The Trip That Finally Made My Wife Haul Off And Slug Me In The Face (COMPLETED 10/2)

[Captain_Oblivious]

I don't hold it against you. I am very much aware college basketball is a regional thing, and I grew up in one of the craziest regions. Indycar....I just know I'm in the minority.

Delaware isn't a big hotbed for college sports, because our state university is not a major school--we're in the 2nd tier of NCAA sports events. Still, the NCAA basketball tournament is always fun.

Pretty much. Except we bought DVC on our honeymoon so we lie to ourselves now and say it's "free." We just ignore that little monthly payment that auto-drafts.

Ah, yes. Free. Well, just keep telling yourselves that!

That is one of the benefits of it being just the two of us for now.

That was one of my favorite parts of Atlanta. And then we got extra lucky and the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge (that I don't think they've had since) was going on so we got to watch the agility competition. I was in doggie heaven.

That was a really nice park. I was glad we had time to walk around.

We have albino.....alligators? crocodiles? somethings at one of the NC aquariums. One of the cooler exhibits.

Closest aquariums to me are in Baltimore and Camden, NJ. Been years since I went to the one in Baltimore. I try never to go to Camden, NJ.

I could have spent days in that room. It's truly majestic.

Somehow we missed both shows I think we just decided we didn't have enough interest to try and catch one. Our main reason for visiting was I had booked a behind-the-scenes sea otter encounter.

Well, that sounds pretty cool!

Also something else we missed, but glad to hear we weren't missing much.

Yeah, I think you did just fine there.

So, I've never stayed at a Country Inn. But in my head I think they're fabulous, for the main reason that when I was a travel agent, they came by our office and in the tradition of giving out chintzy branded items...gave us a pocket knife/corkscrew/bottle opener. That thing is amazing and lives in my purse, and has saved the day more than once. So I have fond feelings towards the chain, despite never having stayed in one.

Might have to rethink that now.

The Country Inn is just fine. We've stayed at several and never had a problem. This was just a bad part of the city.

See, I don't remember it at all. I remember watching the torch come through Raleigh. Actually had to google the bombing. But, I was also 5, so probably wasn't watching a lot of the coverage.

Well, I doubt you remember a ton from age 5!

Amazing animals. They allow you to dive with them. Three friends flew up and planned to do it the 1 full day they were there. Something was wrong with one of the Whale Sharks so no diving that day. Glad I passed on that trip.

That stinks. I know swimming with the whale sharks is on @pkondz 's bucket list.

Funny. True but funny.

 

[Pluto0809]

An experience can be memorable, good or bad, but it's a shared memory, and that's what we're going for here.

Very true! Some of the bad memories from vacation are the ones my family still talks about to this day.

Mary Mac's Tea Room

Sorry to say another miss for me and my husband. We waited 45 minutes for a table and then the food was mediocre at best. I got the chicken and dumplings and honestly, I like Cracker Barrel's version way better. This one also resulted in an unfortunate bathroom trip.

I'm a Phillies fan, so you probably wouldn't want me at a Braves game anyway.

Well I was born and raised in Pittsburgh so I'm a die-hard Steelers/Pirates/Penguins fan. I don't think I will ever convert to Atlanta teams no matter how long I live here. I've attended many Braves/Pirates games in my Pirates gear. I also attended Thrashers/Penguins games where more of the crowd was in Penguins gear than Thrasher's gear. Probably why the Thrashers didn't last.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I used to work across the street from Centennial park and have been there many times for lunch or just to walk around. I don't recall seeing this one though. Nice!

Looking at Google Earth, that was a garden walk along Centennial Olympic Park Dr.

Not surprising. They let mine through on at least 3 different occasions...obviously security is not a top priority for the fish.

Those poor fish. Never knew what hit 'em.

I don't think the dolphin show was there when we went.

I guess they've expanded!

It's because Dory's parents were already found. Duh!

Well, that would be the simplest explanation.

I think those might be new...I don't recall those.

