Mountain View
DarrylBrooks
If You Haven't Seen Downtown Atlanta, Georgia lately, You Don't Know Atlanta, Georgia
I can remember a time while I was younger and downtown Atlanta, Georgia, was deserted on nights and weekends. As a photographer, I would go down there on a Sunday, and it looked like the set of a post-apocalypse movie. Deserted sidewalks and empty streets.
An Amazing Spot for Aviation Buffs in Chamblee, Georgia
I've been a photographer longer than I've been a writer, and I'm always looking for great places to shoot. One of my favorites that I return to several times a year is Peachtree-DeKalb Airport in Chamblee, Georgia. You can find references calling it Dekalb-Peachtree Airport, but since the FAA designation is PDK, I will use that.
Memorial Day in Canton, Georgia
About a year and a half ago, I rode through Canton, Georgia with a friend and neighbor on our way to Old Car City. As we passed the Georgia National Cemetery he asked if I minded taking a brief detour. Knowing he was a Vietnam Veteran and wanting to see this relatively new memorial, I gladly complied. The entrance road winds through about a mile of natural forest before you come to the second, and real, entrance to the cemetery.
The Best Aquarium in the Country is in Monterey, California
I have been in about a dozen aquariums around the country, including Orlando and the one back home in Atlanta, but the best one in the country is in Monterey, California. This sometimes presents a problem for me because the small city on the southern edge of Monterey Bay is packed with things to do, so carving out a half-day to tour the aquarium is difficult. But it is well worth the time as the exhibits, wildlife and even the layout of the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a true pleasure.
Yes, You Can Find Peace and Quiet in Las Vegas, Nevada
For years, I traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, on business at least twice a year. Then, about the time that was winding down, our daughter and her husband moved out there, so we visited them once or twice every year until they moved on to Denver. But even with no real reason to go, we still got there occasionally just because it is so different and so alive.
World Famous Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington is a big city, but not huge; more along the size of Denver or San Francisco. Most people know that Seattle is located in the northwest corner of the state, or country for that matter. But many don't realize that it is not on the Pacific Ocean. Seattle is 100 miles inland from the ocean, or 150 miles by way of Puget Sound and the Salish Sea.
What's Not to Like About Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado is a city of a little over 600,000 people perched on the high plains just east of the Rocky Mountains. It has a very diverse culture with many attractions and great places to eat. It is also a good stopping-off point to visit some of the nearby attractions. I have been there many times in the last few years both in summer and winter. It has so much to offer, it's hard to fit everything in.
Bellingham, Washington Has It All
I have lived in the Atlanta metro area all of my life and have always loved how you can get to everything quickly from here. But there is a big gap between getting to everything and having everything. To me, Denver, Colorado came the closest to that ideal but was missing one thing, the sea. Being not only land-locked, but solidly in the middle of the country, a trip to the ocean wasn't on the menu. And then I discovered Bellingham, Washington.
Where to Find the Original Philly Cheesesteak in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
When Pat and Henry Olivieri invented their cheesesteak sandwich in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, back in the 1930s, they had no idea how popular it would become. Philly now has several restaurants claiming to have the best cheesesteak, and chains and sandwich shops worldwide attempt to imitate this venerable sandwich.
Asheville, North Carolina, is the Crowned Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains
Asheville is a city in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. It is located in the eastern central part of the state in the mountainous regions and has a somewhat cooler climate than other parts of the state. The city is serviced by air from Asheville Regional Airport and lies at the intersection of three interstate highways. Asheville, North Carolina, is one of our go-to spots in the summer as it is much cooler, even in August. Several years back, we were up there when I still ran, and I got some amazing but hilly runs done in the middle of summer.
Savannah, Georgia is a City of History, Architecture, and Parks
Savannah, Georgia is located on the north end of the coast of Georgia, in the United States, at the southeast corner of the state. It is located where the Savannah River, which creates the border between Georgia and South Carolina, enters into the Atlantic Ocean. The temperatures are milder than most of Georgia due to its location on the coast. The winds coming in from the ocean will keep it a little warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Savannah International Airport is located just outside the city and brings in tourists from all over the world. In addition, Savannah lies at the intersection of Interstate 95 and16, making it a convenient location for automobile travelers as well.
