Hotlanta - pt 2

Atlanta was experiencing record breaking highs when we were there... I think on Saturday the temp hit 106! It was a miserable 106 too. At home, at least we have the ocean breezes to cool things down a little. Here there was NO air movement AT ALL. It was gross.

Our first stop was to find a hotel, get 2 rooms, then head over to the Georgia Aquarium. In school this year, the kiddos learned a song called "Baby Beluga" and Rea has been a little obsessed with seeing a beluga in real life. It just so happens that the Georgia Aquarium has some.

Our hotel could not have been more perfectly located. It was literally across the street from the Aquarium and about 1/2 mile from the Philips Arena (where we would see the MJ show). We poured out of our rental car and walked across the street, expecting to walk up, get tickets and walk right in. Apparently half of ATL residents had the same idea. The place was packed! So Shane, Dad and Rea got in the 2+ hour line to wait for tickets. Mom, Ri and I sat in the shade and waited. According to the people on the loud speakers, we would not be getting into the Aquarium for at least 2 hours. Hmmm.... what to do?

Then there was an announcement about Annual Passes. They just mentioned the prices and said if you were interested, raise your hand and an employee would come find you. Mom and I talked about them for a few minutes, laughing about how awesome it would be if buying an annual pass got you in faster. So we flagged down one of the reps and asked. Buying an annual pass DOES grant you immediate access to the Aquarium and their AC!! And the passes were only about $25 more per pass than we were going to spend on one day tickets. I searched the line for my peeps. Found them. Told them this glorious news. And here's how you know it was wicked hot there: My dad didn't hesitate AT ALL to spend more money when I mentioned that we could walk in right now. =)

So in we all went. The proud Florida owners of Annual Passes to the Georgia Aquarium.

You might think this is nuts. But whatever. You weren't there. It was really hot!

The kids loved the Aquarium! Ri was in total heaven. I really wasn't sure what I expected to see. But it was really a nice place. And once inside, I could appreciate the fact that they only let in a certain number of people each hour. The entire place is indoors and it would be too crowded for comfort if they didn't limit it somehow.

Not a clear pic of the kids and Shane through a fish tank... 

Ri just kept saying "whoa! Look at that!"

Albino Alligators

Patiently waiting for his lunch.

Grammie & her bud

Rea scarfed down a pizza, a basket of fries and a few of Ri's chickies. I guess she was hungry.

The Stu stamp of approval on the chicken.

That's a really big whale shark!

Seriously, I could not get over the size!

Hello handsome.

Not a small fish... 

A freakishly huge Manta Ray

We went through the acrylic tunnel to check out the fishies... It was cool!

Ri loved it!

Rea was in total awe

Ugly little shark... not sure the species.

I can't get over his size... scroll down and you will see him with Shane in the pic to get a good perspective

 Look closely at the next few, there is a stingray under the sand sleeping.

A simply enormous fish tank! The acrylic plexi is 2 feet thick!

Dad and Shane were impressed with the size of the plexi... it's the same stuff that we use on our picture frames.

See, I told you. He's huge. (not Shane)

I think they could have sat here all day.

 On to the belugas!!

 For the life of me, I could not get a great shot of the beluga with Rea. Frustrating, but her face is priceless... she is in love!

Then there were sea otters, jellyfish, some tropical fish, and touching sea creatures.