Sounds like it's time for a return trip!

Again, I think this might be new...we haven't been in a long time, I don't see you listing the "petting" tank, so maybe they replaced some stuff. The petting tank was an open tank kids could pet rays (with their tails clipped) and something else -- starfish(?). Seemed like there was always people their telling the kids not to try to catch the rays or pick up whatever the other thing was in the tank, so maybe they replaced it with this or something nicer and lower maintenance.

I don't recall seeing a petting tank anywhere. Then again, we might have skipped an area due to crowds.

So THAT'S the impressed look. Good to know. Guess my kids have never been impressed.

Just keeping it real!

They add stuff to the salt water (kinda like crack for rays, but evidently the other fish don't really care)

In the words of Jeff, "I'll have what he's having!"

It's hard when you take a photo to show perspective of just how big they are, but those larger fish swimming near them are about 4-5 feet long.

Pretty amazing.

This gives good perspective since you have the people there. The tunnel does magnify the fish/turtles/whales a little bit, but that's close to scale.

Great shot and one that shows how big those whale sharks are.

I liked having people in the photo so you could get a sense of scale there.

We've lived here for 21 years and we've been only 3 times. The last 2 times, I recall saying...oh yeah, that's why we haven't been back in so long. Yes, it's an Atlanta icon, but the food...not so much.

Like I said, I'm glad I tried it once. I don't feel the need to go back.

Actually, it's better to go inside. Some of the employees can be quite entertaining. I think he's retired now, but there was a guy that had worked there 30 or 40 years if I recall. I'll have to see if I can find the article. Although it's not at all like a character lunch at Disney, some of the folks are characters and the ambiance is better inside

EDIT: Found the article...it was 51 years!! I recalled it was a long time, but even longer.
https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2003/11/17/focus3.html

Cool! Neat to hear about a lifelong employee. It's a neat story.

She looks so thrilled and happy to be eating at the varsity. Oh wait, this must have been taken after she ate.

Thanks for not detailing the after effects of the chili(well all of it really). Yes, the fried pies, while not fantastic, compared to the rest of the fare, are indeed the best part. If you come back through our way again (well, if I haven't found my job in Central FL and we're still here), I'll take you somewhere to show you what fried pies should be like (amazing).

Oh man, I need to get back down there! I'm a sucker for pie.

Woo hoo, baseball!

Go Phillies!

Doh!
I'm still not happy they moved the stadium. They moved it closer to us, which one would think is a good thing, but in reality, the area they built it already had horrible traffic and now when games are on, it's atrocious. Also the fact they passed much of the expense of building it on to us taxpayers was, well less than thrilling to say the least.

That stinks. Traffic really was bad all around the city. As for milking the taxpayers for stadiums, that unfortunately happens all over the country. I'm not a fan of the practice, for sure.

The stadium should still be there...it's owned by Georgia State University now, but I don't know they've actually done much in/with it yet.

Unfortunately that area is rather poor and the stadium was one of the few things in the area that helped out economically. That's one of the other reasons I didn't like them moving it to our county.

I think the university was still renovating it when we were there, which is probably why nothing was going on.

I am enjoying reading along in your adventures! The Aquarium looks AMAZING. We have always wanted to stop there but just haven't fit it into our plans just yet! Your photos may make it a must do!

It was a neat place! I'm glad we visited, for sure.

Hey Captain_Oblivious, I am starting to plan a potential Grand Canyon trip for my crazy brood. I am pretty sure one of your previous trip reports had a lot of great information about that? Can you point me in the right direction?

Absolutely! The TR in my signature called The Dry Heat Expedition is the one with the Grand Canyon. Here are the chapters in question:

Grand Canyon Part 1
Grand Canyon Part 2
Grand Canyon Part 3
Grand Canyon Part 4
Grand Canyon Part 5

Feel free to PM me if you have more specific questions as you plan. Have fun!

 

[justafigment27]

The Aquarium looks awesome! I don’t think I have ever seen a whale shark in person ... very cool.

