Gibbs Gardens' Japanese Gardens

I've discovered the most remarkable place! Less than an hour outside of Atlanta, nestled in the North Georgia Mountains, is a 300-acre estate with 220 acres of meticulously landscaped public display gardens. I'd heard of Gibbs Gardens, but had no idea it was a wondrous as it is...what a marvelous discovery!

There's so much to share that this is going to be a two-part post. I can't help but start with the nearly 50-acre Japanese Gardens...I've been to many Japanese Gardens, but non like this one.

Gibbs Gardens, Japanese Gardens

Their brochure's Welcome page leads with "Welcome to Georgia's 'Secret Garden'," and a well-kept secret it is, indeed. While the 'secret' part is wholly accurate, so is the 'welcome' part. The parking lot attendants, ticketing agents, docents, and even visiting members were incredibly warm and welcoming...I had some very nice chats that afternoon.

Gibbs Gardens, Japanese Gardens

I've been in some beautiful Japanese Gardens, but this was the largest...and its serenity and calm were not at all diminished by its size—I always thought Japanese Gardens had to be modest in size...not true.

Gibbs Gardens, Japanese Gardens

As a matter of fact, at more than 40 acres, the Gibbs Gardens' Japanese Gardens is the largest in the nation. It features "seven spring-fed ponds with islands, bridges, massive boulders and rocks." And among the plethora of gorgeous maple trees, there are 40 hand-crafted Japanese lanterns.

Gibbs Gardens, Japanese Gardens

The Japanese Gardens is one of three feature gardens, part of a total 16 garden venues on the property. Don't worry...they have a tram if that sounds like too much walking, although I recommend the walking if your doctor wouldn't fuss.

Here are a few more photos to enjoy...

Gibbs Gardens, Japanese Gardens

Gibbs Gardens, Japanese Gardens

Gibbs Gardens, Japanese Gardens

Gibbs Gardens, Japanese Gardens

Gibbs Gardens, Japanese Gardens

Gibbs Gardens, Japanese Gardens

Ball Ground, Georgia, up Georgia-400 or I-75/I-575, is not as far as I thought it was going to be...and it was a lovely drive. And to give you an idea of just how worth the drive is, I spent three and a half hours exploring the Gardens. 

Head over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page for more photos and watch for another post covering a significant portion of the rest of the Gardens. Enjoy!

Plasma Ball at Fernbank

One of the things that I love about the Fernbank Museum of Natural History is all the surprises around every corner. One that I rediscovered on a recent visit is their Plasma Ball...I totally want one!

Plasma Ball at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History

This particular Plasma Ball is in the Museum's Sensing Nature permanent exhibition. That gallery has tons of learning experiences, including a display that demonstrates how tornadoes form, another that shows how sound travels, and lots of other hands-on activities that reveal the delicate relationship between nature and human senses.

From the Fernbank website on the gallery...

"Sensing Nature playfully demonstrates the role of our senses in interpreting our environment. Interactive stations demonstrate how our senses sometimes interpret visual and audial cues, which can sometimes lead to false perceptions. As you gain a better understanding of how your senses work together to understand the environment, learn how your senses work together to understand the weather."

So, when you're next at Fernbank, explore, explore, explore...there's LOTS to see and do!

The Magnificent Men of Dragon*Con

A couple of days ago, I wrote about The Wonderful Women of Dragon*Con...allow me to now turn your attention to the Magnificent Men of Dragon*Con—and they really are magnificent, for many reasons! 

When I went to my first Dragon*Con, which was my first ever non-corporate convention, my preconceived notion of what to expect received the same fate as the Death Star in Episode IV. I was expecting a geek squad of 98-pound weaklings, with taped thick-lens glasses, doing what I'm not exactly sure.

The Men of Dragon*Con

To quite the contrary, the men of Dragon*Con are muscular, hot, handsome, intelligent, innovative, fun-loving...and I dare any one of you to call them "nerd" in an unflattering manner. You'd find it horribly embarrassing to get your butt kicked by a guy wearing tights, right?

I grew up a very shy kid, so when I see how freely expressive and how much fun these guys are having, it energizes my zest for being who I am, whether that be geek-Travis, nerd-Travis, scientist-Travis, Trekker-Travis, or Kate-Mulgrew-loving-Travis...it's all great fun with a lot of fun people.

Dragon*Con, regardless of gender, is getting to be a kid again, it's getting to express openly and freely your enthusiasm for a character, celebrity, personality, game, or television show...or all the above, for that matter—it is a four day weekend, after all.

