See art on a warehouse district walk
Location: Castleberry Hill
Recently, whenever I head to the Castleberry Hill neighborhood, art is somehow involved. A few years ago, I wandered through the area with a photography MeetUp. Then last year, there was Flux 2011. Still on my ‘to do’ list is the monthly art stroll. With its large concentration of old railroad buildings, the neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And, the early 20th century warehouse buildings often provide artistic views on the inside and out.
Profess your love with a wood carving
Date taken: June 15, 2012
Location: Lake Claire Land Trust
Around the time my nephew was first beginning to string words together into sentences, I asked him about his week – specifically what he had done that day and the day before. We were riding in the car, and he was listing the places or people he had seen. At one point he said, “Went to see boo eew.” I had no idea who or what he was talking about, so I said, “say it again.” And, he did. I still didn’t understand, so he repeated it. This went on about six more times, with me saying “who?” and him repeating what he had said. Finally, he had enough of my ignorance and told me, “go ask daddy.” I did. It turns out they had gone to see “Big Lou the Emu” at the Lake Claire Land Trust. I had no idea the land trust was home to an emu. It turns out this community space also features chickens, a garden, drum circles, a few unofficial wood carvings and large hand-crafted wooden chairs, which provide a comfortable spot to enjoy a view of the land trust and the city.
Admire antebellum architecture
Location: Madison, Georgia
I remember first exploring the small town of Madison in college when my photography professor sent the class on an assigment to the small Georgia town. He said the antebellum architecture would be a great backdrop for capturing texture and lines using black and white film. I had always heard that Madison was “the town so beautiful that Sherman refused to burn it.” The town is quite charming and a nice day trip from Atlanta (1.5 hours). But, if you read a little history about the Civil War, it turns out that Madison’s mayor was a Unionist who reached a deal with General Sherman’s troops not to destroy the town.
Watch funnel cakes being made (and then eat one)
Date taken: June 16, 2012
Location: Midsummer Music & Food Festival at Candler Park
In the 1920s, Asa Candler, the Coca-Cola co-founder, former Atlanta mayor and Druid Hills resident, donated more than 50 acres of his land to the city of Atlanta. Today, that land is Candler Park, and it’s home to a public golf course, swimming pool, playground, pavilions, basketball court and several fields. Each year, the park hosts at least three annual festivals — Sweetwater 420 Fest, Midsummer Music Festival, Candler Park Fall Fest. And, I believe you can find a cold Coca-Cola at all of them.
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.
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