Too bad about the sketchy hotel and slimy pool. Everyone needs a Griswold-esque vacation story or two in their repertoire, right?

 

[Curiouser&curiouser!]

Absolutely! The TR in my signature called The Dry Heat Expedition is the one with the Grand Canyon. Here are the chapters in question:

Grand Canyon Part 1
Grand Canyon Part 2
Grand Canyon Part 3
Grand Canyon Part 4
Grand Canyon Part 5

Feel free to PM me if you have more specific questions as you plan. Have fun!

Thank you so much! This is super helpful!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

The Aquarium looks awesome! I don’t think I have ever seen a whale shark in person ... very cool.

And you can see 4 of them there!

Too bad about the sketchy hotel and slimy pool. Everyone needs a Griswold-esque vacation story or two in their repertoire, right?

I think it's inevitable if you travel long enough and don't have the budget to constantly stay at the Four Seasons!

Thank you so much! This is super helpful!

I hope so! Happy planning!

 

[Steppesister]

delectable chicken and waffles

oxymoron

Some of the fountains even look like they might have come from a Disney park.

Wow, those are really lovely!

It consists of seven major exhibits. The big draws are the aforementioned dolphin show and the massive 6.3 million-gallon salt water tank featuring the ginormous creatures of the ocean.

Okay, this place sounds quite impressive! Dare I say it... Better than The Seas.

We took our time exploring the various exhibits. There were a lot of fun interactive features to keep the kids engaged, such as these little crawl-through tunnels in the penguin exhibit.

For kids, huh? Where are you?

Nearby was a beluga whale. Didn’t seem to be making any attempt to find Dory’s parents via sonar. That movie was full of crap.

Stunning photo!

, and one display even showed the beating heart of a shark fetus, which was incredibly cool

Okay, THAT is freaking cool!! VERY.

Possibly my favorite shot.

Everyone had a great time here—the Georgia Aquarium is highly recommended!

I can see why!

Others swore that the consequences to my digestive tract would be worse than a visit to Taco Bell.

And you heeded not.

My Lord, you were ready for a colonoscopy after that no doubt.

Shockingly, the kids said they wanted no party of it.

And not so shockingly, my kids probably still would have.

 

[pkondz]

That certainly would have kept things entertaining. "I'm a zit. Get it?"

I think that was ad-libbed too. Think I read that somewhere.

Not quite dead yet!

Once in a while. Until they just tune you out.

I know, right? No standards whatsoever.

Nil. Nada. Zip.

I have a lot of experience in being treated like number two.

Wait, that doesn't sound right...

No. That sounds exactly right.

Step right up! The family that subsists only on PB&J!

I'd pay a nickel to see that. (We don't have pennies up here anymore.)

No, I can't say that I've ever heard one. Man, between belugas and polar bears you have had quite the exotic animals around you. I guess it doesn't feel exotic to you.

I only lived there for 4 years. It never got old.

Thanks! I liked that one too. Had to go back and edit the chapter, though. I forgot to add the line: "We're gonna need a bigger boat."

I think Julie took these. I really liked the way the people help show the scale of the aquatic creatures. And the silhouette effect is cool, too.

Yeah, I really like it.

I'm guessing it was the largest in 1950. No idea if it still holds true today.

Might not have even then... or might have. I'm guessing no one really measured.

I didn't want to take the time to memorize it.

Not for your group, no. But by myself? I would've.

That's a beef chili. No beans. I'm with you--not a fan of beans, no matter how good they are for your heart. The chili definitely helped the dog.

Good. As it should be, then.

The chili won't be the problem. Go with the chili dog and onion rings and fried pie, and it's a passable meal.

Got it. Thanks!

We've been fairly strict with our kids about not being on electronics when we're together as a family. Occasionally, they'll call me on checking my phone at the dinner table. I'm glad they do--they should!

 

[Flossbolna]

Finally made it here... Just read the first update and loved the food pictures!! Of - and the NP looks pretty awesome, too!

