Atlanta Bound

Leaving Chapel Hill

Well I have certainly been missing from the blogosphere lately, and I am having a hard time getting back in the routine. We have been in Chapel Hill and Atlanta the past week, helping Julia move out of her lovely group house in Chapel Hill and into an apartment in Atlanta. We stayed in Julia's house the first night, sleeping on an air mattress in her room, but after the smoke alarm started chirping during the night we had to move the air mattress into another room. Julia woke up and was so confused, what were we doing, dragging the mattress down the hall?  It was one of those laughing so hard moments, at 2:30 in the morning. Needless to say we didn't sleep very well. The next day we finished loading up the truck and were off for Atlanta. We have had a great time visiting Chapel Hill, and will miss visiting her there.  It is a great town, lovely neighborhoods, lots of restaurants and fun things to do--like most college towns I guess.

And one last stop for BLTs at Merritt's in Chapel Hill...

Then we were off, and of course I had to take a picture of the Peach water tower in Gaffney, South Carolina, especially after watching House of Cards. So attractive.

We arrived in Atlanta about 5:00 and unloaded the truck quickly, as Julia took charge and was apparently fixated on moving everything in record time.  We were exhausted, so found a nice Mexican restaurant in her neighborhood and after a few margaritas, we were feeling much better. Her apartment is in a great area of Atlanta, lots of bars and restaurants right down the street, as well as small markets and cute little shops. A wine bar and a coffee shop are right outside her building--perfect. And she can walk right out her door to the BeltLine, which is a trail that was built on 19th century railroad tracks that will eventually circle the city. It was busy all day with cyclists, walkers and runners, roller bladers, and families.

Julia's new apartment

The next day we unpacked boxes, made the requisite visit to Target (how many times have I done this?), and then met up with her friend Max for drinks at a neighborhood wine bar. They have been friends since their UVA days, and he lives in Atlanta now, so it is nice that she has a friend there.

In and around her neighborhood...

Garden shop

Yes please

Georgia peaches

Downtown Atlanta from Piedmont Park

 One of Julia's best friends from growing up (and the daughter of my friend Gillian) lives in Atlanta too, so we met up with her and her husband on Sunday night for dinner in Decatur, where they live. They have a house there with a garden and chickens so we got to meet the chicks.  It was great to see Maggie and Rick, especially since they are expecting their first bebe next month!

Old friends, Maggie and Julia

Piedmont Park