Atlanta w/Mister - Days 1 & 2

When I was in Montana mid October, I received an email with a crazy good deal on airfare to Atlanta.  A few quick peeks showed that it was good for the days Mister has scheduled vacation and an also very quick phone call to him resulted in "go for it."  "It" is here.  I've never been outside the airport in Atlanta and thus, Georgia as well.  Woohoo ---checking off another state.  Let's go.

Day 1 - It's a wee hour up, up, and away for us.  The sun is just starting to rise (okay so it's not THAT wee, but we left the house at 5:00 a.m.) as we taxi for take-off.

Southwest is the carrier of choice today and we are sitting right over the wing -- sometimes good, sometimes not if you really want to watch out the window.  The good part???  The seats in front of us don't go back.  THAT's a plus in my book.



It's crazy to me, but this flight literally flew by.  Hahahaha.  We are in Atlanta within 2 hours but lost an hour to time zones.  Oh well, a quick stop at the visitor booth in the airport and I am loaded up with literature to use.  Welcome to Georgia.

The car is secured and now we need to appease our bellies.  It just so happens that the area we land in provides our first stop --- and it's all a fluke.  I was hoping to grab something and walk along the Beltline, but we had to go a bit off the path to find food.  Such is life --- flexibility is the key when we travel and now the Ponce City Market has our complete attention.  This place is just so fun and why oh why can't Dallas do something like this?  It's an old building that has been given new life.  I would be here all the time if I lived in Atlanta.  Mister's first task is to find some coffee while I check out the shops and restaurants.

He finishes just as I return and now we get to wander together.  There is a little hidden area and I missed it so a quick peek is in order.  Oh my, check out this honey shop.  Online order here I come.

Right next door is batter, which sells raw cookie dough like ice cream.  It's so strange to me, but we taste the salted caramel and it's dang good.  Sweet, for sure, but tasty all the same.  I wonder if you mixed eggs into these, would they still bake up into cookies?  Food for thought.  Hahahaha again.  Apparently I am quite punny today.

As we continue down the row, I hear Mister do an intake of breath and set a direct course for another shop.  Oh my, he is super excited.  It is called 18-21 Bitters and he meets up with Alice and the two of them are best friends within moments.

She offers to do a "bitters" tasting so we settle in to tantalize the taste-buds.  No wonder he was so excited.  I now have the perfect Christmas gift to order for his stocking.  I have to admit -- these are dang cool.  The different flavor combinations are so fun and I could easily come up with some unique and totally original drinks if these were in the house.  Again, stocking time.

Another couple comes in and joins us for the rest of the tasting.  Our timing on this was impeccable as tastings are not offered all the time.  It seems as though each trip just offers us these out-of-the-blue crazy opportunities.  Wait until these arrive - Perhaps I'll share some fun with you the next time you visit.  Who am I talking to?  Well, whoever wants to visit.

There is even a kitchen area in the shop but photography is not allowed there.  It's where the secret recipes for these are held.  I even ask about a picture but am told no --- yes, there are signs everywhere.  I have no idea how I  missed them unless I was just so excited for my sweetie.

Okay, the bellies are still rumbling and we've already been here an hour.  Now for some food.  There is a place called Ton Ton where they serve a Japanese Noodle Soup.  I like Pho so perhaps I will enjoy this as well.  Let's give it a try.

Mister orders the Invincible Dan Dan Mazeman and I keep it simple with the Hakata Tonkotsu Classic.  I have a great view of the kitchen as I sit and the steaming water pots are going everywhere with one order at a time.  Each batch of noodles are even precisely measured out on a scale.  I decide that the egg in mine can go to Mister but the soup arrives with it in there anyway.  Oh well, it's a simple transfer and time to enjoy.  My dish is wonderful, but out of the corner of my eye I notice my sweetheart sweating a wee bit.  Apparently his is just a tad (read a LOT) on the spicy side.

Our parking meter for the car is about to run out so a quick walk upstairs is all we have time for.  Where now?  Oh, that's right.  Mister has asked to go to the CDC and it is only open Monday-Thursday so it's today or not at all.  Off we go.

After a CRAZY security stop outside where we literally have to open all the doors, hood, and trunk to the car before going to stand across the driveway while it is checked out.  Identification checked and rechecked.  Wow.  All we want to do is go to the museum.

