wanderlust ATLANTA's 2019 Photo Review

This is always my favorite post of the year, not because it's the end of a year, but by time I get to the end of a year I've forgotten how many wonderful things I've done in the previous 12 months. This post allows me to meander back through the year to relive those awesome experiences.

I blogged a lot less in 2019, but only because I've been working on my book. It's almost finished! My final deadline is the end of January 2020 and it's scheduled to launch in spring!

111 Places in Atlanta That You Must Not Miss

My publisher, Emons, granted my request for the book cover of having the symbol be a Phoenix and the color being the blue from the City of Atlanta flag. Serendipity stepped in, my book cover is very close to Pantone's 'Color of the Year' for 2020, Classic Blue! 

The book is already listed online in their spring catalog. It's not for sale just yet, but will be soon and I'm honored and grateful to those who have already pledged to buy a copy and to those who have so graciously already offered to host book signing events. This truly is a dream come true!

Let's have a look back at the year... Here are a few things that happened:

• I worked on my book!
• I'm also the photographer, so I've visited dozens of awesome places!
• The book cover was revealed and I love it.
• I visited Milwaukee, which was amazing! Serendipity at its finest, the weekend I was there was the weekend that "111 Places Milwaukee" launched so I got to meet the author and photographer of that book!
• I visited Jekyll Island, Georgia, for the first time! Attended a beautiful wedding and went to Driftwood Beach.
• A dear friend from my Navy days visited. We'd not seen each other since 1986. I took her and her daughter to 5Church Atlanta, the Center for Puppetry Arts and to the Atlanta Botanical Garden. It was a wonderful day!
• Visited Plains, Georgia, birthplace of President Jimmy Carter.
• Went to Laughing Skull Lounge after wanting to for years...laughed so hard!
• Revisited Poplarville, Mississippi, and had a super-fun time!
• Went on my first hot air balloon ride! It was tethered, but still a blast.
• Went to Biltmore Estate for my birthday and stayed in The Inn.
• And so much more...

Let's revisit some blog posts...

Orchid Daze 2019 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

There's always something to see or do at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Orchid Daze in February and March is an excellent example!

Atlanta Blooms! 2019 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Hundreds of thousands blossoms spring forth during the annual Atlanta Blooms! exhibition at the Atlanta Botanical Garden...absolutely beautiful!

Phoenix Flies | Plaza Theatre | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Phoenix Flies, an Atlanta Preservation Center program, offers hundreds of free tours every year! In 2019 I toured Plaza Theatre.

Plains, Georgia | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Visiting various sites in Plains, Georgia—birthplace of President Jimmy Carter—was great fun! I learned quite a lot about Carter and his childhood life.

Dragon Con Parade 2019 | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

2019 was the 10th Dragon Con Parade I've been to...always great fun!

Medieval Times Atlanta Castle | Photo: wanderlust ATLANTA

Medieval Times has a new Queen and an updated show. I enjoy going to the Atlanta Castle once or twice per year...it's that much fun!

Imaginary Worlds, Alice's Wonderland | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

This year's summer exhibition at the Atlanta Botanical Garden was Imaginary Worlds: Alice's Wonderland and it was absolutely wondrous! 

Houdini | Breman Museum | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Inescapable: The Life and Legacy of Harry Houdini was magical! The special exhibitions at The Breman Museum are consistently amazing!

Big Bugs | Fernbank Museum | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

The Big Bugs exhibition at Fernbank Museum of Natural History was AMAZING...the bugs are enormous!

Panda | Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Made it up to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville and it's splendid! Will definitely go back again and again...they have lots of room to expand into!

Atlanta Balloon Glow | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

I got to go on my very first hot air balloon ride! It was tethered, but it was still great fun!

Scarecrows in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Autumn brings Scarecrows in the Garden to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, another fun event, especially Thursday nights for Fest of Ale!

2020 will be a whole new chapter for me. I will finish my book, host book signings, return to Corporate America, ramp up my blogging frequency, launch a newsletter, and who knows what else!

Thank you so very much for following along on this journey I call life, for following and being a fan of my blog—YOU are the reason I enjoy it as much as I do and I'm grateful.

Dragon Con Parade 2019

The annual Dragon Con Parade, Atlanta's largest parade, begins with a lovely lady playing bagpipes and a full color guard. But, just ahead of that, 'Forrest Gump' runs a stretch of the parade route to chants from the crowds, "Run, Forrest, run!" 

