Or: What We Did on Our Summer Vacation

Or: A Tale of City Mouse and Country Mouse

This summer, Teona and I both planned trips to Georgia. We didn’t travel together but may have crossed paths, coming and going. This is the story of our summer vacation, where we saw the juxtaposition between city and country life. While Teona got away from it all by taking her camper to the lake to relax by the water, I drove into the city to see a favorite musician who hasn’t toured in a long time play a venue we love.

Relaxing at Lake Lanier

Teona’s destination for a week was Lake Lanier, which is about an hour north of Atlanta. The massive lake is artificial and serves as a reservoir for Atlanta. Years ago, I spent a weekend on Lake Lanier for a summer party at the company I worked for when I lived in Atlanta. We rented pontoon boats and did a scavenger hunt as part of a team-building exercise, so I was familiar with the lake when Teona mentioned her vacation.

It’s a popular destination for boating, fishing, and water sports but has an intriguing history. It was created in 1956 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by damming the Chattahoochee River with the construction of the Buford Dam. It covers about 38,000 acres and has 692 miles of shoreline, making it one of the largest lakes in Georgia. Teona mentioned that she was in one corner of the lake and was surprised by its size. She wants to visit the dam and spend more time in the area. The lake features over 100 islands that were hilltops before the area was flooded. These islands provide unique spots for exploring.

Before the lake was filled, several towns, including Oscarville, were submerged. Remnants of roads, houses, and even a racetrack can still be found underwater. Lake Lanier has a reputation for being haunted, with numerous stories and legends about ghost sightings and mysterious occurrences. This has contributed to its eerie allure and local folklore.

Even though Lake Lanier attracts over 11 million visitors annually, Teona found it remote and relaxing. There weren’t that many people there during the week, even in the summer. She was able to let Amira swim and have off-leash time.

Live Music in Decatur

About the same time Teona was at Lake Lanier, I drove down to Decatur, Georgia, for a concert. I have a long history with the Atlanta Area, having lived there for almost ten years after leaving Michigan. We lived in the northern suburbs before moving to Asheville. But then, in 2018, my partner decided to attend law school as a non-traditional student, so we moved back to the area for three years. This time, we lived in Decatur. It’s such a cool, walkable town with tons of incredible restaurants.

We stayed at a hotel just behind the apartment building we lived in when we were there. We had tickets to a venue called Eddie’s Attic, an institution in Decatur. We saw Josh Joplin, a folk singer and songwriter who’s been our favorite for a long time. He hadn’t toured in many years, so when we saw that he would be in Decatur, we jumped at the chance to go.

As a side note, a show in Asheville has just been announced, so we’re going to that too.  

Our summer vacation was very different from Teona’s. We were in the middle of the biggest metropolitan region in the southeast. We were in the hustle and bustle of a downtown area where we could walk to bars and restaurants from our hotel. We met up with good friends for brunch, and after the show, we had dinner and drinks with another friend.

I also want to mention how restorative it is to see someone perform. Creativity comes in so many forms, and songwriting has always been a favorite of mine. It’s a particular skill set that I don’t have, but it’s pure poetry in the hands of certain artists. Josh Joplin is one of those people for me. He’s a storyteller and a performer. I encourage you to check out his work.

Earlier this year, I also saw Dar Williams perform here in Asheville. She is another artist I’ve loved for a long time and respect as both a songwriter and storyteller. When I get back to my desk after seeing this kind of creative outlet, I can’t help but be inspired.

Getting Away from it All

At dpeg Marketing, we know that it can’t be all work and no play. That makes for dull website designs and stressful days. We believe it’s essential to take time off and truly disconnect. Taking vacations makes us feel refreshed, reenergized, and more creative. Stepping away from daily operations reduces stress and prevents burnout, allowing mental rejuvenation.

Sitting in nature or watching live performances gives us new perspectives and innovative ideas. When we return, we have clearer focus for problem-solving and strategic thinking. By prioritizing rest, we maintain a healthier work-life balance, positively impacting our client work so we can bring the best to the table working with you.

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