Cherry Blossom Festival newbies: Sports and spirit strolls

Editor’s note: Caitlyn Stroh and Stephen Mays are both newbies to The Telegraph as well as newbies to the Cherry Blossom Festival. They’re going out into the festivities this week and giving us a firsthand account of their CBF experience.

CAITLYN TOURS THE HALL OF FAME

It's pretty weird that I had never been to the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. I grew up in Georgia and have spent nearly my whole life doing something sports related.

So when I saw that Tuesday was Cherry Blossom Day at the museum, I hopped on that free admission as the perfect opportunity.

I wasn't expecting much. My hopes are inherently low with museums after many a shortcoming. But the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame squashed my nay-saying.

I scoured the walls for my alma mater on the wall of Georgia high schools. I oggled the Steve Penley artwork in the upperdeck of the atrium. I hummed my 'Glory, Glory to Ole Georgia' as I wandered through the college sports section, which, if I do say so, is lacking an Andy Landers display.

As I came upon the interactive section of the museum, I contemplated trying to throw a football through a tire, test my vertical jump or hop or see if I have any form of a jump shot. But there were just enough people around to make me feel weird about being the 20-something-year-old girl playing agility games by herself.

I did attempt to test my reaction time but I'm pretty sure the machine is broken. Or I just have the reactivity of a sleeping bear.

I kept on my self-guided tour to the NASCAR section, a.k.a. the shrine to Bill Elliot. I know nothing about NASCAR. I try, but I'm really bad at it. But I have learned how much my personal life hinges on my knowledge of the North Georgia driver. So as I greet the model red and yellow McDonald's car, I feel like my Georgia sports knowledge has peaked.

As an adult going to the museum for the first time was great. It was almost nostalgic. I regret that I hadn't been earlier in life. Why did my middle school not do a field trip up here? It's one thing to be able to walk around and recognize so many UGA names, but it would've be magical to be introduced to the greatness of Georgia sports at a younger age. When I still had so much to learn.

Then again, I still do.

STEPHEN & CAITLYN TAKE A SPIRIT STROLL

After Caitlyn trotted around the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, we joined the around 15 other folks at the spirit tour in the Riverside Cemetary.

The evening weather was nice and the pace leisurely, so we listened intently as the guide listed off notable gravesites.

One of the first graves that our guide pointed out was that of a former Telegraph publisher.

While out on the Spring Spirit Stroll, @stephemays and I were introduced to a former @telegraphga editor pic.twitter.com/0CGwwZmpVg

— Caitlyn Stroh (@caitlyn_stroh) March 29, 2016

The tour also had volunteers performing monologues as historic figures. As interesting as the information was, this was also my first time in the Riverside Cemetery. At sunset especially, it was gorgeous.

Granted, taking a casual stroll through a cemetery can seem a bit macabre, I can see myself doing just that in the spring days to come.

If you haven't been yet, be sure to take the time and go for a walk in the cemetery (I never thought I'd type that advice).

This story was originally published March 29, 2016 at 9:41 PM with the headline "Cherry Blossom Festival newbies: Sports and spirit strolls."