We rarely need extra motivation to hike in the outdoor wonderland that is North Georgia. But if YOU want an extra hiking and a little swag, the Hike CRNRA Challenge might be just what the doctor ordered.
Operating 15 separate units along 48 miles of the Chattahoochee River in and near Cobb County , the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area includes 66 miles of trails within the park. Trails deliver on the promise of natural beauty, a wide range of challege levels, historic sites, and abundant recreational opportunities.
And what better way to explore this CRNA Hiking Challenge? Participation is simple and free. And successful completion earns a one-of-a-kind patch plus an annual membership in CRNRA.
CRNRA lists these easy steps and a website link to join the challenge:
Explore: Discover each and every trail in your local national park for your 2026 hiking challenge. The best part? There’s no time limit!
Complete The Challenge: Hike all 66 miles at your own pace! Download CRNRA park unit trail maps and completion forms via our website.
Submit Your Hikes: Once you’ve hiked all trails, submit your hiking challenge summary completion form via email, snail mail, or our online form.
Get Rewarded for Hiking: As a symbol of your achievement, you’ll receive a Hike CRNRA patch and an annual membership to CNPC!
Perhaps we’ll see you on the trails as our family just signed up!
And, if you’re hesitant to start this hiking challenge during the winter months, don’t worry. Check out this post on the reasons we LOVE winter hiking in Georgia.
Since moving to Georgia in 2016, we promised ourselves that we would make time one fall to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. We didn’t officially make it a bucket list item, but in retrospect, we should have.
Finally, after years of scheduling conflicts, COVID interruptions and other excuses, we headed northeast from our home in Marietta to travel the legendary parkway. First, though, we ventured along the Atlantic coast for a few stops, ending the northward journey in Williamsburg, VA. After enjoying the historical attractions for a few days, we left our resort on a crisp October fall morning for the first leg of our parkway journey.
Before our Parkway journey, we headed up the Atlantic coast for a few days of historic tourism near Williamsburg and surrounding Virginia.
First traveling west on Interstate 64, we joined the parkway at its northern terminus at Mile 0, Rockfish Gap near Waynesboro, Virginia. Here, to the north, the parkway also connects with the Skyline Drive, which winds 105 miles (169 km) through Shenandoah National Park. That’s an adventure we left for another trip.
We started our Parkway route heading South, departing from the northern-most point near Wayneboro, VA. We enjoyed much of our weekday journey without traffic.
In an unusual move, we hadn’t planned our journey. Well, to be accurate, we hadn’t planned the details of the southbound drive on the parkway. We did have reservations at two points along the southward route. But we had simply left the days open on our calendar for driving. In retrospect, we wished we’d done a bit more planning so we could have best optimized our time for hiking, exploring and stopping along the way.
From here, rather than try to describe the trip with words, we’ll let our photos (and captions) do the heavy lifting.
Parkway Day One
Our Day One journey stretched from Mile Zero near Waynesboro, VA, to milepost 120 at Mill Mountain Parkway in Roanoke, VA.
Lesson One: Consider the distance AND the elevation gain. The short trail at Humpback Rocks was indeed short. But, that elevation gain and the rocky footing proved challenging.
We caught our breath after conquering the 700-ft elevation gain at Humpback Rocks. We were pleased with the view and our effort.
At Crabtree Falls, more climbing and descending. We decided that viewing a few of the small falls was good enough, and didn’t hike the full 3 mile round trip. Thus, our lesson two: pace yourself.
Day 1, Lesson 3: Overlooks are overwhelming. With approximately 280 “official” pull-outs, scenery is plentiful. So, pull-over when you want, but don’t feel obligated to stop everywhere. This, from Raven’s Roost.
Day Two
Departing Roanoke after a hearty breakfast and picking up some sandwiches for lunch, our day two drive took us onward to Boone, NC.
We started the day in Roanoke, where elevations reached over 2000 feet. As we traveled South toward North Carolina, we gained elevations and began seeing true fall colors.
Mabry Mill near Meadows of Dan, VA, offered a picturesque setting and a nice, short walk for stretching our legs.
At Groundhog Hills, we found a shaded picnic table and enjoyed the lunch we purchased before departing Roanoke.
Later in the afternoon, we stopped at the Blue Ridge Music Center, enjoying the stylings of locals Scott Freeman and Willard Gayheart. Afterwards, we took a short hike through the surrounding forest.
Day Three
From Boone to Ashville, NC, we climbed to and crossed over the highest elevations on the Parkway. And the fall colors were on full display all along the way.
First stop of the day at Cone Manor, where we enjoyed a home tour then a walk-about around the grounds.
Scenic Price Lake was surrounded by beautiful fall color. We watched — an envied — kayakers paddling the perimeter.
On a Friday, the crowds started to build as we hiked to Linville Falls.
Looking down into the canyon at Linville Falls.
Overlooks, overlooks and more overlooks . . . we stopped at and enjoyed many. By Friday afternoon, many of the pull-overs reached capacity.
Among our most colorful stops: Laurel Knob Overlook.
With pull-outs and parking full on a late Friday afternoon, our last scenic stop was at Craggy Gardens. Then, we enjoyed the scenic drive, then nightfall, as we drove to Ashville.
Parkway Day Four
We awoke to clouds and a light drizzle in Asheville. But the weather began clearing after breakfast, as we drove the final leg of the Parkway to the Smokey Mountain National Park.
After we began Saturday morning in Asheville, we rejoined the Parkway for the final leg.
Fog filled some of the nearby valleys. As we twisted and turned on our Saturday morning drive, we transitioned frequently from sunshine to misty fog.
One of our few detours off the actual parkway, we visited Looking Glass Falls on what turned out to be a worthwhile detour.
Sliding Rock in the Pisgah National Forest is a popular recreation spot in summer. We found it nearly deserted on a cool October Saturday morning.
