The South

We're in Atlanta all weekend visiting family.
It's a nice break to come down here and just relax.
That means no riding, but we did get out and hike up Kennesaw Mountain yesterday.

This was the site of an historic Civil War Battle as Sherman made his way to Atlanta.
The hike is about 40 minutes up a somewhat steep trail.
I was visualizing riding the climb on my mountain bike. That would be a good workout.
The descent would be pretty sweet too.

The view from the summit was spectacular as it was a clear day.
To the North were the north Georgia mountains.
To the South was the skyline of downtown Atlanta.
To the West was Stone Mountain rising from the ground.

It was chilling to think about the fighting that took place on the slopes of the mountain.
Some of the trenches were still visible and a number of cannons were still in place near the top.
A lot of blood was shed.



Speaking of the Civil War....
One thing that is immediately noticable is the absolute duplicitous absurdity of some Southern attitudes.
You get amazing hospitality and friendly folks on the one hand.
You also hear a lot about religion, Church, and being a good Christian.
Then, in the next breath, you hear negative comments about Martin Luther King Day.

While there is a lot of racial diversity down here you really don't see a lot of interaction on a personal level.
I think that people live in such a cultural cocoon that they are ~afraid~ of anything different.
Their defense is to attack and disrespect those different from themselves.
This applies not only to race, but to any difference in culture.
The intolerance of anything different is astounding.
Get out and travel....open your eyes...experience life!
You can't learn if you arrogantly assume that everyone else is beneath you.
Practice what you preach.
Is humility extinct?