January 31 - Reflective Friday - First Month of 2020 in the Books

Today is the last day of January. This a month that has gone by way too fast. A month that kicked off a new decade. A lot of folks out there probably made resolutions sometime around 30 days ago. Ya know it is probably a good time to reflect on your last 31 days and see how those are working out for you.

Some random reflections from the last month:

1.  I was baptized a few weeks ago. It was awesome. It was the right way to be baptized (just an opinion). Thanks Mark for getting me there. The Lord has put some great people in my life, and I am super blessed for it.
2. Blogging at night is not the right way to do things. It messes up my sleep pattern, but I love sharing photos, memories, thoughts and reflections.  I hope to be blogging in the morning starting this weekend.
3. Sometimes you have be wise about how you treat your body. In other words, 7 miles on Thursday and then 9 miles on Saturday is just plain stupid. I had to take a whole darn week off after that. At least I ate a lot during that time. Must. Listen. More. 
4. I am really looking forward to being a homeowner. It will be an amazing experience. This should happen sometime in the Spring. Ruth will be happy, because she can sit in her own backyard and watch the squirrels, for hours and hours. 
5. Did the Saints not make it to the Super Bowl again?? Goodness gracious, Drew Brees. At least Tom Brady didn't make it. Good job Titans. 
6. Two words - Ja Morant!
7. Two more words - Dillon Brooks.
8. I am running another half-marathon. This time I will be doing it in Germantown, TN though. Maybe I will train a little smarter. We'll see. 
9. I have had some great job interviews in the last few months, and I look forward to the Lord opening some new doors very soon. 
10. I can't wait to get back to coaching kiddos in the Spring again. Last night I ran with them at an indoor track and it is so hard to run around in circles indoors. Talk about a test of patience. I definitely missed those kids though. Coaching brings the best out of me. It is great to be anointed with a gift such as that. 
11. I do not want to listen to semi-automatics on NYE or 4th of July ever again. That was not fun. That part was from Ruth. 
12. I need to work on this photography thing a bit more, but this weather just hasn't been so photo-friendly. 
13. I am really pumped about the hikes and waterfalls that are in store for the next 11 months. If you want to join just let me know. I want to include a few more states this year. FYI - Tennessee has a ton of waterfalls. 
14. Tomorrow is a good day to REBOOT - find what you would like to improve on in February. What was something you struggled with in January? Whatever it was, conquer it.
15. There could be more added to this list, but we will see what February has in store.

January 29, 2020 - Waterfall Wednesday - Great Falls at Rock Island State Park

Great Falls at Rock Island State Park (30ft in height)

Great Falls is located near what is known as the "Nursery Capital of the World", in a place known as Rock Island State Park. Rock Island is located in, you guess it, Rock Island, TN. This park actually spreads across two counties, Warren County, and White County. It was given designation as a state park in 1969.This is a hidden gem in Middle Tennessee, that many people may have never heard of in their lives.

Rock Island is about a 4 1/2 hour drive heading east from Memphis. If you are in the Nashville area, lucky for you it is only about an hour and 40 minutes to the east. One of the best things about the waterfalls at Rock Island is that due to the dam these waterfalls run constantly, so they never dry up. As you would imagine due to its name there is plenty of rocky landscape to take in with the two beautiful waterfalls.

A little close up of one section 

 There is also a sandy beach at Rock Island State Park where you can swim along an area of Center Hill Lake. It was pretty quiet the one time I visited that part with a friend. If the gorge happens to be open, and you are up for the task, then you MUST take advantage of the sights down below. Great Falls literally requires you to park your car and look down though to admire its beauty. Some of the best pictures I have ever seen of Great Falls were taken just inside the parking lot located next to the old Cotton Mill Building.

Just two goofballs rock hoppin' around a waterfall!

Rock Island State Park is on the Cumberland Plateau, so you are definitely in for a fun drive. If you choose to, you will have some pretty hilly hikes in the area as well. Take your time, take in the scenery and take lots of pictures.                                                                                                         

There is another waterfall there known as Twin Falls. It is very impressive as well. So, if you are ever near the Cumberland Plateau, or want to get off the beaten path a little bit, treat yourself to Great Falls, and the rest of the beautiful scenery that comprises Rock Island State Park.





 Rock Island State Park is located in Rock Island, TN, outside of McMinnville, where you will encounter more plant nurseries than you ever thought existed. 

A little more about Rock Island  - from the Tennessean newspaper

January 28, 2020 - Tasty Tuesday - Belly Acres

Tasty Tuesday almost didn't happen tonight. I got off work and immediately went to the old man's house to get in my gear for the Grizz game. I was tempted to type on the little distraction device made by Samsung that I carry around my pocket all day and all night. Instead, I came home, and then started getting distracted by other things, the most important, food.

So here we are at almost 10:40 pm on Tuesday evening, and we are going to give a shout out to one of my favorite places to eat in all of Memphis. Belly Acres is that kind of place where every time you go, no matter what you eat, it is going to be pretty darn good. Loosely translated, that means their food is awesome.

If you are a meaty burger type with lots of stuff on it, your burger will be amazing. If you are one of those 'ole portobello mushroom burger types, your taste buds will definitely be satisfied as well. Crave a sweet ice cream shake? As Stuart Scott would once say, "booyah"! How about some good some of them good stringy fried onions? Yes, yes, yes.

