Biking in Atlanta

I have not always been the biggest health nut. Okay, maybe the anesthetist of the biggest health nut. I enjoy dining out. I enjoy wine. However, in Atlanta, working out is unavoidable. Everywhere you do people are running, dog walking, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, biking, climbing. You name it, they do it.   I initially kicked off my exercise regimen with Zumba!. It was great, but the 5:30 am mornings got old quickly. The package (we bought the DVD kit available at Bed, Bath and Beyond) included Zumba! sticks and a meal plan. The meals were great. Filling and a different pace for us. However, we still weren't getting to enjoy Atlanta. Thus spurred the purchase of a hybrid bike.

Our first stop was Atlanta Cycling. They carry a bike brand called Trek. I was familiar with this brand because as a child, my "big girl" bike was a Jazz Cherry Bomb by Trek. Always a deal seeker I was bummed when the entry level bike cost $600 and the saleswoman was unable to budge. My plan was to buy a bike, a Saris Bones 2 bike car rack, biking glasses, water bottle holder and a kickstand. The total put us at $825. I wasn't ready to commit. The store was unable to even give us the slightest discount or throw in the kickstand or bottle holder for free. The saleswoman was wonderfully knowledgeable, but not empowered enough to bargain with us. She offered to bring a water bottle holder from home if we made the purchase. We liked her and the bike, but ultimately walked to shop around a bit more.

The next day, we visited another bike store in Little 5 Points called Outback Bikes. The store was staffed with granola employees. They were hippies who knew their stuff.  Outback features Specialized bikes. For the longest time, I didn't realize that was the brand name and kept wondering what it was that was specialized about the bikes. The bike started at $50 less than the Trek. Plus it was pink and black. Very chic. The salesman knocked another 10% off the bike immediately, plus 15% off the bike rack and threw in a kickstand for free. I later ended up removing the water bottle holder from one of my old bikes for my new bike. The total for everything was roughly $600. Sold. The Specialized Vita was mine.

I did a little reach about the Trek and Specialized brands. This is what I came up with: It's the difference between a Toyota Camery and a Honda Accord. It really just boils down to personal preference.

J was pleased with this store as well. He rides a Specialized Rockhopper. It's nice to be able to service both our bikes in the same place. His bike is a mountain bike and mine is a hybrid, but we haven't had any issues keeping up with each other yet. I just don't do the same off roading he does. He also does better with the traction going up hill than I do with my skinny hybrid tires. My bike though, it perfect for my needs. I am able to carry if up and down the 3 flights of stairs to our apartment without issue. I an also lift it onto the bike rack on the back of the car. 

Our newest adventure has been exploring the Path Foundation bike paths. It's a great way to see Atlanta. You'd never imagine how much greenery there is in the middle of our vast city.

We have fun exploring and talking about the new trails we find. We have definitely developed some good and bad recommendations. I am still working up the muscles to go up large hills, but the point is that you try and it gets easier as you practice and build muscle. Our further ride has been just over 5 miles. This is such a challenge for me. Being from Savannah, I am used to flat paths rather than the rolling hills of Atlanta. Needless to say, my beach cruiser (that was perfectly suited for Virginia Beach) is now for sale. 

Stay tuned for more posts about our biking adventures. Which paths to take, and which to skip. 

A Reception at The Cavalier Country Club

We joined Jenna and Patrick at The Cavalier Hotel to celebrate their wedding day. The hotel was breathtaking, as was the bride. I appreciated the historic romance the Cavalier setting brought to the day.

Tables were set up throughout the pool and dining hall. Arrangements floating in the olympic size pool.

We took as many photo opportunities as possible. It is rumored that the historic building is to be bought and destroyed for its valuable property. To renovate the property was not worth the profit to be made if the land were used for something else -- hotels, high rises, restaurants or night clubs.  However, a recent article states otherwise and expresses a proposal to leave the Cavalier Country Club untouched. You can read more about the 200 million dollar project here. 

Below is a picture of the cake, pre-cutting and before the bride and groom loving smeared the cake in each other's faces. The setting was absolutely beautiful. The maid of honor was filled with emotion as she expressed her happiness towards the couple before the cake cutting.  The wedding had an aquatic theme, complete with starfish and sailboats. 

The wedding had an aquatic theme, complete with starfish and sailboats. The tables were lit with candles and decorated in blue. A beautiful wedding and venue. 

Virginia Beach Visit Summer 2013

As many of you know, I spent a little over 3 years in Virginia Beach before returning to Georgia. Luckily, I snagged my beau up there. He and I both have family in Virginia Beach, so we have a fabulous excuse to visit anytime we want.

If you've ever been to the Hampton Roads area, Virginia Beach in particular, you know it's necessary to indulge in a celebratory orange crush upon arrival. We choose a favorite at the oceanfront, Mahi Mah's. Mahi Mah's is a fabulous restaurant connected with the Gold Key Group. A bit of a tourist trap, and definitely not cheap, the food expresses the local flavor of the beach. We started off with tuna sashimi and then progressed into a white fish citrus taco. Amazing.

I wish Virginia Beach would take after Savannah a little bit more with their liquor laws. How much fun would it be to walk the board walk with a cool orange crush in hand? I'm just sayin'. . . .

That evening we went to Wharfside Bar and Grill with J's immediate family. The restaurant was formerly Todd Jurich's Burger Bar. I was a bit surprised the Burger Bar didn't make it, but in a recession, who is really going to pay $15 for a burger with an up charge for specialty fries? The burger joint may have made it with those prices if it had not been known for an expensive burger place. Let's be honest, a $15 burger isn't completely off the wall for the oceanfront as some of it's more touristy locations.

Wharfside seemed to pride itself on liquor specials. I found this interesting. It promotes itself as a family restaurant and then blends into the night crowd with it's liquor specials for the over 21 crowd. The main appeal to this restaurant is it's beautiful, calming view of the water and enormous portion sizes. I ordered a salad that 4 people could have split happily.

Our next adventure was a post- rehearsal dinner drink at (yet another Gold Key property) Catch 31. Did I forget to mention the main reason we were in town was two former co-worker's weddings (they are marrying each other -- not just a happy coincidence)? As out of town guests we were invited to their rehearsal dinner at Isle of Capris and joint bachelor/bachlorette party at Catch 31 late night.

We happily went to Catch 31. J used to valet there as a high schooler. A decade and a half later, he still knows some of the same people he used to work with in high school!

We were able to squeeze in friend time as well. Some much needed time with my friends in Virginia Beach. We tried out a new restaurant called Salt. They consider themselves a restaurant with, " a contemporary selection of fine foods from around the world with a European and Asian twist. The inspiration for our menu came from different techniques used around the globe and appeal to a vast array of the public." Food was good, service was slow. We didn't mind though because we were all catching up.

 No trip to Virginia Beach is complete without a mandatory walk on the beach. We choose to walk Croatan Beach sheerly for the fact that's where we were staying. We walked down to the jetty and back. We saw several fisherman casting nets. They catch all sorts of croaker, crab and even a few flounders. It's always fun to see how people are able to live off the land. 

After our walk in the beach, we ran into Tad's Deli to get lunch. The place make the best sandwiches in all of Virginia Beach. You can literally taste the freshness. It sounds bit like we had a food tour of Virginia Beach. In actuality, we just are simply the type that accept food brings people together. We use food as an excuse for social gatherings to bring people together. More details on the wedding to come!