Off the Beaten Path
Join me on an adventure. Where will we go today?
On February 13, 2023, my friends and I wanted an authentic seafood experience in the Biloxi/Ocean Springs Area. Several places were closed for Fat Tuesday. We saw Bacchus on the Bayou from another closed restaurant parking lot so meandered over there. The reviews were mixed with great praise and disappointment. After eating there, I am on the praise side.
The staff are very friendly and the restrooms clean. The view is nice over the Bayou. It was too chilly with high wind for me but some people did eat out on the balcony where children were running around, having a great time. The adults were kicked back with appropriate beverages. Here is their website to review the complete menu: https://www.bacchusbayou.com/ The daily specials at $12.50 are the best value. Being Tuesday, I had two hamburger patties with two strips of bacon, two slices of cheese, a spicy chipotle mayo and egg with a side of fries. As I am gluten-intolerant, I did not get the bun but it looked crispy on my friend’s plate. The fries were crisped well with a slight batter and Cajun seasoning. We ordered the smoked tuna dip, made in-house, and it was just a phenomenal appetizer. With two large scoops, it could have been an entree. My hamburger was cooked to perfection but my friend’s was more red than she prefers. She ordered medium and I ordered well-done. The seafood dishes started in the low $20 range so we opted for the daily special. It was easy to park and ADA accessible via a ramp. There was no wait for a table, even during Fat Tuesday during Mardi Gras. I guess the locals were still recovering from the parade. They also have special events like paint parties if you are local. Photo Credit: Posts on their website however the images are very accurate for what we received.
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I was one of the fortunate ones. I had parents who always had my back. I have had several abusive situations, and two that I fled. If you are not as fortunate, a local organization has your back.
If you like any of my pictures from my travels, I am building a photo store at https://turnerrogueentertainment.picfair.com/ under the parent company name Turner Rogue Entertainment that I roll everything under. Mainly waterfalls and beach scenes so far, I am only asking $1 a digital download plus whatever fees the website - Picfair - adds on for their efforts. So far, I only uploaded 11 because I need to edit more. Thank you, always, for reading and supporting my blogs and other endeavors. Six congregations in churches across the Southeastern United States were all hit hard on World Communion Sunday. Some of the frail, the most vulnerable, the very young, and the very old went to the morgue. Over half of the six congregational members went to the ER. Two of the churches were in the Miami Area. Detective Jackson O’Sullivan was assigned the case, a welcome relief from the 2-foot stack of cold cases sitting in the corner. The Captain was in the running to replace a retiring Police Chief, so he was searching for high-profile cases to garner positive media attention. He wrestled the investigation away from Atlanta and Nashville police departments, home to two of the six tainted churches. Detective O’Sullivan, from years of experience, found that the obvious answer is usually correct. In this case, the communion wafers were at fault. All six churches used the same batch from the same manufacturer in Iowa. Wafers were recalled from churches globally. Precisely 12% were contaminated with a potent pesticide. The FBI investigated the plant. The wheat stock was contaminated at the same 12% mark. The factory kept excellent records. All the contaminated wheat came from one farm in Iowa. The FBI, working with the Miami Detective, went to visit the farmer, Nate Simmons, a fifth-generation farmer and a religious fanatic. Nate thought he had more time before he was caught and was packing his bags when the FBI and Detective O’Sullivan knocked on his door. A mound of dirt in the back covered the contaminated wheat, a poor attempt to hide the pesticide-laced products. Arrested on the spot, Nate started raving about saving the innocent and the Holy. Killing the young children in churches sent them straight to heaven along with the elder congregation members. Because all twelve disciples were martyred, he contaminated 12% of the wheat supplied to the communion wafer factory. The factory was fined for failing to test the wheat properly and settled the civil case from the deceased's family members and the injured congregation members. The plant manager took a plea deal, dodging jail time with ten years probation and a hefty settlement. After the brief reprieve, Detective O'Sullivan jetted back to Miami, Feet up on the desk, he opened the top cold case folder. Time to make the Captain look good again in the media. If you enjoyed this story, read more about Detective Jackson O'Sullivan and other crime/horror stories at www.bitesizecrimestories.com. I have so many review notes piled up here on my desk. I have seen so many places and eaten at several restaurants so hopefully next week I can post my notes and pictures. In the meantime, enjoy this rendition of Havana Nights. A friend of ours gave us a bag of old music from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Mom and I have really enjoyed looking through it. This is my favorite piece from the stack. Next week, I am helping with a faith-based film called Country Road being filmed in my backyard here in Catoosa and Walker County, Georgia. I