Last night I crossed off two things I’ve never done previously — get chicken wings from Burger Win, buy beer from Buddy’s (in East Atlanta). How I have lived in East Atlanta for over twenty-four years and failed to do these things is beyond me. I can now call myself a true East Atlantan. I surprised myself further when I actually agreed to give someone one of my beers, a Terrapin Hopsecutioner, to a local who asked me to sell her one for $1. I didn’t take her dollar.
I’m thinking of crossing another thing off my undone list, going to a north Georgia apple orchard this fall to get apples. Corny, I know, but does anyone know of a decent orchard to visit?
I solved today’s Wordle in four attempts; my starter today was TRACK. Another day when I was pleased with a guess, only to find that I was one letter off.
Wordle in 3 starting with HEAVY. One miss in Connections. Mini in 50.
Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge is far and away the best orchard in my experience. There’s a circus atmosphere to most of the other orchards. At Mercier you buy your bag and then get on a wagon pulled by a tractor and get ferried right to the orchard. Apple picking is kind of a zen experience once you’re in the trees. It’s not corny at all. Pro tip: get there early in the day, otherwise parking is a shit show.
Also be sure to check their web site for when they’re doing U-Pick. It used to be that October was prime time but climate change has moved it up into September. The season ends faster than you’d think.
If you go, I recommend also checking out the Toccoa Swinging Bridge which is near by. There’s 3 miles of gravel forest service roads. I let my 15 year old drive it in my Lexus sedan. You’ll be fine in the M6, just take your time. It’s an opportunity to drive your car to the Appalachian trail, which is mind-blowing. The bridge is than 1/2 mile from where the road ends.
Thanks, that sounds great. I can get up early, even though I’ve return to sleep until nearly 6am the past few days.
You easily can sleep in until 6, I don’t think they open until 10. It’s about a 90 minute drive. Regarding lodging, try this place, they used to be cheap and might still be: http://www.thelastresort.com/
Will Check it out, thanks
That URL is dead? Googling.
Weird…works for me?
All I get is a page that says “Not Found”
OK, it works on my phone but not my computer. Very odd. Regardless, you can’t beat the price of Jenka’s cabin.
Makes it even stranger.
Still figuring it all out.
Wordle in 4 starting with SPARK, Connections in 4.
I almost rode last night, but there was weather in the area and the thought of riding in the rain didn’t appeal to me.
Watched a few more episodes of “Jack Ryan” last night. We are still having SUITS withdrawal.
-FP
Betsy and I talked about Suits last night. When the time comes that I need a new show I will give it a shot.
I have enjoyed Suits – but I’m on the last season & I’m ready for it to be over.
I think they ran it as far as they could…
Why is everyone suddenly watching Suits? I despise Meghan Markle so I probably won’t watch it.
I think it’s like the popularity of “The Office” when it was on Netflix — a little publicity starts a word of mouth groundswell.
Perfect Connections
Mini Crossword in 58 seconds
From cyclingnews.com
The opinion on social media and across the sport is that Kuss deserves to win the Vuelta, for his great performance in this year’s race and for all the vital support he has given Roglic, Vingegaard and the team over the years.
Jumbo-Visma seem to have finally accepted that and may have decided to back Kuss from today. He will have to perform on the climb to the finish to merit that support for one last time on a mountain finish.
If Kuss keeps his lead today, then the road to the finish of the Vuelta is figuratively down hill.
I will believe it when I see it. I wouldn’t be surprised to see one of the other two JV riders break away today.
Hmmm, trying to see about staying in Blue Ridge for a few nights to pick apples and perhaps ride my bike. Once again I am confronted by the high cost, for me and my budget, of lodging.
North GA in the fall – PRICY!!!!
I think you should invade Jenka’s place in Ellijay.
We’ve stopped at R&A Orchards on Hwy 52 to buy apples – I’ve never wanted to go out & pick. They have a little booth where you can taste the different apples. But really – we just stop there for the apple cider donuts. JoAnna has a 2 bedroom cabin for rent just up the street, but I’m sure that is prime pricing time, I’ll look it up. (its the fees & cleaning that make it too exppensive)
Figured I’d be beating leaf change pricing… Plus I was thinking about spending a Sunday and Monday nights, so not the desired stay for most.
I’d consider camping if not for the fact that I may cycle very hard one day and would love to,shower and sleep in a real bed. This ain’t BRAG!!! LOL
Apparently I fucked up by not buying property 25 years ago. Oh yeah, I didn’t have the money…
You did buy property 25 years ago- it’s in EAV!
Yeah, I thought of that after I commented. I was going to edit to specify “in the mountains” but then I never would have earned enough money to live up there.
You city folk who didn’t grow up on a farm. Apple picking is just a chore you do in the fall, not a “fun activity.” See also: zoos.
You’re welcome to stay at my cabin, Paulie! Someone else is using it 29 Sept and we are using it 6-9 Oct, but otherwise it’s open. Full disclosure, it’s at least a half hour from Blue Ridge.
Leaving tomorrow for a long weekend in NYC to celebrate Kevin’s 55th birthday. His actual birthday is the 25th, but we can’t go away that weekend due to work commitments. Going to see Sweeney Todd on Saturday and a Mets game on Sunday.
You? A Mets game? MIND BLOWN! 😀
I’m a secondary Mets fan. I lived in New York for 12 years, and I certainly couldn’t root for the fucking YANKEES. Remember I’m a Red Sox fan, not a Braves fan.
I know you are a Red Sox fan, which made me wonder why you’d go to a Mets game. Didn’t know/remember about your stint in the Big Apple.
Agreed. I didn’t specifically ask about u-pick em. I do plenty of my own harvesting in WLF, though I may not be completely against the idea. I may go and just buy some north Georgia apples on a midweek trip.
Ellijay also has an apple festival every weekend in October (or maybe Sept, you’d have to look it up). It’s quite popular.
If you like people……. of course
Which I don’t, so we generally stay away. LOL.
I went once a few years ago – that was enough
Perfect on Connections, although I admit I had no idea what the last category was.
Likewise, but at least you can hit triple and draw a walk home!
Exactly! I’ll take it!
I had an inkling what my last category was, but have to admit I could only identify three of the four – though now that I think about it I know the fourth as something from the 1970s.
Neighborhood hawk just landed on the deck railing to say “hello”.
And here it is…
Pretty bird.
And hopefully hungry as well. 😉
WOW!
Nice shot.
Neat! I love seeing them in action.
Making a concrete decluttering dent today, just loaded car with items I have been gathering for weeks. I will be visiting a Goodwill on my way to meet buddies for drinks this afternoon.
Wordle in 4 starting with CHEAT and zero mistakes in Connections.
Took Mickey over to a local barn to ride in their ring this morning. It’s the first time I’ve been back on him since our fall. No PTSD, but it’s totally different being in an arena. I’m trying to tune him back up and get him sold. Too much baggage in our relationship after 3 serious injuries, and it’s time to move on and find him a great home.
I’m so ready for cooler weather. I was drenched from riding. Granted, he made me work hard, but yuck.