Belly Acres has a little bit of everything for everybody. As I am typing this Google notified me that it has actually been over five months since I last took in the experience known as Belly Acres. How could it be? How could I do such a thing to myself? Yeah, I am not sure either, but I suggest you experience the wonderful world of Belly Acres at Overton Square.

The atmosphere is great. They have this "down on the farm" type feel when you walk in, as suggested by the tractor that little ones like to have their pictures taken on from time to time. You might even walk in and feel as if you are inside a barn. You probably need to feel that at some time in your life, especially if you do not have to travel far to eat at Belly Acres. Much credit should be given to the designers and owners of this fine establishment for the homey atmosphere provided inside.

A tractor in Midtown Memphis? Yep!

It isn't the most "foodie friendly" shot, but you get the point

As I mentioned there really is a little bit of everything. I have had really good meatless burgers, and some good burgers with meat on them as well. Honestly, I have had a fried egg on all but one of them, and that time they just didn't put it on there. I really love their portobello burger, which comes with goat cheese. You can always have it taken off, and it is tasty with or without it. You can get burgers with beef, chicken, and even with seafood. I suggest you try one with buffalo if you are going for a meaty one though. I do recall those being super tasty.

Now for those side

Those onion strings

items on the menu. On my last few visits there I ordered some of their fried pickles, and I had to make sure that there was not a single one left. The dipping sauce is just right, but I could eat those pickles all day long (which probably wouldn't be the best idea). They have some onion strings which are just right, and the average person will definitely love those. If you like sweet 'taters, then go right ahead and order their sweet potato fries. You will definitely clean out that basket once you taste the first one.

Fried pickles anyone?

As I mentioned earlier, I have second hand knowledge that their milkshakes are a huge hit. I don't dabble in the milkshake game much these days, but my friend Jeff threw one down when we went to eat there back in August. He was very pleased with that life changing decision to tango with the milkshake side of life. I could be exaggerating a slight bit, but he was definitely reminded of his childhood with that awesome milkshake.

Go ahead, and let me know when you want to go experience Belly Acres for yourself. If you just want to go again, I will be more than glad to join you. It is very kid friendly, and heckfire, you can even sit outside with your pups when the temps are warm enough. Be mindful of the parking when you go, and remember the parking garage is very conveniently located behind the the restaurant. When you finish, you can go with your friends or family members and play a little corn hole on the Square.

Belly Acres is located at 2102 Trimble Place in the Overton Square area. 

January 27, 2020 - Memorial Monday - Auschwitz Birkenau Liberation Day

                              The entrance sign, which translated means "Work Makes You Free"

The day was dark, gloomy, somber, and in a way, surreal, but not the good kind of surreal. You step into one history's darkest landmarks and you instantly go numb. There is no possible way that you can truly prepare yourself for the experience that is known Auschwitz-Birkenau. It is preserved in a way that you are able to see each room, each building, each foot of landscape as it was between 1940-1945. 

"Auschwitz will forever remain the blackhole of the entire human history." Isaac Herzog

I really do not know how to describe the whole experience from that day in early November of 2013. It was something I can never possibly forget. I come from a family that has Jewish bloodlines on one side of it. As I went through the computer observing the last names of those killed from the various countries, my heart sank more and more. I could have felt hate, I could have felt sadness, I could have grief. I really have no clue how I felt, but it was not an easy feeling at all. 

As you walk the grounds of this complex, it is unreal the sites that you encounter. The room with thousands, and thousands of shoes from 80,000 victims. The room they call the hair room, that serves as proof that Jews were gassed at Auschwitz. There was even the fabric on display in various places. Fabric that was made from the hair of these victims. There was the room full of suitcases. Suitcases belonging to the victims, who had no clue that they would meet their demise once they arrived in this "blackhole". 

  The Death Wall

There was the death wall. Yes, the death wall. This is where political prisoners, Soviet POWs and many, many more were publicly executed. Some where flogged. Some where given "the post". This may look like a normal courtyard, but it serves as a reminder. A reminder of the thousands who comprised the Polish Resistance. Thousands who died as martyrs for their people. 

There was the room were a man known as the "Angel of Death" did the unthinkable. This man known as Josef Mengele was responsible for selecting prisoners for execution in gas chambers. Gas chambers where stacks and stacks of bodies would later be found upon the liberation of the camp. This man also conducted experiments of many kinds. I will not detail this, but these were done on inmates in what was referred to as pseudoscientific racial studies. 

“We ran up to them and they gave us hugs, cookies and chocolate. Being so alone a hug meant more than anybody could imagine because that replaced the human worth that we were starving for. We were not only starved for food, but we were starved for human kindness. And the Soviet Army did provide some of that.” Eva Mozes, child survivor of Auschwitz

A very interesting fact regarding the slave labor that was performed at Auschwitz. The labor that was performed brought in over what would be $163 million. Even the drug company Bayer bought slaves to use for experiments with new drugs. I bet you won't look at that company the same again, will ya. There is a huge list of companies that were documented to have profited from this dark era in the world. Companies such as Allianz, BMW, Nestle', and Hugo Boss. 

There is the railroad. There is the train. Just let the images flow through your mind. Crowded train car. You have no idea where you are going. Separated from your kids. Separated from your husband or wife. Pulled away from your homeland. There is a chance, a very slim chance that you just might be one of the survivors. 