hope to eventually bring more of my short crime stories from www.bitesizecrimestories.com to life using AI so I have been studying different software for illustration generation. So far, Mindjourney and the others are not consistent throughout a book so I am still looking. Life is so amazing! I encourage you all to try to learn new skills and keep that brain active. I tripped over a musical group today called Vibrant City Band. The first thing that jumps out to me is this group's sheer talent and musicality. My first song was Toothpicks in the Attic. The lyrics reminded me of previous heartbreak and the knowledge that several people close to me chose not to disclose hurtful truths about the person I loved. It has an acoustic feel with pleasant tonal qualities in the vocals. The next song I heard was The Basement, which starts with drum licks and an electric guitar before the vocals set in. These people can play their instruments. At first, I was thinking of the acoustics genre and then indie rock. After listening to all the music on Spotify several times, I don’t see a genre or style that fits Vibrant City Band. They can do it all. My favorite is the instrumental version of Ooh Babe! As I sit and work on the computer. I have it on repeat. Vibrant City Band has something for everyone. Below are all the ways to hit their music so you know what to do. Listen and subscribe. Please support local musicians by following, subscribing, and listening.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VibrantCityBand/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vibrantcityband/ Snapchat: VibrantCity Youtube: www.youtube.com/@vibrantcityband Spotify open.spotify.com/artist/63FyeTuRvUEGM9FpbAQTrf?si=qhD-UaCFSyu738sXbN8k7A Apple Music music.apple.com/us/artist/vibrant-city/1698740960 Amazon Music music.amazon.com/artists/B08TM22832/vibrant-city?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_NS95hSIghUpmCkXaNo56JVlnY Tidal tidal.com/browse/artist/40831074 Deezer Deezer. page.link/PbbUL8BkLxmsJMC87 Pandora pandora.com/artist/vibrant-city/ARtjKZrdbcJZVjK?part=ug-desktop&corr=195529453449773445 Napster play.napster.com/artist/art.3881689994684284?ocode=social_user&pcode=social_user&cpath=Link&rsrc=artist Gaylord’s Opryland’s signature ICE attraction is impressive. This year features characters and nine scenes from THE POLAR EXPRESS™. It takes over six weeks to hand carve about 6,000 blocks of ice in the massive space. That translates to over two million pounds of ice. Chinese artisans, over 40, created this unique event. Pricing starts at $32 for adults and $23 for children. We paid closer to $50 per adult after all the taxes were added. Parking is a challenge. We parked at the shopping mall and walked a short distance across the parking lot. Several people hopped a free trolly between the venue and the mall. Mall parking is free. Closer to the venue, parking was $10. Everything is ADA accessible, and we saw several strollers and wheelchairs quickly traversing the attraction. ICE opened on November 10th, 2023, and will run through January 1st, 2024. Friday and Saturday hours are 10 am to 10 pm. Sunday is 10 am to 8 pm, and the rest of the week is noon to 8 pm. The ticket is good for a one-time entry, but you can stay as long as you want to wander around. There is no on-site box office. We purchased our tickets on the sidewalk outside using a cell phone. Children three and under are free with a paid adult admission, and children 4 to 11 must have a paid adult. Fifteen-minute arrival times are scheduled to enter; however, you will wait a while once you enter the main door. Every guest is issued a blue parka, very welcome in the 9-degree temperature of the attraction. Tickets are non-refundable, but they will work with your exchange before the current schedule. You can buy optional ticket insurance. The nine scenes from The Polar Express include chairs with cushions for us to sit on the train, the Glacier Gulch scene, and pulling into the North Pole. The walk through the Toy Shop scene was amazing. The venue had two-story ice slides, but I skipped them as I was already chilled. Kids and adults enjoyed sliding. Crystal-clear ice, illuminated with white light, ended the self-guided walking tour. A larger-than-life nativity scene was in a separate area at the end. My main recommendation is to wear a hat, gloves, and thick socks. The blue parka helped hold off the cold, but I am very cold-sensitive with a low body temperature. My trip was a short 25 minutes because I was chilled. I advise dressing warmer to stay longer. I will take my own advice next year. There are more available activities outside the Event in an area called Pinetop. Each activity has a different fee or can be bundled into a better deal. Some of the activities we saw included two outdoor ice skating, ice tubing down a ramp, a snowball-making and throwing activity, Gingerbread Decorating, and bumper cars. Food and drink trucks supplied hot chocolate and finger foods. Wondering around Helen right after Thanksgiving, I saw painted windows in a color depth and detail that astounded me! HLK Designs is local to the Northeast corner of Georgia with Heather. She loves being able to paint for a living with over 25 years of experience in multiple medias and surfaces. With two children, she loves the flexibility of being her own boss. Looking at her youthful face, it is hard to believe she has over two decades of work experience. Brittany is Heather’s assistant and handles all the social media. She loves HLK Design and the work-life balance that comes with a creative job.