Run, Forrest, Run! | Dragon Con Parade 2019 | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

The Dragon Con Parade is free to the general public, meaning you can be/see part of Dragon Con even if you're not an official conventioneer. The Parade is a sneak peek at the wide ranging programming and events that take place at Dragon Con. 

Cosplay, events, and the parade aside, there are more than 30 tracks packed with programming that conventioneers have access to. Some of my personal favorite tracks are Trek Track (all about Star Trek!), Space, Writers' Track, Science, Puppetry, Film Track, and the American Sci-fi & Fantasy Media Track, to name just a few. 

Mark Sheppard | Dragon Con Parade 2019 | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

The Dragon Con Parade's Grand Marshal this year was Mark Sheppard! He's had quite the television and film career, my person favorite role being that of Romo Lampkin in the Battlestar Galactica reboot from the late aughts.

You can see that Pikachu was quite excited to see him, too!  

Captain America | Dragon Con Parade 2019 | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Speaking of excited to see, the crowds loved Captain America roaring in on his Harley-Davidson! 

I was recently in Milwaukee, Wisconsin—my friend Barry was on business travel and I tagged along to play tourist—and visited the Harley-Davidson Museum and got to see the motorcycle that Captain American rode in one of his Marvel films...spectacular!

Cosplay Volunteers of Atlanta | Dragon Con Parade 2019 | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

I had the great pleasure of recently meeting the above Game of Thrones couple through my friend David. They're all members of Cosplay Volunteers of Atlanta, a nonprofit organization that provides cosplayer appearances for children's nonprofit events! What a wonderful and fun way to give back to the community, and I bet the kids just love it! 

Lucy & Ethel, Chocolate Scene |  Dragon Con Parade 2019 | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Walking in a parade is exciting enough, but eating chocolate while walking in a parade...the best! And who doesn't love Lucy and Ethel! If you saw the I Love Lucy episode "Job Switching" (S2,E1), you know the hilarity of Lucy and Ethel getting jobs at a local candy factory. 

Atlanta Movie Tours  |  Dragon Con Parade 2019  |  Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Atlanta Movie Tours (AMT) was in the Dragon Con Parade for the first time! That's my friend Carrie, founder and owner of AMT, driving one of their vans. 

Atlanta Movie Tours started with one tour showcasing film sites from The Walking Dead. They've now grown to 10 different tours and they offer custom tours! You won't believe how many film sites you walk, bike, or drive by every day! And the tours a led by industry professionals, including some former zombies!

I've been on almost all the tours and can personally vouch that they are a great time! They have the best tagline, too... "Get In, Geek Out!"

Rocket Raccoon  |  Dragon Con Parade 2019  |  Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Speaking of filmed in Atlanta, Rocket Raccoon from Guardians of the Galaxy was in the parade! Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was filmed right here in the ATL! If you didn't already know that, you would probably learn it on an Atlanta Movie Tours tour. 

Dragon Con Parade 2019  |  Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Dragon Con is an inclusive organization and event. Everyone is welcome. Except for bullies. That simply will not be tolerated at Dragon Con.

Dragon Con even has a diversity track, its 'Diversity in Speculative Fiction & Literature Fandom" track. Dragon Con believes, and I agree with them, that "understanding that we have similar interests or beliefs can encourage cooperation and cohesion within our community." I love how welcoming to all and how diverse Dragon Con truly is. 

The Flying Spaghetti Monster | Dragon Con Parade 2019 | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

The Flying Spaghetti Monster is great fun! Did you know that the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is a legally recognized religion in several countries? You'll spot the most devout of pastafarians by the colander on their head, considered religious wear in the noodly religion. The Flying Spaghetti Monster is the chief deity in the religion. 

Dinosaurs | Dragon Con Parade 2019 | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

The hilarity and exponential number of these T-Rex costumes is astounding! And I can't stop laughing. I don't even know what this type of humor is called, but I love it. They make me laugh and laugh and laugh. #ilovedinosaurs

Spartans | Dragon Con Parade 2019 | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

The men and women of Sparta are iconic in the Dragon Con Parade. They've trained for months, all year, for years, and some surely a lifetime to be in Spartan shape. Like many cosplayers, these Spartans spend a lot of time and money creating their costumes, PLUS determined focus and energy preparing their physiques for this event. #GoSparta!!!