When we finally find a place to park, we enter the building for another security check.  This is a museum right?  Perhaps there should be a different door to the entire building.  There are three gentlemen at the desk.  The first two help by checking ID's and issuing name tags and the third one manages the metal detector.  I honestly believe we are living in the beginning of "Total Recall" type lunacy.  At any rate, we pass again and are able to enter the museum at last.  Here is a look back at the entrance.  Yes, pictures are allowed.  No, it doesn't make any sense.

Now, let's check out the exhibits.  The first floor is dedicated entirely to an exhibit on Ebola.

Since we live in Dallas, we wondered if our incident made the museum.  Yeppers.  A whole section is devoted to it.

It is definitely a place full of information and yet, still no idea how the disease got started.  They have yet to locate the host although they suspect bats are to blame.

Moving to the next floor, the CDC takes you through all of the major epidemics throughout history.  This iron lung dates back to when polio was running rampant.

As we take the stairs to depart, I am fascinated by the walls.  They are covered with all shapes and sizes of ceramic viruses and bacteria.  Obviously, all an enlarged many, many times over.

Ah, outside again and ready to breathe.   The route back takes us through some beautiful roads that are lined with trees of every color.  We are off by about a week from seeing this is perfect glory, but I am thrilled.  It is simply gorgeous.

We are now in an area called Little Five Points and want to check out a place called The Junkman's Daughter.

Well, needless to say, it is not what we had hoped (i.e. antiques and junk) but is just kind of a funky shop.  Mister does find a hat here but the only picture I grab is off these dressing rooms.  Your eyes are not fooling you --- they are lined with pink fur.

It's getting late in the day and we are ready for a beer.  The first spot on my list is nearby and through the Krog Tunnel to the other side.

This tunnel is definitely a sight to behold.  I'm not sure I'd make it a stop to walk through, but it's crazy for sure.  Perhaps Atlanta should adopt that "keep weird" thing.

Mister spots an antique shop and since we missed our earlier, parks real quick and in we go to the Fainting Couch.  Oh, I so should have taken pictures in here but to tell the truth, I was afraid to move.  I don't know how Mister did it, but he made it to the back of the store and kind of checked things out.  It's so full of things that I didn't even know where to look.  Honest.  I did the best check I could on sewing machines/tables but no luck.  At least I don't think so.  If you're a camera buff, this is the place for you.

Now, the Torched Hop Brewing Company is in sight.  Woohoo.

As we enter in, the doors are HUGE and elegant.  The brewery is right there and Christmas decorations are going up in the entrance.  We take a quick peek around the restaurant before settling in at the bar.

I walk back into the entry, meet one of the owners and ask for a spot to charge my phone.  They are happy to oblige and I'm happy to leave it lay and settle in for a drink

Don't these look yummy?

We're not landing any one place quite yet so it's time to move on after a perfectly delightful visit.  We have the scoop on a couple of other places and the lowdown on the Atlanta parking situation.  We are set.  Oh, one last picture as this is the largest "around" Christmas tree I've see in awhile.  So pretty though.

The next stop is not too far away and gives us a chance to enjoy Atlanta at night.  The Ponce Market that we visited earlier is lit up too.  Yes, we've come full circle and are staying in this area today as best we can.  Our Airbnb is nearby as well.  The Wrecking Bar Brewpub comes into view and just look at it.  Wow.  Again, this is housed in an older building and has been revitalized.

This place has a great beer selection, but the vibe is not one that really appeals to us.  It's more of a restaurant and that is definitely their push.  We are not quite ready to eat yet so enjoy our beer and make our way to another on the list.  NOW, if you do like this vibe, please don't write this place off.  It DOES have a good beer list.

Two different people have recommended our last spot tonight.  It is the Porter and is just a beer bar with a great selection - not a brewery.  That's okay.  We're more than happy to try it out.

Once we've found a place to park, the walk to the joint comes with the sounds of some buskers out front.  I like it.

Luck is on our side and two spots are open at the bar.  We meet Neal and Mike, our bartenders who have been here for years and years.  That alone tells me a lot about this place.  Oh, something I haven't mentioned yet that Mister and I notice about all the establishments we have visited so far is that everyone uses stemware.  A lot of stemware.  This place is not any different.

We do stay long enough for dinner AND dessert.  It's a great place and definitely would be a hangout if we lived here.  If you're in Atlanta, I'd check it out if you haven't already.  Oh, and the chocolate moose is to die for.

