One of the nice things about being a teacher is the summer vacation. I'll get roughly 2 months off and it is something that I will greatly enjoy and treasure. I don't want to just sit around my apartment watching Netflix all summer, so the wife and I are going to do some traveling.
We toyed around with several possible destinations like Yellowstone National Park, Florida, Colorado and Mammoth Caves. However, we settled on San Francisco, California. We couldn't decide on a destination. Until this past Sunday.
Talking to my cousins about my upcoming parenthood the discussion came to our trip (we were originally going to California, but money was becoming a problem). My cousins offered us a gift of money in order to make the trip. I was floored. I hadn't expected this at all. My excitement level jumped and I had a hard time staying focused. I wanted to start planning.
Since we are driving I wanted to see as much as possible without doing too much. We decided that our first stop for the evening will be Amarillo, Texas. At first it was just a reasonable place to stop and get some sleep. However, after looking around on the internet I discovered that Amarillo is home to The Big Texan. We will definitely dine there on our first night out. I always enjoy eating at famous places or places that have a novelty. Besides, I hear that the steak is good. I will, however, not be doing the 72 oz. steak challenge. I know when to quit.
After The Big Texan we will have a bit of a drive to our next destination: The Petrified Forest. I've wanted to see this for about 15 years and finally it seems that I'll be able to see it. Since the wife's condition we will not be doing any super hiking or anything too strenuous. I figure we'll spend an hour, two at most at the Petrified Forest. Our second bed spot will be Flagstaff.
Day three will see us at the Grand Canyon. I've seen it once, but it's definitely worth another look. It's also on my wife's list of places she wants to see in the US. I wish we were able to hike down to the bottom, but that will be for another time.
Our last leg alone will be from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas where we'll meet up with my cousins Mike and Ben. From there it's up to the Sierra-Nevada Mountains, Yosemite and then finally San Francisco. I'm sure it'll be a great trip and I'm very excited.
If you have any suggestions or comments, please feel free to contact me.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Reelfoot Lake
Since I first moved to Tennessee back in 91 I've heard tales of the majestic Reelfoot Lake. It's someplace that I've wanted to go to for years, but just never had the opportunity to do so. That changed over the recent MLK Jr. Holiday.
The wife and I are hiking enthusiasts. We've made it a habit to go hiking once a week. Usually we go to Meeman-Shelby. But we decided to do something "wacky" on our long weekend.
The drive up was pretty nice. We took Highway 51 up from Memphis to Dyersburg. When we hit Dyersburg is when the fun started. We got lost.
The signs pointing our way were a bit confusing and misplaced. Some signs seemingly pointed to nothing, but at the last minute the road would become visible and I'd have to veer over. We ended up wandering about several small towns and finally made our way back onto Hwy 51. We arrived at the lake around 3 hours after we left the house. It turns out that the ride up would be the best part of the trip.
The visitor center was okay. There were some interesting things up in their gallery and they had a small nature center where you could hold snakes. After using the facilities and taking a stroll through the swamp, we decided to tackle the Keystone Trail after our lunch.
After our feast of tuna salad and crackers and apples we headed to Keystone.
What we found left us in disappointment.
The Keystone Picnic area is nice. There's a rather newish shelter complete with bathrooms and several picnic tables set next to the lake. However, the trail itself is pitiful. There is no trail head marker, nor are there any markers on the trail in any form. It looked like the locals use it as their dumping ground. I saw all sorts of trash and even one spent shotgun shell.
We wandered through the muddy and stump laden path until it curved into the lake. We snapped a couple pictures and headed out.
The path is billed as Reelfoot's only lake side path. Though it went along the lake, you couldn't really tell. There was very little in ways of scenery. It was all very dreary and grey.
Maybe I messed up by going in the winter, but I can definitely say I'm disappointed. I'm disappointed that something that was supposed to be awesome was not and I'm disappointed in how State Parks are falling to pieces. We as citizens should support these parks and help them become something everyone can enjoy and be proud of.
The wife and I are hiking enthusiasts. We've made it a habit to go hiking once a week. Usually we go to Meeman-Shelby. But we decided to do something "wacky" on our long weekend.
