Hockey Road Trip, Fall 2004

Week One - Southwest Sat, 10/16 - Fri, 10/22

Tuesday, 11/9

Today, I traveled from Auburn, AL to Duluth, GA, stopping at LaGrange, GA on the way.  Saw the Hills & Dales Estate (a mansion and gardens) in LaGrange and a Gwinnett Gladiators vs. Texas Wildcatters hockey game in Duluth.

Week Two - Texas Sat, 10/23 - Fri, 10/29

Week Three - Southeast Sat, 10/30 - Fri, 11/5

The visit to the Hills & Dales Estate was a spur of the moment thing for me.  (I always like to state these 'spur of the moments' because I don't do those often.)   I had a few hours to kill before heading through Atlanta traffic to get to Duluth.  I stopped at the GA visitor center and saw a brochure on the Estate.  Decided to give it a go.  Hills & Dales is a southern treasure with 35 acres of rolling hills and shady dales.  One is inspired by the beauty of historic Ferrell Gardens, the craftmanship of the Fuller E. Gallaway family home, and the vision of its creators.  (Taken from brochure.) Lots of family history, beautiful gardens, and a gorgeous mansion at this place.  It had only been open to the public for a month.  I was adult visitor number 390 (not counting groups).  There was a short film on the family history and some displays in the visitors center for viewing.  Then a tram up to the mansion for a guided tour of the first floor. Then I took a self guided tour through the gardens and walked back to the visitors center.

Week Four - Southeast Sat, 11/6 - Fri, 11/12

Week Five - Mid Atlantic 11/13 - Fri, 11/19

Week Six - Long Island Sat, 11/20 - Fri, 11/26

Week Seven - Midwest Sat, 11/27 - Fri, 12/3

Week Eight - Midwest Sat, 12/4 - Fri, 12/10

Week Nine - Las Vegas Sat, 12/11 - Fri, 12/17

Week Ten - California Sat, 12/18 - Fri, 12/24

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Well worth the visit.  I imagine spring time is the best time to go to view the gardens.  Many of the flowers will be in bloom then.

I spent a bit more time at Hills & Dales than expected.  Did hit some traffic on my way to the Gwinnett Civic Center.  I watched the Gwinnett Gladiators play the Texas Wildcatters.  Notes: - Was greeted well by the booster club.  Jess stopped by to say hello. - I originally thought the game was going to be a blow out by the Gladiators.  With 5 minutes into the third period, they were winning 4 - 0.  It was all Gladiators up to the point.  Then the Wildcatters got their game legs on and proceeded to score 4 unanswered goals, the last one coming with just over a minute of play left. -  Gladiators ended up winning in the shoot out (7 players on the shoot out).

The outside of the Gwinnett Civic Center, taken at dusk.

Game Fourteen - Gwinnett Civic Center Gladiators vs. Wildcatters Score:  Gladiators 5 - Wildcatters 4

Posted:  11/9/04 Updated:  11/11/04