Back in our room, it's been a long day and we are both ready for sleep.  The area is definitely interesting and I'll just leave it at that.  Mister starts the fire in the room and isn't this just cozy?  See ya'll tomorrow.

Day 2 - Good morning.  The best part about vacations is waking up when your body wants to.  That's it.  No alarms, no worries about having to be someplace, nothing.  Now, in the interest of full disclosure, it's usually still pretty early for us.  Years of programming don't go away just like that, but it is definitely low stress.

Okay, okay.  Mister is waiting at the door - a bit impatiently if truth be told.  I think he wants coffee.  Exiting the house, I notice an old church right across the street.  It's closed but dates back to 1917 and is the Zion Tabernacle F.B.H. Church with a very interesting history if you wish to google it.

As I get into the car, I notice my sweetheart looking at a parking ticket we got last night while at the Porter.  What???  We checked and double checked that street.  Ugh.

Our first stop today is at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market.  It shouldn't come as any surprise that we both adore these open markets.  We're hoping for some breakfast while here and perhaps Mister will get his much longed for coffee too. 

There are quite a few shops in the building but many of the restaurant types are not open yet.  However, the shopping --- oh the shopping is definitely open and the shelves look amazing.  Again, why can't we have something like this in Dallas?  Why?

One of the shops even has a "Learnin' Kitchen".  Perfect.  (I think the G is laying down.)

After a walk through the whole place, we stop at Panbury's Double Crust Pies for breakfast.

Mister goes up to order while I look at a rack of travel brochures before settling in for a nice warm breakfast.  Oooh, what wonders do these behold?

A slight mix-up in my coffee allows us to meet the owner and discover the kitchen where these scrumptious pies are being assembled.  This time I check for signs before asking to take pictures and am granted permission.  Look at all that is going on.  These pies are in mass production as I'm assuming lunch is a big time here at the market.  It's a small kitchen, but crazy efficient.

Our first destination for today is the one other place not open on the weekends.  The Federal Reserve.  I know that sounds crazy, but I love the Bureau of Engraving in Fort Worth and want to see another part of how our money is processed.  On our way, we spot several iconic Atlanta items -- Martin Luther King and the Olympic Flame.  Yes, shooting pictures out the window this morning -- not my best moment, but at least the moment is captured.

Our arrival at the Reserve does not go without another moment of craziness.  We drive around the block looking for the parking entrance and finally see a small sign that says "visitors keep right" in the reserved parking area.  Okay.  Pulling in, we are again met with the bazillion questions, open doors, trunk, and hood.  Step away from the car.  ID scanned, etc.  AFTER all of that, they ask who are are visiting and we mention the museum inside.  It is at this point that we want to scream as they tell us there is no public parking for the museum.  We just have to find something on the road and enter through the front door.  Yes, even they decided that perhaps that should have been the first question and that the sign is indeed misleading.  Great.  Around the block we go again and finally find a spot nearby.  Of course, you have to pay as ALL parking in Atlanta is fee-based.

Into the museum we go and our phones are promptly locked away so that we can't take any pictures.  It confuses me until I realize that part of the tour is a look inside where the actually money is being moved around by robots.  Yep, it's pretty cool and the amount of cash is staggering.  We stand and watch for a really long time, just enjoying the entire process.

The museum itself is pretty history based and gives a ton of information on how money even came into being and use.  I really enjoy all of it and come away with a better sense of why I like bartering so very much.  The world worked that way for so very long and did well at it until the greedy people got their claws in the scene.

Upon our exit, Mister spots an interesting sculpture across the street and leads us that direction.  Here is the sign for your own understanding.

We still have time on the meter and that allows us time to explore the area a bit.  Just across the street is an older home, surrounded by wonderful color.

Turns out, it is the Margaret Mitchell House.  Now for you young-un's, that means an incredible author lived here once.  I think I've read Gone With the Wind at least 25 times and loved each one of them.  The movie is forever etched in my mind as well AND I think my love of studying that time period in history stemmed from it as well.

This part of the city is pretty dang cool.  There are lots of older buildings nestled in among-st the new ones taking you back in time.  In several cases, the newer buildings have been built to match the history and fit right in too.  This type of architectural beauty makes my heart happy.

Roaming around several blocks, Mister spots a business and disappears inside.  I guess I'll follow into Arden's Garden.  We're ordering ginger shooters and after the look on my sweeties face, I'm hesitant but down it anyway.