Stan the Zombie | Dragon Con Parade 2019 | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Listen up ladies and gentlemen. If you don't take care of yourselves like the men and women of Sparta, you could end up looking like my friend here, Stan the Zombie! Then again, Stan the Zombie is a total celebrity.

I have photos with Stan the Zombie at various conventions and even one at a Braves game. He's a great sport! Stan is a pretty awesome living person, too! 

Jawas & Sandcrawler Ice Cream Truck | Dragon Con Parade 2019 | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Even before you noticed the Sandcrawler on the horizon, you could hear the unmistakable ice cream truck music. When the ice cream pop-wielding Jawas got to us, we were laughing so hard. At least I'll know why I'm craving ice cream when I watch Star Wars again.

Year after year, the walkers in the annual Dragon Con Parade continue to amuse, mesmerize, and entertain in the most unique and clever of ways. "Thank you!" to all who organize, coordinate, volunteer, and walk in the parade! 

See you next Labor Day Weekend!

More photos on the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page...

Dragon Con Parade 2017

This year was the 16th Annual Dragon Con Parade, the eighth one I've seen, and it was again totally AWESOME!

Dragon Con Parade | Stan Lee | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

The Grand Marshall of this year's highly attended parade was Stan Lee, the man behind hundreds of Marvel superheroes. I grew up with Iron Man, the X-Men, The Incredible Hulk, The Fantastic Four and so many more. 

Dragon Con Parade 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

It's totally awesome to get to see Stan Lee, AND to see so many cosplayers showing their fandom for superheroes, like Spider-Man.

Dragon Con Parade 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

There's of course something for everyone! The Dragon Con Parade covers a multitude of genres, including television cartoon personalities, such as SpongeBob SquarePants. The kids love him and many in the audience who are now adults love him, too!

Dragon Con Parade 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

The Dragon Con Parade isn't just for kids, though. It's for all ages of pop culture fandom! It's true that the convention itself draws primarily young adults/young professionals, but there are still quite a few conventioneers on the other ends of the age spectrum. 

The Parade is a free, open-to-the-public Dragon Con event, so many, many more youngsters come to Downtown Atlanta's Peachtree Street to join in on the fun.

Dragon Con Parade 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Some superheroes have been superheroes for generations. Superman first came on the scene in 1938 and Dragon Con has a great many Superman cosplayers, some quite convincing!

Dragon Con Parade 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Without fail, we see cosplay upticks just before and immediately following a major motion picture, in this case, the 2017 WONDER WOMAN movie...which is AWESOME!

Dragon Con Parade 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

The Spartans of the Dragon Con 300 cosplay group are always a big hit. They're inspired by the 2006 film "300", starring Gerard Butler. 

Dragon Con Parade 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

I've said it before and I'll say it again...I love clever! 

This cosplayer totally reminded me of the line delivered by Princess Leia when Luke and Han go to rescue her. When Luke broke into her cell, the first thing she said, quite calmly, "Aren't you a little short for a Stormtrooper?"

This trooper is totally awesome!

Dragon Con Parade 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

My celebrity-spotting hobby (not stalking, that's quite different) began in 2002 when I met Leonard Nimoy at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. That experience changed me. He was incredibly nice, super funny, and humble. For me, he set the tone for what I thought all celebrities would be like...and I'm grateful that many have been.

I didn't get to meet this particular Spock cosplayer, but he's the best I've ever seen! I've cosplayed a Vulcan before, but I wasn't nearly as awesome as this guy is! 

Live long and prosper.

Dragon Con Parade 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Atlanta's greatest parade, and I believe the largest, draws thousands of people of every size, shape and color. It's one of the most peaceful gatherings of such a diverse group of people. That's one of the many things that I love about this event.

Dragon Con Parade 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

I'm amazed every year at just how much goes into the costumes and makeup by the cosplayers. And some of them have equally elaborate costumes for every day of the convention! 

You can say Betelgeuse as many times as you like, but never say Bettlejuice three times in a row or you'll have to deal with this guy! 

Dragon Con Parade 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

One of the great things about the Dragon Con Parade is that you can totally enjoy it even if you don't know many of the characters represented in the cosplay. It's easy to admire the time and talent that went into an elaborate costume and makeup. "Applause" for everyone who makes this parade as awesome as it is!

Dragon Con Parade 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Dragon Con is much more than a celebration of pop culture. It's also deeply committed to giving back to the community. Every year it conducts one of the largest blood drives in the city and there's always at least one other fundraising effort...this year it was for Special Olympics Georgia. 