While the day changed from sunny to partly cloudy and back several times, the bright colors continued as we neared the end of our 400+ mile journey.
Speed limit along the Parkway is 35 mph. And while its possible to travel faster, the scenery and the spiral curves discourage higher speeds — as do ticket-writing Park Rangers.
With approximately 30 miles to go, Steestachee Bald was one of our final pull-outs. And over more than 400 miles of Parkway travel, this one was a spectacular as each.
Final Notes
We completed the drive over four days. But frankly, depending on your interest, stops and activities, you could easily make driving the Parkway a 12 to 14 day trip. No matter how long you take or when you do it, though, hotel reservations are highly recommended. For most, you’ll drive to towns and cities located just off the Parkway, as we did in Roanoke, Boone and Asheville.
We also recommend filling a cooler with ice, carrying lots of water, and packing or purchasing picnic lunches. You’ll want to do all that before you start your day on the trail.
Finally, if you’re planning to walk or hike, we highly recommend a good pair of hiking boots, hiking poles, lots of bug repellent, bear spray, a whistle and a generous supply of that water you packed.
We’re already making our list and checking it twice, but not for Jolly Old St. Nicolas. Instead, we’re putting together our fall “must hike” list in Northwest Georgia.
Our “must hike” list considers gazing on the natural beauty of Georgia’s fall colors, and also trekking some of the trails that we like but are just more fun in cool weather with fewer buzzing and slithering “friends” joining us in nature.
We love Cloudland Canyon in all seasons. But it makes our fall must hike list based on the beauty of Georgia’s spectacular fall foliage.
The “must hike” list is in no particular order, and it’s purely our own opinions based on personal experiences. That means we’ve hiked all these, and NOT relied on some social media or AI recommendations. Plus, we’ve added a few notes about certain conditions which might optimize your trail experiences on these “must hike” trails.
Cloudland Canyon State Park. For us, this the grand daddy of them all. Consistently rated among the country’s most scenic state parks, Cloudland offers spectacular canyon and hillside vistas filled with glorious fall colors. Best of all, a short walk along the flat Rim Trail exposes the best of those views. Down in the canyon, multiple waterfalls await, with walkways and lookouts surrounded by a kaleidoscope of color. Hiking down into the canyon is best after rain, when the waterfalls have been replenished by local runoff.
At Cloudland, you don’t have to journey further than the rim. But, in the canyon, multiple waterfalls await, with walkways and lookouts surrounded by a kaleidoscope of color.
Palisades East, Chattahoochee NRA. This walk winds from a small parking lot, up and down a few hills, and along side the Chattahoochee River. At the river, you’ll often hear, then see, a variety of waterfowl, plus beautiful views of the rapids and colorful hillsides. From a hillside viewing platform on the Whitewater Creek trail, you can gaze down on the Devil’s Race Course Shoals hundreds of feet below in the Chattahoochee. This hike is better in dry weather, if you want to walk the riverside trail.
We usually hear the ducks and geese on the Chattahoochee long before we spot them at Palisades NRA.
Fort Mountain State Park. With the curious stone “fort” surrounding the area, Fort Mountain offers both history and mystery. A flat walk on the Lake Trail offers great views and an easy outing. The Cool Springs overlook also is an easy walk from the main road. Our favorite fall hike combines the Stone Wall, Stone Tower and West Overlook Trails. We try to reach the park on clear days, when the valley fog is lifting to reveal the expansive views.
The curious and mysterious wall isn’t the only attraction at Fort Mountain. Our favorite hikes include trekking to the fire tower, strolling the lakeside trail, and taking in one or more of the scenic vistas.
Sloppy Floyd State Park. Tall, colorful trees line the two lakes which are the center points of this park. The best-known hike is the gentle hillside climb to an abandoned marble mine. After rains, a small waterfall flows over the mine opening. A wood walkway offers behind-the-falls views. So, we try to time visits here after a rain. We also like continuing up the Marble Mine trail beyond the mine. There, we join the ridgeline traverse of the Pinhoti Trail, before continuing down the Jenkins Gap Trail back to the main park. For flatlanders, the Lower Lake Loop trail offers a more scenic and less challenging stroll.
You’ll get a “backstage” view of a waterfall at Sloppy Floyd State Park. We usually continue up to the Pinhoti trail, then back down to the lakeside trails.
Red Top Mountain. Don’t be put off by the word mountain, as most trails here remain relatively flat. We enjoy both the Homestead Trail and the Iron Hill Trails for gentle walks through the woods and lakeside views. But beware that Iron Hill is shared with mountain bikes. So if you prefer a pure walking trail, Homestead is best. There, look trailside for some of the abandoned homesteads which give the trail its name.
Don’t be frightened by the “mountain” in this park’s name. The Homestead Trail and Iron Hill trail deliver on gentle walks through the woods, with lakeside views.
Duke’s Creek. This one is slightly outside our “Northwest” tag, We like visiting Duke’s Creek in the late fall because the full length of the waterfall cascades down the hillside without leaves blocking the view. Still, there’s plenty of color left along the one-mile hike from the parking area to the main falls. For those who just want to see the falls, they are visible from an outlook near the parking lot. But for a close-up, bring your binoculars or a long-zoom camera.
You can see the falls at a distance from a parking lot observation platform. But when you hike down in the fall (left), you’ll see a much better view than in the summer (right).
Genealogy research can be a tedious and tiring activity. But I find motivation and delight in digging through old records and searches for Landeche lineage.
Tracing my Landeche lineage is an adventure back to lost times, discovering small facts found along the way. With the slimmest of details, I enjoy creating vivid images in my mind of those long-ago times and scenes. Now, I’ve been able to use the power of AI to bring those Landeche lineage images to life. How?
First, I’ve taken historical snippets found in published accounts of real figures with the surname of Landeche. Now, I haven’t found any real links to these figures and our historical family tree (yet!). Thus, I’m not saying these figures actually are related to the Landeche family. But, they do share our surname or have a title that incorporates that name.
