Last Gasp Tour Part 2

On a whim, I bought tickets to the Atlanta show of The Rolling Stones’ Hackney Diamonds tour. They’d played at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on June 3rd, but I was in Fort Lauderdale at the tree conference. Other tour dates didn’t fit our calendar, so Atlanta it was.

Friday, we walked 6.7 miles between at the airport, getting to the hotel from MARTA, visiting the Georgia Aquarium, going to dinner at the Twin Smokes BBQ where they serve chitlings rather than chips as a freebie, and trekking to and from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the concert.We are tired.

Of course, we were amazed by the energy of 80-year-olds Mick and Keith plus 77yo Ronnie, but the fact that most of the audience seemed about their/our age was as impressive. We old geezers still can stay up past 9:00 PM. Of course, at the hotel breakfast next morning, we mostly looked like something the cat dragged in. 

Best part? The Stones tour is sponsored by AARP.

Saturday, we visited the High Museum to see the Dutch masters exhibit on loan from the Boston Museum. I love the still lifes, especially the flower arrangements with lots of bugs tucked in. The gossamer wings of dragonflies, the reflections in the glass vases, the dew drops. There was one drawing by Rembrandt. 

I also loved the permanent exhibit of folk artist Howard Finster. Crazy, crazy.

We could have attended a magic show right at our hotel, the Embassy Suites, that evening, but by the time we’d had a couple of free drinks at the hotel’s happy hour, then eaten dinner at the Biergarten up the street, lying down on the bed seemed like the better option. Maybe we can’t stay up past 9:00 PM 2 days in a row. Miles walked: 3.3.

Sunday, we ate breakfast at the hotel, then lazed around since checkout wasn’t until noon. Such a civilized way to travel. I’d suggested lunch at the Dekalb Farmers Market since 1) it’s cheap, and 2) Grant had never been there. A Lyft ride seemed like the best option. Who knew they’d closed their restaurant, likely during Covid. Dang. Grant got some pickled herring (yuck) and cucumber salad. With the giant pitas I picked out, he’d be ready for lunch. I bought some cookies, determined to wait to eat at the airport. With our extra time, we opted to take the bus and MARTA, rather than another ride-share. $50 vs $7.

My lunch: chicken, mac ‘n cheese, and collards from Paschal’s, with large hazy IPAs from Sam Adams. Grant ate his farmers market finds. All good until we’d gone to our gate on the A concourse, and Grant realized he’d left his bag, hopefully at the restaurant. I rushed back to Concourse B, and, thankfully the waitstaff had found and tucked it away. Crisis averted. Miles walked or ran: 2.8.

Having seen Bob Dylan, and now the Stones, we’ve decided we’re on the last gasp tour, ours not necessarily the musicians. Wonder who’s next.