A Walk in the Woods

After watching “A Walk in the Woods” starring Robert Redford and Nick Nolte you may be tempted to hike the Appalachian Trail yourself. I’m going to save you six months of your time and over 2,100 miles of wear and tear on your hiking boots (not to mention what it may do to your body.) Heck, only one in four who attempts a thru-hike actually accomplishes their goal anyway.

First, I enjoyed the movie which is about Bill Bryson (Redford), who after spending two decades in England, returns to the U.S. where he decides the best way to connect with his homeland is to hike the Appalachian Trail with one of his oldest friends played by Nolte. The chemistry between Redford and Nolte is not close to what you would see in a Redford-Paul Newman buddy film (which was the original idea when the rights were purchased years ago), but it still worked for me. “A Walk in the Woods” is like “Grumpy Old Men” meet “The Odd Couple” on the Appalachian Trail. I liked Nolte’s down and out character more than the highly successful author played by Redford. Nolte easily outshines Redford thanks to having the best comedic zingers in the script. The supporting characters were fine with Kristen Schaal (who plays a very annoying hiker on the trail) especially humorous.

The scenery and trails, of course, were beautiful. And this is where I will save you from spending half a year hiking the Appalachian Trail. Much of the film was filmed in the Atlanta area including lots of scenes from trails in Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Since I hike those trails three or four times a week I picked out scenes that were shot on Pigeon Hill, Kennesaw Mountain and Little Kennesaw Mountain. (The nearly 3,000-acre National Battlefield Park offers over 20 miles of trails that weave through forest, over mountaintops and through grassy meadows.) Of course, Kennesaw Mountain is not actually part of the Appalachian Trail, but still a wonderful and beautiful place to hike and enjoy nature without having to visit REI for six months’ worth of trekking supplies. And after a few hours of hiking Kennesaw Mountain, you can grab a mouthwatering southern style lunch at Louise’s Restaurant where Redford and Nolte’s characters chowed down in the movie.

Overall, as a movie, “A Walk in the Woods” doesn’t quite make the entire Appalachian Trail trek, but it does make it far enough and has enough laughs for you to sit back and enjoy a couple of hours of your valuable time.

Kennesaw Mountain

Since retiring, I rarely know what day of the week it is. However, I do know when it's a beautiful day to hike Kennesaw Mountain.

Happy National Dog Day

Retirement Dilemma

My first retirement dilemma today in a public restroom with a large sign over the sink that read:

"WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE RETURNING TO WORK."

 I suggest that the next time you meet me, opt for the fist-bump instead of the handshake.

Out to Pasture

Last day at work! Retirement here I come! Wonderful experience at The Impact Partnership​. Will very much miss the absolutely AMAZING Radio Team and all of the creative and fun co-workers throughout the building. As you can see by the monitor, looks like they'll miss me too?

"Goin' back to the well gonna visit old friends
 And feed my soul where the blacktop ends"

New Law

If I was King for a day I would make it a law at that ALL media would be required to list the victims’ names each time they spoke, wrote or reported about the tragic events that happened not only in Chattanooga but in all other locations of our country where senseless acts of violence occur. Sadly the cowardly terrorists or murderers names often become more well-known than those of the innocent victims. As far as I am concerned, the perpetrator of such acts should rarely have their name mentioned at all.

RIP
Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan of Hampden, Massachusetts; 
Staff Sgt. David A. Wyatt of Burke, North Carolina; 
Sgt. Carson A. Holmquist of Polk, Wisconsin; 
Lance Cpl. Squire K. ‘‘Skip’’ Wells of Marietta, Georgia.

Amazing photo of Pluto!

Happy Independence Day!

Best Alarm Clock Ever!

You know the day is going to be great when this is the first thing you see when you open your eyes in the morning. "Come on Dad! It's time to play. Daylight's burning!!"

Memorial Day weekend 2015

Every Memorial Day weekend I try to visit Marietta National Cemetery to quietly give thanks for the unselfish and ultimate sacrifices that have allowed me to lead such a wonderful and free life.

