So last weekend, after talking about it for 12 months, we went camping with Brian and Jerry. OK, so preface this with this is my first time camping..ever. so I expected that there would be some lively stories of me missing the comforts of home…but not so much. We decided on Cherokee National Forest (outside of Tellico Plains). It’s a little less regulated (i.e. we could have some booze) and a lot less busy than our Great Smokies National Park. We were later than expected on Saturday getting setup. Brian had to stop and eat (of course) before entering the park. Then, we couldn’t decide on the perfect location for to setup ‘Camp WTF’.

COFFEE!!

Once we got setup, we got a small fire going. The trees were at peak fall color and the weather was amazing. Sunny and in the 70′s. Tent setup was much easier than expected. I’d already warned everyone that there was likely to be a flurry of foul language when I started setting it up. Wow, they’re a lot easier than they were was a kid! in 15 minutes, we were all setup.  Jerry had to meet us there because of work obligations and since we were in a location a little hard to describe, Brian went to meet him. M and I manned the fire (oh crap, my cigars were in the car with Brian… grrrrr!) and started sampling the beverages. M had made a Cherry, Apple, Pineapple vodka punch that was yummy, but I settled down with some Famous Grouse.

When Brian and Jerry got back, we started dinner (unfortunately we waited until a little too close to dark so it made it difficult). I loved Jerry’s quote, “This is why we enjoy going camping with E & M. If we’d came, we would have sandwiches and chips… they bring a gourmet diner” And we kinda did. We (OK M did most of the work on this one) had braised brats with grilled onion and belle peppers and ‘puppy chow’ for dessert.

Jerry spent the evening crafting Blair Witch props to leave behind and film for his daily video entry. And we laughed and chatted into the morning. And even popped some popcorn.

Now, sleeping was a different story… next time E will have an air mattress or take a memory foam mat or something. It’s amazing how uncomfortable a pea sized rock can be. And we were a little cold. Just a little forethought will fix that next time. And apparently someone was wandering through our campsite during the night. I missed that, but we had plenty of firepower in case of thugs or bears.

M and I woke up early and THANK GOODNESS, she had brought coffee!! It was great to sit around before the boys woke up, get the fire going, and have coffee. It was just brisk enough to be able to wear a heavy sweater and have  a small fire. Once the boys got up, We had chirozo and egg breakfast burritos. We soon started packing and the funniest part was trying to watch J & B fold a tent as a team. They should NEVER try to work as a team! Hilarious.

All in all, it was a really fun little trip. I wish we’d got there a little earlier and stayed a little longer, but I’m already looking forward to going back.  

We had a really relaxing weekend… which was really nice! We went to Atlanta (or close anyway) to see M’s family. We stayed at Granny D’s new condo. Once we had Basil fully drugged out of his gourd for the trip (he foams if he’s not drugged into oblivion). We had a nice drive down. Me and Basil finally got to see the newest addition to the family. After a quick sniff, Basil avoided any and all eye contact with ‘the new bald puppy’.

 

We had an excellent meal at The Bone Garden Cantina. As everyone who knows us knows, we’re foodies. And I’d been wanting to try goat for a while. It’s the most widely eaten meat in the world. I was certain that someonein Atlanta would have goat meat and sure ‘nuf M was able to find The Bone Garden. I odered a goat taco to pass around the table and was really surprised.

Our server discouraged us from ordering more than one because goat has a ‘peculiar’ flavor. So we only ordered one. And let me tell you it’s delicious. I was expecting something rather gamey like lamb. But it was not fatty and was very similar to bison. Very very good! If you havent’ tried it, please do. You’re really missing out. We also really enjoyed the atmosphere of the Bone Garden. We’d read mixed reviews online, but the service was excellent.

 

The rest of the weekend was mostly just being lazy. We took a little time and tried to find some neat mid-century modern homes to look at…. Truth be told, we mostly just wondered around aimlessly. But it was fun anyway!

 

And now it’s back to the grind.

We had a great trip to Atlanta for a long weekend. Upon arrival I was a little concerned because the hotel was beseached with testosterone spewing frat boys in town for some basketball game… they wore blue so I’m guessing it wasn’t the TN Volunteers. But happily, other than one 4AM parade thru the hallway, it was peaceful. We stayed at the Georgian Terrace (sleeping place of several former, now deceased presidents). The lobby is a grand column seemingly towering to the clouds… our room was not exactly expansive though…but still, it was fine. After settling in Friday, we made a stop at TAP: A Gastro Pub. A very neat little place on Peachtree that is a sister restaurant to our Saturday dinner destination. Unfortunately for us, we happened upon a new whiskey that is just starting to be distributed. Folks, if you like whiskey (or even vodka), give American Spirit a try. Smoothest whiskey I’ve ever had and I can’t wait to try some with a cigar. We had a few… then a few more drinks. And maybe an appetizer…um, things were foggy by then. After our afternoon haze subsided, we met Mandee’s friend M.E. at the Vortex for a great burger. The folks at Vortex are so sweet, happy and charming (that was sarcasm). Not willing to call it a night just yet (dinner was early), we went to Beluga Martini and Jazz Bar. You can read my review at Yelp. The 3 of us had a good time in a relaxed atmosphere and afterwards, it was time to call it a night.

Saturday, I was in recovery mode for much of the day and definitely not on my game. Breakfast was at the Flying Biscuit with Granny D (Mandee’s Mom). It’s one of our must-haves when we’re in town. We visited Atlantic Station and Ikea for some shopping (obligatory). And met up with Cousin Brian who came down for the evening. And managed to FINALLY have lunch after a long wait and terrible service at California Pizza Kitchen. But the BLT Pizza was oh so good.

We had just enough time after lunch to make our way back to the hotel and change for dinner. A few miles away was our REAL destination for the trip to Atlanta… Two Urban Licks. The three of us met up with the rest of the family (who were convinced we had arranged all this for some special announcement….sorry for the disappointment guys). Dinner was AWESOME! YUM YUM. If you’re in Atlanta, you have to make it a stop.

After dinner and happy birthdays, our bellies were stuffed and we were off to bar hop a bit. On the list were Joe’s On Juniper, and Blake’s. Even though we were warned by our gay-bashing Muslim cabby to stay away from ‘dim places… “No No No, you don’t want to go there”. We didn’t appreciate that…and the tip showed. I think were were all a little off our game that night. We sat, mostly in a daze people watching. But had fun nevertheless.

Saturday after a great breakfast at J. Christopher, we stopped in the Market (um, I can’t remember the name, but it’s where Alton Brown shops) And picked up a Pork Belly that will go on the grill tomorrow night. We were then on the road to Ktown.

We had a really nice weekend and can’t wait for another trip to Elton John’s American hometown!