Next, I used whatever information was available in the original citation to set the historical period and location. Then, I researched locations, attempting to find contemporary images along with historical depictions. As the penultimate step, I created detailed prompts for ChatGPT. That’s when I direct it to use all the specific information plus any additional details depicting the Landeche lineage. And finally, with the original image created, I provided some “finishing touches” instructions to make the images more realistic.
So in that spirit, here are a few fun facts that I found wandering the lost pathways of Landeche lineage. I’ve included links to the original, true historical references. That’s for those history and genealogy nerds like me who enjoy this stuff.
And, with the exception of the San Felipe crucifixions in Japan, the stories are accompanied by the AI-generated images.
1212. Prepared Pilgram, Austria
Herbord of Landeche, founding annual memorial at Heiligenkreuz Abbey—one manor and vineyard for flour, wine, and fish on the Annunciation vigil.
At the Cistercian Abbey of Heiligenkreuz in Austria, Herbord of Landeche, plans a pilgrimage to Spain. Whether out of caution or guilt, he visits the Cistercian Abbey before departing to take care of one last detail. There, he certifies an anniversary for himself, his wife, and his ancestors at the Abbey of the Holy Cross. And he confirms and increases his previous donations. (Sort of like Middle Age travel insurance.) Following is text of that statement, found in abbey archives, and translated from the original Latin:
“Let it be known to all present and future faithful of Christ that I, Herbord of Landeche, for the reparation of my soul and that of my wife and of all my ancestors’ brothers who serve God in the Holy Cross, freely and absolutely acquired one manor in Diepoldesdorf and one vineyard located in der Einoede during the time of Lord Halnric, Abbot of the Holy Cross, on the condition that the same brothers and all their successors be served with flour, wine and good fish annually without any excuse at all on the vigil of the Annunciation of the Lord, at all times during which the cloister itself shall last, and that each year my messenger and that of my descendants be present on that day to see if this is done.”
1316. The Count’s Witness, Germany
Cunradus of Landeche was a notable presence in early 14th-century Thuringian circles, bearing witness to significant transfers of land to Count Berthold of Henneberg.
During the feudal period around 1317, the city of Schleusingen (in present day Germany) served as a regional political and administrative seat of the Counts of Henneberg-Schleusingen. Count Berthold VII controlled extensive estates from Schleusingen and he gained princely status.
To gain protection and support of the powerful count, local landowners often pledged “fiefs,” contracts granting the count rights to use and benefit from the land in return for protection and support. Thus, in March 1316, Cunradus of Landeche served as a witness to two of these transactions.
In one of the transactions, locals pledged an estate of 780 acres to the count. In the other, owners transferred a vineyard of approximately 1.5 acres (two morgen) plus additional rent.
Cunradus of Landeche served as a witness to both transactions. But he was not one of those pledging the fief. Thus, it’s likely he was a member of the court or an administrative bureaucrat working for Count Berthod VII. Exploring further, I found that “Cunradus” is the “Latinized” personal name Conrad. “De Landeche” designates him as “of Landeche,” which in middle Dutch and German, probably meant lord or noble resident and controller of the “Landeche” estate or manorial jurisdiction.
1498. The Landeche Lineage, Spain
Landetxo-Goikoa, one of Bizkaia’s oldest baserri farmhouses (c.1510), stands at the forest’s edge as family farmers till the garden—an enduring tradition of Basque rural life rooted in stone, timber, and tradition.
There is substantial reason to believe that our “French” Landeche family actually originated in Spain, and specifically in the Basque country in Northern Spain. I’m a subscriber to that theory, but I’ve not found (yet) a definitive link between the French Landeche family and several Spanish families with similar names.
That said, a Spanish blog makes a bold claim: “All Landechos originate from Mungia or Zamudio. There were three variants of this surname: LANDAECHE- LANDECHE- LANDECHO.” The writer goes on to list a long lineage which directly addresses the surnames Landaeche and Landecho, starting in 1498. He shows a farm house in Mungia linked to the family names, using another variant, Landetxo. The name and history of the house dating back to the 1500s is validated elsewhere. But his blog never mentions anyone bearing the specific surname, Landeche.
Now, searching public family trees, I’ve found several Landeche family members listed in Mungia, dating back to the 1570s. Then, in the 1580s, actual birth and marriage records for the Landeche surname appear in Spanish Archive listings from Catholic churches. Specifically, on March 29, 1588, the first baptism of a Landeche occurred in Spain. According to those records, Maria de Landeche was baptized at St. Anthony the Great Catholic Church in Bilboa by parents Nicolas de Landeche and Mariochoa de ARRIETA.
1559 – Governor of Guatemala
Juan Martinez de Landecho fled Guatemala around 1565, after he was jailed for “excesses” during his term as president-governor of the Spanish colony. He either perished at sea while fleeing, or died in Panama while traveling to Lima, Peru, for a new post.
Juan Martínez (Núñez) de Landecho, was a Basque jurist who rose to become the first president-governor of the Audiencia of Guatemala in the late 1550s. Most records refer to him as Juan Núñez de Landecho, though Basque and some scholarly notes use Juan Martínez de Landecho, reflecting early-modern naming fluidity which is problematic in genealogy. He was almost certainly of Vizcayan origin, “from the Goikolandecho farmhouse” near Mungia in Biscay (which is included in the prior story). He took office in Santiago de Guatemala on 2 September 1559. During his brief administration he backed an ambitious road to link the Atlantic port with the capital through Verapaz—an initiative tied by some historians to Dominican networks around Bishop Pedro de Angulo and Bartolomé de las Casas, but stalled after Angulo’s death. Surviving dispatches show him actively governing in 1562–1563, issuing orders to regional leaders such as Juan Vásquez de Coronado.