The drive up was pretty nice. We took Highway 51 up from Memphis to Dyersburg. When we hit Dyersburg is when the fun started. We got lost.
The signs pointing our way were a bit confusing and misplaced. Some signs seemingly pointed to nothing, but at the last minute the road would become visible and I'd have to veer over. We ended up wandering about several small towns and finally made our way back onto Hwy 51. We arrived at the lake around 3 hours after we left the house. It turns out that the ride up would be the best part of the trip.
The visitor center was okay. There were some interesting things up in their gallery and they had a small nature center where you could hold snakes. After using the facilities and taking a stroll through the swamp, we decided to tackle the Keystone Trail after our lunch.
After our feast of tuna salad and crackers and apples we headed to Keystone.
What we found left us in disappointment.
The Keystone Picnic area is nice. There's a rather newish shelter complete with bathrooms and several picnic tables set next to the lake. However, the trail itself is pitiful. There is no trail head marker, nor are there any markers on the trail in any form. It looked like the locals use it as their dumping ground. I saw all sorts of trash and even one spent shotgun shell.
We wandered through the muddy and stump laden path until it curved into the lake. We snapped a couple pictures and headed out.
The path is billed as Reelfoot's only lake side path. Though it went along the lake, you couldn't really tell. There was very little in ways of scenery. It was all very dreary and grey.
Maybe I messed up by going in the winter, but I can definitely say I'm disappointed. I'm disappointed that something that was supposed to be awesome was not and I'm disappointed in how State Parks are falling to pieces. We as citizens should support these parks and help them become something everyone can enjoy and be proud of.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Eating Local
I love to eat local. Local places almost always deliver awesome food and good service. It's also a good place to observe the local people, to see their culture. This is why I love Memphis.
Memphis has an awesome culture of local restaurants. They have just about anything and everything at a local level. Yes, some places have mutated into chains, but they are still local. This is especially true of BBQ.
I'm not going to get into the debate of which place has the best BBQ, but Memphians have an enormous amount of pride in their BBQ. And it is rightfully deserved. I love Memphis BBQ and I love the fact that there are several different restaurants all with their own take on BBQ in town. When someone new comes into town, I always take them to one of the famous local places. I really like the fact that in my city the BBQ is real and unique to that specific restaurant.
When I eat out I almost always avoid going to the big chains. It can be an annoyance to some, but I feel it is better to help those of my community first, and then national interests. I mainly feel that there is no need to dine at a national chain, everything I could want is offered at the local level and it's usually better than what I would get at it's national chain counterpart. Also, helping the locals makes me feel good. I like dropping into a mom and pop place and know that the money I give them is helping them out and most likely, the town.
One of my pet peeves while traveling is when my companion(s) want to eat at a Wendy's or McDonald's. While I don't mind the occasional global chain, I really don't want to waste my time eating there while in a new city. I have those in my hometown and can eat it whenever I want. I'm not always in a new place. I want to try their unique food. I remember a couple times having to argue my way into a local diner or place famous for a local delicacy. I feel bad for those who are indifferent about trying new things.
When I travel I hunt out the local places. Either I ask a local or I explore. Asking locals has given mixed results. Sometimes they steer me to an awesome place. Other times the food I get is on par with crap. That brings me to something else; just because it's local doesn't make it better. I have been to many a local establishments and have left disappointed. I still advocate the local eateries, but do know that you may get the short end of the stick from time to time.
Basically I say go and find out. Don't just listen to me, go see for yourself. Sometimes you may think that the local place is dull or not worth it, but I be 9 times out or 10 you'll be pleasantly surprised with what you find.
A good resource is Mark's Menus. It gives nice details about local places all over the US.
Memphis has an awesome culture of local restaurants. They have just about anything and everything at a local level. Yes, some places have mutated into chains, but they are still local. This is especially true of BBQ.
I'm not going to get into the debate of which place has the best BBQ, but Memphians have an enormous amount of pride in their BBQ. And it is rightfully deserved. I love Memphis BBQ and I love the fact that there are several different restaurants all with their own take on BBQ in town. When someone new comes into town, I always take them to one of the famous local places. I really like the fact that in my city the BBQ is real and unique to that specific restaurant.
