 Stone Mountain is a quartz monzonite dome monadnock in Stone Mountain, Georgia. At its summit, the elevation is 1,686 feet and 825 feet above the surrounding area. Stone Mountain granite extends underground 9 miles at its longest point into Gwinnett County. Numerous reference books and Georgia literature have dubbed Stone Mountain as the largest exposed piece of granite in the world". This misnomer is most likely a result of advertisement by granite companies and early park administration. Stone Mountain, though often called a pink granite dome, actually ranges in composition from quartz monzonite to granite and granodiorite. Stone Mountain is well-known not only for its geology, but also for the enormous bas-relief on its north face, the largest bas-relief in the world. The carving depicts three figures of the Confederate States of America: Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, and Jefferson Davis. |
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In 1975 and
again in 2002, Karen and Lee Duquette and their two children,
Renee and Brian Duquette, hiked the rough trail up Stone Mountain. Below,
Lee Duquette on the trail in 2002. The Walk Up Trail is a 1.3-mile trail
to the top of Stone Mountain ascending 786 feet (in elevation to a height
of 1,686 feet. The trail was steep, but spectacular panoramic views and
cool winds amazed everyone at the top. |
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Below: Lee Duquette
enjoyed the view from the top of Stone Mountain in 2002. |
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| In 2011, Karen and Lee
Duquette, plus their grandson Alex Jones, took the Skyride up the mountain,
which is said to be the rock's top attraction. This high-speed Swiss cable
car provides a stunning view of the Confederate Memorial Carving as it transports
guests more than 825 feet above ground to the top of Stone Mountain. |
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| Below: Exiting the tram at the top,
the two RV Gypsies and their grandson experienced amazing views of the Atlanta
skyline, the Appalachian Mountains and more up to 60 miles away. |
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| Below: Back at the bottom
of Stone Mountain. the two RV Gypsies and their grandson climbed aboard
the Scenic Railroad train, a full size locomotive from the 1940s with open-air
cars. The trip included a lively five-mile excursion around the mountain
with beautiful views of Stone Mountain and the surrounding landscape. Lee
and Alex were not very well behaved on the train, but they had a blast. |
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The two RV Gypsies and their
grandson ate at the major restaurant at Stone Mountain Park. They were
NOT thrilled with their meal. First of all, the restaurant did not even
have milk which is Karen Duquette's preferred drink with a meal. No wonder
everyone drinks so much soda that is not even healthy. Second, the rolls
were not ready on a timely basis, then the rolls were taken out of the
oven too soon, and the inside of the rolls were not cooked. Also, the
two RV Gypsies felt as if they had to beg for a second roll. The restaurant
only had honey butter, no regular butter. Finally and most importantly,
the food was OK but not great. But despite this, the two RV Gypsies and
their grandson laughed and enjoyed the moments.
These comments do not make the restaurant good or bad
in general, they are just comments about the experience of the two RV
Gypsies on this date. |
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| Below: The two RV Gypsies and their
grandson ended their day at the world's largest laser light show featuring
a fantastic fireworks finale! |
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Below; A rainy
night for the laser show, but totally worth it. |
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| Day two at Stone Mountain Park |
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The two RV Gypsies again visited Georgia's
first 4-D theater which introduced "YOGI BEAR's 4-D Adventure,"
starring Dan Aykroyd (Yogi) and Justin Timberlake (Boo Boo). The 12-minute
experience engaged guests through a 3D film and spectacular 4th dimension
special effects. This original film follows Yogi and Boo Boo during zany
adventures to try to snatch picnic baskets from unsuspecting park guests.
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| The two RV Gypsies and
their grandson learned about Stone Mountain Park's history in a splashy
way with "Ride The Ducks". This tour went from land to
water to land again! The Duck vehicles are 1940's era Army DUKWs,
converted into comfortable open-air vehicles for the riders' viewing and
listening pleasure. |
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made lots of noise with the duck quackers provided as part of the duck ride.
Alex was a bit shy about using his. Karen Duquette was not shy and did not
even care that the two girls seated behind her were laughing every time
she blew on her duck quacker. |
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Below: One duck coming out of the water, and another duck going in. |
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Below; Views
of Stone Mountain from the Duck |
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| The daily concert
from the 732-bell Carillon is one of the true joys of Stone Mountain Park.
The Carillon was donated to the Park by friends at Coca-Cola after being
exhibited in the 1964 World's Fair in New York City.
Guests can hear concerts at the Carillon every day. Concerts are at 1:00,
3:00 and 5:00 PM on Sundays and at 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM, Monday-Saturday.
Concerts are live on Saturday and Sunday and are taped, Monday through
Friday. Stone Mountain Park's carillon has been played by Mabel Sharp
for over 30 years.
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| Below: Just as
The duck got back on land, the two RV Gypsies saw a deer in the
woods. Karen Duquette managed to snap a few quick photos as the deer scamper
away. |
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| Below: The two RV Gypsies and their
grandson also puttered around on a miniature golf course based on the real-life
adventures of the Great Locomotive Chase. The course had train-inspired
design elements. |
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| Below:The most fun for Alex was
the Sky Hike: a trek through the treetops on one of the nation's largest
family adventure course. It is a quarter of a mile course with suspended
wooden bridges and rope crossings. Alex stepped from one wooden slat to
another and balanced on a single rope high above the ground. There are several
layers: a 12 foot trail for beginners, a 24 foot high trail for the somewhat
courageous and the super challenge trail at nearly 40 feet in the air (four
stories high), for the true dare devil. |
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Below: Karen Duquette did the lower level of
the Sky Hike, while Alex mastered the rest of the Sky Hike. Lee did not
attempt any level because he was still recovering from an injury. |
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Below: The grandson
of the two RV Gypsies, Alex Jones, on the Sky Hike at various levels.
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  Job
Alex
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| Below: Stone
Mountain Campground sign and welcome wagon |
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Below: As they
walked to the campground pool, Alex kept beating his grandfather with
a noodle. |
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Below: Returning from the pool back to the RV.
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Below: A rip-roaring
campfire and s'mores - something Alex loved. |
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June 27th was the birthday of
the two RV Gypsies' son, Brian Lee Duquette. Each year, it is a sad day
for the two RV Gypsies, but because their grandson Alex was with them
on this trip, they hid their pain and acted like it was a normal day.
Karen Duquette wore her blouse with Brian's initials in a heart, as she
does every year on this date. For more information on Brian, use the "Brian"
button above.
Brian Duquette will always shine as a bright star. |
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Below: Alex
Jones and his giant-sized, fancy s'mores |
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Below: This
s'more had wings |
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