Some of these were pictures I took of Helen. Others are from their website, with permission. If I had a storefront window, I would call HLK Designs! HLK Designs also paints murals and offers several products on its website. https://www.hlk-designs.com/customs shows several customized painted products such as mailboxes and canvas shoes. Here are signs for sale at https://www.hlk-designs.com/. Looking for that next fun event with a small group? How about a painting class? HLK does that too. Looking for a physical store? HLK is at the Sautee Junction under VIP Travel. Winter hours are Saturday and Sunday from 11 to 4. Contact HLK through email, Instagram, or Facebook Messenger hlkdesigns4@gmail.com https://www.instagram.com/hlkdesigns/ https://www.facebook.com/hlkdesigns4 The best time to go is during the week because the weekends are jammed pack with cars. On a Wednesday night at 10 pm, there were only five cars going through the loop. There is a spectacular house on the right before you get to Jason Drive. The loop is one-way with every inch of trees, fence, and nearly every square inch of yard covered with Christmas lights and decor. What makes Jason drive unique are all the figurines. You can't walk through so it is difficult to catch all of it with just one trip. My favorite was the elf laying on the bench but there are several adorable scenes on Jason Drive. The main person is Herman Schrader. At 80 years old, he starts in September with a lot of help. Up the hill on the right is a small shed building. He collects food, toys, clothing and donations for two local nonprofits: East Ridge Needy Child Fund and the Community Kitchen. Thanks, Mr. Schrader, for making the world a brighter place.
When you find out that one of the top Ten Light Displays in the entire world, according to National Geographic, is in Georgia, you have to go. Forbes magazine also lists the Calloway Gardens Fantasy in Lights as one of the top shows in the country. We packed up the grandkids and went off for a day of adventure. The cost varies depending on the date, as weekends are popular. Adult prices range from $25 to $40 each, and children's prices range from $20 to $35 each. It is a long walk from the parking lot to the activities area, so be prepared with a wheelchair if needed, even from handicapped parking. All the sidewalks and walking areas are smooth, with ramps and stairs available. We spent the night in the LaGrange area because no rooms were available around the Pine Mountain area. We arrived early and were allowed into the gardens on our tickets, purchased online. The place is enormous on 2500 acres with multiple lakes. We caught a Wings of Raptors show that featured hawks and an owl in an outdoor amphitheater. We walked through the butterfly exhibit and saw an exotic, tropical indoor greenhouse filled with colorful butterflies. We were too late to do the treetop adventure with rope climbing and zip lining; however, the playground was the perfect size for the two younger children. A walk by the lake leads through a gigantic representation of insects with informative plaques. Words are not adequate to describe this section. The pictures will help present the creatures better. Runners and walkers abound throughout the park in the afternoon, enjoying one of the last warm days before the cooler weather settles in. The Azaleas and Camillas are blooming all over the Gardens. This was an unexpected bonus because we left early to get through Atlanta before rush hour. As the sun sets, the wind picks up around the lake, and the temperature falls. Dress warmly. We ate bar-b-que in the food court area and walked through some lighted areas on the grounds. There were quaint shopping stores we skipped because of time. A forty-foot tree sits next to the food court area with pixeled characters and decor. The Christmas story is read out while a six to ten-foot display lights up with the story. Get in line for the jolly trolly early. We waited well over an hour in line before loading. You can drive through the lights or ride the trolly. The Fantasy in Lights is over seven miles, and it takes about an hour to get through at a crawl. Pictures and words do not do the scenes justice. The areas are themed, such as Twelve Days of Christmas, trees, Santa’s Workshop into Toyland, and flowers/butterflies. Over a million lights cover a meadow and roll in time to music crowned by a large tree on top of a hill. My favorites were the lights on the water that reflected and shimmered with the slow movement of the lakes. My second time seeing Fantasy in Lights, and much had been added in the past couple of years. The staff are amicable and fun. It is easy to get in and out of the parking lot. The food could have been more impressive and less expensive, so skip the food court. Go early and take advantage of the other things in the Gardens. And have fun experiencing a fantastic Fantasy in Lights. Play on the playground and then walk among the bugs. Even in December, the grounds are gorgeous. The 40 foot tall Pixel tree. Pictures do not do the Jolly Trolly ride justice. In 2019, a friend of my Mom's asked her to start playing music daily on Facebook because the world is a negative place. She thought that having a minute or two of music would cheer everyone up that crossed it. Nearly four years later, we are still putting up daily music on Facebook and also building a YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHzjPzLmpphxLLzZ-VW3SEQ