When I eat out I almost always avoid going to the big chains. It can be an annoyance to some, but I feel it is better to help those of my community first, and then national interests. I mainly feel that there is no need to dine at a national chain, everything I could want is offered at the local level and it's usually better than what I would get at it's national chain counterpart. Also, helping the locals makes me feel good. I like dropping into a mom and pop place and know that the money I give them is helping them out and most likely, the town.
One of my pet peeves while traveling is when my companion(s) want to eat at a Wendy's or McDonald's. While I don't mind the occasional global chain, I really don't want to waste my time eating there while in a new city. I have those in my hometown and can eat it whenever I want. I'm not always in a new place. I want to try their unique food. I remember a couple times having to argue my way into a local diner or place famous for a local delicacy. I feel bad for those who are indifferent about trying new things.
When I travel I hunt out the local places. Either I ask a local or I explore. Asking locals has given mixed results. Sometimes they steer me to an awesome place. Other times the food I get is on par with crap. That brings me to something else; just because it's local doesn't make it better. I have been to many a local establishments and have left disappointed. I still advocate the local eateries, but do know that you may get the short end of the stick from time to time.
Basically I say go and find out. Don't just listen to me, go see for yourself. Sometimes you may think that the local place is dull or not worth it, but I be 9 times out or 10 you'll be pleasantly surprised with what you find.
A good resource is Mark's Menus. It gives nice details about local places all over the US.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
More thoughts on Meeman-Shelby State Park
I'm really enjoying my jaunts to Meeman-Shelby State Park aka Shelby Forest. I've been three times. The wife and I are going to start making our trips there a weekly thing.
It's an extremely peaceful place and a great reprieve from the hectic pace of Memphis. It's also an awesome place to get some exercise. One of my biggest difficulties in exercising is that I really dislike the energy in gyms. The atmosphere is dreary and often times the other patrons can have an attitude about them that discourages me from continuing. However, in the woods you're alone and have nothing but yourself to keep you from exercising. I feel much more motivated when I'm in the wild. No one's looking at me and judging. I'm just enjoying my rigorous walk in the woods. The only person to stop me from working out is me.
Shelby Forest's Woodland trail is about 3 miles long and has some ups and downs. It's a good start for the beginning hiker. I feel that it's hard enough to get things pumping, but easy enough to keep discouragement down.
Being a State Park Shelby Forest doesn't get much money or help. Friends of Meeman-Shelby help out, but just from seeing the state of the Woodland Trail, it needs more. I really want to start helping out, even if it's just removing debris from the trail, but it needs to start somewhere.
If you're a Memphian and you want a break from the hustle and grind of Memphis, take the short jaunt North on Highway 51 and see our nice little State Park.
It's an extremely peaceful place and a great reprieve from the hectic pace of Memphis. It's also an awesome place to get some exercise. One of my biggest difficulties in exercising is that I really dislike the energy in gyms. The atmosphere is dreary and often times the other patrons can have an attitude about them that discourages me from continuing. However, in the woods you're alone and have nothing but yourself to keep you from exercising. I feel much more motivated when I'm in the wild. No one's looking at me and judging. I'm just enjoying my rigorous walk in the woods. The only person to stop me from working out is me.
Shelby Forest's Woodland trail is about 3 miles long and has some ups and downs. It's a good start for the beginning hiker. I feel that it's hard enough to get things pumping, but easy enough to keep discouragement down.
Being a State Park Shelby Forest doesn't get much money or help. Friends of Meeman-Shelby help out, but just from seeing the state of the Woodland Trail, it needs more. I really want to start helping out, even if it's just removing debris from the trail, but it needs to start somewhere.
If you're a Memphian and you want a break from the hustle and grind of Memphis, take the short jaunt North on Highway 51 and see our nice little State Park.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Regrets and might have beens
I am a young man. I hopefully have many years ahead of me, maybe even more than I have behind me. But in my short 30 years on this great planet of ours I have done things, or rather not done things that has left upon me much regret. A friend of mine once said "You don't regret the things you do, only the things you don't do." He couldn't have been more right.