The fun guys and their amazing costumes are certainly a draw, but I'm also there for the celebrities! Garrett Wang, the Star Trek track leader the last years, is brilliant...so funny! And when I met Ben Browder, of Farscape and Stargate, I was blown away at how incredibly nice such a successful actor can be.

There are a number of celebrities of the male persuasion that I'm looking forward to meeting this year, keeping in mind that the list will continue to grow up to the Con on Labor Day Weekend. A few of them include:

• Edward James Olmos, Commander Adama, "Battlestar Galactica"
• James Marsters, Spike, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"
• Gareth David Lloyd, Ianto Jones, "Torchwood"
• Billy Dee Williams, Lando Calrissian, "Star Wars"
• Tahmoh Penikett, Helo, "Battlestar Galactica"

Get your tickets (membership) soon—Labor Day Weekend will be here before you know it—the earlier, the more money you save (I got mine last year!). If you can't make the Con, but you're in town, please come see the Dragon*Con Parade. The Parade is open to the public and it's free! And this parade is unlike any you've ever seen...and it's a LONG parade, so you'll definitely feel like you ventured downtown for something substantial. Just remember the camera, some water, and sunscreen!

Alright, as I said about the Women of Dragon*Con, acting respectful is not only the right thing to do, it's the gentlemanly thing to do. We're just there to have fun and hope to bring you a great deal of fun, too. And who wants to get their butt kicked by a guy wearing a Robin: Boy Wonder costume? I'd love to be a fly on the wall when you got back to the office on Tuesday to tell that story!

Of course I jest. Dragon*Con is peaceful gathering of tens of thousands of like-minded people just having a great time. I hope you'll join us for what promises to be an out-of-this-world, super powerful, warp speed trip and exercise in mind-altering fun! 

Observing Memorial Day in Atlanta

Memorial Day in the United States started following the American Civil War as "Decoration Day"—a day of remembrance of the 620,000 soldiers who died, from both sides, by decorating the graves of fallen soldiers.

Today, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance of ALL members of the U.S. military who gave the ultimate price for the freedom we today enjoy, a day of remembrance of those who died in service to our country.

Confederate Calvary hat, Atlanta Cyclorama

wanderlust ATLANTA offers its sincerest gratitude to all those who gave their lives, and to the friends and families of those who were lost while acting to protect freedom for the United States. 

As someone who served in the United States Navy, I know that service can at times be challenging, yet always a source of pride, and that those in uniform are ever at the ready to give their lives for all of America, and for that I am grateful.

There are in Atlanta a number of places where Atlantans and visitors to Atlanta can visit to offer an observance of Memorial Day, should one wish to venture from home observances. There's the Atlanta Cyclorama, the L.P. Grant Mansion, Historic Oakland Cemetery, Historic Grant Park, the "Turning Point" exhibition at the Atlanta History Center, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, and Stone Mountain Park, to name a few.

There's also the newly expanded Veterans Park at the Atlanta History Center, which from what I've read of online reports is rather remarkable...I'll be visiting there soon.

Have a great rest of the weekend and thank you to all who honor what Memorial Day is really for.

The Wonderful Women of Dragon*Con

The end-of-summer three-day weekend will be here before you know it! I can hardly wait for Dragon*Con, and all its bounty...I mean fun, yea, that's it, "fun".

In the past, I've posted about the men and women of Dragon*Con. I'd like to do that again this year. We can all relate to celebrating with kindred souls...that's what Dragon*Con is for me. That I get to do that with tens of thousands of kindred souls...that's pretty damn awesome!

The Wonderful Women of Dragon*Con

This collection of 'Women of Dragon*Con' are conventioneers from the 2012 Dragon*Con. Beautiful, sexy, charming, exciting...and I bet any one of them would kick your butt if you called them a geek in a negative tone. That's right...these ladies are bad ass! They're also ladies...let's never forget that.

While fellow conventioneers are a huge draw for me, I'm also there to see the celebrities. The lineup this year is looking pretty amazing, and it's not nearly complete, so check the website's "Who To See" section regularly for new additions. 

A few of the women guests who I personally am looking forward to seeing this year, include:

• Lindsay Wagner, "The Bionic Woman"
• Traci Lords, Singer/Actress
• Eve Myles, "Torchwood"
• Gigi Edgley, "Farscape"
• CCH Pounder, "Warehouse 13"
• Erin Gray, "Buck Rogers of the 25th Century"

I recall vividly how star struck I was last year when I met Nichelle Nichols (Uhura on Star Trek)...what an amazing woman she is! When I asked her if she still enjoys doing conventions, she told me, "I don't do anything that doesn't bring joy to my life." Like I said...a wonderful woman!