Hide and Seek

Forrest is still learning the finer points of "Hide & Seek."

Lily Sue mimicking Grandpapa

The Breakfast Club

Later this month is the 30th Anniversary of "The Breakfast Club." This rare photo shows the original cast before director John Hughes fired the actor sitting between Judd Nelson and Ally Sheedy for "having a face for radio." Emilio Estevez assumed the role and the rest is history.

If Yoda had a pet dog

Snow in Georgia? Really?

"Forrest" experiences his first snow

Nuff said ...

Brian Williams sings at the GRAMMYs!

Warm February days are meant for this!

(Frozen Custard Waffle Cone at Cheeseburger Bobby's)

Brian Williams recants ... again ...

This just in! NBC anchorman Brian Williams recants his story of being on the last Space Shuttle flight. Brian said he confused that with an airport shuttle ride to LaGuardia.

Brian Williams recants ...

This just in! NBC anchorman Brian Williams recants his story of being on Seal Team 6 during the Osama bin Laden raid. Brian said he confused that with his visit to Sea World where he fed the seals.

Life Lesson #65

If reincarnated and you come back as a squirrel, please DO NOT shout "Birdie" just because you're on a golf course.

365 Photos in 365 Days

I am attempting to post a photo a day this year.  I've attempted this in the past and never came close to finishing.  You can follow my progress HERE.

Sony

In an effort to thwart future cyber-attacks, Sony has adopted the IRS system where emails are immediately lost or destroyed.

First Two Tuesdays in November

Remember ... VOTE Tuesday, November 4th! THANK a Veteran Tuesday, November 11th! Thanks to our Veterans we have the privilege to voice our opinions and vote for the person of our choice.

Dead Leaf in the Middle of the Road

Special Report

This just in! After an apparent mid-air collision with an unmanned UPS drone, a single engine broom was forced to make a crash landing near Kennesaw, Georgia. NTSB investigators stated that the pilot, a Miss Elphaba Thropp, suffered only minor injuries until a well-meaning witness to the crash, doused the smoking broom and Miss Thropp with a bucket of water. Miss Dorothy Gale of Kansas, told investigators that Elphaba’s last words were, “Ohhh! You cursed brat! Look what you've done! I'm melting! Melting! Oh, what a world! What a world!” Records show that the model of the broom Miss Thropp was piloting had a near perfect safety record with only one previous incident in which, coincidentally, Elphaba’s sister was killed by a falling house. The NTSB is still investigating the crash site to determine if Miss Thropp had been texting while flying or attempting to use "spell" check. (This has been an SNN Special Report. ©Spiff News Network)

Welcome Lily Sue!

Our first grandchild ... Lily Sue ... Born 08.26.14 ... 7 pounds 15 ounces ... 20 1/2 inches.
"Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up".

Challenge Accepted!

Challenged by his radio partner Randy Cook, Spiff Carner not only accepts the challenge, but takes it to an entirely different level.

Spiff Accepts Ice Bucket Challenge video

Looks like rain ... or maybe the end of time?

Challenge!

I just accepted the "sweet iced tea challenge." I sat on my deck and sipped on a cold and tasty iced tea. I then made a donation to a charity of my choice. I challenge you to do the same.

If Statues could talk

Just when you thought it was safe to laugh at roadkill ...

Recalled?

Last remaining Chevrolet yet to be recalled.

Ka-Boom!

150th Anniversary

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

CLICK HERE for more photos.

Marietta Square 1864?

Thank You

Remembering the 70th Anniversary of D-Day. Thanks to each and every member of the Allied forces that sacrificed so much for us all.

(Photo of the "Liberty Belle", a WWII B-17 Bomber. I was lucky enough to take a 30 minute flight on her back in 2010. In June of 2011, the Liberty Belle made a crash landing in a field in Illinois, burst into flames and was destroyed. Fortunately there were no injuries or deaths.)