His fall came quickly. Complaints of “excesses” prompted Philip II to send Lic. Francisco Briceño as visitador by royal cédula on 30 May 1563. Briceño arrived discreetly and on 12 February 1565 placed Landecho under arrest, then dissolved the Audiencia and moved it to Panama, reshaping Central American governance. What happened next divides the sources: the classic Guatemalan chronicles (Juarros, Fuentes y Guzmán) say Landecho escaped custody, fled toward Golfo Dulce/Amatique, embarked on a small vessel, and “was never heard from again” (later retellings presume he perished at sea). By contrast, Basque scholarship (summarizing Carmelo Sáenz de Santa María) contends he continued his case in Madrid, was punished without fanfare, returned to royal service, and died in Panama en route to a new post in Lima.
Either way, his governorship—dated roughly 1559–1563/65—ended amid censure and institutional upheaval, leaving a legacy that still toggles between disappearance at sea and a quieter epilogue in royal service.
1596. Shipwrecked and Threatened, Japan
After an officer of Captain Matias de Landecho suggested that the Spanish used missionaries to precede invasions, 26 Catholics were crucified in Nagasaki in what became known as “The San Felipe Incident.”This image is not AI generated.
On October 19, 1596, the Manila galleon San Felipe limped toward the coast of Japan after surviving multiple typhoons in the Pacific Ocean. The San Felipe was wrecked on a sandbar off the coast of Shikoku, Japan.. Onboard, the Spanish crew harbored a treasure valued at 600,000 pesos. While converting that to current value is tricky, one estimate by AI source Perplexity.com sets it in the neighborhood of $60 to $120 MILLION US dollars. No matter how you calculate it, that’s a rich neighborhood!
The captain, Matias de Landecho (a Spanish variant of Landeche, and also listed as “Landeche” in some accounts) and his crew were held by a regional Japanese war lord. Landecho sent two of his officers to meet with Japanese leader Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Unfortunately, one of Landecho’s officers suggested that the Spanish often “softened up” remote countries for invasion by sending in Christian missionaries.
As a result, Hideyoshi ordered the crucifixion of 26 Christians in Nagasaki. Later, Captain Landecho tried to reclaim San Felipe’s cargo. Advisors hinted Hideyoshi might treat him as a pirate and execute him. But, he was granted his life and allowed to leave Japan with the crew and passengers of San Felipe. After his safe departure from Japan, Captain Landecho fades into history, with no further record. The entire event became known as the San Felipe incident, and is a major historical event in the history of the Catholic Church in Japan.
1686. Spanish Privateer, CaribbeanSea
Captain Martin Perez de Landeche commanded one of the Biscayan privateer ships commissioned in 1686 by the Spanish for deployment in the Caribbean.
Seeking to combat smugglers and pirates in the New World, the Spanish crown authorized the creation of a private naval force for deployment from Spanish Basque country to the Caribbean. The squadron consisted of five ships and nearly 600 men sailing under the Biscayan flag. Departing from San Sebastian to the Canary Islands. Captain Martin Perez de Landeche commanded one of the ships, when saw first action off Cape Verde near West Africa.
The small force continued to the Caribbean, where it plundered the 100-ton English sloop, Relief, then the Bermuda sloop, Speedwell. The squadron stopped at Veracruz, Mexico in late 1687. Then, in early 1688, it departed for additional privateer raids on behalf of the Spanish crown. Unfortunately for us, there are no further historical mentions of Captain Martin Perez de Landeche.
1705. Captain, Admiral, Governor, Santo Domingo
Captain Antonio de Landeche sailed the Rosario to Pensacola Bay to resupply Spanish fortifications. Unfortunately, a hurricane struck days later, destroying his ship and nearly sinking his career, too.
Another seafaring Landeche, Captain Antonio de Landeche, sailed his way into history’s records at Santa Rosa Island in Pensacola Bay, Florida. There, in September 1705, Captain Landeche anchored his 44-gun Spanish frigate, Rosario, to unload supplies for Spanish fortifications in the area. But on Sept. 4-5, a hurricane struck the area, wrecking the Rosario. Captain Landeche and many of his crew survived. Returning to Mexico, Landeche was investigated for negligence in the incident. But a royal inquiry commended his performance, describing him as “meritorious… deserving the pious attention of Your Majesty for his advancement.”
He was later promoted to Admiral, then twice appointed to serve as Governor and Captain-General of Santo Domingo (the Spanish colony on the island of Hispaniola). His first term was 1714-1715, then he was reappointed when his successor became too sick to serve.
1700-1800. Our Global Presence
To date, my true genealogical research efforts have focused on our French ancestors. Occasionally, I’ve undertaken casual explorations of likely Spanish connections. But in doing a broader name search of the time period 1200 to 1800, the Landeche surname and its variants surprisingly popped up around the globe. Beyond the ones mentioned previously, I’ve found Landeche and variants like Landecho dating from the 1600s to the 1800s in locations including Mexico, Peru and the Philippines.
Depending on where you live in Georgia, you’re likely already seeing the advertising. NO, I’m not talking about ads for the upcoming Georgia political races — because I’m already tired of those!
Rather, these ads are for the Georgia State fair. But don’t be confused if you see similar-sounding promotions for events in different parts of the state. That’s because Georgia is home to five major fair events that often are confused based on their names, and all deliver traditional state fair fun.
For many Georgians, there’s nothing better than an evening at one of the state’s five “state” fairs.
Fall is prime time for all five of the Georgia big state fair events, each featuring lots of entertainment, carnival games and rides and that (in)famous state fair food selection. Each state fair is a separate entity, and they are each set in different parts of the state.
Find a Fair
So when and where can you find a Georgia “state fair?” Here’s the 2025 list:
North Georgia State Fair in Marietta opens the fall fair season, running September 18 – 28, at Jim R. Miller Park.
South Georgia State Fair, celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2025, runs Oct. 23 to Nov. 2 in Savannah.