Well, if you're thinking about attending Dragon*Con, the sooner you get your tickets (membership), the more you save. I got mine last year!

If you don't make it to the Con, at least go to the Dragon*Con Parade, usually the Saturday morning of the Con...which is open and free to all.

And when you're down there...remember to act respectful of the women at Dragon*Con. They're ladies having fun, that's all. And really, how sad would it be to get your butt kicked by a girl, especially a girl wearing a Hello Kitty costume!

Thank you ladies, one and all, for bringing such beauty and fun to Dragon*Con!

Robert L. Staton Memorial Rose Garden

I'd wanted to go to the Robert L. Stanton Memorial Rose Garden, a garden of the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, for many, many years, but never made my way over there. I have a friend who is a major rose enthusiast, so when timing and motivation converged, I found myself strolling this gorgeous garden, totally immersed in and mesmerized by its colorful, gentle beauty.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I did...

Robert L. Stanton Memorial Rose Garden

Robert L. Stanton Memorial Rose Garden

Robert L. Stanton Memorial Rose Garden

Robert L. Stanton Memorial Rose Garden

Robert L. Stanton Memorial Rose Garden

Robert L. Stanton Memorial Rose Garden

Robert L. Stanton Memorial Rose Garden

Robert L. Stanton Memorial Rose Garden

Robert L. Stanton Memorial Rose Garden

Robert L. Stanton Memorial Rose Garden

Robert L. Stanton Memorial Rose Garden

The Rose Garden is on the Fernbank campus and is free to the public, although I highly recommend a visit to the Museum. The Garden is a sight to behold, or perhaps where you'll propose to your future spouse. 

Enjoy!

World of Shells

I love Atlanta, but I do miss the beach. Fortunately, we're far enough south that beach season lasts considerable longer than for our Northern friends, and few annual trips to the Gulf or Atlantic is relaxing and always welcome.

As a kid, I enjoyed collecting shells while walking along the shore or in the shallow waters. I don't think I ever went home with out at least a handful. That gave birth to a lifelong fascination of shells and their amazing diversity!

World of Shells at Fernbank

The World of Shells exhibit at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, one of their permanent exhibits, is an exploration of the formation of shells and shells from around the world.

World of Shells at Fernbank

The shells on display range in size—from tiny to several feet wide—as well as in color and shape.

World of Shells at Fernbank

They have some that are so bizarre, they'd probably be as frightening as they are fascinating...at least until you figured out that they're shells and not something from outer space.

World of Shells at Fernbank

The displays are mostly in cases, with a few free standing specimens. The cases also feature water fowl from various regions of the world—an ingenious accompaniment, I think. 

World of Shells at Fernbank

And of course they have a number in the collection that we East Coasters are quite familiar with, but remember that Atlanta gets a LOT of international visitors, so some of the ones that we think of as "everyday" may be as bizarre looking to them as others look to us. Either way, fascination all around!

World of Shells at Fernbank

There are at least a couple of displays that show the range in size, or at least a sampling in range, of a particular variety of shell.

World of Shells at Fernbank

One of the really cool things about getting to the World of Shells exhibit is that you have to walk through the Star Gallery to get there. That's a gorgeous space with a star field ceiling that changes color and there's a video wall with space themed video running. It's also a great space for a reception!

World of Shells at Fernbank

The pièce de résistance in the gallery is the shell of what was a living 300-pound giant Tridacna Clam! The largest known to exist was 500 pounds, but ours is significant and a beautiful specimen nonetheless. This particular species is native to shallow waters in the Indian and southwest Pacific Oceans.

So, there you go...proof that there's more to a natural history museum than dinosaurs. The great news is that there is a LOT beyond dinosaurs. But let's be real...the dinosaurs are super cool and definitely keep us coming back.

Be sure to check out the shells on your visit—next or first—to the Fernbank Museum of Natural History.

You Know There's a Millennium Gate Museum, Right?

I just wanted to share a reminder that there's a fabulous museum "inside" the Millennium Gate at Atlantic Station. I've been through more than once and I'm so glad to have discovered it...highly recommend checking it out!

Millennium Gate at Atlantic Station

You're over there shopping, going to the movies, or checking out the exhibits inside Atlantic Station anyway, so check out the museum. It offers a unique perspective on Atlanta history. I think you'll be glad you did!

Orange at the Garden

Well, I wasn't meaning for this to be multiple posts about the Garden...you know I like to mix it up, but it's working out that way and that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's the content that important, right? 

Last year I started a color series of photographs I'd made at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. I've already done "green" and "purple" and I like those quite a lot. I've been collecting orange photos and would like to share those with you now.

