2 - A year gives me time to experience some of the unique attractions and offerings of an area. We are funny, actually I am funny, because I want to experience the quirky and weird offerings of where we live. In Canada, the annual Whistler Cheese Rolling competition was one of my favourites (https://www.whistler.ca/events/canadian-cheese-rolling-festival) - seriously. In keeping with the cheese theme, I'm pretty pumped about the upcoming Grilled Cheese Festival coming to Atlanta in October. As I look to uncover these funky gigs, I try to spend our first year drinking in the 'high holies' of what our community has to offer. This summer gave the kids and me time to do Atlanta things - experiences people come here to do on purpose. Today I'm celebrating what we found that gives this area its flavour as we were tourists in our own town and now have a growing list of places to visit/things to do next!
World of Coca-Cola
First, serious props to The City Pass Atlanta (http://www.citypass.com/atlanta) that allowed the kids and me to see 5 popular Atlanta attractions at a steep discount! We had 9 days to visit them all and I was determined to squeeze every penny out of our passes. We started at the World of Coca-Cola (https://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/) and we were excited to take along dear friends who were visiting from British Columbia and a new friend from our new neighbourhood! The opening movie made me cry - it highlighted how Coke products are part of many special memories for folks - wouldn't you know vignettes in the film were from Whistler, BC? It was a collision of worlds that made my eyes leak. I was prepared to be underwhelmed - how much fun can you really make a carbonated beverage? However, we really had a great time! We designed our own coke bottles, took selfies, enjoyed a 4-D ride and, of course, sampled Coke products from around the world. The sampling room was the kids' favourite and we all left sufficiently sugared and keyed up. The gift store is massive and has souvenirs suitable for all sorts of budgets before you walk out into Centennial Park where you may play in dancing fountains, throw a football or simply run off the sugar you just ingested.
We were handed samples as we walked in to learn about the Coke's history - starting off with a bang!
Memorabilia central
"The Vault" protecting the secret formula for Coca-Cola
Photographic proof of the effects of excessive amounts of sugary drinks
Georgia Aquarium
We brought the kids to the aquarium when they were younger and had a ball so we were excited about coming back. However, we'd also been spoiled by our experiences at the indoor/outdoor Vancouver Aquarium that we loved. We had a great time when we returned to the Georgia Aquarium (http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/), but I've got to admit, the crowds were uncomfortably overwhelming. I was glad we had gotten the tickets at a discount as I left EXHAUSTED from the human bumper cars we seemed to play as we navigated the different areas. The sea lion show was OUTSTANDING and we had lots of fun watching the skills that had been taught to the rescued animals. While it was nice to have different sea habitats enjoy individual 'pods' in the aquarium, it felt like much of the square footage of the facility was the common area leading to each pod and some of the tanks felt small because of that. However, the moving sidewalk through the main attraction did not disappoint - HUGE rays, sharks and fish with an almost 360 degree view. It was fantastic. When you come to Atlanta, I'd consider putting the aquarium on the list of places to visit, but make certain you're there when the doors open and escape before the crowds are too large.
View of the city from the parking garage - photo credit: Henry
Sea Lion inspiration
Tunnelling to be with penguins - only Lydia braved the crowded, tight space
She always makes new friends - wherever we go!
Homage to the seahorses - in honour of her swim team
Look at that wing span!
College Football Hall of Fame
It's no secret that we Marcums have missed college football these last four years, missed it something fierce! We struck out on July 4, the four of us, to experience the Chick-fil-a College Football Hall of Fame (https://www.cfbhall.com/) - there are so many southern goodnesses wrapped in the name of this place and we had great fun! We spent two hours wandering, learning, experiencing and celebrating our family's favourite spectator sport and lunched at the attached Chick-fil-a after our grand time. The Hall of Fame does a fine job making sure even those who may not love the sport have a great time. Each of us chose our team upon entering and our lanyard passes allowed us to learn fun facts about each team as we wandered through the facility. We had the chance to be ESPN Game Day broadcasters, watch Clemson win the national championship (again) on virtual reality, create our own touchdown dances, and run drills on turf. I'd highly recommend the experience for any family with interest in college football - especially when you get to have a photo with the National Championship trophy during the year in which your alma mater is the reigning title holder!