Regardless of the time and location, these huge events are fan favorites, with Georgians traveling long distances to sample the farm displays, frivolity and fun. And of course, each fair features some unique food that attendees can’t stop praising in their pictures and posts.
A variety of carnival rides delight young and old. And the temporary nature of the fair adds to the thrill.
At the North Georgia State Fair in Marietta, long-standing favorites include as roasted corn on the cob (served by Boy Scout Troop 757 for decades) and lemonade (noted for being “round, robust, and sweet”). And a Thrillist report includes outrageous must-tries that included The Bird Dog (chicken fingers + nacho cheese + bacon in a hot-dog bun), the Waffle Dog (hot-dog enrobed in waffle batter), and Fried Kool-Aid hush puppies.
For fairgoers at the Georgia State Fair in Hampton, fried foods are the fantastic favorites, according to a Reddit thread of fair-going experiences. Those include fried peanuts in the shell, fried turkey legs, and fried Snickers.
If it’s fried or pie, you’ll find it at the State Fair. And the Georgian National Fair features a “Fair Food Fight” where vendors compete for top state fair food honors.
Taking it to a different level, the Georgia National Fair included in 2024 a “Fair Food Fight,” in which food vendors competed to be named among the fair favorites in savory and sweet categories. Emerging as the savory winner was Gillette’s Pizza’s “When Pickled Pigs Fly,” featuring pickles, ranch, mozzarella, and bacon. The Sweet Winner was Polar Bear Ice Cream, with a S’More Magic Ice Cream Sandwich, a decadent treat with chocolate-covered graham crackers, ice cream, marshmallow, and drizzle.
And not to be outdone, popular items at the Georgia-Carolina State Fair in 2024 included Korean Corn Dogs (“K-Dogs”) — hot dogs and mozzarella on a stick, dipped in donut batter, deep-fried, then rolled in creative toppings like Takis, hot-Cheeto dust, or fried potato cubes — and deep-fried cannoli on a stick.
Many of Georgia’s state fairs feature farm animal displays and contests. You might find yourself chasing a greased pig, it that speaks to you. Or not.
Now, before you head to any of the fairs for the foods described, remember those were offered in 2024. And while we expect most of the famous favorites to return, foods and vendors change each year.
When planning for a 47 day European trip, I faced the classic traveler’s dilemma: what should I pack? As an experienced business traveler, I previously had packed in a carry-on for a 2 week European work trip. But six weeks on a vacation trip that included French open tennis, the Tour de France, city touring in major Euro centers, biking, hiking and a river cruise raised lots of questions.
Part of my solution: convertible hiking pants as my primary bottoms. For the unfamiliar, convertible hiking pants are clever zip-off trousers that quickly transform into shorts. Convertible hiking pants are essentially two garments in one. With just a quick zip, you can adjust to changing temperatures, activity levels, or dress codes. As long pants, they dress up or down, while guarding against chill, sun, or brush. For heat and casual use, just zip them off at the knees for outdoor activities or casual urban settings.
I wore by convertible hiking pants everywhere in Europe, from sporting events, to vineyard tours, to the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles and event dinner on our river cruise.
Beyond their versatility, these pants are usually made from lightweight, quick-drying, and breathable materials. That’s ideal for packing light and staying comfortable. Key features to look for include UV protection and moisture-wicking fabrics. Water-repellent coatings make them especially useful for travel in unpredictable weather. Multiple zippered pockets add convenience and security for carrying essentials like passports, maps, or snacks.
Trouser Timidity
I’ll admit that I was a bit nervous with my choice. But they turned out to be perfect for traveling. Whether navigating airport security, trekking through parks, gardens and vineyards, or exploring cobblestone streets in European cities, these convertible hiking pants delivered flexibility, comfort, and practicality that few other clothing items can match. I even wore them to dinner on casual evenings on our upscale river cruise.
The zip-off legs offered me the versatility of easily choosing between shorts for hotter, outdoor activities or long pants for other events.
For my travel, I selected convertible hiking pants from LL Bean and Columbia. At 6-5, fit was a challenge, but LL Bean offered a 36″ length that worked perfectly. And much to my surprise, the standard “off the rack” length that I found in a Columbia outlet store were plenty long enough as trousers, too. You’ll find lots of other brands, too, with a simple Amazon or Google search.
My Choice
Frankly, while priced higher, I preferred the LL Bean choice, which currently sell for $89. Those included two zippered back pockets, two zippered cargo pockets on the legs, and deep front inside pockets. Those were key security and convenience features, especially in European cities where pick-pockets were prevalent. And zipper-closed back pockets stopped my phone from slipping out on tour buses and trains. The LL Bean choice proved to be more water resistant, too, easily shedding a light rain and stray drops missed by my umbrella on stormy days.
I preferred the LL Bean Pants, which offered deeper front pockets, zipper closures on four additional pockets, and better water resistance.
LL Bean’s Cresta Stretch Convertible Pants for men and women feature a durable nylon-spandex blend that resists abrasion while offering excellent freedom of movement. Designed for multi-day adventures, they include articulated knees, UPF 50+ sun protection, and low-profile zip-off legs that don’t interrupt the clean lines of the pant.
The Columbia Silver Ridge convertibles cost approximately 30% less than the LL Bean version. (And I saved a few bucks more by snagging one of my three pair in a Columbia outlet store!) Columbia versions feature the Omni-Wick moisture management and Omni-Shade sun protection. Plus, a partial elastic waistband ensures a good fit.
Tangible Differences
But other differences were tangible. Front pockets on the Columbia pants were more shallow. The cargo pockets were smaller, with one having a velcro clasp while the other, smaller cargo pocket zipped. One of the shallow back pockets had a velcro clasp, but the pocket wasn’t deep enough to hold my phone. The other didn’t have a clasp.