As I hope you all know by now, I love traveling and experiencing life. It's what drives me. However, I didn't always have this philosophy. I used to be nothing more than a couch potato, lump on the proverbial log. I would waste hours or days playing video games or sitting in front of the television. I now look back at that period of my life (roughly 1993-2001) and mourn those lost years. I say "Man, I should've gone outside more. I shoulda earned more merit badges. I should've traveled more and visited family. I should've endeavored to learn more about the world and life when I had more time to dedicate to that pursuit."
One of my biggest regrets is not knowing more about my home state.
I relocated to Nashville Tennessee from San Diego California when I was 10 in 1991. I have lived in Tennessee ever since except for the five years I spent in Japan. In those 15+ years I learned and experience relatively little of the Volunteer State. I've been places. I've eaten my fill of BBQ and listened to my fill of country and blues music, but that's about it. I haven't even seen Rock City (Southerners will get the joke). As I ponder my future and look away from my home. I truly regret not doing more when I had the chance. I feel as I have thrown away major parts of my life. I'm vowing to change that.
Sitting in my living room, talking to my mom, we marveled how my uncle learns about each place he lives/lived. When we visited him in Hawaii we didn't need a tour guide, he knew just about everything there was to know about the big island. He always explores his area and dedicates to memory all aspects of it. It is really cool. As we talked, I became a bit envious. I realized that he lived in most places only a few years whereas I have lived in Tennessee for nearly 20. I feel embarrassed when people ask me stuff about Tennessee and I can't answer. At that moment I decided to make up for lost time.
I am currently writing a "bucket list" so to speak of places I want to see and things I want to do, not only in Tennessee, but in the South in general, before I depart this great land for parts unknown.
The list so far:
Reelfoot Lake
Ghost River
Ghost River Brewery
Lookout Mountain
Rock City
Ruby Falls
Lazy Magnolia Brewery
Sun Studios
I'm sure the list will grow and I'm hoping I can mark some of them off soon.
My advice to you all is to get out there. See and do! Don't waste you time, energy and money on crap games that at the end of the day don't really matter a bit. You should show that you actually lived life and that your horizons are broad. Good luck and keep traveling.
As I hope you all know by now, I love traveling and experiencing life. It's what drives me. However, I didn't always have this philosophy. I used to be nothing more than a couch potato, lump on the proverbial log. I would waste hours or days playing video games or sitting in front of the television. I now look back at that period of my life (roughly 1993-2001) and mourn those lost years. I say "Man, I should've gone outside more. I shoulda earned more merit badges. I should've traveled more and visited family. I should've endeavored to learn more about the world and life when I had more time to dedicate to that pursuit."
One of my biggest regrets is not knowing more about my home state.
I relocated to Nashville Tennessee from San Diego California when I was 10 in 1991. I have lived in Tennessee ever since except for the five years I spent in Japan. In those 15+ years I learned and experience relatively little of the Volunteer State. I've been places. I've eaten my fill of BBQ and listened to my fill of country and blues music, but that's about it. I haven't even seen Rock City (Southerners will get the joke). As I ponder my future and look away from my home. I truly regret not doing more when I had the chance. I feel as I have thrown away major parts of my life. I'm vowing to change that.
Sitting in my living room, talking to my mom, we marveled how my uncle learns about each place he lives/lived. When we visited him in Hawaii we didn't need a tour guide, he knew just about everything there was to know about the big island. He always explores his area and dedicates to memory all aspects of it. It is really cool. As we talked, I became a bit envious. I realized that he lived in most places only a few years whereas I have lived in Tennessee for nearly 20. I feel embarrassed when people ask me stuff about Tennessee and I can't answer. At that moment I decided to make up for lost time.
I am currently writing a "bucket list" so to speak of places I want to see and things I want to do, not only in Tennessee, but in the South in general, before I depart this great land for parts unknown.
The list so far:
Reelfoot Lake
Ghost River
Ghost River Brewery
Lookout Mountain
Rock City
Ruby Falls
Lazy Magnolia Brewery
Sun Studios
I'm sure the list will grow and I'm hoping I can mark some of them off soon.
