Take a stroll by the river and through the woods
Location: Sweetwater Creek State Park
Sweetwater Creek State Park sits to the west of Atlanta and just off I-20. The name might be familiar to most Atlantans, as the park’s whitewater rapids inspired the name and slogan for Atlanta’s SweetWater Brewing Company – “Don’t float the mainstream.” But with nine miles of trails, fishing, boat rentals and playgrounds there is a lot to do. There’s also a little history – one of the most popular trails takes you by the remains of a Civil War era textile mill.
Stumble upon a treasure at a giant yard sale
Location: First Baptist Church of Decatur Annual Yard Sale
Date taken: June 7, 2012
Held every year in June, this yard sale supports the church’s youth on their summer mission trip. In addition to dozens of cups and coffee mugs, the church’s front lawn is also covered with refrigerators, dressers, tables, bedframes, books, bikes and stuffed animals. Last year, I stumbled upon the perfect long-sleeve button-up shirt for 50 cents. I wear it all the time. But, if this sale isn’t big enough for you, drive two hours north to the Tennessee-Alabama border in August and shop the World’s Longest Yard Sale.
View the past and future at the same time
Location: Ponce City Market (2014)
Sears, Roebuck & Co. Store and Distribution Center (1926)
Date taken: June 5, 2012
This photo was taken on a recent tour of Ponce City Market. The building, originally built in 1926 as a Sears, Roebuck & Co. store and distribution center, is the largest in the Southeast at 2.1 million square feet. For obvious reasons, the structure has been a prominent fixture in Atlanta for many years. My father recalls visiting Atlanta in his youth and going to Sears with his dad and brother. They would head to the sporting goods department to check out the Ted Williams-endorsed fishing gear, among other things.
Buy refreshments from a local school’s festival tent
Location: Inman Middle School tent at the 2012 Virginia-Highland Summerfest
Date taken: June 3, 2012
Host some friendly competition at your favorite tavern
Location: Eagle’s Nest at Manuel’s Tavern
Date taken: June 2, 2012
See the planets and stars up close
Location: Fernbank Science Center Planetarium & Observatory
Date taken: June 1, 2012
On any clear Friday or Saturday night, I can venture a few minutes from my house to the Fernbank Science Center, talk with friendly volunteers who know a thing or two about the skies, learn a little myself at a Planetarium show, and then look through the Observatory telescope at the craters on the moon. The craters appear so close and so clear that my brain begins to tell my hands to reach out and touch them. Recently, I looked through the giant telescope, saw Saturn’s rings and muttered aloud “That’s perfect.”
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