Read a storybook
Location: Decatur Education Foundation tent at the 2012 Decatur Book Festival
Date taken: September 2, 2012
Go jump in a lake
Location: Chickamauga Lake
Date taken: August 23, 2012
Unfortunately, there is no big, beautiful body of water in Atlanta. For those of us who love the water, Piedmont Park’s Lake Clara Meer isn’t quite enough. So, take a weekend trip or a day trip to one of these larger lakes, all within a few hours of the city:
Chickamauga Lake | Lake Lanier | Lake Allatoona | Lake Oconee | Jackson Lake| Lake Hartwell
Lake Keowee | Clarks Hill Lake | Lake Burton | Lake Nottely
Hang your wish on a tree
Location: Wish Tree at the 2012 Decatur Book Festival
Date taken: September 2, 2012
I don’t know who sponsored this Wish Tree at the Decatur Book Festival, but it was certainly popular. By the time I stumbled upon it, all the tags had been used. People had started writing their wishes on receipts and sticking them on the tree. Some wishes were playful, such as the one from a 9-year-old who said, “I wish I could have a pony.” Another kid wrote, “I wish I would grow up to be an astronaut.” Other wishes were more serious. “I wish people wouldn’t argue so much” a tag read. People wished for health and happiness. One person wrote, “I wish everyone knew they are beautiful just as they are.” And, another hung this wish on the tree: “I wish I had the power to grant wishes.”
Stroll around a Southern town square
Location: Marietta Square
Date taken: August 9, 2012
The Marietta Square, also known as Glover Park, is home to dozens of restaurants, antique shops, art galleries and the Strand Theatre, which first opened in 1935 as a motion picture house. During the Civil War, the town center became famous because it was where the Great Locomotive Chase began.
Climb a mountain for a panoramic view
Location: Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Date taken: August 9, 2012
Growing up in Atlanta, Kennesaw Mountain was a frequent destination for hiking, a little bit of history and spending the day outside. I often spent time with my best friend at her grandparents’ house, which was located at the base of the mountain. We would climb to the top and try to spot their tiny green house below. Then, we would wander around their backyard with her grandfather, watching him use his metal detector to locate and dig up Civil War artifacts. I learned about the Civil War in school, but seeing him pull a button or a bullet out of the ground provided a different sort of history lesson.
Take yourself out to a ballgame
Location: Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field
Date taken: August 14, 2012
In 1991, the “worst to first” Atlanta Braves lost the World Series, but the city threw them a parade anyway. The parade was held on a Tuesday, and my high school emptied out in the middle of the day as everyone headed downtown. I recall piling into my mom’s minivan with several friends. Wearing our Braves gear, we couldn’t wait to watch our favorite players ride by in the parade (mine was Tom Glavine). It was a great day to be an Atlantan. The Braves had come a long way since the 1980s, when going to a game usually meant you had an entire section of Fulton County Stadium to yourself. These days, the crowd at Turner Field is quite a bit bigger than in the 1980s. And, I’m sure if you asked them, they’d say they are ready for another parade.
Experience the adage ‘one person’s trash is another person’s treasure’
Location: My Favorite Place
Date taken: August 1, 2012
My Favorite Place is truly my favorite flea market in Atlanta. There are aisles and aisles of furniture, dishes, purses, sports equipment, books, toys, random collectables and the occasional mounted deer head — all stacked on top of each other. Unfortunately, the name of the store has resulted in numerous “Who’s On First” conversations over the years:
Friend: “That’s a great lamp. Where did you get it?”
Me: “My Favorite Place. It was only $13!”
Friend: “Wow. Nice deal. Now, where did you buy it?”
Me: “My Favorite Place. It’s in Chamblee near the car dealerships.”
Friend: “I realize this is your favorite place, but what is the actual name of the store?”
Me: “I am telling you the name — My Favorite Place!”
atlantaheydays.com 
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