If you like Southern Gospel, ragtime, songs from the thirties and forties, and more, please jump over and subscribe. A relaxing week at the Wyndham Ocean Boulevard Resort in North Myrtle Beach was everything advertised. The front towers are a few hundred feet from the Atlantic Ocean/Beach. We were housed in Tower Four, so we had to walk across the street and down a pathway to access the Beach. It was easy for me and difficult for other members of our party. If you stay in Tower Four, get as high as you can. We were on the eleventh floor and could see the ocean over a building to the water. In my reviews, I start with the negatives, per my habit. My only real issue was convincing the salesperson on the phone that I was not interested in joining a timeshare. I finally had to be rude. Despite the upscale and increasing offers, I tried to be polite with several declines. My patience was thin because we had warded off other time-share people at every venue we attended and one mall. As mentioned before, Tower Four has a limited view of the ocean. You can see a sliver between two towers in the picture gallery. You must be in the upper half of Tower Four or the Beachside Towers for any beach or ocean view. Parking is tight in a garage and free to guests; however, we could come and go quickly. We parked near the elevators all week. There are ramps in every building, as well as stairs. The showers and tubs in the room are large and have safety bars in place. The spacious rooms easily accommodated four women. We had plenty of room for personal space and storage. The porch was easily accessible, with outdoor chairs and a table. The kitchen was stocked with utensils, an oven, stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, coffee pot, washer and dryer. With only two packets of dishwashing soap, we went to guest services and met Alexis, a sweet, knowledgeable, friendly young lady. She may be among the best at guest services at any place I have stayed. She was appalled that I walked over from Tower Four rather than just call for what we needed. I reassured her I was simply getting some additional fresh air and exercise. Three outdoor and two indoor pools (closed during our trip). The outdoor pools and two small lazy rivers with a view of the ocean and beach were still available. The complimentary Wi-Fi worked well once you got through the ad for a Wyndham Visa Card application. Hot tubs were available around all the pools. Our room had a jetted tub in the master suite, so I stayed inside because the wind was crisp and sharp in November. Murals decorate the walls outside the spa and indoor pools. Aquatic creatures glide along the walls in giant proportions in the murals. The lobby is decorated well for Christmas. The business center is small but efficient. It is quiet and requires a room key to access. Every tower has a 24/7 guest services with the main registration in Tower Two. The seating area was comfortable, with a sofa bed and several chairs. Television is available in the bedrooms and seating area with a broad cable offering. A business center, fitness center, game room, and children’s playground were available. Many activities were listed, including water fitness, horseback riding, snorkeling, and fishing. The sunrise is wonderful and worth the brisk air. The sunset was best seen from our bedroom window however I ventured out into the Ocean to catch the reflection on the water. The pictures did not do the reality justice. The location is convenient to numerous activities, restaurants, and shopping. This will be my go-to place to stay when I return to North Myrtle Beach as long as I get in an ocean-side Tower. Last year, I wanted to make a candy theme for outside the house for Christmas. I made several different versions of lighted-up Candy decor using a few plastic bowls and plates from Dollar Tree. The list of necessary items includes:
Hints - put the lights inside before gluing the plates and bowls together. The wire is thin enough that the connection to the switch will easily fit between the two. Don’t use two bowls on the solar lights. Just use one bowl and stick it in the ground with the front bowl. Use ribbons to decorate the ends of the candy. . Billed as The South’s Grandest Christmas Show, I believe it. I always strive to write a balanced review, so let’s start with the negatives first. Then, I will gush all the positives. Handicapped parking is mainly on the South side of the theater; however, it is not easily visible if you come in from the front or North. There was no visible ramp from the front, so guests walked up about a dozen brick steps with hand railing. Wheelchairs are available for guests who need to borrow one to transport from vehicles to seats. We learned this afterward, so our party struggled up the brick stairs. The front parking lot is tricky to navigate, with angles everywhere. Please give yourself ample time to park and enter the theater, which opens 45 minutes before show times. There is a back way that snakes in front of the House of Blues, allowing us to miss most of the parking lot traffic. The seats were close together, requiring us to move into the aisle when someone inside our row needed to go out. As an ADD person, the backdrop moving parts were distracting to me, but no one else in my group said it was a problem for them. At my most critical, this is all I can find for issues. From the moment I ordered tickets online, the experience was a delight. The ease of getting the tickets at the will-call window was delightful. All the staff were amiable and helpful. The ushers took their time with lights to help guests safely navigate to their seats. The lobby is enormous and