“I realized that they were prisoners and not workers, so I called out, “You are free come out!” – Vasily Gromadsky, Russian officer, 60^th Army liberating Auschwitz

There is definitely more that I could go write about in regards to this dark pit of the world. It was so strange how the day itself was dark, gloomy, cloudy and even a little rainy. Remember this piece of history. This piece of history where 1/6 of all the Jews killed in the Holocaust met their end. A place were some of the worst acts in human history have ever been performed. 

                                     Somehow this rainbow appeared after visiting Auschwitz

January 25 - 26, 2020 - Weekend Spotlight - Kobe and Sports

Today as I was sitting at McAlister's Deli, I was reading a little tidbit about Russell Wilson passing up his starting spot to Drew Brees in the Pro Bowl. I thought to myself, "Am I going to be typing up a tribute to Drew Brees in a month or so on here?" Let's hope not, but a little while later as I was pulling in to view a house, I caught these little posts on social media. Something about RIP Kobe? I thought to myself wasn't there some news last night about LeBron passing him on the all-time scoring list?

I remember where I was when Payne Stewart died. I remember where I was when Hank Gathers died. I remember where I was when Dale Earnhardt died. I will definitely remember where I was when I heard the news of Kobe's passing. I was with a realtor when my buddy Jeff called today, and instantly I knew the reason for his call.

You see sports have this enormous ability to help us cope, to help us heal,to help us mourn, to help us honor others, to help us move on from tragedies, and so on. This one is a little bit different though. Kobe's passing comes about 3 1/2 years after his retirement from the game of basketball. Kobe was still doing Kobe though. Kobe won an Oscar, Kobe started Mamba Sports Academy, Kobe even started writing kid's books. Most importantly, he was that dad. That dad that was like some of our dads - our number one fan at whatever sport we loved doing the most. Three young girls are now burdened with carrying that legacy on from today.

I recall seeing Kobe's impact around the world, when I would play on basketball courts of Korea. Most of the time these were outdoor courts at a local university. There was a park in Seoul that I would travel to from time to time and play on with some friends that had many 8-10 courts on it. Some of my fondest memories though, come from the last few times I graced a court with my presence. This was in the city of Daegu, on the campus of Kyungbuk University, located near the church I attended. You see this school was known for having a good sized population of foreign students. Many of these students hailed from China.

I recall a Kobe jersey or two during those adventures with the college kids. You could usually tell the Chinese and Koreans apart on a basketball court. The Koreans were soft. They did not want to play that whole physical style of playground type basketball. The Chinese, they were competitors for sure. Looking back you can tell how someone like Kobe impacted the world of basketball. I remember one guy that was a total baller, and he had some flashes of that Kobe style in him. It was fun to play against someone like him, because he was just that good, but was very quiet about it. Heck, Kobe was not only admired by the Chinese, but he was able to speak their language as well. As one who can speak an Asian language, you are more admired by certain cultures when you take the time to communicate with their people, in their language.

Truth be told, I probably rooted against Kobe and those championship Lakers more than I rooted for them. I am that way with the Yankees and Patriots as well. I just like seeing different teams win championships. He and Shaq were fun to watch though, and you just cringed sometimes thinking, "they're just gonna win some more of those championships it looks like." Like Mariano Rivera, Tom Brady, and others, Kobe had that fire, and he was gracious enough to pass it on to his kids and to many others who went through his Mamba Academy. Even players from other sports would come to learn his secrets.

Kobe was admired by all of us who are sports fans. It wasn't just the championships, or his tenacity to never, ever back down. It wasn't all the awards, or the stat sheet that he filled for 20 years. It was how he embraced doing what he loved. He embraced those that came before him. He embraced the fans, he embraced their love of the game. He embraced his retirement from the game, so he could embrace what was most important in life, his family. He embraced raising his four daughters, and letting them be the ones that carried that legacy on to other generations. Today and tonight the world has embraced the impact he left on it, as number 8, number 24, a father, a husband, a coach, a soccer fan, a mentor, a business man, an author, and so much more. As the NBA All Star break approaches soon, we will all hear and read much more about this tragic passing of Kobe and all of those that were involved. Embrace those in your lives a little more and more.

January 24, 2020- Friday Flashback - Pohang, Korea

So this is a day late, and that will be fine.

During my time teaching English in Korea, I did a few camps. Camps were fun. I had some incredible experiences teaching at these camps. They were all different cities, so that was exciting too. I lived in rooms that were sometimes smaller than dorm rooms, or maybe even as big as dorm rooms. Once at a Winter Camp in Pohang, Korea, were didn't even have heat in the dormitory where were staying for the entire month. As you might imagine, I slept pretty well bundled up at night.

Due to its location, Pohang wasn't exactly the city where you would expect to see much Winter weather. As it turns out, we played witness to most snowfall "Steel City of Korea" had ever seen. This was like that snow that Memphis may get every ten years. Yeah, you know what I am talking about. Those are the moments where the Northerners always point and laugh at us. Due to the location of the Winter Camp (it was on a college campus that was on a hill, kind of like WKU), the buses had to come and pick the kiddos up off campus, and we shut down early that first day.

Imagine going to camp in Winter, and BOOM, gotta go home early. That's the way it was back on this day. We couldn't even have classes for the next two days. Most kids in other countries probably wouldn't be excited about being in a camp where you spend time learning and practicing your English skills. These kids definitely were though.

Camps are fun and at the same time they can be a little intense. We had times where we played games, went to market (with play money in USD), did crafts, and even made her own snacks as well. You might wonder, and I will answer your question for you. Yes, all of this was done in English. There may have been one student in every class out of ten or fifteen that had trouble, but Koreans were always there to assist us.

