Travels in the southeast
We sold our house and are working our way west to Denver – hed’n to the wed’n. Yup, our son will be getting married in November, so we are taking a slow stroll west. First stop? See old friends (sorry, did that sound catty or judgmental?) at TCPC (Tennessee Cumberland Plateau Campground), one of our… Read More Hed’n to the Wed’n – Oct 2022
For those of you who follow our real estate transactions (hopefully not), this may sound like a re-do, but we are selling our house in the Prince Howard neighborhood and moving full time to our cottage in New Hampshire. Sound oddly familiar? We have made the decision and are in process of making this happen. … Read More Prince Howard – Sept 2022
Chock up another one for the records… shortest visit to the Masters. Ever. We were on the Augusta National grounds for a grand total of about an hour. A little background might be helpful. If you are not one of the +/- 300 members of Augusta National Golf Club, a winner of one of five… Read More Masters Tournament – Apr 2022
For some of you, it is travel season! For the rest of you, it’s just Tuesday. Either way, spring is in the air, and it is time to prepare to hit the road. When and where are we next traveling? Hell if I know, but as soon as my wife tells me I will be… Read More Travel Season – Mar 2022
Another successful year for the Canopener! What is the Canopener you say? First and foremost, it is a rally of friends and strangers-soon-to-be-friends of (mostly) Airstream owners. It is a purely democratic event, lead and directed by ad hoc volunteers, with no rules – only, at most, a few guidelines. It is a wonderful event… Read More Canopener – Jan 2022
We don’t write a year-in-review post every year, but when we do, I always start by thinking, what the hell did we even do this past year? And after going through our pictures, I’m like – wow – we did a bunch! Of course, this is not an historical world view of 2021 – just… Read More 2021 in Review – Dec 2021
Part of the misery of retirement is having time to play golf at nice places. I shouldn’t joke – many people have not the health, time, money, or perhaps interest, to do this. So it is with appreciation that I share this story. Last week friends and I played at the US Mecca of golf… Read More Pinehurst – Nov 2021
PSA (PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT) #105: PROVIDING IMBALANCED, QUASI-ACCURATE AND INSENSITIVE NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS. With the Covid virus and its’ mutations still spreading, including the newest Prince Howard variant, the neighborhood was delighted to be able to get Covid testing, as well as an assortment of vaccines at the new QT Neighborhood convenience store that opened just… Read More Halloween – Oct 2021
If you are looking for a campground that is both chill and warm, this might be your ticket. We recently camped for a few days at Forth Clinch State Park in Fernandina Beach (FL), on Amelia Island, and it is a hidden gem. This state park is like Fort DeSoto Regional Park (if you have… Read More Fort Clinch – Oct 2021
For some reason, this weekend at TCPC (Tennessee Cumberland Plateau Campground) in Crossville, TN, made me think of Weekend at Bernie’s. No, there was no embezzlement, heroin overdoses, or mafia hitmen (that I know of!), although there were a few shady characters. But there was a lot of laughing. And the weather couldn’t have been… Read More Weekend at Bernie’s (TCPC) – May 2021
Crown jewel. That’s what Oscar Shearer is to the Florida State Park system. Located in Osprey, FL (near Venice on the west coast), this is a flat-out great state park, and it really is a beautiful cocoon away from the hustle and bustle. We may not be the only ones who think that – just… Read More Oscar Shearer State Park – Feb. 2021
The new year has started, and, yes, we are out on the road – albeit without any social plans, dinners out, friends, or family until things get better. We pulled the “Get Out of Cold Weather” card, and decided to head to Florida for a few weeks – warm up a bit. I know Georgia… Read More Head’n South – Jan 2021
2020 has been the worst year ever – right? Watching 2020 unfold was like watching porn. First it was titillating, then it felt unseemly, and lastly you got a sinking feeling in the pit in your stomach like you get two minutes after wolfing down a quarter pounder and large fry. No happy ending, so… Read More 2020 in Review – Dec 2020
Thanksgiving won’t be the same this year with Covid; limited or no travel, no big gatherings – I think we all know the list of “not that”. We won’t be with our kids this year – first time ever. Nevertheless, it is a time for thanks! We will be doing a Zoom call with the… Read More Thanksgiving Retro Style – Nov 2020
OK, we weren’t really in Atlanta and we didn’t really go to Boston. But you get the idea – we headed north. In our never-ending search for the perfect climate, we have departed the Atlanta area and have headed north to New England. Nothing says leave Atlanta better than 90+ degree temperatures. Our first stop… Read More ATL to BOS – June 2020