bright, featuring a Christmas tree wired into the chandelier for safety. Food, Pepsi products, beer, and wine are available in the lobby and allowed inside the theater. The popcorn was delicious, and only $4.50 for a large bucket. Drinks ranged from $2.50 for sodas/water to $5.00 for wine. The walls of the lobby are lined with award-winning records for the group - Alabama. Reading the Backstage booklet showcased the experiences of the cast. In its 30th anniversary year, the Alabama Theatre hires experienced, polished entertainers. I will not highlight all the performers, but I could wax eloquently on all the performers. I have seen Slim Chance perform before in Pigeon Forge, so I was delighted to see him as part of the show. He is an outstanding entertainer with comedic banter, juggling, and puppetry. Another standout is the young acrobat and dancer - Daniel Blackwood. He loves what he does, and it radiates throughout the theater. The acoustics in the theater work well. Congratulations to the sound architect. I have attended many shows, and the sound balance between the live band and the singers worked well in the theater. The theater is beautiful, and multiple screens and projections help set the scene well. The moving set pieces during the show highlight the piano player. The sets are beautiful and fit the songs and scenes well. I was particularly moved by the simplicity of the manger scene in Mary Did You Know on the back screen. Did I mention the fantastic dancing? All the cast members danced well, but my favorite was the toy soldiers on the enormous toy keyboard. The overhead camera projected the actions to the audience, which enhanced the experience. Every sequin in Myrtle Beach must be on stage at the Alabama Theater. Nearly every inch of fabric was covered in sequins or reflective ribbons, which reflected the lighting. Performers were scintillating in multiple ways as they shone in the spotlights. I will see another show this week, so I am sure there are more sequins to be seen. Look for that review later. Tickets run from $45 to $65 per person, matinee and evening shows. Please be sure to buy directly from the Alabama Theater website, as some third-party vendors are charging two or three times that amount for the same show. I read online in some reviews where some were scalped that high. Overall, parking was acceptable, the staff was friendly and helpful, and the restrooms had several stalls and were very clean. The lobby was attractive and set up for guest pictures. Ushers quickly and safely took every party to their seats. The show moved well with a short intermission. The mix of genres appealed to music lovers with the transitions from modern to classic and back continuous. The band was talented and tight, with their numbers featured a few times, including a popular Trans-Siberian orchestra piece. Individual musicians often came out to interact with the singers and for musical solos. One fascinating song combined a classical introduction to moving to an operatic style Ava Maria. Shows are six nights a week with select matinees. You may order tickets and find out availability here: https://www.alabama-theatre.com/the-souths-grandest-christmas-show The South’s Grandest Christmas Show is worth the drive. Be sure and get popcorn. In the heart of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, sits Cannonsburgh Village, a historic blending of original on-site buildings with acquired and relocated buildings. Parking is easy, and sidewalks abound around, so wheelchairs are possible for most of the village. On the grounds are a gristmill, a schoolhouse, a caboose, a blacksmith’s shop, the World’s Largest Cedar Bucket, and other buildings. The Visitor’s Center was closed, but an adorable cat kept watch inside, with another following me around at a distance most of the day. The gift shop, peeping through the window, has the standard souvenirs of postcards, light snacks and drinks, and t-shirts. As a former teacher, I was delighted to read that several area schools do outdoor education field trips for only $3 per student. Parts of the facility, such as the wedding chapel, the gazebo, pavilion, and the Lions Club building, are available for rent. The chapel has a pedal organ where you pump the pedals to push air while playing. I had to try it. It was a workout but fun. You can see the Youtube video here: https://youtube.com/shorts/CL72mNyAWyg?feature=share There are only one-stall bathrooms, so do not wait for an emergency. The caretaker was very helpful and pleasant. She answered all my questions succinctly and politely. Several events happen year-round, including classes, arts and crafts, history, and other programs. A calendar of events is available on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CannonsburghVillage/?ref=embed_page. I kept being drawn to one of the original wells on the site. The well behind the blacksmith shop went down 300 feet. The air from the well felt different. My science brain explains it is the humidity. There is a walking trail outside the park frequented by dozens of people during the day. There is a homeless population that resides nearby that, in the past, has absconded with people’s things, so we were advised to keep our cars locked. The leaves are golden and red the first week of November. The tranquility and peace of an earlier, simpler time of a fight for survival was interrupted by the planes overhead and the rumbling of the nearby trains speeding along the tracks. If you are looking for a relaxing place to fill a couple of hours in Murfreesboro, I