Though they cost about 30% less, the lack of zipper closures on the Columbia pants are a definite design difference. My phone slipped out of an unsecured back pocket — which could have been a major inconvenience plus $1,000 for replacement.
And, wouldn’t you know it, my phone managed to slip out of the back pocket of my Columbia pants on a bus, but was recovered and returned within minutes by an attentive driver! That little design detail — lack of deep, secure back pockets — could have led to an unpleasant travel experience and a $1,000 extra cost for the lost phone. So I’ll gladly pay the extra 30% for the convenience, security and phone-safety of the LL Bean option.
I preferred the darker grey, navy or black colors, as they don’t show the results of minor spills.
One more personal note: I prefer darker colors over other choices. Darker colors do a better job of hiding the day-to-day dirt and grit that comes if you wear pants for multiple days, And, darker colors also help to hide some of the zippers and flaps.
For me, convertible hiking pants check every box. They reduce the need to pack separate pants and shorts. They repel rain, then dry fast. They’re comfortable from the trail, through the terminal and all points in-between. So, whether you’re jet-setting across continents or heading out for a weekend getaway, convertible hiking pants offer a blend of utility and style that’s tough to beat.
Georgia’s Tallulah Gorge consistently ranks as one of the most visited, beautiful and rugged state parks in Georgia. The Northeast Georgia natural wonder also makes several lists as one of America’s best state parks.
And on July 18, 1970, Tallulah Gorge was in the world spotlight as famed tightrope aerialist and acrobat Karl Wallenda walked the half-mile wide, 1,000-foot deep chasm. He tiptoed, stumbled and even performed handstands on a specially designed 5/8-inch-thick steel cable anchored to towers that were constructed on both sides of the gorge. An estimated 30,000 people watched in person as Wallenda walked the high cable, while millions more people watched the stunt as it was broadcast live on television around the world.
If you visit Tallulah Gorge State Park today, you’ll find the rusting hulks of the Wallenda walk towers laying near the edge of the gorge. Signage at the site provides limited information about the stunt.
If you visit Tallulah Gorge, you’ll find the rusted hulks of the two towers which held the tightrope for the Wallenda walk. Information signs provide some details about the spectacular stunt.
The World Watched
Wallenda, the patriarch of the famous Flying Wallendas, was a household name at the time, having performed death-defying stunts around the world for decades. But the Tallulah Gorge Wallenda walk rated as his most daring yet.
Scheduled for 11:00 AM EST, weather delayed the start. The wind was blowing a bit stronger than expected, and the organizers wanted to make sure that the conditions were safe for Wallenda to walk.
At noon EST, the 65-year-old daredevil stepped onto the wire. The wind was blowing at 10-15 miles per hour, with gusts up to 20 miles per hour. That wind speed was a bit stronger than Wallenda had anticipated, and he had to adjust his balance accordingly.
Wallenda completed the Tallulah Gorge tightrope walk in 18 minutes. The most harrowing moment of the walk came when Wallenda lost his balance and began to sway. He managed to regain his footing, but the incident left the crowd on edge. After recovering his balance, Wallenda performed two headstands on the narrow, swinging steel cable while suspended 750 feet above the ground.
Despite higher-than-expected winds and a shaky stumble during the Wallenda walk, Karl Wallenda performed two handstands while on the cable above the gorge. (Associated Press Photo)
Darling, Are You There?
Wearing a microphone during the feat, Wallenda narrated and joked. Addressing his wife, Helen, who refused to attend in person, Wallenda asked, “Darling, are you there? I am coming.” He added, “It’s martini time. I’d better hurry.” Apparently, Wallenda had remarked the night before the event that he wanted a martini as soon as he finished the walk.
A cheering crowd greeted Wallenda as he reached the other side. The stunt was a major success, and it helped to cement Wallenda’s reputation as one of the greatest tightrope walkers of all time.
Did Wallenda actually stumble, or was it part of his act? There’s no record of his comments on the matter, but to those watching, the stumble looked convincing.
Amazingly, this famous Wallenda walk did not earn any money for Karl Wallenda walk, according to published reports. As a world-famous personality, he could have earned a large sum for the stunt. However, he performed the daring walk as a publicity stunt for the town of Tallulah Falls, Georgia. The town hoped that the stunt would attract tourists and boost the local economy, which, of course, it did.
Planning, Practice and Engineering
While the 18-minute walk captivated attendees and millions who watched on live television, the event required extensive planning, practice and special engineering.
Organizers designed and built two concrete and steel towers to hold the tightrope, and anchored them into the rocky cliffsides high above the plunging gorge. The stunt required a customized cable. Made of high-strength steel, the cable had to withstand the weight of Wallenda and the wind.
Manufactured by the American Steel and Wire Company, the cable weighed over 1,000 pounds. Once across the gorge, the cable was was stretched to a tension of 20,000 pounds. And while stable footing was essential to Wallenda, the cable was lubricated with a mixture of beeswax and tallow to prevent rusting during it’s time exposed to Georgia’s weather.
Wallenda practiced for days on a shorter cable before his July 18 walk. The spectacle was an engineering marvel as well as an incredible display of showmanship. (Georgia State Parks Photo)
For days prior, Wallenda rehearsed his walk in on a shorter cable in the Georgia summer weather conditions. On the day of the walk, he personally inspected the cable and monitored the weather conditions before starting the stunt.
International Media Coverage
The Tallulah Gorge walk was a major media event, with coverage in newspapers, magazines, and on television around the world. The New York Times ran a front-page story about the stunt, and ABC News broadcast it live.
There are several videos of Karl Wallenda’s tightrope walk over Tallulah Gorge available online. One of the most popular videos is a clip from ABC News that shows the entire stunt. The video has been viewed over 1 million times on YouTube. This one includes pre-walk footage and the full walk. Wallenda does his first headstand at approximately 44:45 in the video.
The coverage helped to make Wallenda a household name, and it inspired a new generation of daredevils. His great-grandson, Nik Wallenda, has continued the family tradition of tightrope walking, and he has performed some of the most daring stunts in history.