Another year of graduating students! Or was it just another year!?! I believe this year was, shall we say, distinctive. Let’s consider the traditional high school or college graduation ceremony. I won’t lie – I don’t remember a damn thing about my graduation ceremonies. I don’t have pictures of my high school graduation, and my… Read More Graduation Day – May 2020
Since this is (arguably) a travel blog, I thought I might talk about… travel. You can be forgiven if you have already forgotten what “travel” is. Perhaps this is where you queue the Dave Matthews Band, The Space Between… or the Eagles, Taking it Easy. This post in particular is about tweens. No, not teens,… Read More Tweens – May 2020
I call it the Prince Howard Way, because this neighborhood has clearly been touched with love and compassion. When asked recently to donate for healthcare workers at the local hospital, the neighborhood quickly responded with acts of kindness, caring, and consideration. I know this is not just happening in our neighborhood; it is surely happening… Read More The Prince Howard Way – Apr 2020
This year may not be the primo get-out-on-the-road year, what with all the impact from the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Duh. But that does not mean we are unable to navigate our own yard! So, in lieu of captivating photos and stories from our RV travels, sit back, enjoy a cup of coffee, pour yourself a cold… Read More Our Yard – Apr 2020
Atlanta this year has received a boatload of rain, and yesterday was no different. In a typical week this year, it is my belief we have “enjoyed” about 5 ½ days of rain, a day of clouds, and about 2 hours of sun. I decided that today I was in charge, not the weather, and,… Read More Sope Creek – Mar 2020
OK, so it’s been awhile. I know. I thought I no longer needed the self-therapy of writing blog posts, but Karen has convinced me that my mental instability is in dire need of some serious assistance – she has informed me I am neither stable or a genius. WTF. We headed west (from Atlanta) to… Read More Winter Road Trip – Jan 2020
Chock up another year of neighborhood caroling! Yes, the Carol Caravan made it through the hood unscathed, with much joy, many laughs and some great singing! Like any year we have done this, we start with the basics… a trailer with hay, lights (as gaudy as possible), a heavy marketing campaign (a sign), carolers, parental… Read More Christmas Caroling – Dec 2019
Oh boy – back in the hood… and for Halloween! Talk about magical… or would that be black magic. Whatever it was, we must have had 100 kids show up at our door to trick or treat. First off, it is hard to be a photographer memorializing this sacred event when you are an active… Read More Halloween – Oct 2019
Spoiler alert – there is no big reveal – no “money” shot. After spending about 22 hours actively attending this cook, I flat out forgot to take pictures after making the first, beautiful, moist, tender, and flavorful cut. I am calling this smoked brisket my personal best. It is SOOOO good! Just no finished pics. … Read More Smoked Brisket – Oct 2019
You know life has gone moderately well when you spend a week in Bardstown, KY (the bourbon capitol of the world) to attend the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival. What do you get when you mix good friends and bourbon? In my experience, typically an arrest warrant. Not this time. We were on our very best… Read More Kentucky Bourbon Festival – Sept 2019
Ah yes, back in the hood. At the risk of offending our NH brethren, it feels great being back in the hood. By now, you know the drill. This year’s annual block party was amazing, despite 95 degree temps, led by the Honorable Reza, and his trusty sidekicks DJ and Matt. For those uninitiated, Reza… Read More Block Party – Aug 2019
“Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy; he hath borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is! (Hamlet) I have told my wife and kids that the next time I move out of this house there will… Read More Honey, I’m Home! – Aug 2019
It doesn’t seem possible, but at the end of this month (technically a month later for Karen) we will have been retired for 5 years! What the hell have we done? Retirement, for those uninitiated, is when you shovel your driveway down to bare pavement two hours after a major storm. Being anal retentive helps. Retirement is… Read More 5 Years Post Retirement – Mar 2019
No, not the awesome Indie rock group. We are talking about Florence (the hurricane/tropical storm) and the Machine (my truck). Timing can work for you… and sometimes not so much. With tight schedules, we needed to get our truck and utility trailer up to New Hampshire ahead of our closings, and it so happened that… Read More Florence and the Machine – Sept 2018
Even after 20 years living in the south, no one has ever mistaken me for being a good ole southern boy. I’ll say three words, and inevitably the first thing I hear is, “Boy, yarnt from around here, arya.” To which I usually and quite smartly say, “Well, gosh, no I am not!” “Bless your heart.”… Read More Southern Living – Sept 2018