The Memorial Carving depicts three Confederate heroes of the Civil War: Confederate President Jefferson Davis, General Robert E. Lee and Lt. General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson
How big/tall is the mountain? How big is the Carving?
How big/tall is the mountain? How big is the Carving?
The mountain is 825 feet tall and covers 583 acres. The top of the mountain is 1,683 feet above sea level.The entire carved surface of the Memorial Carving measures three acres, larger than a football field. The carving of the three men towers 400 feet above the ground, measures 90 by 190 feet, and is recessed 42 feet into the mountain. The deepest point of the carving is at Lee's elbow, which is 12 feet to the mountain's surface.
They've built several attractions around the base of the mountain and it's a fun place to go. We hadn't been there in years and thought the girls might like it. (OK, I thought they'd like it. Mark thought it was going to be a big bust, but he didn't say anything.) They have a new obstacle course, a train which runs 5 miles around the base of the mounatin, put-put golf, paddle boats, a museum, a cable car to the top of the mountain if you don't want to hike, a 4 story "barn" full of foam balls, ball guns, slides and climbing nets, shopping, dining, and a huge picnic area which faces the carving on the side of the mountain where they have a great lasershow at night, and more. The girls loved it and it wore us out. The weather wasn't too hot, and there were no crowds because it's so late in the season. Yeah! Here are some pics:
There is a large rock outcropping in the parking lot near where we left the car. Olivia HAD to climb to the top. She was quite proud of herself.
Olivia flexing her muscles in the Park. Everything was very clean and beautiful.
Olivia finally decided that we would ride the train first. She had a hard time deciding between that or lunch. It was a nice, slow ride on 5 miles of track around the base of the mountain. The train wasn't crowded at all and there was a great breeze. Ke Xin wasn't too sure about the train at first, but then she warmed up to it and was happy just looking around and eating her Cheerios.
What a great shot of Mark looking relaxed!!!
Olivia LOVED the train!
This is the view of the mountain and carving from the tracks across the picnic area. At night, you can sit out and watch the lasershow, complete with music. I think it lasts about an hour and it's usually a really neat show with music. It gets kinds hookie when they play Elvis singing Dixie. (We didn't stay for that, it would have been way too late for the girls.) The trees are full-size old pines. You can't really appreciate how big the mountin is unless you see it in person.
This is a shot of the inside of The Barn from the second level. It is 4 stories tall, and full of foam balls flying everywhere. You collect them and can put them into all sorts of containers for points, or shoot them from guns (lots more fun) at anyone unlucky enough to stand still for a few seconds. The mood is pure pandemonium. There are rope ramps/ladders and tube slides that stretch the entire 4 floors. Olivia was happy to climb up and down the rope ladders, but there was no way she was getting into a 4 story tube slide. I wouldn't either! Ke Xin was overwhlemed by it all, but was happy to be carried around until she got more used to it. Then she had a great time collecting balls and bouncing on the woven trampoline on the 3rd level.
Olivia collecting balls and avoiding incoming missles. 
Bouncing on the woven tramp up on the 3rd level.
Olivia climbing up the rope ramps.
After wearing ourselves out at the Barn, we headed up the road to the cable cars. They take you up to the top of the mountain. We took a break in the shade and Olivia posed for the camera. Her cheeks are bright red from all the activity at The Barn. Plus, it was warming up.
The view from the line for the cable cars.
Ke Xin looking casual as she waits for our turn on the car. She likes to wear the hat backwards. She came up with that all on her own.
The carving as seen from the cable car. It is massive!!! They say the carving began in the early 1920's. After several groups tried and failed to complete it for one reason or another, it was finally finished in 1972.
Up at the top of the mountain. We ran into a small group of Chinese exchange students from Beijing attending Georgia State University. (There were LOTS of Asians all over the park that day!) They were very interested in Ke Xin and we talked with them for some time. They were very nice and spoke English very well. You would have sworn they'd been here for years, but they'd only been in the country for 23 days. We discussed adoption and the current economic situation. They tried to talk with Ke Xin but she was not interested. They said there are so many different dialects in China, they were not surprised that she didn't respond to them. One girl thanked us for taking Ke Xin into our home and giving her a better life. We think we are the lucky ones!
Next, we walked down to the boat dock and rode the tug boat around the lake. The kids had to wear life preservers. Ke Xin was not too keen about hers. She was napping when we got there and didn't appreciate being stuffed into a giant styrofoam jacket. She reminded me of the little brother in " A Christmas Story". By the time he's wrapped up in all his winter-wear, he can't even put his arms down.
Ke Xin got happier after she cooled down and Mark started to rough-house with her and Olivia.
We took a break after walking back uphill to the park. Thank heavens the cashier at the boat dock told us about a shortcut. Mark was getting grumpy. The girls shared Dippin' Dots. They are cold and tasty, but outrageously expensive.
Next was Sky Hike. It is a series of ropes you balance on and walk around on about 3 stories up in the air. Olivia wasn't tall enough to do it and it's just as well, because we were worn out and there was no way we were going to do that. But they have an obstacle course for kids at ground level that turned out to be just the thing. Olivia loved it and ran through the courtse about 3 times. Her favorite thing was flying on the zip cord. I'll try to post a video I took of that. Ke Xin tried everything and had a ball, too.
Before we even got out of the park... z...z...z...z...z...z...z...z... They slept all the way home.
And were ready to party again by the time we arrived back. But they crashed hard once their heads hit their pillows. They needed to get their sleep since Sunday we were meeting Uncle Dave and his fam for a trip to Mickey-D's and Build-A-Bear!
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