In one of my groups at this particular camp, I had a student chosen to give the speech at the ending ceremony. It was fitting that I got to read the teacher's speech during the event, but in Korean. I needed assistance typing it out in Korean, but I was and still am pretty darn good at reading the language. Needless to say, I was very proud of this little girl, because if I remember correctly, she prepared the speech herself in English. This was the little girl that was sad and cried at the end of camp as well.

The last day or two have been kind of rough. A large majority of it is related to my work, and my loyalty to what was once a family business. As my good friend Mark reminded me, I must remember what Joseph in the Old Testament went through. There will always be a light to overcome the darkness, no matter what that darkness may be.

In life we are all teachers. Every day of our lives we have the capabilities to influence someone or something. Our thoughts, our actions, our words can impact so much. To be honest, I was going to write about this city - Pohang, and how it is the home of one of the fourth largest steelmaker in the world, along with light houses and a big fish market. Sometime told me to dig deeper though. Remember the meaningful moments.

I recall teaching those kids to sing that funny little song - "Under the Sea", from Little Mermaid, I think. I recall some of the kids were so well behaved and so willing to make me proud that they would wait outside of the classrooms before I arrived in the mornings. I recall the super gifted little girl who cried because camp was over. I recall all of the times I picked kids up and twirled them around or arm curled them. Those are thoughts, those are the memories, those are the actions that will have a much bigger impact on us than a random mistake at work that has no harm whatsoever. More important that those things that may be said behind your back, more important than those awards given to the office manager that result more from adjusting to dire situations than teamwork, unity, hard work and having a true impact on the local community.  Remember what got you to where you are now. It is no coincidence at all. Goodnight and God Bless.

Here are a few pictures from that January nine years ago in Pohang, Korea. Perhaps one day I will share more. A little summary of the pics - Korean kids rarely see a bald guy around, so they loved having me as their picture as you can tell from the "rolling paper
", which was done as an end of camp thing. Each class represented an English speaking country. We were all American, and well, I go to be the "American" teacher. We had two groups of kids that would come on different days. One, I believe was MWF, and the other was TTS. The two different groups you see are the different classes I had during that camp. 

January 23, 2020- Thursday Thoughts - If Only Its Trees Could Talk

If Only Its Trees Could Talk

They would say such things as
Remember that time
You started running
Then minutes later
You twisted your ankle
Thought you were tough enough
To keep going
Then a little bit later you twisted it again
Bet that hurt a little bit
Or a lot
Yeah, that was wise, guy

Or
Remember that time
You tried to jump
That part of a tree

That had fallen
In the middle of a trail
How did that go for you
It did not go as planned, did it
Yeah, that's what I thought

Or
Remember that time
It was almost pitch black
You thought it was really cool
Since you had a helmet light
You rode and jumped
You thought you would leave our forest unscathed
We still have no clue
As to how you made it out
Without a scratch
Yeah, don't do that again

Or
Remember that time
You were running
There was a light rain
You thought it would be okay
If you kept on running
You probably should have rethought that one
You and that poor pup were soaked
Yeah, check the weather forecast more than once a month

Or
Remember that time
You were running
The wolves at the zoo started howling
It was not a full moon
Or was it sunset
You just keep on runn-ing
Like that Gump guy
Too bad
You did not check the weather radar
You were in our forest, again
You were running scared
There was lightning
There was a tree that fell behind you
You just kept on runn-ing
You could have been blown away
Yeah, maybe you have grown wiser

Or
Remember that time
You were on your bike
You were really havin' a grand 'ole time
You almost hit us
Head on
You probably ride your bike
Better than you drive
Your car
Yeah, we did scratch you up just a tad with your branches
Yeah, you have done alright

Or
Remember that time
You were running
You were doing your little "holiday run"
It was Labor Day
That is not a day for running
That is a day for relaxing
You were caught off guard
You had a first in our forest
You saw one of the copperheads
You almost came back to see
If it was alive or not
Yeah, that would have been stupid

Or
Remember those times
You were walking some doggies
They were happy
You were happy
You were not being stupid
All was well with the world
You were just enjoying
Our beautiful trails
Being at peace
With four leggeds
That were happy

Happy to be in our forest
Wanting to chase our squirrels
Willingly posing for cute pictures
Loving our forest
That is our job
To bring peace

To all of the two legged and four leggeds
Peace from the hustle and bustle
Of that city life
That exists too close
To our forest
Yeah, you have graced us with a ton of memories.





FYI - That is not the tree that I once tried to jump. It was a little bit smaller than that. 

Overton Park's Old Forestis the only old-growth forest in the Southeast to be located in an urban environment. An ecosystem dating back more than 10,000 years, it is both a glimpse into the past and a living indication of how humans impact our environment in the present. (credit to the Overton Park Convervancy for this information.  Overton Park Old Forest

January 22, 2020 - Waterfall Wednesday - The Natchez Trace Way

According to this awesome book entitled  Hiking Waterfalls - Tennessee - A Guide to the State's Best Waterfall Hikes, the Natchez Trace has two of the closest waterfalls to the West Tennessee area. Yes, you still have to make a bit of a drive, but the topography in this region of the state doesn't exactly gift us with waterfalls.

