Fall colors in Marietta, GA

Squirrels predict cold winter in Georgia

Hiking Kennesaw Mountain. Squirrels are out in force finding and burying every nut they can locate. Since I've been married for almost 20 years I sense no personal danger.

Back to the Future with the Cubs!

If the Cubs win the World Series this year, will they reclassify "Back to the Future Part II" as a documentary?

Autumn Arriving in Atlanta

Never Forget

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