My advice to you all is to get out there. See and do! Don't waste you time, energy and money on crap games that at the end of the day don't really matter a bit. You should show that you actually lived life and that your horizons are broad. Good luck and keep traveling.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Upcoming Winter Trips
Hello folks. Sorry to be gone for so long, but the ol' private life has been a little hectic as of late. I'm in the middle of test prep at work and finishing up two classes in grad school. On top of all that I'm also attempting to marry (there's a lot of work to that).
However, the light at the end of the tunnel is in sight. Christmas vacation is approaching and that means: trips! The fiance and I are intending to use our two week holiday to do some traveling. We'll go up to my brother's house in Northern Ohio and while there we will hop over to Pittsburgh and possibly Niagra Falls. I haven't done a lot of exploring in the Northern States, so I'm pretty excited and the fiance has only seen Tennessee so she's also excited.
We'll probably muck around my brother's small town and may enjoy the water park in nearby Sandusky. I'm not sure, but we shall see. The main purpose of the trip is to spend time with relatives, but we also want to see some new stuff. I really want to try Primanti Brothers' sandwiches. Hopefully I'll finally get a chance to.
However, the light at the end of the tunnel is in sight. Christmas vacation is approaching and that means: trips! The fiance and I are intending to use our two week holiday to do some traveling. We'll go up to my brother's house in Northern Ohio and while there we will hop over to Pittsburgh and possibly Niagra Falls. I haven't done a lot of exploring in the Northern States, so I'm pretty excited and the fiance has only seen Tennessee so she's also excited.
We'll probably muck around my brother's small town and may enjoy the water park in nearby Sandusky. I'm not sure, but we shall see. The main purpose of the trip is to spend time with relatives, but we also want to see some new stuff. I really want to try Primanti Brothers' sandwiches. Hopefully I'll finally get a chance to.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Meeman-Shelby State Park
I've lived in Memphis since 2001 for a total of 5 years (I spent 5 years in Japan) and I have never until yesterday visited this nice state park. It's located roughly 17 miles north of Memphis but seems much further.
Since I am planning to climb Kilimanjaro in the summer of 2016 I need to get in shape as such I've decided to start regular hiking. Unfortunately there is little in the way of hiking in the Memphis area, except for Meeman-Shelby Park. It has 5 trails, only three of which are for hiking though. I chose the Woodland Trail as it is the shortest at 3 miles.
For most of the initial hike you are on top of a ridge overlooking a heavily wooded valley. The trail is mostly flat, but you go up and down a few steep hills. It's nothing too rigorous however. It's a pleasant and relatively easy hike. It took my buddy and I less than two hours to complete it (the map claims it takes 3 hours to hike the path). We even stopped for lunch.
The only bad thing about the trail was that it is poorly kept. We found at least 4 trees that had fallen onto the trail. One tree demolished a bridge. We had to climb the ruined bridge and over the tree to continue or take a bit of a dip. It's truly sad to see such a nice park with tons of potential fall into disrepair.
Overall the park is pretty nice. It makes for an easy and quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of Memphis. I look forward to hitting the Woodland Trail again and to exploring some of the other trails that the park has to offer.
Since I am planning to climb Kilimanjaro in the summer of 2016 I need to get in shape as such I've decided to start regular hiking. Unfortunately there is little in the way of hiking in the Memphis area, except for Meeman-Shelby Park. It has 5 trails, only three of which are for hiking though. I chose the Woodland Trail as it is the shortest at 3 miles.
For most of the initial hike you are on top of a ridge overlooking a heavily wooded valley. The trail is mostly flat, but you go up and down a few steep hills. It's nothing too rigorous however. It's a pleasant and relatively easy hike. It took my buddy and I less than two hours to complete it (the map claims it takes 3 hours to hike the path). We even stopped for lunch.
The only bad thing about the trail was that it is poorly kept. We found at least 4 trees that had fallen onto the trail. One tree demolished a bridge. We had to climb the ruined bridge and over the tree to continue or take a bit of a dip. It's truly sad to see such a nice park with tons of potential fall into disrepair.
Overall the park is pretty nice. It makes for an easy and quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of Memphis. I look forward to hitting the Woodland Trail again and to exploring some of the other trails that the park has to offer.
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