John, I live near Atlanta and am at a total loss as to what to recommend a fellow pen turner could do that would be of interest to a wood type person.
About the only real suggestion I might offer you is to visit one of our 'local' exotic wood supply houses. I don't get out myself much anymore having had my stroke and IF I did travel about I might visit those wood suppliers listed in our local Yellow Pages.
Peach State Lumber is a decent drive to the north of Atlanta out near Woodstock (no pun on their name and "Wood"stock) They often have some very nice exotic woods in stock - mostly lumber and not blanks or bowl stock. The prices in a long board is very decent too. If John is still with them he will do everything he can to be agreeable with your needs. For instance, he will cut two feet off a ten foot board of an exotic like Cocobolo, Bloodwood, etc. As long as he can keep an eight foot piece afterwards is what will help make the deal for you.
I believe there is another dealer downtown named Atlanta Hardwoods or Atlanta Exotics, something like that. I have no experience in dealing with them though. Others on the Forum may give you better names and such.
BTW, if you are out in the Holcomb Bridge Road and GA 400 area be sure to drop in the local Woodcraft Store and walk through their brand new woodworking shop for ideas and such. The place is completely new ... well several weeks old now.
Otherwise visit the Highland Hardware store off Ponce de Leon just east of downtown. It is also a historic building and is full of good stuff.
A word of warning about parking ... improper parking around the area is a great source of revenue for the local coppers ... be cautious of improper parking or else you will give them that special dollar(s) you have saved up. Those coppers are quick on the spot to ticket or even boot your tire so you can't get away. DAMHIKT either! Parking in local parking decks is costly to say the least, but FAR less than a parking ticket, Duh! The local 'hooks' (towing companies are even quicker to tow!!!)
Bring your fishing pole and visit the Atlanta Aquarium and see if you can catch the Great White that swims around there - we have plenty of pan handlers to be used as 'bait!'
Well, I said I didn't have any ideas, but I guess these will do. I would invite you out to my place, but I am just not all that well to entertain and my company would be miserable for the next few months. I hope you have an enjoyable visit and the weather is good for you while here!