Karl Wallenda’s Career
Karl Wallenda was born in Germany in 1901. He began his career as a tightrope walker at the age of 14, and he quickly became one of the most acclaimed performers in the world. He performed all over the globe, recognized for his daring stunts and his showmanship.
Wallenda’s career was not without its setbacks and tragedy. Himself injured several times, he witnessed family members die and suffer severe injury while performing their family tightrope act. On January 30, 1962, at the Shrine Circus in Detroit, Michigan, the Flying Wallendas were performing their signature seven-person pyramid stunt. Something went wrong as the pyramid was nearing completion. Dieter Schepp, a Wallenda nephew, was on the top. He lost his balance and fell. The other six performers fell with him, and Schepp died instantly. Wallenda’s son Mario was paralyzed from the waist down.
The Flying Wallendas perform their seven-person pyramid stunt on the highwire in this undated photo.
The fall was a tragedy for the Wallenda family, and it had a profound impact on Karl Wallenda. Deeply shaken, he considered retiring from tightrope walking. However, he eventually decided to continue performing.
A Fatal Fall
Karl Wallenda’s career and life ended in a fatal fall on March 22, 1978, at the Condado Plaza Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was attempting to walk a tightrope between two towers of the hotel when he lost his balance and fell to his death. Wallenda was 73 years old at the time of his death.
The fall was a shock to the world, and it was a major loss for the tightrope walking community. ABC News carried this report on the accident. Caution: it includes footage of the fall, and also includes video and sound from the Tallulah Gorge walk. Wallenda was considered one of the greatest tightrope walkers of all time, and his death was a reminder of the dangers of the sport.
Will A Wallenda Return to Tallulah?
As previously mentioned, Karl Wallenda’s great grandson, Nik Wallenda, still performs highwire stunts. Back in 2015, Nik planned to reenact Karl Wallenda’s feat at Tallulah Gorge. And, like the true show biz family member, he announced he would up the ante. Nik planned to use television graphics technology that would put his great grandfather on the tightrope simultaneously, and the two would complete the feat in sync. The technology had been used in the Winter Olympics, and similar editing allowed singers of different generations to “perform together” in videos.
But, the walk was cancelled a few months after the stunt was announced. Nik Wallenda stated that the TV technology wasn’t quite good enough, so he would postpone the stunt. In 2025, we’re still waiting for a reschedule.
Approximately the same age as Karl Wallenda when I first visited Tallulah Gorge, I held onto the rails while crossing the wide suspension bridge!
In our 20+ years of cruising, we’ve sailed into and out of lots of ports. That includes the Caribbean, Alaska, New England, Canada, North Europe, the British Isles, the Mediterranean and Asia. But of them all, none beat the splendor and awe we felt departing and arriving into New York harbor.
Of all the port arrivals and departures we’ve experienced, none have topped the thrill and pride we felt in New York harbor.
For all the negative press the city receives, we’ve never heard anyone complain about sailing New York harbor. Perhaps the last disgruntled cruisers at New York harbor were the British sailors arriving in a June 1776. They arrived aboard a 45-ship armada that anchored in Lower New York Bay. And they likely were even more sour when they departed. That was November 1783, when the last of the British militia and loyalists were ordered to evacuate New York City.
On our sail-out, Lady Liberty’s face was a shadow. The entire deck of the Enchanted Princess was lined with people taking this same photo.
Highlights of our late afternoon departure included passing Lady Liberty in the late afternoon, watching the New York Skyline fade away off our bow, and finally sailing under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge.
We captured a time sequence of our sail out, and created this video.
No questions, our sail out of the harbor was spectacular. But I was more thrilled that I arose early on our return and watched our sunrise arrival into the harbor. And I’ll even admit that I may have wiped tears from my eyes as we sailed past Lady Liberty.
By Dawn’s Early Light
By dawn’s early light, the majestic Statue of Liberty welcomed us into New York harbor, as she has with countless arriving immigrants and travelers since her dedication in 1886. We docked at the cruise terminal in Brooklyn. There, we looked across Governor’s Island to see those broad stripes and bright stars gallantly streaming. And while the National Anthem may have been written by Francis Scott Key to describe the flag flying over Fort McHenry in Baltimore after a battle, we certainly could channel some of those patriotic feelings as we entered New York harbor with the twinkling backdrop of the Manhattan skyline.
I arose early on our arrival morning, waiting on deck to sail by the lighted Statue of Liberty. Perhaps it was the wind or maybe something else, but I will admit to having tears in my eyes.
More Enchanted New York Harbor
Following are a few more of our favorite photos from our departure and arrival into New York harbor on the Enchanted Princess. But there’s more, too. Keep scrolling past these photos.
Passing beneath the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge, departing NYC
The full span of the Verrazzano Narrows bridges, with NYC at the right.
Sailing in just before dawn, we were treated to a brilliantly-lit Manhattan skyline on a clear morning.
We arrived at our Brooklyn dock as an orange sky appeared, the ship’s outdoor screen offering a welcome.
At our Brooklyn dock, we watched water traffic pass before Governor’s Island and the NYC Skyline before leaving the Enchanted Princess.
Plus, The Staten Island Ferry
On our final evening in the Big Apple, we headed back to the harbor, this time for a cruise on the Staten Island Ferry. It’s an iconic and free trip, departing from the tip of Manhattan, sailing past Lady Liberty, and then returning again.
On our final evening, we headed to the tip of Manhattan and the Staten Island Ferry Terminal for an iconic New York Harbor Experience.On our outbound trip, we were treated to an incredible pre-sunset, as a red-stained sky popped out from behind the low clouds — just as we passed Lady Liberty.The NYPD harbor police sailed alongside our outbound ferry, as the inbound ferry passed by on its return to Manhattan.On our return trip to Manhattan, we passed the outbound Norwegian Breakaway cruise ship as it departed NYC for a New England and Canadian cruise.
