beltline hike – a behind the scenes tour of atlanta
March 11, 2009 by ksolo
Filed under foodie travel
A little after 10am on Saturday morning, a loose group of strangers is gathered in front of Park Grounds coffee shop in Reynoldstown. We’re all exchanging casual introductions and pleasantries as we prepare to embark on an 8 (or so)-mile hike of the Beltline.
“Ok. By show of hands, who’s got a car to transport folks to the starting point?” the slightly hoarse, sort of gravelly voice querying us belongs to Angel, our tour guide for the day. A few hands go up in the air, and our small group splinters into even smaller groups that can fit into each car.
I – and 3 others – follow Angel. “Alright, so before we get started, what part of town does everyone live in?” he asks us.
I pipe up first, “Kirkwood.”
“North Lake.” This comes from David, a property manager and father of two.
Jimmy, an amateur videographer answers next, “Decatur.”
“Pittsburgh,” chimes in my beau.
“See, the Beltline is already bringing Atlanta together!”
In case you haven’t heard, the Beltline project is a proposed conversion of over 22 miles of historic rail lines within the city of Atlanta into an interconnected network of transit, trails, parks, housing and urban greenspace. Basically, it has the potential to transform Atlanta even more than Sherman’s march to the sea.
Like countless other Atlantans, I’ve been hearing about the Beltline project for quite some time, and getting excited at all the excitement that everyone else seems to have about this huge, multi-year endeavor. But, to be honest, I was starting to feel a bit like the emperor in his new clothes concerning all the Beltline fervor. I knew it was something to be excited about, but I couldn’t see it. And without seeing it, I really couldn’t feel excited about it for myself. So, when I got word of the Beltline Hike being sponsored by Urban Hiking Atlanta (UHA) via Wonder Root, I signed up and prepared to get a hands-on education.
cabbagetown arts festival next weekend
March 5, 2009 by ksolo
Filed under dinner and a show
Dear Atlanta – spring is near. And if the time jumping forward and the fair weather weren’t enough of a signal for ya, how ’bout the start of outdoor festival season?
The quirky, Seuss-ian neighborhood known as Cabbagetown is kicking off the city’s outdoor ogling with the first-ever Cabbagetown Arts Festival on Saturday March 14 from noon – midnight. The festival will be as much a celebration of the arts as it will be a celebration of the community that was pretty beat up by that – quote – “punk-ass tornado” that ripped through Atlanta on March 14 of 2007.
Come out and witness some fine local art against the backdrop of impending Spring and revel in the spirit of resurgence.
cheers,
k