Oooooh, oooooh, ooooh.  That peppery hit at the end almost brings tears to the eyes.  My mouth has a burn going for at least half a block after leaving.

Now where?  Ahhh, a quick look at the list and we decide on the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.  They are supposed to be wonderful and we have a reciprocal membership so that makes the budget happy.

Color, color everywhere AND lots of Christmas lights.  I bet this place kicks some serious backside at night.  I don't think I've ever seen so many lights in one place.  It's crazy.  I can't even find out how many there are, but they have been doing this for 7 years and I want the Dallas Arboretum to take a look.

However, it is daylight and so this is what we have to experience.  Please don't get me wrong.  It is simply beautiful here.  Trains.

Color.

Chihuly with a mockingbird atop.

Fun gates

And a glimpse of the evening fun.  I have used a picture from their website to show you how it would look at night too.

This is outside the conservatory.  I want to go in as I've never really been able to enjoy one.  Here goes and we'll only be able to share a few of the hundreds of pictures we took in here.  So, so beautiful.  A wall of orchids at the entrance.

One section of the conservatory is all about orchids.  Oh my.  I think Mister may just live here forever as he loves these plants so  much.

What does he see?  (No big camera this trip.)

Here ya go.

Misting time.

Okay - the end of the orchids.

And some unique fun -

As we leave, the exit takes us past a poinsettia Christmas tree and through a desert region of plants that we find fascinating.  Although they look incredibly like cactus, they are not. 

This has been just wonderful.  I am so very glad we took the time to come here and bask in the beauty of nature and all that other areas of the world have to share.

I'm pretty sure we have been in this section for at least a couple of hours.  Wow.

I get it.  Ya'll are done in with plants for this post.  I wish I could tell you we are through, but we are not.  I said we took HUNDREDS of pictures.  (The corn stalks below are actually lights and I bet this edible garden area is beautiful at night.)

We have finally made it to the other side and Mister stops to talk seeds with a volunteer.

The final part of our journey is called the tree top walk and we are soon off.  Just as we round one corner, look what appears.  Oh my.  We've got to get closer to this one for sure.

So, as I'm writing this, I look up the website again and discover how she looks at night.  This just takes my breathe away.

A quick walk through the tree tops

And we're ready to call it done.  We managed to get our step count in for the day and our eyes have been notably fed.  All in all --- wonderful.

With the daylight still about, we can likely fit in one more adventure.  Hello Atlanta Station and the view of downtown from here.

Atlantic Station is an urban development that sits on the grounds of  for the former site of Atlantic Steel.  The smokestack still stands as a reminder of the past.  The Millennium Gate and Museum is also located down here.  As we wander the parks, reading all about the history reminds us of the old mill up in Oregon.  They need to do something like this as well.

There are shops galore and as we stroll up and down the streets, the sounds of merriment keep getting closer and closer.  At the end of one short lane, we come upon a busker doing tricks with cards and stop to watch for awhile.  Since Mister loves magic, he watches much closer than me, but still says that the performer is pretty good.  He does his job though, receiving tips and sending people away with smiles.

Across the street is a winter wonderland --- compliments of Germany.  Ooooh.

As I'm wandering around taking pictures, my love has made a beeline to the Gluhwein.  By the time I get there, he is happily sipping a warm cup of wine and chatting with the hostess (who sees the camera and is ducking behind the cash register).

The beautiful trees stands center stage.  Wow.

Our "day" comes to an end and that means it's time to check out the beer list.  Where to go tonight?  Nearby is 5 Seasons.  Let's go.

I'd like to give rave reviews on this place, but can't.  I'm so sorry but the beer is just not good AND the service/attitude in here leaves a lot to be desired.  Moving on, we drive to Eventide hoping for a better experience, but find that they are closed for a private party tonight.  On a Friday?  So odd.  Well, dang.  What now?

After some searching through notes, we decide to go to Monday Night Brewing, their Garage location.  With some crazy map work, we finally wind up in this parking lot.  There is a little tiny sign leading between the buildings.  Okaaaay.  Being the trusting souls that we are, off into the shadows we go.

The other side glows bright blue and one can hear the vibe clear down the walkway.  This is gonna be fun -- I can already feel it.  Inside, the decor is super fun and colorful.

LOVE these beer pulls.

It said to write on the wall.  I'm being obedient.

After a simply wonderful evening we make our way back to the car with a stop at one of the fire-pits for a few quiet moments together.  See ya'll tomorrow.