Dancin' down them dirty, dusty trails...: Long Weekend Exploring Atlanta, Georgia

This past February I took a long weekend trip to visit my sweet friends Sarah & Mike just outside of Atlanta, Georgia in Marietta. 75 degree weather and flowers blooming in February combined with cheap rent and friendly folks? I'll take it! It was a packed few days filled with catching up at all kinds of restaurants, getting our awareness and knowledge on at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, being completely stunned and awed by the beauty at the Georgia Aquarium, and then recording some tunes. Many, many moons ago when we were 19, Mike and I were briefly in a band together! We often exchange music these days and collaborate every few years to record some music. It was an all-around great trip and I wanted to share the highlights and including one of the songs we recorded. Check the song first and the photos follow.

My first night I already got to see some cherry blossom trees in Marietta Square.

The Flying Biscuit is southern food chain offering some great breakfast options
(as well as other meals of the day).
Here are some southern style eggs Benedict and dreamy grits. Yum!

When the social worker friend comes to town you know some education has to happen! It was a tough call between the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, but alas one had to be chosen which left the other for another trip. The National Center for Civil and Human Rights primary focus is on the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, with the human rights portion designated to the top floor. Well worth the visit - interactive and informative.

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
(from a trip in 2010)

Years ago I visited the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, which is an absolutely incredible place for all of your Civil Rights movement knowledge. It is across the street from the 16th Street Baptist Church, placing you right at the heart of the KKK bombing of the church in 1963 which resulted in the deaths of 4 young black girls and became a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement. Centers and institutes like these are a necessary constant reminder of the dark, not too distant history of our country, remnants of which still impact attitudes and policy now in 2017.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens
can change the world." - Margaret Mead

Mural of Human Rights posters by graphic artist Paula Scher

"...men often hate each other because they fear each other.
-Martin Luther King, Jr.

This map shows the degree to which people in countries
are able to exercise their political rights and civil liberties.
Red means not free.

Here's Mike & Sarah and me =)

We had a little photo shoot.

Next stop: the Georgia Aquarium. Guys, this place is INCREDIBLE. It is the largest aquarium in the world! There is a gigantic tank exhibit "Ocean Voyager built by Home Depot" that contains 6.3 million gallons of salt water and is home to 4 whale sharks, 4 manta rays, and ton of other fish and turtles. Get in touch with ocean life here, y'all.

Me: Are you ready to peek inside, Sarah?
Sarah: Sure thing, Dasha.

We got up and close and personal with some penguins!

They are so sweet.

Albino alligators!

I touched smooth and squishy things.

This tunnel was just so very awe-inspiring, and they have moving ramp
so you don't even need to distract yourself with walking if you don't want to.

Sweethearts

This TANK!

Check out this tank!
They have sleepovers here for children and adults. Next time, next time.

After a wonderful day like that, the next day we took it easy. Mike and Sarah took me to brunch at Canoe in Marietta by the Chattahoochee River (also called "the Hooch") and later we strolled around Piedmont Park and a few neighborhoods in Atlanta.