 

[franandaj]

This park was dedicated as part of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta and served as a public space/community center both during and after the Games. It was also the site of a bombing during the Olympics that resulted in 2 deaths (one via heart attack).

I remember that incident.

Just across the garden was The Place That Shall Not Be Named.

We followed a crowd into the theater for the dolphin show and were seated fairly quickly. Once seated, we were told over and over again that the first ten rows of the theater were the designated “splash zone”. Anyone seated in those rows was running the risk of getting slightly wet. Or maybe soaked. So Julie and I started counting rows…


7. Should we move up?


Nah.

Youre braver than I. I hate getting wet unless I'm swimming or going in the hot tub.

If you’ve ever seen a dolphin show before, this was about what you’d expect.

Sounds like a fair review. Its been a long time since I have seen a dolphin show.

There were a lot of fun interactive features to keep the kids engaged, such as these little crawl-through tunnels in the penguin exhibit.

The problem with those is that they are not large enough for adventurous adults who want to try them!

including a couple of albino crocodiles.

Those just look weird.

After touring the smaller areas, we wandered back to the main saltwater tank. The entry leads you to a moving walkway (or you can walk under your own power) in a plexiglass tunnel that travels underneath the tank. It’s awe-inspiring to see these giant sea creatures effortlessly gliding all around you.

I love those, it's so cool having all these creatures swimming around you.

One of the whale sharks (they have four that I counted) swam over my head, and I was able to get this shot of it with my phone. They’re just incredibly massive.

I don't think I even knew those existed.

Sitting in there, just watching the whale sharks, sea turtles, rays…it was mesmerizing.

Sounds cool.

Once that was over, we’d basically seen everything the aquarium had to offer. It was about 6:00 p.m., so we would have been justified in leaving for dinner. We all looked at each other and decided…


…we’d go back through the saltwater tank exhibit again.

I'm surprised the place was open that late. Nirmally by 6PM, they'repractically escorting you out the door.

The Varsity is a classic drive-in fast food joint, and an Atlanta institution.

I've heard about that place on a food travel show somewhere.

Our order came up, and we sat down to scarf down some greasy drive-in food. We tried a little of everything.

The onion rings look good, the chili dogs, not so sure, the chili looks a tad bit suspect.

Overall, I’d say I’m glad I did it once, just to say I have been to the Atlanta institution. But I wouldn’t rush back.

If I go back to Atlanta, I doubt I'll make an effort to go there. If you're giving it a "meh", I'm sure there are better places for a burger.

This pool was outdoors, and filled with a scummy green water with thousands of old leaves floating in it. Shockingly, the kids said they wanted no party

Gross.

We took most of our belongings with us into the room that night. Thankfully, the night passed without incident. Unless you count the various snide remarks about my vacation-planning skills.

As you said, when you're traveling on a budget and moving as often as you do, you're bound to have a "miss". I remember the last one when one of the boys said, "Dad, the Super 8 is not super."

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

oxymoron

WHAT did you call me??

Wow, those are really lovely!

It was a really neat park!

Okay, this place sounds quite impressive! Dare I say it... Better than The Seas.

For kids, huh? Where are you?

I'm too fat to get in that thing.

Stunning photo!

Julie gets the credit for that one!

Okay, THAT is freaking cool!! VERY.

That was awesome! Made my jaw drop when they told us what it was.

Possibly my favorite shot.

And you heeded not.

Well, I need to document these places for all of my faithful readers. I go to these places for you.

My Lord, you were ready for a colonoscopy after that no doubt.

On the contrary, that cleaned the whole system right out.

And not so shockingly, my kids probably still would have.

I was sure one of my kids would still ask.

I think that was ad-libbed too. Think I read that somewhere.

Could be. I haven't seen that movie in ages!

+1

No. That sounds exactly right.

I figured you'd say that.

I'd pay a nickel to see that. (We don't have pennies up here anymore.)

