Tony Mayes and I finally made it out for our first planned trip of the A2A - Paddling from Atlanta to Alabama expedition for 2014. As the title says, this is actually trip # -1. We're backtracking a bit so that Tony can catch up on the ATL50 - Leg 6; Azalea Park to Upper Morgan Falls Dam run that he previously missed; my trip buddy for that day is much prettier than him! This also gives us a day to check out Tony's new inflatable kayak.
Even though I was VERY LATE (sorry, Tony!) we still got a bit of fog on the river.
As you can see from the entry on the Kayaking & Canoeing Google Map, we made a slight deviation from the trip Gretchen and I took. We avoided Bull Sluice and went through the thinner section of the river and caught some nice shade and floated through with some other kayakers.
This totally cut out the cool cliffs you can see from my ATL50 - Leg 6; Azalea Park to Upper Morgan Falls Dam post. In fact, we were nearing the end just about as soon as we got back into this very wide park of the river.
Tony was still getting used to his new boat and decided to stop there at the dock, but I really wanted to go around the bend and see the Morgan Falls Dam from the top. The sign below gave a good warning as I got close.
Being the "rule follower" that I am, I went to the left and ended up right up next to the portage point on the east side of the river.
It doesn't look that menacing even when you get that close.
Of course, as the first picture of ATL50 - Leg 7; Lower Morgan Falls to Powers Island shows, it is a pretty long way down if you did slip over that edge!! Another quick warm-up trip to get the A2A - Paddling from Atlanta to Alabama trip underway. Now... if I could just stop traveling it would be a lot easier getting on the river.
As I've said before, last summer's ATL50 - Canoeing thru the Chattahoochee River NRA adventure was a blast and I can't wait to kick-start the A2A - Paddling from Atlanta to Alabama one! My new ride, a sand colored Malibu Kayaks X-Factor, finally made it and Connor was so gracious to help me test it out on the river along with the yellow kayak I purchased for him at the end of last summer. We got it all rigged up on the car and headed down the the Chattahoochee River NRA HQ.
We launched at the Island Ford boat ramp and quickly were greeted by a beautiful goose family.
Aren't those babies so cute?!?!
Connor started strong; paddling along side me.
But, we ended up doing a bit more of the following than actual paddling. 
The (longer than expected) break gave me a chance to check out my X-Factor, so I for once appreciated taking it slow on the river. Things look good from new new seat.
This trip was short & sweet, but it made me happy as it allowed me to spend some, albeit short, with my son out on the river.
He let me know he'll do it again. I'll be sure to post about it the next time it happens. For now, enjoy the picture above of the (usually disrespected) Chattahoochee River.
We are so glad to have moved into /wiki/spaces/ATM/pages/16187394 and have been getting the old Roswell home ready for sale (closing at the end of the month on it!!). We leave the old house with good memories as it has been a great home for us at such a pivotal point in our family's life – the transition from Texas to Georgia.
What I'm really going to miss is sitting at the table and looking out into the back yard. The lots in that neighborhood are not very big, but we had a unique layout that let me, for the most part, imagine as if I was far away from it all while I soaked up the natural beauty right before me.
Backyard view – you have been a great friend and given me so much joy. Thank you! I only hope the next home owners appreciate you as much as I have.
So many people tell you "your kids grow up so fast" and "where did all the time go". I surely would love another chance to do it all again with my oldest, Zoe, but I also feel blessed that my life was changed by her and her brother when they entered our lives and I'm doubly blessed to have such great memories with her and being able to witness her grow up from the tiny child that God gave us to the beautiful young woman that she is now.
Yep, she graduated high school and I couldn't be prouder and happier for her!! Here she is sporting her Roswell HS green cap and gown.
And of course, her decorative top that Gretchen helped her make. Go Owls!
She even had time to pose with her family before running off to the ceremony.
And what high school girl (even one graduating) could resist taking a selfie?
The weather for the outdoor ceremony was almost pleasant and the stands were at capacity. I had a little trouble with pulling off the shot of her accepting her diploma so forgive my grainy photo.
There was over 550 kids in her graduating class and it was like the end of the Superbowl when the ceremony ended.
But a perfect place to walk around a take a ton of photos with your high school friends.
And, of course, celebrate the awesome event with some cake!
I love you Zoe! I'm so proud of you, Zoe!! I'm always here for you my sweet, sweet girl!!!