Two Days in Altanta

I've been to Atlanta before. Once for spring break back in college and again for work last year. Neither times left me with an overwhelmingly good impression. Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate it either time, but the place doesn't rank on my "want to live" list.

(Do you have a "want to live" list? I hope so.)

I flew out last Wednesday and home again Thursday night on a very, very quick business trip (and very, very last-minute). I stayed in hotel in a town called Norcross and found myself with several afternoon/evening hours to kill on Wednesday night. So I plugged a search for a movie theater into my little GPS, although I had no intention of going to a movie (what a boring way to waste the only free time I had to explore!)... instead, I plugged that destination in merely as a starting point for exporation, hoping to come across something fabulous, or two something fabulouses on the way. And you know, I was surprisingly not disappointed! I didn't expect much. Maybe I should have?

Driving along Peachtree parkway (Imagine that... Peachtree parkway... in GEORGIA!) I noticed a sign for a Nature Preserve and cranked the steering wheel of my little Nissan rental car waaaaaay over to the left join the turning lane. Needing little other prompting, I made my way down Old Alabama road for miles and miles (or as they say in the south Mahls, and Mahls, y'all), passing development after development of what seemed to be Mansions. I mean, bona-fide, huge, deluxe, gorgeous, brick MANSIONS (apparently they've been termed "McMansions"). I'm pretty sure they're the homes of all of the Californians who sold their overpriced homes in 2007 or before and moved to where the grass IS greener and much less expensive. MUCH. I mean, really, the homes I saw would go for 2-3 Million dollars where I live in California. Easily. But in Georgia, they run a modest 3-400k.

Amazing, no?

Anyhoo... I found the Nature Preserve! Autrey Mill Nature Preserve. And it was fabulous.

A word about the place: (http://www.autreymill.org/)

"Located on 46 acres of ravine forest and historic past, this nature preserve's two miles of walking trails wind past a scenic creek with rocky shoals, spring seeps, mature trees, wildflowers, native plants, and a variety of animal life.
A Heritage Village has been created with four buildings original to the site and four landmark structures moved from nearby properties. This village and its related exhibit pieces provide an understanding of this area's proud rural heritage from the mid 1800s to the mid 1900s.
Replica Native American dwellings are nestled in the woods to remind us of those who walked these forests before us and to teach the lessons of a culture that respected and carefully cared for the environment.
Our Visitor Center houses animal exhibits of turtles, frogs, snakes, and insects and dioramas of native mammals and birds."


I explored. And hiked. And gawked at the sight of the colors turning on the leaves. It's heavenly, stunning, gorgeous!

The place was a little on the small side, a great place for a family gathering or picnic, but not large enough to get lost in for a whole day. But I didn't have a whole lot of time to explore before the sun would set anyway, so it was perfect!

 The turning leaves and one of the historic buildings at the Mill.

Inside view of the worker's residence (preserved) at the Mill. How would you like to Iron using those relics?

Doesn't it look almost magical? It's just aching to be explored!

The rest of the business trip was just that... business. And a whole lot of time on airplanes. And MILEAGE. Mileage is the reason I love business trips. Mileage for flying. Mileage for your hotel stay. Mileage for your car rental and Mileage for all of the $ you put on your Mileage credit card. It all adds up quickly and equals free flights for next year's travels.

Buon Passegiata, y'all!