Then you guys are smarter than we are. It costs our government more than a penny to manufacture each penny.

I only lived there for 4 years. It never got old.

You know...I totally believe that.

Might not have even then... or might have. I'm guessing no one really measured.

I don't imagine there was so much obsessive record-keeping back then.

Not for your group, no. But by myself? I would've.

I'm sure it's fun. I've heard of a few places like that.

Good. As it should be, then.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Finally made it here... Just read the first update and loved the food pictures!! Of - and the NP looks pretty awesome, too!

Magdalene! Glad to see you around here again! Hope life is slowly calming down for you.

I remember that incident.

I don't think they ever solved it, if I recall.

Youre braver than I. I hate getting wet unless I'm swimming or going in the hot tub.

Getting wet is perfectly fine if you're getting splashed by a dolphin. Because that doesn't happen everyday.

Sounds like a fair review. Its been a long time since I have seen a dolphin show.

They usually involve similar tricks.

The problem with those is that they are not large enough for adventurous adults who want to try them!

Seriously! I was too fat to get in there.

Those just look weird.

Well, they might think we look weird, too.

I love those, it's so cool having all these creatures swimming around you.

It's awesome!

I don't think I even knew those existed.

Can't say I knew much about them either.

I'm surprised the place was open that late. Nirmally by 6PM, they'repractically escorting you out the door.

Well, it's a big attraction and it was summer tourist season, so I think the hours were extended. I'm sure they get dialed back over the winter or school sessions.

I've heard about that place on a food travel show somewhere.

That's where I first heard about it as well.

The onion rings look good, the chili dogs, not so sure, the chili looks a tad bit suspect.

The chili helped the dogs. The burgers were the low point.

If I go back to Atlanta, I doubt I'll make an effort to go there. If you're giving it a "meh", I'm sure there are better places for a burger.

Yeah, you'd be better off with the chicken and waffles!

As you said, when you're traveling on a budget and moving as often as you do, you're bound to have a "miss". I remember the last one when one of the boys said, "Dad, the Super 8 is not super."

That quote was one of Scotty's many gems.

 

[franandaj]

I don't think they ever solved it, if I recall.

Didn't they arrest the security guard?

Seriously! I was too fat to get in there.

I almost got stuck in the one in St. John last March!

 

[pkondz]

WHAT did you call me??

It was a pretty technical word so let me break it down for you.
First part "oxy" is from oxygen, or air... breath.

So @Steppesister called you a mouth breathing moron.



You're welcome.

Then you guys are smarter than we are. It costs our government more than a penny to manufacture each penny.

Just stop!

You know...I totally believe that.

I have stories.

 

[Hisgirl]

I've been attempting to follow along (after a failed watch thread attempt) and twice, twice now, I have carefully perused through Trip Reports, Completed Trip reports, looking for a thread where your wife slugged you or something to that affect.

What was your name? Mr. Obvious? Caption Obvious? Haha, my husband said "You were JUST looking for his thread last month!"

And here you are. In the Dad section. Good grief. Ok, now that I've posted here, if I lose you again, I can find you.

I'm enjoying your writing skills.
Lovely family.
Can't believe yall stayed down by the stadium. Good gawd man. Seriously.
I've lived in Atlanta for 57 years and never seen the General or that museum and we have a grand who loves trains. Great tip!

Carry on.

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

Still, the NCAA basketball tournament is always fun.

I agree! I'd love to make it to the ACC tournament too one day.

Ah, yes. Free. Well, just keep telling yourselves that!

Let's be honest. We all delude ourselves at least a little bit when it comes to justifying any Disney cost.

Closest aquariums to me are in Baltimore and Camden, NJ. Been years since I went to the one in Baltimore. I try never to go to Camden, NJ.

I've been to the aquarium in Baltimore! For a school trip my freshman year of high school. We have 3 in NC-one at Fort Fisher (which has the albino gators/crocs), one at Pine Knoll Shores (which I like the best, because they have a big river otter exhibit) and one on Roanoake Island (which I've never been too)

Well, that sounds pretty cool!

