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.

Atlanta Balloon Glow

Atlanta's first ever Atlanta Balloon Glow was recently held in Piedmont Park, "Atlanta's favorite greenspace", which is now Atlanta's favorite place for tethered hot air balloon rides! 

Atlanta Balloon Glow | Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Originally scheduled for Valentine's Day weekend, hot air balloons finally rose from the meadow in the park with thousands in attendance the first weekend of August. Threatened with typical summer afternoon showers, Mother Nature cooperated last-minute allowing all ticket-holders to take flight.

Atlanta Balloon Glow | Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

I'd totally forgot about the event and was reminded only a couple of days before it happened. By time I saw it online, all the website tickets were sold out. I found it exciting that so many were excited about hot air balloon rides! I'd never been on one, but have had a lifetime love of hot air balloons, a fan since their first flights in France--not that I was alive in the 1780s.

Atlanta Balloon Glow | Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

I loved that there were so many fellow photographers there...lots of camera envy from my end, but I was also totally blissful having the opportunity to photograph such beautiful balloons. Such a rare opportunity living in the city.

There were LOTS of food trucks, bringing a wide range of cuisines, and a number of retail tents, making for a genuine festival atmosphere! There were tickets for a VIP experience--a reserved seating/viewing area and a couple-ride experience. There was also a separate kids' experience area.

Atlanta Balloon Glow | Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

There was a guy (event employee) checking the pre-paid line to make sure that everyone's tickets were in order, but I was hopeful that there might be some extra spots, given that it was supposed to be raining (it cleared up on my way home that night, so I went back to the Park), and he told me that they'd be selling tickets after all the current ticket-holders had gone through the line. 

Atlanta Balloon Glow | Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

He and one other person told me that there would be tickets for sale after all pre-paid ticket holders were in line to go up. I waited in line a couple of times, hoping to get to go up (remember, I'd only learned of the event a couple of days before). Well, it was getting late, and I was quite happy with the photos I'd been able to make and to have been so close to balloons that were taking folks up, so I was headed out...happy for such a beautiful experience!

Atlanta Balloon Glow | Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Then, a lady who sounded like she was in charge, announced that they were indeed sold out for the evening, BUT I heard her later tell someone that after all the ticket-holders were through the line that they would evaluate if they could get more through, making additional tickets available for purchase.

LESSON LEARNED: Do not wait! Next year and in coming years, as soon as you see tickets for sale for this event, BUY THEM! Do not chance, do not wait, just get your tickets so that you're sure to get to ride. 

Atlanta Balloon Glow | Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Fortunate me, my friend James gave me a ticket, gifting me a first-time experience! "Thank you!" James, it was soooooooo awesome!!! I crave first-time experiences and this is one I'll always remember and it has fueled my desire to go up again, and probably again and again!

Atlanta Balloon Glow | Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

This was the balloon that I went up in, and I was on the edge of the gondola, so had a perfect view of the balloon's interior. The flames were HOT, not that they would be anything but...still, it was quite the sensation. 

Atlanta Balloon Glow | Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Our balloonist, handlebar mustache and all, looked a lot like the Wizard of Oz, AND he was having a great time...so funny! A brief ride, his humor totally enhanced the experience. Grateful he made the ride memorable and fun.

Atlanta Balloon Glow | Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

When next year's Atlanta Balloon Glow is announced, get your tickets FAST! This is one Piedmont Park experience that you don't want to miss. Even if you don't go up in a balloon, this is a full-fledged festival, one that's rife with amazing photo opportunities that you won't want to miss. Come early, and stay for sunset...stay for the balloon glow!

See more photos on the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook page...