I don't know the fundraising numbers yet, but Dragon Con committed to matching the first $100,000 raised. That's super special in my book!

Keep your eye on the Dragon Con website and its social media channels for when next year's Dragon Con Parade will be and mark your calendars. See you then!

[More parade photos here!]

10 Exciting Reasons To Attend Dragon Con

Dragon Con offers a LOT more than cosplay and Atlanta's biggest parade. There are celebrities, workshops, discussion panels, parties, events, costume contests, science and space tracks...the list goes on and on! 

Allow me, please, to share with you an exciting 10 reasons to attend one of Atlanta's signature Labor Day Weekend events...Dragon Con!

1: COSPLAY!

Reasons to Attend Dragon Con: Cosplay

No joking...cosplay is one of the bigger reasons we all attend Dragon Con. It's just fun! When I share with people that I'm attending Dragon Con, the most common response is "Are you dressing up?"

The more interesting conversations revolve around "why" people cosplay. It seems like, as is the case with most things in life, people have their own preconceived notions of why, so I appreciate it when someone engages me in this conversation.

I'm not out to change anyone's mind, but here's a look at some of clinical psychologist Dr. Andrea Letamendi's work regarding the psychology of cosplay. [article]

The findings of her research boil down to:

"They cosplay for creativity, to be social and hang out with friends, because they identify with the character and that's meaningful to them. The top reason people cosplay is because it's fun. You can't pinpoint an abnormality in that. It's no different than someone who plays in a band or plays sports."

That's pretty much what I've been saying for years.

Those who know of Dragon Con but not much more beyond its cosplay aspect, sometimes ask "What else is there to do there?" I love that question! Keep reading to hear a few of the things I answer with, noting that this is not a comprehensive list, but one that is reflective of my personal interests...

(My 2015 Dragon Con cosplay coverage)

2: DRAGON CON PARADE

Reasons to Attend Dragon Con: The Parade

The Annual Dragon Con Parade has become a signature Atlanta event!

While the convention itself brings a surprisingly significant amount of revenue to our fair city, the Dragon Con Parade is a opportunity for families and fans to enjoy a festive part of the Con with only a modest time and money expenditure. And it's so much fun!

You're going to see a vast array of genres, from science-fiction to time travel, from fairy princesses to cartoon characters! You'll also get to see a few celebrities, like this year's Grand Marshall Nichelle Nichols!

(Check out my 2015 Annual Dragon Con Parade coverage)

3: FUNDRAISING FOR CHARITIES

Reasons to Attend Dragon Con: Charitable Causes

I haven't heard the final numbers as of this writing, but I do know that Dragon Con (including a $50,000 matching contribution) had donated more than $100,000 to its 2015 charity, Lymphoma Research Foundation. That's impressive!

Dragon Con also hosts an annual Blood Drive—they're one of the significant blood donation venues for more than 100 hospitals in Georgia, Alabama and Florida. I don't know the numbers yet for this year, but last year they collected nearly 3,300 units! It makes this conventioneer proud to be a part of an organization that puts such strong emphasis on saving lives.  

In addition to the larger fundraising efforts, the Con allows for others to make contributions through their own passionate interests. Stephen Eisenhauer, who just started ninth grade, offers to play chess with conventioneers—he's dressed as a Jawa from Star Wars! The tips he makes from the chess play he donates to Dragon Con's selected charity. This year, this honorable young man raised $478 for Lymphoma Research Foundation! 

If you see the chess-playing Jawa next year, play a game with him and drop a contribution in his tip bucket. You don't even have to play to make a contribution...let's all help him break $1,000 next year!  

4: CELEBRITIES!

Reasons to Attend Dragon Con: Celebrities!

Jamie Bamber was at the top of my list of must-meet celebrities at the 2015 Dragon Con, and I did. Super charming guy!

Dragon Con offers many, many ways to see, hear and meet guest celebrities. There's the Walk of Fame, where this year I met Jamie, Tricia Helfer and a few others. There are always a few in the Annual Dragon Con Parade, there are autograph sessions, there are speaker panels and many of the celebrities will dine among the conventioneers and attend the Dragon Con parties!

(See the celebrities I met and chatted with at this year's Dragon Con)

5: TRACKS, TRACKS AND MORE TRACKS

Reasons to Attend Dragon Con: Lots of Tracks

There are more tracks to follow at Dragon Con than you can shake a light saber at. This is yet another reason I love this Con so much. I can jump from science fiction to puppetry to robotics to space to costuming to animation...all in one day!

