints, so the car, and the rest of us didn't suffer too much with her!!
Callaway Gardens is a massive wooded parkland, including lakes, walking/cycling trails, golf course, tree-top adventure course, and more. The lush environment is home to an amazing array of bird life with beautiful mature beech, oak and maple trees. The azaleas had mostly finished their display but we couldn't help but be impressed by the towering magnolia trees - impressive specimens with full blooms perfuming the humid air with a delicately sweet aroma.
We arrived just in time to see the Free Flight Show with owls and hawks - they were gorgeous things swooping over our heads. It reminded us of Taronga Zoo's show, though this one didn't require the audience to provide coinage for birdy retrieval.
Callaway is also famous for its Butterfly enclosure, which, according to our Frommer's guide, is on par with similar exhibits in London, Tokyo, and Melbourne - yay, for Melbourne!
It was incredible, and while Isabella patiently stood still and pretended to be a floral display so a butterfly would land on her- her hat helped, Daniel preferred to muck around in the water feature and barrel up and down the spiraling and sloping path, collecting anyone who stood in his way.
The impressive Visitors Centre had a wildlife photography exhibition, as well as floral sculptural displays, made entirely of copper wire and sheets - so delicate and life-like.
After lunch, we hired some bikes to further explore the park. We rode, on and off, for over two hours and Isabella did incredibly well, only really flagging towards the end - as were we all!
Cycling was an incredible way to see the Gardens: on our meanderings we visited a cute little woodland chapel - my ACU friends would be proud; and a lake with a waterskiing competition underway, where we stopped for a paddle on a sandy beach and a slurp on some sickly coloured lolly ice concoctions.
All in all, a great day in a beautiful environment.
The stained glass windows depict the gardens throughout the seasons ...
Next installment, Warm Springs, and FDR's Little White House ...
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