Chattahoochee Riverwalk

Can it be called a ritual if you have only done it two weeks in a row? I believe it will become my weekend ritual. Last weekend my excursion to Market Days on Broadway combined with a walk along the Chattahoochee Riverwalk was so enjoyable I decided to brave the potential rain to do it all again.

We are in a stretch of forecasted rain but Saturday morning appeared to have a chance at clearing skies and I really was looking forward to another walk around Uptown. I packed the camera bag, put on my walking shoes and took off. As I drove toward my destination the sun was working hard to burn through the cloud cover. By the time I parked the car I could see blue taking over the sky.

It was going to be a good morning.

I usually feel a little self conscious carrying my camera through the street even if I would have liked to capture the atmosphere of the farmer’s market. One of these days I will overcome these feelings and share why I enjoy this part of summer. So, leaving the camera in the car with no objective other than to browse the various vendor’s offerings, I headed out.

To be honest, the wares on display by most vendors are not something I would generally purchase. I guess, for me, it is the experience I’m craving. Walking the tree-lined street, seeing everyone having a good time, and occasionally finding something that catches my eye. I stopped and talked with a gentleman selling handmade pottery. I ended up getting myself a mug for my morning coffee. The mug was a bonus, the conversation with Joe of Joe Dallas Pottery is what I will remember.

OK. I’ll admit it. I stopped at Veri Best Donut Co. again. I’m weak. I went with a simple choice this time, a glazed twist. Holy crap! That thing was enormous! Practically a foot long donut, and it was still warm. I’m not ashamed to say it took all my will power to not go back and get a second one. It was delicious.

The Market Days occupy both sides of Broadway between 10th and 13th streets. I park along 1st Ave near 12 St and begin my circuit heading toward 13th St. When I reached the turn-around point down at 10th St I spotted the sign for the Gallery on 10th. I stopped into the gallery last year but had forgotten that it is open early on Saturdays.

When I entered the gallery I met the artist “on call” that day, Susan Dolan. It was a pleasure to talk with her about her work as well as the work on display at the gallery. The displays rotate every three months (next in July), so I will make it a point to return. The idea floating around in my head now is the Columbus Artists’ Guild. Susan was very persuasive about the guild once she knew I think of myself as a photographer. Something to chew on for now…

Well, I assume if you made it this far you are curious if I will be sharing any images in this post. I did go for a walk with the camera once my time on Broadway was done. I headed South along Front Ave thinking eventually I will meet up with the Riverwalk trail. I found quite a few areas to explore more on another walk. The Coca-Cola Space Science Center and the Chattahoochee Amphitheatre are two I will be returning to see.

It was getting close to noon and like last weekend I had plans to enjoy lunch in Uptown. I returned along the trail with the idea of stopping at Waveshaper Island. I brought my messenger camera bag which included my zoom lens. I had hopes of finding some water fowl. I was rewarded for stopping. There were a lot of great blue heron. I sat down on one of the rocks and enjoyed the show.