Back in December I attempted to leave Memphis going east on Highway 64 in order that I may hit the Natchez Trace Parkway. I was determined to check out a few of the sites, but due to my late departure it was already dark. My stroll down the Trace was a little too quick for me to even be able to appreciate the beauty and history behind the Tennessee side of it.

This past weekend, as I was dropping my friend Kent off in the Smyrna area, I decided to see if I could get on the Trace and practice my picture taking skills. I am still just in the beginner phase with my Canon EOS Rebel T7, and I really wanted to see how I could do with some waterfalls.

As you may or may not know the Natchez Trace is 444 miles long.  Between miles 391.9 and 404.7, you get two light but very unique waterfalls that you can view without very little work required. That's a bit of a relief compared to some of the hikes you may have to take in TN  to get to an awesome waterfall.

I'll start with that one at mile marker 404.7, named after a former POTUS, who resided in TN. Perhaps one reason it was named after him was because he used the Natchez Trace while on his way to defeat the British at a pretty significant battle in 1812. Oh yeah, it's called the War of 1812. Yes, you guessed Mr. or Miss History Buff - we are talking abut Andrew Jackson.

When you pull over to the parking area for Jackson Falls, you will see a sign that will lead you two directions. If you want to see a beautiful overlook known as Baker Bluff, you will go 1/3 mile to the left. However, to see Jackson Falls you will encounter a steep (I would say somewhat steep, depending on footwear), 900 foot trail that will lead you to the base of these falls that are formed when Jackson Branch reaches a bluff above the Duck River and tumbles down into two very cool stages.

Like I mentioned earlier, when I arrived in December at Jackson Falls, my timing did not work so well. I had arrived sometime after 5 that Saturday afternoon, and could barely see much of anything but the lights of the parking area once I walked back to the car. I was so pumped that I was getting to see this waterfall after a week of downpours. It was definitely rewarding to see Jackson Falls the 2nd time around, especially considering it was daytime and sunny, though a mere 37 degrees.

My Tennessee Waterfall Hiking guide gives Jackson Falls a rating of 3/5. The first go around I would have agreed with that. This time I had give it a 4, maybe even a 4.5. First of all, I had plenty time to admire it from different angles. Secondly, a week of downpours added a little more to the flow. Lastly, there were blue skies, and some sunshine to add to the fullness of this waterfall. Lighting is huge in photography, even if I don't know how to use it very well just yet.

So, next time you are heading toward the Nashville area, or coming back from there, take a little detour. Go see Jackson Falls. Go drive the Natchez Trace. I will give you an account of Fall Hollow Falls later, but enjoy this Jackson Falls piece for now. Remember, it is at milepost 404.7, west of Columbia. I believe they used to make those Saturns there at one time.

                                         

January 21, 2020 - Tasty Tuesday - Mason Dixon Bakery and Bistro in Huntsville, Alabama

Last year I fell for a new destination. Huntsville, Alabama is a little over 3 hours and 30 minutes from Memphis, via Highway 72. You do pass through a few smaller cities here and there such as Corinth, MS, Decatur, AL, and even Muscle Shoals. It is definitely worth the drive. If you need to make a pit stop, I always suggest doing so in Corinth. Great food, and there is a Tractor Supply. Ruth, my dog loves her some Tractor Supply. Anyway, to get to Huntsville you do not have to tackle any interstate issues when heading from Memphis.

I love food. I love healthy food. I love healthy food that is tasty. I love eating healthy food that is tasty when I travel. Honestly, I just love to find tasty food on the road regardless of whether or not it is healthy. If it is healthy and tasty, well heckfire that is an added bonus right there. !                                                                                                                             

 Onto the topic for today. Huntsville is also home to one of the top ten gluten-free friendly bakeries in all of the United States. If you have gluten issues, or know anyone that does, then this is a MUST for you. You can even place orders online and have their baked goods shipped to you. Between November of 2018 and December of 2019 (my half marathon day), I have visited five times. I even placed an online order for myself and a friend on my birthday last year.  If you calculate that all, you would know that yes I have spent a few nights in the Rocket City over the last 15 months. It is just that awesome, but so is Mason Dixon Bakery and Bistro. They are just that good!

If I really wanted to splurge I would probably have their Apple Orchard Bars shipped to me on a monthly basis. They are super duper tasty and just darn right good for ya. They have all kinds of good ingredients and are free of eggs, sugar, gluten, dairy and a few other things as well. You have to be disciplined with these, and do your best to only eat one a day. I try to at least. You do as you wish if you take the task on of trying these guys out.

The muffins are also outstanding. Last month when I finished the Half the Rocket City Marathon (that's how it is worded, by the way). I wasn't really hungry, but knew I would need something for the road trip back home. Light bulb goes off in my head, and somehow I hadn't stopped by this place during my weekend, yet.  So, I loaded up on some muffins and was super pumped about having those on the road with me. Check out all that sweetness below.

Back in October, when Ruth and I hiked and area called Blevins Gap Nature Preserve right outside of the city, I managed finally try out the lunch and Mason Dixon Bakery and Bistro. If you are going to splurge on a lunch after hiking about eight miles, one SHOULD NOT drink a 24 oz smoothie about thirty minutes before. Though that Tropical Smoothie Chia Banana Boost was full of  awesomeness, it keep me from being able to fully devour my lunch.

