Sun, Sep 28 2014 - Atlanta Beltline - Westside Trail (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Lauren, Lisa Participants: Lauren, Lisa, alanpugh, Jennifer H., Janet G, Carolyn Naser, Barb, Kelly E, ValerieM, Aaron Lee, Caitlin Stark, Joy Martin

It was an outstanding day to get in a nice 10-miler on the westside of the Atlanta Beltline, and we managed to expose ourselves... to some culture! We started off in a misty drizzle, just enough so that most of us donned raincoats, only to remove them after a short while as the rain stopped and we warmed up. We admired the varying architecture and landscaping of surrounding neighborhoods as we traipsed through residential zones, then hopped onto the Beltline to scope out the artwork. We saw some pieces that have remained since previous installations ("Meet me at the Crayons," "Beltline Bears,", graffiti-style paintings on overpasses, and the freaky one-eyed "Poseidon" mural on a large building) as well as new work ("Writer's Block" obelisk, changing faces, and beautiful pink dogwood painting), among many others.

We wandered through several lovely parks and paused for lunch at Adair Park. We hiked quickly and far enough to get in a good workout and also appreciated the chance to socialize with friends old and new. We enjoyed a variety of settings and walking surfaces. We utilized paved PATH walking trails and wondered about the unpaved section of the Beltline that has been recently graded... will it be paved the next time we explore it? 

Welcome to Valerie on her very first AOC event, and thanks to all of you for a fantastic day!