First stop - Deshaun's banner
Wall of helmets
Go Tigers!
Lydia finds "The Judge" Jeff Davis' name on the Hall of Fame marquis
It's always great to be a Tiger, but this year is even more special!
Though she be small, she is fierce!
The family friendly combine...
Virtual Reality - makes you look silly but sure is fun!
VR Henry style
If you know Henry you know he has a long-standing love for Notre Dame - this was a fun moment!
Lydia's victory face on the jumbo-tron
Toughness in action
CNN Studio Tour
We journeyed up the longest free-standing escalator at least in Georgia (maybe the US? I don't remember) to visit the CNN Studios (http://tours.cnn.com/). We weren't allowed to take photos once we got in, but it was fascinating to see where much of the world's news gets its televised start. Interestingly, the escalator originally led to an indoor theme park as part of the Omni Hotel that ultimately didn't work, but Ted Turner decided it'd be a great way to access a revenue stream by offering studio tours! Thus began this ability to explore the first cable news network. We all agreed it was neat to see, but we weren't sure it was our favourite. Frankly, it probably meant more to me as I remembered more clearly when the network began. Our guide was fantastic and Lydia was chosen to help demonstrate the green screen technology which was fun. I'd recommend it as long as you're visiting the studios in conjunction with something else - if I had to choose a standalone activity, I'd pick another option.
Looking down on the World Congress Center
On our way UP to the studio tour
It's always amazing to think we live near the WORLD headquarters of anything - Atlanta is headquarters to lots of places and really is a cool place to visit!
Future meteorologist?
Or future ghost?
Center for Civil & Human Rights
Our visit to the Center for Civil and Human Rights (https://www.civilandhumanrights.org/) was powerful, challenging and emotionally charged. I was glad our kids are a bit older as it's reading intensive and text heavy, and, frankly, it's a BIG concept for young people to wrap their heads around. I didn't take photos as I was too wrapped up in experiencing all that was offered. Despite the fact we've talked with our children about civil/human rights and been very frank with them, seeing photos, watching videos and learning of events and norms in our nation's history that are so unsavoury is hard to digest. But it was a beautiful experience as well. Lydia resonated mightily with the Freedom Riders' stories and Henry was deeply moved by the lunch counter sit ins stories and both were deeply disturbed that people ever defended and promoted segregation. When we entered the final room in which human rights are explored more specifically, we had frank conversations about why we make sure we know where what we buy comes from and who makes it. We talked about women's and girls' rights and the notions connected on a deeper level than ever as Henry and Lydia saw themselves and their sibling in the eyes of the stories covered. We left the space exhausted - completely spent - but with a renewed energy to embody the fact that we are all equal as we move into any place or phase of life. I would HIGHLY recommend the Center to any and all who have children who read well - be prepared to have hard conversations and name hard truths - it's a critically important experience.
In the short 4.5 months we've been in town, we've begun to home-build by experiencing our new region in a hands-on way. I've not even shared the stories of Six Flags and Whitewater adventures (stories to come, not to worry) or of Stars & Strikes Bowling or of Sparkles roller skating. In short, we're learning that we've landed in a culturally rich place full of opportunities to explore all sorts of facets of ourselves. And we look forward to visiting the King Center and the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and the Kennesaw State University WWII & Holocaust Museum and hiking Kennesaw Mountain. The first third of our first year here has borne some lovely, wonderful experiences that have only been augmented by new and old friends and family and we look forward to the final two thirds of the year ingraining this place into our souls as our home in the truest sense. And this place, these people and these experiences are what tempers the grief and helps me to uncover the joy and wonder present here. And this place, these people and these experiences are ones I want to share with any and all who come visit - please know our door is open. Thank you for joining us in this journey!
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