The lunch menu at Mason Dixon Bakery and Bistro has definitely received its fare share of rave reviews. I went with two of the starters and sides to kick off the lunch adventure. The options were all very tempting but I went with the Buffalo Cauliflower and the Smoked Jicama Slaw. For some reason I was anticipating the other style of buffalo cauliflower but this was seasoned very well, and the dressing was really tasty. I was under the impression that I was getting the good 'ole cauliflower wings, but that would have filled me up even more.
                                           
   Buffalo Cauliflower and Jicama Slaw.

As for the Jicama Slaw. Some might be thinking, "well what the heck is this Jicama all about?" Jicama is often referred to as a Mexican turnip, or sometimes even a Mexican yam bean. It is actually a really good source of protein, fiber and potassium. So, I declare that we all get on the Jicama train. Honestly, I don't know if I have even seen that stuff in grocery stores before. Back to the slaw though. It was really, really good. It was just right on that smokey flavor and had the right amount of spice as well. I almost saved some, but yeah, I don't usually save food. So yes, when you see Jicama slaw on the menu somewhere, you're welcome.
                                                                                                                          #VEGOUT
My main course was the Ultimate Veggie Burger. That sucker was packed full of deliciousness. It could have had a tad bit more of the "aioli", but I was pretty impressed with how well it was made. Every now and then when I eat in new places I will try out veggie burgers. I don't do the Impossible Burgers or the Beyond Burgers at restaurants. I only want a veggie burger if it is made by the restaurant where I am eating. Heckfire, I did not even realize they put "vegan bacon" on it. I know some of you are rolling your eyes at the thought of vegan bacon. It definitely seems weird to read that. The patty had two of my favorite foods to cook with - black beans and sweet potatoes. For those that prefer the meaty burgers, their MD burger just received a ton of love  from Big 7 Travel as one of the best 7 burgers in all of Huntsville.



So if you get a chance to pack the kids in the car, or just want to take your sweetie off for a romantic weekend, go to Huntsville. If you want to take her to get something sweet, because you are feeling all sweet, take her to Mason Dixon Bakery and Bistro. If you are wanting a little meal before hitting up Monte Sano State Park, hit up the fine folks at Mason Dixon Bakery and Bistro. I did forgot to mention one thing, they have some of the kindest and friendliest staff around. They will definitely take good care of you.

Speaking of sweet!

Mason Dixon Bakery and Bistro
2358 Whitesburg Drive South
Huntsville, AL  35801

website - Mason Dixon Bakery and Bistro

Remember they are 100% Gluten free, Vegetarian Friendly, and Vegan Friendly 

January 20, 2020 - MLK Monday - Brandon Clarke, MLK, Jr., and The National Civil Rights Museum

First of all, if you love sports and you have a soul, I highly recommend you read some of the work that Marc J. Spears of ESPN does. I cannot lie. That man has moved me to tears several times when I have read his pieces. One that brought me back to childhood today was something he wrote about a Memphis Grizzlies player named Brandon Clarke. As much as I want to summarize the entire article, I will give you just a tidbit or two about it. Then I will send you to theundefeated.com for more good reading.

I do not know a whole lot about Brandon Clarke the Memphis Grizzlies rookie. I know that he could very well be in the top 3 or 5 for Rookie of the Year. He went to Gonzaga University. He was also considered by many experts to have been a steal for the Grizzlies in last Summer's draft. From watching him play, I can tell you that this dude is super duper athletic, which keeps any Grizz fan on the edge of their seat when he has the ball. The kid has a great hoops IQ.

The article shares how Brandon grew up in Canada to a Jamaican born father and a Canadian born mother. Mr. Spears is a great storyteller in the way the he pulls you in with such great detail on an athlete's upbringing. It is also true (based on travel experiences) that there are definitely more biracial families to the north of us in Canada. So as one grows up in Canada they may have no clue what their future teammates were once subjected to being raised down in the southern states.

As I read about the father and son's experience last month at the National Civil Rights Museum, I was reminded of my own childhood. I remember a summer day back in 1992, when my own father took me to the museum. Growing up in Memphis, you definitely spend a lot of time learning about the history that is detailed in this museum. This museum takes you to a whole new level of understanding the civil rights movement. There are things you learn in school, but when you enter a building that contains significant pieces and events in your region's history, then you are transcended back into those buses, those hallways, those restaurants, etc.

An appreciation for history is something that should be passed down through generations. We all have family members that served in wars. They passed their experiences onto us so that we can share them with others once they pass. Some of us have family members, friends, or even teachers that may have participated in the civil rights movement. Just like with those that have served, it is obligatory that their experiences are passed on to further generations. We could go and on with more examples, such as Holocaust survivors, those that have survived wars in Africa, those that lived through Hurricane Katrina, etc.

Thanks to The National Civil Rights Museum the work of Martin Luther King, Jr and many others will not be forgotten. It is up to the men and women of our generations to ensure that those who come after us will understand the history of our great nation and how it got to where it is now. Thanks Marc J. Spears for allowing me to reflect, and realize the impact that fathers can have in terms of understanding history and it how impacts our world today.

Brandon Clarke and The Civil Right's Museum with his dad

I have to admit I only have two photos that pertain to the National Civil Rights Museum and you have now seen them both. 

January 19, 2020 - Weekend Spotlight - Steve Gleason, Congressional Gold Medalist

Greetings from Bowling Green, KY

My computer battery is low, so there is a good chance Sunday gets two posts instead of a Saturday evening post. One thing about preparing for travel in 2020, is that you have to make sure everything is charged up and ready for the road, including yourself.

Here are some phrases or quotes that you have seen or heard before, especially if you are a fan of a particular team.