Bee all that you can Bee

Thank You!

Memorial Day

Sometimes one day is just not long enough to say Thank You properly. — at Marietta National Cemetery.

May the 4th be with you??

I know that the "Star Wars" groupies are very excited about today. But personally, I can't wait until tomorrow.

"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...."

Almost 14 years ago my youngest daughter Meredith received a birthday gift that changed all of our lives for the better … “Brady”, a fluffy Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Although he was indeed Meredith's puppy, his heart was large enough to encompass all of us with his love. Always there for us … always happy … always ready to make each and every day brighter. “Brady” left us this evening to brighten the days forever for all those he meets on his next great adventure where all good dogs go when they leave us. You will always be in our hearts “Brady” as you made our hearts so much larger and so much more capable of unconditional love. You will be missed but never forgotten.

Needed more warm-up?

Gio Gonzalez of the Washington Nationals looked very good during warm-ups before facing the Braves today.  Gio did NOT look very good once the game started.  Braves scored 6 runs off him in the first two innings.  Final score ... Braves 10, Nats 2.

Bugging Out

Changing the passwords to all of my accounts and sign-ins to "Heartbleed". That should be tough to crack.

Letterman Retires!

The TOP FIVE reasons why David Letterman is retiring in 2015:

5--Microphone emits feedback every time it gets close to Dave's "First Alert" necklace.

4--Dave is completely exhausted by number six while doing the Top Ten List.

3--4:30PM taping time right in the middle of the Early Bird Special at Bernie's Buffet.

2--Even at 82 degrees in the Ed Sullivan Theater, Dave still feels chilled.

And the number one reason why David Letterman is retiring in 2015:

1--Got himself a very sweet deal on a Fixed Indexed Annuity.

How to handle a phone scammer

So, I get a phone call from this dude who says he is a Microsoft technician from California. (Who oddly enough sounded like he was really in Mumbai) Anyway, I have heard about these scammer types so I immediately go into my best southern Georgia, “Honey Boo-Boo” accent … 
“H’lo whatcha want?”
“Sir, do you have Windows?” 
“Not since the tornado,” I sez. “Heck, I’m lucky to have a door to my trailer. Had to board everything up.” 
“Do you have the desktop?”
“Nope, I do all my paperwork on the kitchen table, just like everyone else in the trailer park.” 
“Do you have the laptop?”
“I’m tellin’ you this in confidence my friend. I have been known, on payday, to visit the Pink Pony for a quick lap dance. But I will deny that if you tell anyone.” 
“How then do you get your email?” 
“I don’t know what this email thing is … but, when I want THE mail, I walk down to the end of the drive and take it out of my mailbox. That was, I did before that dang tornado blew my mailbox all the way to India!” 
“You do not have any computer devices in your home?” 
“I am lucky to have electricity at all! Heck, they just turned the power back on an hour ago. And I’m told it will be a week before I have phone service.”
(Long pause) “I will call you back when your phone service is restored. Goodbye” 
“Hey, wait a minute fella. Before you hang up, do me a favor and look out your window. Can you see my dang mailbox? You have windows don’tcha!!!”

Unionized College Football?

“In a ruling that could revolutionize college athletics, a federal agency ruled Wednesday that college football players at Northwestern University can unionize.”    Which brings us to:

The TOP FIVE demands by a unionized college football team:

5) More time spent in huddle, less actual playing time.

4) Every other Saturday off.

3) All penalties are subject to a collective bargaining grievance procedure.

2) Three minute quarters, 60 minute half-time.

1) Every team will play in a bowl game. (Oh, wait … that appears to be happening already.)

Daylight Savings Time

This tree at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park appears to be getting ready to "Spring Forward". To avoid completely shocking my body and mind, I will spring forward 30 minutes tonight and another 30 tomorrow night.

Reallly?

If the #Oscars2014 run much longer, will they announce next year's winners as well? I'm asking for a really sleepy friend.