suggest you take a self-guided tour of Cannonsburgh Village. An adorable spring is located in Varnell, Georgia, close to the intersection of Spring Street and West Varnell Main Street. I see people collecting water there nearly every time I drive by, despite the warning signs that state the springs are not an approved water source. In 2007, Varnell won a Five Star Wetlands Restoration Program Grant through the Conasauga River Alliance, the nonprofit group that protects the Conasauga River and the watershed. Varnell Springs flows into Coahulla Creek, which feeds the Conasauga. The funds built a boardwalk along with a previous grant, which helped clean up invasive species such as Chinese Privet shrubs. Over sixty native plants are in this small area. I walked the trail and was pleased to see several benches and small plaques that identified many native plants. The trail is about a third of a mile and level unless you go to the top of the hill. The trail is covered with leaves in October 2023, and many above-ground tree roots are covered. I tripped several times, so be aware if you have ambulatory issues. To my delight, a second spring is deeper than the one closer to the road down the trail. It is nearly a blue hole color with bubbles rising from the bottom. The trail boasts a bat box along with educational information about bats. Several educational plaques along the way made the springs an ideal outdoor classroom. At the top of the hill sits a small pavilion with additional seating. The hike down is a bit treacherous, with gravel that shifts and slides. Looking back up the hill, I could see the road was for official use only and continued to the top with no trespassing signs. Across the road is another pavilion and a playground. Part of the walkway over the wetlands area of the streams is closed off. During the warm months, a farmer's market springs up across from the springs. The hiking trail map is credited to https://www.whitfieldcountyga.com/rec/parks/parkimages/image141.jpg. If you want a free activity for about an hour with the kids, take them to the playground and the hiking trail. Please do not get in the water because this habitat has fragile wildlife. A friend asked my Mom, Carolyn Turner, if she would put up music every day on Facebook to add more joy to a dreary world. It has been four years now and a natural transition to create a YouTube channel of the music. While we have a couple thousands of songs now on our Face Book account over the four years, we are editing and slowly putting up music on the YouTube Channel. We are over 500 instrumental songs - both solo and duet at:
@musicofcarolynturnerfriend255‧ Please take a moment and subscribe. In October 2023, I set out with my Mom and her two sisters to chase the Autumn leaves. Unfortunately, thousands of people had the same idea as we hit the peak foliage on the Cherokee Reservation in North Carolina. Crossing Newfoundland Gap was nearly bumper to bumper, with every available inch of parking taken from the reservation to Gatlinburg. We tried to drive the Roaring Fork Nature Trail, but traffic was at a standstill. We overheard that bears had been seen on that trail, and rangers had cut off traffic until they cleared. We did not see the bears ourselves as we turned around after waiting thirty minutes with no movement. On the way home, we picked up the Foothills Parkway at Wear’s Valley and drove about forty miles. The parkway is still incomplete, but the drive is gorgeous, with several places to pull off. The elevation runs around 3600 feet, so high enough to see the Little Tennessee River, and higher elevation mounts at 5000 to 6000 feet. There was some traffic but nothing like that on the more well-known drives. We exited at Cosby, Tennessee, and went through Walland to Maryville. The southwestern part of the Foothills Parkway can be picked up at Chilhowe Lake. The drive is considered part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. During the winter when the leaves are gone, the Maryville Overlook shows the town. The foliage was still too thick to see it on this trip. If you want a leisurely, beautiful drive with fewer tourists, consider the Foothills Parkway. I recommend Ruby's Diner if you are out and about Benton, Tennessee. You will need to map it as it is off the main streets, but it is worth the side road of just a few blocks. Ruby’s Diner is visually appealing as a repurposed building with a decorated porch. The inside is practical and very clean. The service was friendly, and the food was quickly presented. Our glasses were constantly refilled, which is what I consider excellent service. There is plenty of handicapped parking, a ramp, and a flight of about eight stairs for the ambulatory; the spacing between the tables would be adequate for a wheelchair. The menu offering is varied, with a lot of options. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday from 6 am to 3 pm. Breakfast platters are served with a choice of biscuits with gravy or oatmeal or grits with toast. The cost runs around $10 without drinks. There are several ala carte breakfast items such as French toast, pancakes, and breakfast sandwiches for around $5 each. Breakfast is served until 11 am. We arrived at lunch and ordered off the senior menu. I had the ½ city ham with two sides for $7. The chef special for the day was terrific, with a massive piece of hand-breaded and deep-fried fish with two sides and a choice of bread, cornbread, or hushpuppies for around $10. We covered several sides between the four of us, and all proclaimed them delicious: baked beans, homemade mashed potatoes, green beans, turning greens, and fried okra. We did not order deserts but saw several people around us with one. The desserts were huge! The hot fudge cake with ice cream looked delectable but was not on the menu, so we do not know the cost. Plan to spend $15 on most menu items with a drink and tip. Several people required take-out boxes as they could not eat all the available portions. The food is delicious, the environment pleasant, and the service is excellent. In Pigeon Forge lies a land filled with great shows, entertainment, and all-you-can-eat lunch and dinners. I recently took the grandkids and my daughter to see the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Show. It was my third time, as goofy and lovable as the first two visits. I am gluten-intolerant, so I am very appreciative of the choices provided. The audience is divided into two tribes with appropriate available opportunities to purchase gifts in both family colors. The gift shop is surprisingly affordable so if your kids like souvenirs, don’t hesitate to visit. We were Hatfields on this particular trip. The comedy had us all in stitches with excellent stunt work in human and dog diving, dancing, and singing competitions. The grandkids are lively, so they screamed and cheered on the Hatfields. Our family ‘cousins’ blew them many kisses and sent them waves and winks, which made the entire experience more fun. Everything was terrific, but the dancing was top-notch, especially if you like clogging. I suggest you go about 30 to 45 minutes early because the servers stop bringing food in once the show begins. Technically, it is an all-you-can-eat dinner, but you have to get the food early. Our menu included fried chicken, BBQ pork, vegetable soup, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, dinner rolls, coleslaw and pudding. We were able to eat only half of our offerings. My gluten-free menu had variations such as baked chicken and a special brownie. A bar for adult visitors is available from the servers, and moonshine is available. I recommend bringing cash for tips. The show is more of a dance and stunt competition than a fight. A lot of fake fighting occurs, along with some collaboration between the enemies during dance sequences. The music is bluegrass with a side of country and western. The musicians are excellent. My favorite number involved using trash cans and other objects for percussion. There is a twist at the end that I won’t spoil here, but it adds to the overall comedy and explains the feud's origin. Located next door to the Titanic Museum, there is little-handicapped parking. The line snaked down the sidewalk, so my family stayed in the car until I reached the entrance. It is easy to get down the stairs with handrails. The show is located on the main Parkway. Tickets start around $60 a person; however, the dinner has a considerable amount of food. The price goes up during the weekend and popular times of the year. If you sit in the front row in the VIP section, be prepared to get splashed during the diving competitions. Again - go early to be sure you have enough time to eat and get all the food you want. It is an entertaining, silly show. Hatfields and McCoys might be your show if you have an appetite for good country cooking and goofy comedy. Two years in on my online businesses, I have earned about $200 from all my ventures combined. The expenditures far exceed the financial gains however I have gained a sense of accomplishment, of educating the world through my words and pictures, and self-satisfaction of a daily toil.
Getting Google AdSense monetization designation was a challenge for another blog. Let's say that it was a solid dozen attempts before finally being accepted. Online businesses is a journey, one step at a time. I will keep plugging onward. Thank you for reading this blog! I hope you enjoy my travels and musings. WhatsApp? What’s that? Telegram? Isn’t that the old messaging system sent over wires? For the less internet-savvy person, both companies may be something you hear on the news. For the global citizens who communicate regularly around the world, both are free with paid options for instant messaging services using Voice Over IP (the internet). HINT: if you meet someone on social media and they want to immediately jump to either of these messaging systems, there is a good chance they are a scammer and know their social media account could be disconnected anytime. If they move you to an instant messaging system, they can stay in contact with their victims. WhatsApp is owned now by Meta Platforms, formerly known as FaceBook. It is easily accessible through a phone app on both iPhones and Androids and from laptops and personal computers. A cell phone number is required to sign up, which is how individuals are linked. Using WhatsApp allows users to send text, record and send voice messages, and video messages. Users can make voice and video calls and share pictures, documents, and other media. It is the world’s most popular messaging center and by 2016, the main internet communications of Latin America, the Indian subcontinent, most of Europe, and Africa. Remember the hint earlier about scammers? There are internet cafes that easily allow access in Nigeria and other countries. English is the official language so all school children receive a rudimentary knowledge of English. WhatsApp has been in the USA from its inception to its acquisition by Meta Platforms. Telegram is not as transparent. It is interesting to me that WhatsApp is a direct competitor