I'm baaaaack! And one year older! Whoo hoo! I spent my birthday weekend at Stone Mountain, GA! I have been telling Mike for years about this place and he surprised me for my birthday with a weekend camping trip! What a surprise! I have to say, that when he finally told me where we were going, I broke down in tears. There is something about Stone Mountain that holds such a special place in my heart. When I think about the times we spent there, as a family, I remember, bliss. I remember summer evenings filled with laughter, unity and of course Kentucky Fried Chicken! We would head out to the park, lay down a blanket and play in the perfectly manicured grass, awaiting the infamous, LASER SHOW! How magical it was. I just remember a feeling of peace and security when we were there, as a family. Needless to say, I headed to Stone Mountain with all of those expectations on mind. I wanted to feel like a kid again. I can't hold back here. I wanted to feel, again, those moments I felt when we were there, years ago. I can't even come up with the words when I think about it. It was so happy and so freeing. All I think about was how wide and long the stretch of grass was. It went on forever. It's like as many problems as we may have had, there was enough lawn to consume it all while we were there. There were no walls or restrictions. I could give over whatever anxiety or stress I felt, to the lawn. Sounds crazy, I know. But that's how I can sum it up. It was my release. So here were are..........my heart was pounding when I saw this sign!
We arrived at the camp site and starting unloading. The tent we borrowed from a friend was suppose to come with instructions. It didn't. Uh oh, is right! We summoned some neighbor campers who assisted us with our tent. It was awesome once it was put up. we then headed straight for the mountain. It's time to clime. Here I am, all smiles, ready to take the mountain, head one.
Here I am, just starting to climb, still as optimistic as can be.
And I'm beaten by the mountain! Holy Cow! This thing was way shorter, but waaaaaaaay harder than I ever remember! Oh my goodness! It was so hot out!
We finally made it to the top. And it was amazing.
Out of order but here is our camp site.
After the climb we went back to the site to take showers and get ready for the July 4th Laser Show and fireworks. How excited was I! They supplied a water taxi to take the campers to the lawn but it ended up being a 1 hr. wait b/c of the amount of people. We finally arrived at the lawn and coudn't find a seat. We couldn't even make it to the lawn it was sooo packed. We actually had some friends coming to meet us who were turned away at the entrance to Stone Mountain bc they were over capacity. I was a little upset. I had envisioned this cool summer evening with a blanket laid out and lots of leg room. Nope! Didn't exist that night! So I plopped us down on a slab of concret and we watched. So that was that night. The next day we headed back up to the lawn at 10:00am and set a chairs and a blanket for the Saturday night show. I was prepared this time.
Here we are!!! I made it to the lawn! Yay!!!!! This was magical for me! I was thrilled!
Had to do some cartwheels! My arms are still sore! I'm old!!! Haha
Look at Mike go!
We took the skylift to the top and got an amazing view.
We arrived at the camp site and starting unloading. The tent we borrowed from a friend was suppose to come with instructions. It didn't. Uh oh, is right! We summoned some neighbor campers who assisted us with our tent. It was awesome once it was put up. we then headed straight for the mountain. It's time to clime. Here I am, all smiles, ready to take the mountain, head one.
Here I am, just starting to climb, still as optimistic as can be.
And I'm beaten by the mountain! Holy Cow! This thing was way shorter, but waaaaaaaay harder than I ever remember! Oh my goodness! It was so hot out!
We finally made it to the top. And it was amazing. 
Out of order but here is our camp site.
After the climb we went back to the site to take showers and get ready for the July 4th Laser Show and fireworks. How excited was I! They supplied a water taxi to take the campers to the lawn but it ended up being a 1 hr. wait b/c of the amount of people. We finally arrived at the lawn and coudn't find a seat. We couldn't even make it to the lawn it was sooo packed. We actually had some friends coming to meet us who were turned away at the entrance to Stone Mountain bc they were over capacity. I was a little upset. I had envisioned this cool summer evening with a blanket laid out and lots of leg room. Nope! Didn't exist that night! So I plopped us down on a slab of concret and we watched. So that was that night. The next day we headed back up to the lawn at 10:00am and set a chairs and a blanket for the Saturday night show. I was prepared this time. 
Here we are!!! I made it to the lawn! Yay!!!!! This was magical for me! I was thrilled!
Had to do some cartwheels! My arms are still sore! I'm old!!! Haha
Look at Mike go!
We took the skylift to the top and got an amazing view.
Mike did the ropes course and was amazing! Look at him go!
At the end of the weekend, I was so happy with everything. Camping was a new adventure for us and was so much fun! We made it to the LaserShow on Saturday, on the lawn, exactly as I remembered it. Mike, I have to say, totally came through. He tried in every way to make this experience what it meant to me years ago. And I thank him for that.