It really was! We got to see the sea otters up close, and I was really amazed at how large they are! Sea otters get to be like 60-70 lbs, so they're more like small seals. But we got to feed them and there was a little hole they stuck their paws through so we could pet them.

The Country Inn is just fine. We've stayed at several and never had a problem.

Ok, I feel better now haha. One day I might actually stay at one.

Well, I doubt you remember a ton from age 5!

Yeahhhh.....not a whole lot. I think my birthday party might have been at McDonald's that year??

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Didn't they arrest the security guard?

They did, but I believe he was eventually found innocent and cleared. I don't think they ever found the perpetrator.

I almost got stuck in the one in St. John last March!

Thankfully you didn't! I feel terrible for the residents of St. John...hopefully they are recovering from the hurricanes last year.

It was a pretty technical word so let me break it down for you.
First part "oxy" is from oxygen, or air... breath.

So @Steppesister called you a mouth breathing moron.



You're welcome.

Well...she's not wrong.

Just stop!

I wish we would! The penny has really out-lived its usefulness.

I have stories.

Then we need to hear them!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I've been attempting to follow along (after a failed watch thread attempt) and twice, twice now, I have carefully perused through Trip Reports, Completed Trip reports, looking for a thread where your wife slugged you or something to that affect.

What was your name? Mr. Obvious? Caption Obvious? Haha, my husband said "You were JUST looking for his thread last month!"

Well, that sure is an awful lot of effort just to waste time in my trip reports!

And here you are. In the Dad section. Good grief. Ok, now that I've posted here, if I lose you again, I can find you.

That's how I usually find the threads I'm reading. In any case, I'm glad you're here, and

I'm enjoying your writing skills.

Why thank you! I appreciate that.

Lovely family.

And thank you again! You're really piling up the brownie points.

Can't believe yall stayed down by the stadium. Good gawd man. Seriously.

Well, you can't win 'em all. I was assuming any area near a baseball stadium would be ok at night. And of course, I forgot that stadium was no longer used. Oops.

I've lived in Atlanta for 57 years and never seen the General or that museum and we have a grand who loves trains. Great tip!

Carry on.

Well, I hope you get to make the trip up there! It's not far!

I agree! I'd love to make it to the ACC tournament too one day.

I like to fill out a bracket while knowing absolutely nothing about any of the teams. It's fun when I beat my brother who obsesses about it.

Let's be honest. We all delude ourselves at least a little bit when it comes to justifying any Disney cost.

Truth.

I've been to the aquarium in Baltimore! For a school trip my freshman year of high school. We have 3 in NC-one at Fort Fisher (which has the albino gators/crocs), one at Pine Knoll Shores (which I like the best, because they have a big river otter exhibit) and one on Roanoake Island (which I've never been too)

Baltimore is a good one! But expensive.

It really was! We got to see the sea otters up close, and I was really amazed at how large they are! Sea otters get to be like 60-70 lbs, so they're more like small seals. But we got to feed them and there was a little hole they stuck their paws through so we could pet them.

Sounds like a lot of fun!

Ok, I feel better now haha. One day I might actually stay at one.

You'll be fine. It's a decent chain.

Yeahhhh.....not a whole lot. I think my birthday party might have been at McDonald's that year??

Probably a good guess for a 5-year-old.

 

[pkondz]

Well...she's not wrong.

Nope!

I wish we would! The penny has really out-lived its usefulness.

Also useful for dropping off the Empire State building to see if it's true or not, what they say and for buying thoughts.

Then we need to hear them!

Nah. I'll clutter my own TRs with useless gibberish.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Also useful for dropping off the Empire State building to see if it's true or not, what they say and for buying thoughts.

Honestly, that's more uses than I would have thought. Although I think the Mythbusters tested the Empire State thing and found that it would not be fatal. It would just hurt.

Nah. I'll clutter my own TRs with useless gibberish.

Well, they say to write what you know.