Smelling the Roses in Atlanta

On our way to Mississippi , we stayed the night at an Air Force base in Atlanta so that the next morning we might have a little while at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. The $15 adult admission was free to us because our local botanical garden participates in the American Horticultural Society's reciprocal admissions program. Below is husband and babe among the pretty walkway and under the city's skyline.

We were blessed with beautiful weather. It was perfectly sunny and warm with a refreshing cool breeze.

Inside the hothouse

Isn't this picture really neat? Husband took it, and his skill surprised me because he is not into photography. It was taken in the same hothouse as the picture above it. There were these interesting thin rope like plants dangling through most of the hothouse.

These orchids were amazing! Have you ever seen so many? It was a feast for my eyes as these are my favorite flower next to roses.

I wonder what she is looking at?
I love this shot, and her expression is really funny.

Husband is exploring a fragrance garden with baby. This is one of my all time favorite pictures of the two of them!
Mommy and babe under the gazebo

Daddy and babe under the same gazebo. Daddies are just more fun!We had a wonderful time while in Atlanta. On our way to the gardens we drove along a few streets with beautiful old homes. They were not only massive but also had a lot of character and unique beauty. I would have loved to stay in the city longer, yet we had to get driving to MS.

First Family Vacation with Babe

Last year in RI
Do you remember our three week getaway to Newport, Rhode Island last year? A similar situation presented itself this summer, and I jumped at the opportunity to go on "vacation" with husband while he underwent four weeks of training at the NCBC in Gulfport, MS. Since we saw and did so much while away, I will fill you in over the next few weeks rather than in one gigantic post. While we were in Rhode Island last year, we had the opportunity to tour several summer cottages (read huge amazing mansions for use only in the summer). Two of the amazing vacation homes we were able to tour were built for the Vanderbilt family. The Breakers (pictured above) is the most famous of the RI mansions. While we were touring through Marble House (below), we were told the story of how the daughter of the house was pressured into marrying a duke because of his status. Now when this is what you consider a summer cottage how much higher in status can you go?


We then ran across a picture of this Duke's palace. I remember husband exclaiming, "Now, THAT is a palace." Little did I know that a few months later while in Europe I would see in person what we have marveled over in print. Blenheim Palace did not disappoint!

I was delighted to learn that our summer trip to Mississippi would take us close to yet another Vanderbilt home. Here we are on day two of our travels in front of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC.


The view was lovely.

I love fishponds.

My loves!
I greatly enjoyed walking through all the gardens and especially enjoyed the wooded trail we ventured through.

Below baby and I are on a balcony on the backside of the house. After several hours of exploring the outside, we went through a two hour tour of the mansion itself. It was beautifully decorated inside with original furniture.
I have never seen such beautiful columns.
Enjoying the lawn
After touring the house, we enjoyed a wine and chocolate tasting at the estate's winery. After baby's long day, she slept soundly all the way to Atlanta.