I'd be remiss, since I'm talking about "orange", if I didn't mention the Orangerie at the Garden. It's part of the Fuqua Conservatory and very much worth making time to visit!

Orange was my favorite color growing up—now it's dark red—so these were a lot of fun to put together. I hope you enjoy them and I encourage you to make some themed photo albums from your visit to Atlanta and other travels.

You'll find even more over on the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page. 

Not Quite Imaginary Frogs

A couple of days ago I blogged about "Imaginary Worlds" at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. If you've not yet been to see the exhibition, be sure to pop into the Orchid Center lobby to see the plant sculpture frogs! No, they're not part of Imaginary Worlds...they're much more!

Frog Sculptures, Atlanta Botanical Garden

The frog sculptures in the Orchid Center lobby are not part of the Imaginary Worlds exhibition, but they're just as brilliant in their own right. They are the re-imagined "Frelves" (frog elves) from the "Garden Lights, Holiday Nights" exhibition, displayed within a re-purposed Orchid Daze exhibition!

Frog Sculptures, Atlanta Botanical Garden

I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see the Garden re-use material from previous exhibitions...but more so to see it re-used so brilliantly! And it's great to see frogs represented, given the Garden's amphibian research and conservation efforts.

Frog Sculptures, Atlanta Botanical Garden

So, yes...the frog sculptures in the Orchid Center lobby are "larger than life", they're just not part of the Imaginary Worlds exhibition, but I do think they're a brilliant accompaniment to the exhibition, as I'm sure you will.

Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life

Wow! Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life at the Atlanta Botanical Garden would be beyond belief if its sculptures weren't so colossally larger than life—for real!

Imaginary Worlds, Ogre, Atlanta Botanical Garden

I'm hesitant to share too much about the exhibition because it truly is a must-see...and it's been predicted, by an external source, that 1,000,000 visitors will see Imaginary Worlds!

With that, I'm guessing it'd probably be better to see it sooner rather than later...because you know what happens when you wait until the last minute—you miss the exhibition entirely! You don't want that to happen...it's really that exceptional!

A few items:

• Imaginary Worlds was created by Mosaiculture out of Montreal, Canada
• There are 19 sculptures in the exhibition
• The sculptures are made entirely of living plants
• The tallest sculpture is 25 feet tall
• If you go to Cocktails in the Garden on Thursday nights, enjoy dramatic lighting

Now, here are some photos that I hope will entice you enough to go see this extraordinary exhibition in person:

Imaginary Worlds, Ogre, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Kids love the Ogre! And especially running through the space between his ears. Okay, okay...I admit it...I did it too, but only walked.

Imaginary Worlds, Earth Goddess, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Earth Goddess has already become a favorite. Visitors can see her from the entry drive, from the Canopy Walk, and on the Cascades Garden promenade. She's a towering 25 feet tall!!!

Imaginary Worlds, Cobras, Atlanta Botanical Garden

The pair of Cobras are a super fun surprise as you round the path leading from the Visitor Center, and they're a great photo op spot.

Imaginary Worlds, Unicorn, Atlanta Botanical Garden

I'm not sure who likes the Unicorn more...kids or grownups. The paparazzi are loving him though. He's going to be in a LOT of photographs!

Imaginary Worlds, Unicorn, Atlanta Botanical Garden

I really like this guy...I think partly because I've been streaming Merlin, a television show about Merlin at Camelot—the unicorn episode I recently saw was excellent!

Imaginary Worlds, Fish, Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Dancing Fish are brilliantly designed. When working out how to ensure all sides get adequate sunlight—standing still one side would be largely shaded by the Crape Myrtle Allee—it made total sense, and fun, to have them spin!

Imaginary Worlds, Rabbits, Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Rabbits are playful and adorable...and the red eyes totally give them credibility as authentic! You'll find them in the Orchard on the way to the Edible Garden.

Imaginary Worlds, Rabbits, Atlanta Botanical Garden

While the Rabbits totally look playful, I can't help but think that some of them look a little mischievous, too. The Orchard will be full of not carrots, but apples later in the season.

Imaginary Worlds, Rabbits, Atlanta Botanical Garden

While these little guys may not get carrots, they will be getting a lot of attention. I'm only showing some of the Rabbits here.

Imaginary Worlds, Dog, Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Shaggy Dog, in Storza Woods, is getting a lot of "Awwwww" from visitors who are surprised when they see him. And yes, he's made from living plants, too!

Well, that's all I'm going to show for now...there are other sculptures and some great background in the gallery of the Orchid Center, but I'm hoping you'll discover those in person. Come back and let me know what you think about Imaginary Worlds.