Trip to atlanta

We used the extended Labor Day weekend to go see Isaac and Ricci in Atlanta, GA. We were long overdue for a visit and fortunately we had good weather and a good trip all around.

THE TRAVEL
We left Fort Wayne Friday morning at 8:30 and drove the route through Indy, Louisville, Nashville, and Chattanooga. It is just over 650 miles. We made good time until Chattanooga (which always seems to happen). It ended up taking us around 10 1/2 hours, which only included bathroom stops and one gas stop at Bowling Green (exit 28 by the Corvette Museum). We sat in traffic for at least 1/2 hour around Chattanooga and then it was stop-and-go. It's just a terrible place to try to get through. Other than a little bit of rain around Nashville, it was pretty uneventful though.

We came back Monday on the same route, leaving Atlanta at 8 am and arriving home at 6 pm. We would have made it in 9 1/2 hours except there was a wreck or something just south of Indianapolis and we had to sit for 20+ minutes.

We made peanut butter & jelly sandwiches for both trips. That not only cuts down on travel time, but saves eating some terrible fast food as well.

We also took the 2011 Ford Escape even though it has more miles than the Honda. It just rides so much better, plus it has Sirrius satellite radio.

THE VISIT
We had a nice time mostly hanging out at Isaac & Ricci's with their dogs Crosby and Tig. They have a really cool little house along Ponce de Leon Avenue just a mile or so off I-285 on the east side of the city. It's very easy to get to.

Our room (the guest room/laundry), while connected to the house, has a separate entrance out onto the shared back porch. The restroom is just inside the door in the main house. It's not large but kind of nice. We/they spend a lot of time on the back porch, and there is a fenced in back yard so the dogs can just hang on the porch and run around by themselves.

Both days we were there we had a good (late) breakfast and supper and didn't really eat lunch. We also went on a hike at two different parks and stopped at a different little brewery/bar afterward each day.

We had a few rousing games of dominoes, and Sunday night watched the movie Ford vs. Ferrari. We also got to see where Ricci's "classroom" is this semester. The private school she teaches at took a unique approach to addressing in-person classes. There are two groups of students who meet in this person's back yard (pictured). Ricci's middle school class is in the tent, and another grade is under the carport. Other classes meet in the backyards of other parents and kind souls who allowed the school to use their space. I think they are still assessing what to do once the weather gets a little cooler, but in the meantime I think this is great (and I imagine the kids love it)!

I suppose the biggest excitement was at the brewery we went to Sunday. It is mostly outdoors and there was a guy with a tent set up where he was selling food. He had a big pot of oil where he had been deep-frying tenderloins, fries and things, and at one point I looked over and said, "I think his fire is a little out of control." Pretty soon it was shooting up into the tent and he was frantically moving things around. Isaac ran over and started helping him, then a couple more of us went over. We moved the tent, the jugs of oil, gas cylinder and tables out of the way. Someone brought out a fire extinguisher but it was the wrong kind and only made the flames worse. Finally another customer grabbed a big metal lid and got it over the pot that had flames shooting from it. Eventually things settled down. It was quite the spectacle for a few minutes though. It was also a very cool place.

The only meal we had "out" was Sunday night at a place called The Marlay House down the street. It has a nice location in downtown Decatur and we were able to sit outside. I wish I could remember the names of the two breweries we went to. Both were little places not far from where they live.

THE REST
That's really about all there is to tell. It was a nice and quiet trip and visit. We weren't able to make the trip at all last year so it was good to get back. Personally, I can't decide if I prefer to drive or fly. They both take longer than I would like overall. I like the speed of a plane, but it's nicer trying to pack when we take our own vehicle. If I could learn to relax more it's not a terrible drive... other than the hills, the traffic, weather unknowns, and whatnot.

In northern Georgia we happened across this stupid billboard. Ugh. I literally HATE things like this. Why are people so stupid? I feel stupider just for having seen it, let alone sharing it here...

Anyway, I'm glad we got to go and now it's back to reality. I am not as tired today as I was afraid I would be. I wasn't looking forward to working my 10-hour day following a 10-hour car trip, but at least I get to sleep in tomorrow.

***

Psalm 121

 I look up to the mountains—
    does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble;
    the one who watches over you will not slumber.
Indeed, he who watches over Israel
    never slumbers or sleeps.

The Lord himself watches over you!
    The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
The sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon at night.

The Lord keeps you from all harm
    and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
    both now and forever.