There's a trail which runs from Atlanta all the way to Stone Mountain-- nearly twenty miles. I spent most of my day on this trail, from Oakhurst/Decatur, to Stone Mountain Village

A small pottery shop behind an art studio in Stone Mountain is home tonight.
I had been invited in by Jay– someone I’d met along the path today; however, after arriving here and catching up with him on the phone, he rescinded his offer after I politely answered his question that no, I’m not gay and no, I wasn’t interested in becoming gay for him tonight.
I have friends who are gay, which I’m completely fine with. I’ve even stayed with gays in multiple spots across the miles. They (male and female) have been some of the best hosts to me. I was disappointed with the late, after-dark phone call, but ready to move forward nonetheless. Blindly seeking hosting AFTER dark is typically one of the scenarios I most seek to avoid, and not a scenario I find myself in too often anymore. Serendipitously, upon hanging up the phone here in Stone Mountain Village, I looked around to find that they’re having their monthly art walk here this evening. Many of the attendees enthusiastically approached me to hear the Walk story, and I had an important question to follow the many answers I was giving them: “Do you know of any safe place in town for me to spend tonight?”
Friendly locals pointed me to The Art Studio, whose owners, the Thomases, are very involved in the community. I met Mr. Thomas at The Art Studio, and he didn’t hesitate to open his pottery shop to me–complete with bathroom and electricity!
I spent the final hour mingling with the owners and crowd at The Art Studio before closing. I even received a late message from Jay that he “wasn’t looking for sex, but making out would work well.” I immediately chose to ignore and delete all correspondence with Mr. Creep. I’d much sooner walk through thunderstorms and hundred-degree weather than communicate with him again. You know, in the what-have-I-learned-from-this realm, I believe I now know how women feel when working to shake off a creepy guy. Empathy has evolved to sympathy.
Tomorrow, I’ll visit at least part of Stone Mountain, as a dozen more miles await me from here to the home of Marianne & Family, in Snellville.
Funny how some of these days wind up. Once again, I find myself most thankful to the Road Angels who continue to emerge to assist me on this journey!

Spending the night at Stone Mountain Village's Art Studio. Thank You, David Thomas!

Thank You, David Thomas, for providing me with a solid, secure place to sleep for the night (with no strings attached!!).