While it shouldn’t be unexpected for any passerby to stop and say hello as I walk the miles of my route, signs prominently displaying “WALKING ACROSS AMERICA–” what has been a pleasant surprise across the miles is when walking anywhere out of uniform (my safety vest + signs), off the route, and meeting people who– when they hear the story of the Walk– still offer some sort of assistance.
Such was the case yesterday evening.
Hosted in Atlanta‘s hip Midtown neighborhood, Rocio, my host, lives just a block away from the Trader Joe’s grocery store. Though no longer my #1 favorite, Trader Joe’s marked my transition from crappy mainstream grocery stores to a much, much greater quality of food. Ten years ago, when I began shopping at TJ’s, within weeks I began to notice my body feeling healthier, fingernails growing in thicker and stronger, as well as hair and skin becoming richer in tone and texture. Though I most prefer to shop locally-owned cooperative grocery stores now (wherever they exist), I nonetheless am not a stranger to Trader Joe’s, if the city has one– for I still find their quality-price combo to be an excellent deal. Given that Atlanta has the first Trader Joe’s in a city I’ve walked to since Tucson– over 2,000 miles ago– I was pretty excited to get back into the store and check it out.
In the back of Trader Joe’s, there’s always a demo station– where products are being prepared for the general public to sample, and if they like– purchase. I’ve always enjoyed a friendly hello and chat with demo employees, and Atlanta was no different. As Julie, working the demo desk, came to learn that I was not from Atlanta, I answered her questions regarding what brings me to Atlanta.
Julie liked the Walk story, and stopped Robyn– a coworker of hers who was grocery shopping off the clock– to share the story with her as well. Robyn asked me about the Walk, and upon answering her questions, told me that she owned a bicycle touring business within Atlanta. She invited me to join a group for an Atlanta bicycle tour the following morning. I quickly jumped at the opportunity!
Robyn fits some Manhattan visitors with the bikes and gear.
Before setting off on the 3-hour tour, Robyn and Doug brief us all on how the tour will proceed, what to expect, and gives us necessary safety advice as well.
Shortly into the tour, Doug leads us to some excellent views of Atlanta just atop the newly constructed, still-in-progress, 22-mile Atlanta belt-line rails-to-trails project.
Atlanta’s new beltline! Rails to trails!!
Only the first small portion of the 22-mile loop project is being completed here, and locals obviously aren’t waiting for any official ribbon cutting to take early advantage of the trail!
We’re shown beautiful mural art in the Little Five Points neighborhood
Doug tells us the story of the beautiful mural art in the Little Five Points neighborhood
Doug tells us the story of the beautiful mural art in the Little Five Points neighborhood
Robyn tells fascinating stories on our ride between Little Five Points and Cabbagetown.
They take us to a new apartment/condominium complex that was built on the site of an old cotton mill. Typically, new residential construction always flattens any pre-existing industrial architecture. However, in a fascinating and appealing new twist, the designers of this complex left much of the former cotton mill intact, giving an extraordinarily hip, artistic, and unique flavor to the residential project.
They take us to a new apartment/condominium complex that was built on the site of an old cotton mill. Typically, new residential construction always flattens any pre-existing industrial architecture. However, in a fascinating and appealing new twist, the designers of this complex left much of the former cotton mill intact, giving an extraordinarily hip, artistic, and unique flavor to the residential project.
They take us to a new apartment/condominium complex that was built on the site of an old cotton mill. Typically, new residential construction always flattens any pre-existing industrial architecture. However, in a fascinating and appealing new twist, the designers of this complex left much of the former cotton mill intact, giving an extraordinarily hip, artistic, and unique flavor to the residential project.
We bicycle our way through historic Oakland Cemetery– Atlanta’s oldest. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakland_Cemetery_(Atlanta) )
Downtown!
Robyn describes some of the fascinating historical facts within downtown Atlanta.
Doug, Robyn & Brent– The WONDERFUL Bicycle Tours of Atlanta crew!!!
( www.biketoursatl.com )
I absolutely LOVED this morning’s bicycle ride, and I highly recommend Robin & friends to anyone visiting Atlanta!!