to FaceBook Messenger, a common instant messaging service in the USA. Meta owns both. It looks to me like WhatsApp has a higher resolution of pictures when sent but that is just my perception. Today, Telegram is a British Virgin Island company registrar and Dubai LLC. We do not know where offices are located or what company even runs the locations. Security and secrecy concerns are cited to protect their users. The founders started in Russia but moved when the Russian government took over the original company. Since 2014, it is rumored the founders move often with a dozen or so knowledgeable core members, traveling from country to country. Berlin, Germany, was the temporary headquarters in 2014 but not everyone on the team acquired residency permits. Telegram corporate has been based in Dubai since 2017 with a lot of shell companies to resist any government subpoenas or compliance requests. Telegram boasts end-to-end encryption for chats, video calls, and fire sharing. It is available on iPhones, Androids, laptops, and personal computers. It is believed there are five data centers around the world to help distribute the loads and speed access. In 2021, it was the most downloaded global app. This year, Telegram has over 800 million monthly active users and is the most popular instant messaging application in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. I have used both but I find myself talking to my friends more on Telegram than WhatsApp. Both constantly have updates. I like Telegram’s privacy policies:
At the end of the day, it depends on who I want to talk with and where they are located in the world for my choice of messaging services. My friends in Asia and I usually use Telegram. My friends in Europe use WhatsApp. My American friends and I use FaceBook Messenger. All work well and are instantaneous. Legends of Big Foot whisper around campfires. I remember hearing and telling many tall tales in my youth about encounters, all fabricated. However, as an adult, I had two possible encounters that I am relaying to you with assurances that I have no idea what I heard or saw. The two encounters match the audio and video record I saw last year at the Big Foot Museum in Blue Ridge, Georgia. It was a dark and stormy night. Actually, no, it was not. It was a pleasant Fall night with nearly a full moon, fat in the sky with little cloud cover. The temperature was a cool sixty degrees. My younger sister, Chris, rode shotgun as we wandered around the North Georgia Mountains. Dockery Lake Road is part of the Chattahoochee-Ocoee National Forest, about 10 miles north of Dahlonega. Our friend, Shea, rode in the backseat. It was our senior year at North Georgia College in 1986, and we often rode around the mountains day and night to alleviate our burnout from homework and occasional boredom. Windows down, slow driving on narrow, curvy roads, we heard something up ahead and to the right of the car in the thick woods. I slowed the car, and a howl and a scream close to the car rolled through the night like a thunderbolt. I slowed further, about to stop to investigate. Shea started yelling - you white folk are crazy; get us the hell out of here. We heard rustling in the woods and more moans, so I drove off. Later, the recordings at the museum were very similar to what we heard that night on Dockery Lake Road. At that time, we had little experience with Big Foot sightings, but this even fueled our interest. Chris and I often went out to see if we saw or heard anything again. Shea refused to go again. Researching for this article, I found that a couple in 2007 had a possible encounter very close to where we heard our noises. If you are interested, here is the link for the Big Foot Museum. https://www.expeditionbigfoot.com/ My second encounter was in the early morning, traveling over Lookout Mountain on Burkhalter Gap Rd, about 2 miles before the name changes into Piney Road. The cool air contributed to a thick fog as I slowly turned a corner. Thick woods rose on my left side of the road. The undeveloped but thinned-out property was on my right. No houses or buildings of any kind are around. Something steps across a deep ditch like I would step over a curb. As soon as it stepped into my light, it stepped back again across the ditch and into the woods. I slowed to see if it could be a very tall man. The car behind me stopped, and two young men got out of the car, so I knew they saw it too in the fog. It was tall to stride a wide ditch with no effort. According to the Big Foot Field Researchers at http://bfro.net/GDB/show_county_reports.asp?state=ga&county=Dade, only two sightings were recorded in Dade County. I did not report mine because I saw a very tall, bipedal figure stepping over a ditch and then back into the woods where no houses or lights were visible. Checking on the way home, no driveway or mailboxes were close to my sighting. I am unsure what I saw, but I saw something very tall. Please let me know if you have a similar story. Since I took the train up Pike’s Peak in 2021, I missed the tourist sign about Big Foot, where several sightings have occurred for decades. Here is a picture for your enjoyment. Does Big Foot exist, and are they roaming around in the North Georgia Mountains? Many say yes. I want to believe, but I am skeptical. The evidence at the Museum is compelling, with track casts, fur analysis, sound, and videos of sightings. I need more evidence. Find a skeleton or fossil. Capture a live one. There are so many weird and wonderful creatures on this planet. I hope Big Foot is one of them. |