And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.......

Leap Year Day - February 29

We left the waves behind and headed to Atlanta today.  This trip was about 12 years in the making.  Every year started the same - "We should go see the Darbys in Atlanta!"  Finally we arrive.

Since Jim is like king at SAIA, it seemed appropriate that he would arrange for us to stay at the Hilton castle on the hill( that is of course, if you can find it).  Let's just say we found it once  in our three day stay and let it go at that!

Here we are arriving at the Darby's real castle.  It's five miles from our hotel and took about 45 minutes to get there - if you were following the Fogels!  Our navigational skills rear their ugly heads again.

Cindy had a full day planned for us - even though it was afternoon when we started!  We were going to lunch at Zaxby's, an Atlanta restaurant with excellent salads and Texas toast.  Then, off to the Georgia Premium Outlet Mall!  Everyone in this picture is smiling even though it hasn't registered with Larry and Bob just what it means to go to the outlet mall! 

Ah yes, hundreds of stores!! And everything is on sale!!

We had to split up and of course, it was along gender lines. The men did laps around the outside, while the women paced themselves inside.

Bob somehow managed to buy a new outfit - shown here.

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Larry's lone purchase - hand sanitizers!

Proudly, Cindy and I held up our end!  Jodie is still in the stores shopping.  Jodie wins!

Perfect end to a successful shopping day - DINNER!

Just had to include this stunning painting done by Katie Darby (my sooo talented niece)when she was 12! 

Friday, March 2

 And now, something for the grown up tourist!  The home of CNN.  Jim is leading us in his car, so it's a short trip to downtown Atlanta.  Yowza! 

Cindy had made reservations for us to tour CNN.  If you ever have the opportunity - take it!  It's incredible to see exactly how the news is put together. And just how quickly the news team can insert breaking news - 5 minutes. 

Inside the CNN building, is the world's tallest freestanding escalator - on the right in the photo, attached to the earth.  Anyone who knows me, knows that is my kryptonite. I can ride up ok, but at the top, our guide explains what freestanding really means - no supports except at the top and bottom of the escalator.  I can't go down!  Fortunately, there is only one escalator and it only goes up.  Unfortunately, it's stairs all the way down. 

We arrived a bit early and had time for photos. 

Picture taking has reached it's peak with this group.

I could not resist this photo opportunity where we look like newsmakers about to be interviewed. 

Copy-cats!

Who knew Jim was such an excellent tour guide??

Aftetr the CNN tour, we have enough time to tour Coke before lunch.  Yikes, I realize I'm getting the shape of the coke bottle.   

Effervescent Cindy!

Even bubblier Larry!

Bob got there first!

Best part of the Coke tour, the tasting room.  Here there are 65 different flavors of Coke and its products marketed around the world. You can sample each one if you like.  No limits!   (Worst part of the tour, the 30 minute buildup to see the vault holding the Coke formula,  not blog worthy)

Larry and I just getting started.

Jim and Cindy have chosen the revolving restautant - The Sun Dial - at the top to the Westin for lunch. It has a spectacular 360 degree view of Atlanta and its suburbs.   The restaurant makes a complete revolution about once an hour.  Perfect!

Before we left Atlanta, we celebrated Jim's 30++++ birthday.  I think Jim is toasting our departure?

The dinner at Norman's Landing, an Ozarky style restautrant, was huge with delicious portions of fish -and happy hour!  Oh Yes! Happy Birthday Jim!

Saturday, March 3

Road weary and navigationally exhausted, we set our sights on Nashville for the first leg of the journey home.  It's SEC tournament time in downtown Nashville so the Country Music Hall of Fame is out of the question - but - Grand Ole Opry is far enough away to avoid the crowds. 

We congratulate ourselves just until we discover there is nothing going on at Grand Ole Opry today.  

We head over to the Gaylord Opry Hotel and check out the world famous atrium. The photos below are actually taken inside the atrium. 

Larry and I were so blessed to share this adventure with Jodie and Bob.  Do I hear next year?

Sunday, March 5

The long trek from Nashville to Kansas City is full of anticipation.  We are ready to be home after 5 weeks.  Yipee!  The signs are out!  The house is clean! And Joey remembers us!  It's the best feeling in the world to come home to such a loving family. 

Ridin Dirty!

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Jodie and I  haven't ridden bikes together since we were kids.  It was a lot more fun this time than it ever was before.  No one-upmanship! However, she did race along screaming " Out of my way!  I can't stop!"  Believe me, anyone hearing that readily complied.  We made it all the way to Palm Harbor.  I believe that is very close to Key West!

It was our last full day in Florida - and we went out in style! 

A million tomorrows shall all pass away ere I forget all the joy that is mine today.

How to survive the MU vs KU game:  We got our snacks and settled into our favorite game watching spots as the game began.  As the game intensity increased, no one was allowed to leave their seat, not even for a bathroom break.  Bob swore he would do laundry if the game went south for Mizzou ( I had my laundry bag ready for him) and Jodie was banished to the computer to look up stats after yelling one too many times "Get back in your seat!".  Larry was the referee!  I tried to do what I was told but decided to take my book and head to the back room to read for a while, returning to find the game on a razor's edge for the last 5 minutes of regular time plus overtime - that's  45 minutes in real time.  Mizzou lost in what will always be remembered as the greatest border war game ever.

Thank goodness there was church on Sunday!  We needed to go!

The regatta was in full swing on the gulf when we returned from church.  It's decided - I will take senior sailing lessons when we next visit Clearwater Beach.  Senior Sailing lessons seems to mean that you are towed to the Gulf and then taught in baby steps how to steer a dingy. I'm recruiting a second mate now. Any takers?????? And my motto

Another view of the pirate ship - I lost $5 betting with Larry on the number of times they shoot the cannon.  It's 2, by the way.

Jodie and Bob's first dolphin show. 

We went to Clearwater Marine Aquarium today - along with about everyone in the area! What a difference the movie 'A Dolphin Tale' can make!  The aquarium is really a rescue facility for marine life that has no chance to survive on its own.

Finally - we found Frenchie's on the beach!  It was a glorious Monday afternoon and we toasted the day as we looked out on the beach!

After lunch, Ooooh La La!

On the way back, I realize that even my shadow has grown -Yikes! I'm in the middle -  it's up to you to figure out the rest!

After much too much discussion, Jodie and Bob sit in a swing they love to walk to and share the afternoon.  Do I hear music???

This may not be on CNN worthy, but Bob made a very important discovery!  Mint M &Ms!!! It has changed the course of all our waistlines. 

I could have won my $5 back tonight as Larry declared there would be no sunset - too cloudy. Another career is born - weatherman!  But we had this gift from God!