• No White Flags
• Awesome Ain't Easy
• #Never Punt
• Defend NOLA
• Through adversity we find our heroes
• We all have a timeline. Most of us don't live like we have a timeline.
• Rebirth
• The moon. The moon.

All of these words or phrases have come from one man, Steve Gleason. Yes, Steve will document almost every single full moon that he and his family witness on social media with those words. Steve does it with the assistance of his eyes though. He uses eye tracking technology  to communicate with others via text, social media, and email. The software is so amazing that it uses a patient's voice that was preserved in the case of ALS taking away that ever so important bodily function. Microsoft has played a huge role in developing these technologies.

In  January 2011, Steve Gleason was diagnosed with ALS (known to some as Lou Gehrig's Disease). About 4 1/2 years before that Steve made one of the most important plays ever in the history of the New Orleans Saints. He blocked a punt on the Atlanta Falcon's first drive in the first game back in the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. That play signified the rebirth of NOLA after the terrible destruction that the storm had rendered the previous year. During the summer of 2012, a statue was erected with the words "Rebirth" etched on it. That statue honors that play and the impact it has had on the city's rebuilding.

When he was diagnosed on that day back in 2011, who would have ever thought we would see him become the first NFL player awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. A man who only played six or seven years of professional ball bestowed with one of the highest honors a citizen can receive. It wasn't due to that amazing block that he had in 2007, or the reckless way he played on the field every time he stepped on it. Many coaches probably wished all their players were motivated as much as he was when he played. I was moved by the emotional speech Drew Brees gave as part of the ceremony. I recommend that you watch it.

Steve Gleason has impacted the world in ways many of us could only dream of at times. When he was diagnosed, he made a promise that he would fight and would live each day like he had a timeline. Six weeks after he was diagnosed with ALS, he and his wife found out that they were pregnant with the young man who is his son Rivers. It's amazing to see how involved he is in the life of the young boy. You should follow Steve on social media, and you will laugh or smile a few more times every week.

Why was Steve given the Congressional Medal of Honor this past week? You could probably ask the many ALS patients who have gotten the chance to go on bucket list adventures that they probably thought at one time were impossible. Or ask the thousands who have access to technology that helps them live as close to a normal life as possible. His foundation and his voice have been a huge advocate for those that suffer from ALS and other neuromuscular disorders.  I refer you to teamgleason.org for more information. Please, please take a minute or two to check it out.


I don't know many of us that would have or could have reacted the way he did nine years ago. When you are faced with adversity, and some harsh realities, how would you react? How would you decide to live?

Here is a little recap of the award ceremony from last week - Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony

The top picture - The Rebirth Statue
The lower picture - Myself with Steve at the Crescent City Classic in 2016 (Runners were able to raise money for various non-profits, and I was part of a large group that ran for Team Gleason). 

January 17, 2020- Flashback Friday - Kosovo - The Newborn Country

For today's post I thought I might do a little "flashback" you might say. This post will not be limited to the usual 100 words. During my time in Bulgaria I managed to get out and venture  into other lands. I had intended on going to Macedonia, with possible plans of seeing Albania soon after. The plans changed and I went a different direction. I decided on Kosovo. Where the heck is Kosovo, some might ask. To be honest it is near other countries that the average person may have never heard of before. Just think Greece, and look up a little toward the left. In 2008, Kosovo became an independent country finally separate from Serbia.  The picture on the left shows flags of all the countries that voted to approve the that UN resolution.

When you hear the word Kosovo, you may remember that some of the darkest events in recent memory occurred in this area of Europe. Some of us remember hearing the name Slobodan Milosevic. Some of us may remember how many of our soldiers were sent to serve in what in the Bosnian conflict.  Others may remember the ethnic cleansing of the Bosniak people (Bosnian Muslims),  along with thousands of citizens who were expelled from Bosnia and into other countries.

Here are a few things you may not know about Kosovo.

• There is a statue of President Bill Clinton in the capital city of Prishtina. This was an honor bestowed upon him as a thank you from the Albanians in Kosovo.
• In fact, the statue is located right along Bill Clinton Blvd
• To top it off Bill Clinton Blvd runs perpendicular to George Bush Boulevard 
• Both of these men are very well thought for sending soldiers to help with peace keeping efforts there. 
• Several streets throughout the country are even named after Woodrow Wilson
• Their national museum has a ton of newspaper clippings from American newspapers notating the Bosnian conflict and the role of the United States in it.
• It is also home to one of the ugliest buildings in the world. See below.

Some things that I experienced in my few days there.                                

• Riding in a bus on a very narrow road, only to be halted by cows crossing. 
• Riding in that same bus and actually seeing the mass graves that were once read about in American newspapers
• Being in the town of Prizren, and wanting to see the inside of a church. As it turns out the church was closed. The security guard felt bad after he found out that I was American, because thanks to my country's soldiers and leaders, his people had freedom.
• I ran at a park outside the capital city a few times and recalled reading after the first  run that were dormant landmines in parts of the park. 
• Really cheap, but really tasty food. 
• Using the Euro, which is rare in the Eastern block.
• The American flag still flies there along with the UN flag. 

                                                       

                                           This is the National Library of Kosovo. 