Is Skagway, Alaska a Frontier Town or a Tourist Attraction?
As we come out of this pandemic, many industries are trying to figure out how to get back to normal, including the cruise industry. The lack of cruise ships is not only hurting that market, but the places around the world that depend on them for their income. Few locations fall into this category more so than Skagway, Alaska.
One of the Best Cruise Ports in the World is in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
As we finally wake from this long, cold winter of the Covid-19 Pandemic, people are looking to travel again. As soon as more travel restrictions are lifted, we will resume our three-decade tradition of cruising. We have over 60 cruises under our belts and know a bit about how to go about it. And our favorite city to cruise out of, by far, is Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Marie's Italian Deli in Cumming, Georgia Has It All
Deli, Market, Restaurant, Catering, Bakery, and Gelato. To get to Marie's Italian Deli in Cumming, Georgia, you have to know where you are going. Tucked in behind a car wash and a Tire Shop, Marie's is at the end of a small strip center beside a bicycle shop and a tax preparation service. But those in the know have no problem finding it because it is one of the most popular restaurants in the county.
Gas Prices Skyrocket in Alpharetta After Cyberattack Shuts Down Pipeline
Like most people, I had heard about the cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline, which is located right here in Alpharetta, Georgia. But I didn't think anything about it until I made a run to the Publix at the corner of Hwy 9 and Post Road. That's when I saw the gas pumps had bags over them, although the diesel fuel seemed to be flowing. Even then, I didn't give it much thought. I had half a tank which is enough for a couple of weeks under normal circumstances.
Zuzu's on Saint Simons Island, Georgia Has Amazing Hamburgers
We are on Saint Simons Island, Georgia, a lot, and we have many favorite restaurants. If we want seafood, there are three or four that we frequent. For pizza, there are only three that I like, although one stands out. But, if we are in the mood for a burger, there is only one destination: Zuzu's in the Village. The service is always fast and friendly, and the burgers are truly amazing.
The Best Little Meal House in Georgia is in Alpharetta, Georgia
The first time I was in the Midway area of Alpharetta, Georgia, was just after I graduated high school. I had a delivery route that went all over the north half of the state, and each day, it went in a different direction. On Tuesdays, it was north. At that point, the suburbs ended at I-285, and anything outside that was a no man's land of rural farms. The end of the line was the Midway Elementary School, where I dropped off school supplies the began the long drive home. It was dinner time by then, and I was hungry, so I couldn't wait to get back to civilization to eat.
Historic Building in Cumming, Georgia Gets New Life, Again
Old Sinclair Station in Cumming, GeorgiaImage by Author. As you drive around the downtown Cumming, Georgia area, you can’t help but notice the modern brick courthouse and city hall. But hidden among all the brand new is some very old. Tucked in amongst all the modern brick buildings is the old Sinclair station. On the corner of Atlanta Hwy and Main Street, the iconic former gas station is still sitting there, having been giving one more lease on life by the Cumming Cigar Company.
The Best Fried Shrimp in Georgia is on Saint Simons Island
We have been visiting (and eating great food on) Saint Simons Island, Georgia, for over twenty years. Most of that food has been consumed in the village. And for many of the past fourteen or so years, we walked right past the colorful awnings and outdoor patio of Iguanas Seafood Restaurant.
Largest Covid-19 Vaccination Site in the State Opens in Cumming, Georgia
As Covid-19 vaccinations head into their fifth month, the largest vaccination site in the state opened Monday in Cumming, Georgia. In February, the health department opened a site at the Cumming Fairgrounds, which allowed several hundred people to get the vaccine. Now, the old Earth Fare building in the Collection on Ronald Reagan Blvd is open for Covid-19 vaccinations.
DarrylBrooks
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I'm just an old guy trying to fund his retirement. Thanks for reading.
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