Here are only a few of the tracks available to conventioneers:

• American Sci-fi & Fantasy
• Animation
• Brit Track
• Costuming 
• Film
• Gaming
• Horror
• Literature
• Paranormal
• Puppetry
• Robotics
• Star Trek
• Star Wars
• Science
• Space
• Video Gaming

Seriously, that's only a few of the tracks...there's something for everyone!

The photo above is from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Death Star, written by musician Curt Bright and adapted for puppet theater by Mike Horner, who also performed it. They whimsically turned the escapades on George Lucas' epic space station into a puppetry musical! It was brilliant! 

6: EVENTS! LOTS OF EVENTS!

Reasons to Attend Dragon Con: Events!

I've never ever heard anyone at Dragon Con say, "I'm bored." And I doubt I ever will. I can image if anyone ever does, a dozen heads will do a snap swivel in their direction with looks of disbelief...waiting for the punchline because surely they were joking. Boredom is an alternate reality from what's truly happening at Dragon Con.

Some of the many awesome Dragon Con events include:

• Dragon Con Night at Georgia Aquarium
• Guest of Honor Awards Banquet
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show Live!
• Video and Movie Screenings
• Autograph Sessions
• The Late Night Puppet Slam!
• Annual Dragon Con Parade
• Annual Dilithium Crystal Ball (Trek Track)
• Wrestling
• Live Music
• and more...

(My coverage of the 2015 Dragon Con Night at Georgia Aquarium)

7: SHOPPING!

Reasons to Attend Dragon Con: Shopping!

Want a new light saber or a clever t-shirt? The Vendors Mart at Dragon Con (set up on two floors in Americas Mart) brings hundreds of vendors representing merchandise ranging from costumes to gaming, collectibles to jewelry, books to toys...there's more in the Vendors Mart than I can possibly remember.

Personally, I've had a love of pocket watches since I was a youngster. I'm not sure from where that stems, but nonetheless, I love them. I didn't make photos of the Vendor Mart, so here's one of my pocket watch purchase, which as soon as I handed over my card, I wondered in my mind if this transaction might be my foray into creating a new costume. Only time will tell...

8: FANS, FANDOM AND FELLOW CONVENTIONEERS

Reasons to Attend Dragon Con: Fans!

One thing that Dragon Con does extremely well is to create a sense of community. Even though you don't get to meet or even see the tens of thousands attending Dragon Con, you do sense a feeling that they're all there as a fandom family. Many fandom genres are represented, but we're all fans of Dragon Con...and having a blast! 

All year long I look forward to hanging out with my fellow Dragon Con conventioneers. I've met some super nice people there and the vast majority are kind, polite and engaging...all of us out to have fun!

9: PARTIES!

Reasons to Attend Dragon Con: Parties!

I love a good party, ask any of my friends. But historically, I've had so much fun during the day at Dragon Con that I've not attended any of the late-night parties. I did do the Dragon Con Night at Georgia Aquarium this year, which was great fun.

I have heard story after story after story about parties, so if you're so inclined, I can only guess that you're in for a great experience!

10: COSTUME CONTESTS

Reasons to Attend Dragon Con: Miss Star Trek Universe

Put hours and hours and a bazillion dollars toward raw material for your awesome costume? Dragon Con has a few costume contests you may be interested in! Here are a few that I know about:

• Masquerade Costume Contest
• Friday Night Costuming Contest
• Saturday evening Cosplay Contest
• Hallway Costume Contest
• Star Wars Costume Contest
• Miss Star Trek Universe Pageant

Okay, so the annual Miss Star Trek Universe Pageant in my mind falls under "Events", but it is a contest and it's my personal favorite—it's the first thing I add to my schedule every year!

This is a full-on pageant hosted by Garrett Wang with pre-show entertainment (with Klingon MCs and audience participants), a three-stage pageant (costume...talent...Q&A), and pre-announcement-of-winners entertainment. It's the most fun 2.5 hours I look forward to all year! 

(My 2015 Miss Star Trek Universe coverage)

There you go...10 perfectly great reasons to attend Dragon Con! This list could be a LOT longer than 10 reasons, but hopefully these are plenty to convince you—should I have piqued your interest—to plan your 2016 Labor Day Weekend to attend the 30th Annual Dragon Con!