Monday, April 8, 2019

Spring Training 2019 - Day 63

We had heavy thunderstorms with lightning move through last night but it was clear when we got up.  It turned into a clear and sunny day with mid 70s temperatures.  We have stayed here before but decided to drive around a little and check out some of the things we didn't do last year.

We then decided to visit the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield about 15 miles north of Atlanta.  The battlefield is the scene of the definitive series of battles for Atlanta during General Sherman's campaign into the heart of the south in 1864.

The park is interspersed with sections of residential and commercial development and is not a self contained Civil War battlefield park as we have seen elsewhere.  The visitors center is very nice with a great introductory video about the battles fought here.  You also cannot drive to the summit of the mountain due to parking limitations but there is a shuttle that runs every 30 minutes.  You can also hike to the summit, either on one side of the road or on a hiking trail.  The park was very crowded and a lot of people, including kids in strollers, dogs on leashes and older people were hiking up the road. We took the shuttle to the top.  There are excellent views of the city and beyond in all directions as well as more exhibits and artifacts (cannons).

Afterwards, we visited the site of one of the more famous battle sites, Cheatham Hill.  This is where one of the most deadly attacks in the battle where Union forces attempted a frontal assault uphill against fortified Confederate positions. The site was called the "Dead Angle" by survivors of the battle.  The Union forces lost 1400 killed and wounded and the Confederates 800.

It was then over to Kevin's house for a visit and dinner.  Kevin lives in an upscale residential, professional and commercial complex called Avalon.  It is a neat place and very busy with many restaurants, and common areas.  We had a great dinner at a Neapolitan pizza restaurant then headed back to Stone Mountain.






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