January 16, 2020- Thursday Thoughts - Misplaced Things

How often is it
That we spend time searching
Searching for misplaced things
Searching as a result of being rushed
Losing focus of the present
We are too focused on looking ahead
We get so wrapped up
Wrapped up in the "busyness" of life
As a result of this
We find ourselves searching, and searching
Searching too long
For keys, wallets, phones, remotes,
hats, lunches, books
If it can be misplaced
We will find a way
Find a way to misplace something
Then over and over
We will search and search some more.

                        Snacky with the not so misplaced keys! She gets participation points.

It is said that the average American will spend 2.5 days each year looking for lost things. That's crazy! I can definitely believe that it is true though. $2.7 Billion is spent replacing those lost items. Wow. 
Feel free to check out this article here.  Lost and Found

January 15, 2020 - Waterfall Wednesday

From the King James Version, Isiah 58:11 "And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not."

This piece of art contains the same scripture, only in Korean, and it sits above my nightstand in my bedroom. This was a goodbye gift from the church I was part of while I lived in Korea. It helped me come up with today's picture and how unique this waterfall pictured below is in my mind.

In this picture that I took last August, there really isn't much to this waterfall's size. Yes, this hike unfortunately took place during a drier season. Just take a glance at the color of the plunge pool and the rocks surrounding it. If you just happen to be hiking through a forest, wouldn't you want to stumble upon this? It's beautiful, it's on a very lightly traveled trail, and the water is just the right temperature for a Summer or Spring day. This is one of five waterfalls on this trail in the lower Cumberland Plateau region of TN.


Blue Hole Falls can be found via the Grundy Forest Day Loop Trail located in Tracey City, TN. Interesting fact - the parking area for this trail is actually behind the local elementary school. This trail also leads to one what is called The Fiery Gizzard trail, home to one of the Top 25 trails in all of America.

January 14, 2020- Tasty Tuesday - Abe's Grill

Happy Tuesday!

As you may begin to realize, my favorite traveling activity usually involves finding amazing hiking trails, either near a city, or off the beaten path. My 2nd favorite activity? Well, when you spend all of that time hiking, you usually work up an appetite, so you always want to make sure your handy dandy Yelp! app, or TripAdvisor app have some great local spots for you to experience. Why use the word experience, because eating should always feel like an experience.

 
    Speaking of amazing experiences take a drive down Highway 72. It will take you wonderful places such as Huntsville and Chattanooga. You can even stop in some wonderful towns such as Corinth, MS, which is about a 90 minute drive from Memphis. If you do happen to stop in Corinth, make sure it is for breakfast. That way you are able to experience Abe's Grill. This is run by a local family, and everything, yes, everything is made from scratch.  I had some really, really good egg biscuits, with a "side of pancakes", and the best part was that the meal was prepared right in front of us. Terry, my buddy and hiking companion for the weekend, had pretty much what I would call a "Hungry Man's Breakfast", which a little bit of everything. Those biscuits are similar to the biscuits you might find at Loveless cafe, only better. Mom, Dad and adult son named Ryan pretty much do it all. You can get seasonings, coffee mugs and even some Abe's Grill t-shirts. I definitely will be coming back one day. The only downfall is that they are closed on weekends, but they deserve to be without all the hard work and love they put in to that place.

                                   Terry with the photo bomb, but look at all the stuff!

FYI - I have become a little obsessed with avoiding interstate travel these days, and Highway 72 is one of my favorite ways to get out of Memphis for a short weekend trip. 

January 13, 2020 - Memphis and the Mighty Mississippi (via Big River Crossing) Part 1

I love driving down to Big River Crossing and checking out "Old Man River".  I highly recommend you visit this site that opened up back in 2016.  You can walk, run and even ride your bike across this beautifully lit bridge from 6 am to 10 pm daily. It is very peaceful, offers some great sights and some beautiful shots of the Mighty Mississippi and the bridge, of course.  Try it out at sunset and make your phone has plenty of battery life. It is very dog friendly, too. It is definitely a rewarding walk you will enjoy taking.

January 12, 2020- Surprise Sunday Fact

Have you ever heard of Skopje by any chance? Well, it is the capital city of a country known as Macedonia. Sometimes on a map you will see the following letters - F.Y.R.O.M. - that stands for Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. This was a country  under Ottoman Rule for more than 500 years.

One really interesting fact - it is the birthplace of a lady known as St. Teresa of Calcutta, better known as Mother Theresa. Throughout the tourist areas of Skopje (Sko-pee), you will find many plaques with quotes from the lady herself.

Here are two for ya. Happy Sunday.

 

January 11, 2020 - Saturday Special

         Once upon a time, the younger version of thy self did a sunrise hike. It started around 2 am, and took you to one of the most popular mountain tops in all of biblical times. This is what a sunrise at Mt. Sinai looks like. Moses was one pretty athletic dude to be able to get up and down that mountain so many times. The hike can be a little strenuous with 700 steps included and even a camel ride for those who may need some extra assistance.  It is best summarized here in a LONG ago post from 2011 - The Mt. Sinai Hike 

January 10, 2020 - Friendly Friday Wisdom (Courtest of Meg)

Thanks to Meg and her Sharpie skills. Take in these words to kick off your weekend. Yesterday, I was at Big Hill Pond State Park with Ruth, and one of my goals was to go to the top of the Observation Tower. It consists of about 7-8 sets of steps to about 70 ft before you  get a wonderful view of the park and surrounding areas. Once I arrived at the top there was

this little message written by Meg. Whoever you are Meg, thank you for today's wisdom.

                           The view from The Big Hill Pond State Park Observation Tower