(Originally Published May 2022. Updated: April 2025)
It’s Saturday morning and a group of approximately 30 people are gathering in the parking lot of a public park near Woodstock, GA, north of Atlanta. As they pull gear from car trunks and truck beds, muddy boots and tall waders drop on the asphalt. Shovel handles bounce off the hard surface. It quickly becomes clear that these are not members of area softball teams meeting up for a friendly game.
These are gold seekers, members of the Allatoona Gold Panners setting out for a day of panning in a local creek located on public lands managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Over the next few hours, they hope to find golden flakes or small nuggets hidden in the creek, once one of Georgia’s gold rich mining areas. While the discovered veins were exhausted in the early 1800s, this eclectic group of determined hobbyists, professional geologists, curious first-timers and experienced panners WILL find placer gold. The only questions are who will find it first, and how much will be recovered before they leave.
An eclectic group of determined hobbyists, professional geologists, curious first-timers and experienced panners WILL find gold. The only questions are who will find it first, and how much will be recovered before they leave.
A Family Legacy
Walking on a winding wooded trail following the creek, experienced gold hunters share tidbits with the newcomers. Robert, who began tagging along with his dad more than 30 years ago, drops to the back with four slower walkers. Robert says he’s out in the streams every weekend, “Unless it’s really cold.”
He remembers days when he and his dad picked up small nuggets from the creek beds with their bare hands. Now, he explains, finding nuggets is rare. “It’s not likely you’ll get a big score on any one trip. But if you keep at it, the gold adds up over time,” he says.
As we approach a bridge, Robert points right. “There’s an old mine right there. They covered up the opening, and built a house right above it.”
Even if Robert’s mine-shaft knowledge isn’t spot on, one thing is certain. We’re in the general area where multiple gold mines operated in the midst of the Georgia Gold Rush. Shafts were dug and blasted into bedrock, seeking gold veins hidden in the rolling hills. Stream beds, their banks and the surrounding hills were dug out by hand by prospectors drawn to this area.
Today, that kind of mining isn’t allowed on public property managed by the Corps. Instead, this group of intrepid gold hunters carries only shovels and gold pans, closely following the gold hunting guidelines for public lands.
Hiking in on public property, this group of intrepid gold hunters carries only shovels and gold pans, closely following the gold hunting guidelines for public lands.
After hiking approximately .75 miles, the group stops for a brief huddle. Steve, the organizer of today’s event, confirms we’ve reached the designated location and tells they group they can commence their searches.
Several of the experienced panners climb down into the stream, walk a hundred yards further and start their solo efforts. A few of the newcomers stick with Steve, who has brought along extra gear for them to use. He offers a few practical tips, does a quick panning demonstration, then watches as the newbies try their luck.
Help for the First-Timers
Two first-timers, Huan and Michael, are using equipment borrowed from Steve. They don’t have boots like the experienced panners, and stand in the swift, cold water in athletic shoes and bare feet. Michael dumps a shovel-full of bottom material into a pan.
On the third pan, Michael sees some shiny flakes in the bottom of the pan. He asks Steve’s opinion, who smiles and says, “That’s gold!’
On the third pan, Michael sees some shiny flakes. ‘That’s gold,’ confirms Steve.
Panners often wish for good luck by saying, “Heavy pans.” But this pan is too heavy — with rocks — for Huan to handle. Steve steps in, smiling, and throws out some of the large rocks. He then shows Michael and Huan how to hold the pan at a proper angle, working the water and small material to expose any gold. This pan has none, and neither does the next.
But on the third pan, Michael sees some shiny flakes in the bottom of the pan. He asks Steve’s opinion, who smiles and says, “That’s gold!’
Steve takes the pan for a minute, and gives more instruction, demonstrating how to move all the material to one side, then gently shaking the pan to move the sediment away. More gold flakes are now visible at the top of the pan.
“When you do this right, if it moves, it’s not gold,” Steve says. Michael and Huan have been panning for less than 15 minutes and they’ve found their first gold.
Watching the groups work, their posture and facial expressions often foretell their gold finding success with individual pans. Experienced panners often stop to offer advice to the newbies.
How Much Did You Find?
This same scene is repeated up and down the creek. Tom is a geologist by trade and also has several working mines in other locations. He’s ankle deep in the creek giving a family of newcomers similar instruction. John, who says he’s been hunting gold for nearly all of his 60 years, comes from a family of geologists. He’s happily offering advice when asked, which is frequently.
Watching the groups work, their posture and facial expressions often foretell their gold finding success with individual pans. And when an accumulator bottle is stuck into one of the pans, it’s a sure sign that there’s definitely gold in that pan.
After about 90 minutes, the first group member calls it a day. Several others start taking the trail back over the next hour. As a newcomer myself, I make a rookie mistake and ask several panners how much gold they’ve recovered. I’ve broken an unspoken rule, but the experienced panners let me off easy. They simply smile and reply, “We had a good day.” Or, “Enough to come back again.”
And that’s the final lesson from this group. No one here is planning to get rich. Over time, the luckiest may pay for their equipment, gasoline, a few sandwiches and maybe have a few dollars to spare. But the adventure, the thrill of finding gold and the camaraderie will bring them back again. Because there’s definitely more gold in these North Georgia streams!
How much did you find? Over time, the luckiest may pay for their equipment, gasoline, a few sandwiches and maybe have a few dollars to spare.
Many local restaurants near Marietta and around Cobb County offer budget-friendly dining discounts to seniors. But often, those discounts aren’t listed on the menu or openly promoted in the restaurants, more of an “in-the-know” deal than a general benefit.
Once you know how to look for senior dining discounts in the AARP app, you can find the best deals while traveling or near home.
There’s help available for AARP members, with the organization’s deal-finding dining database. But once again, you have to know where to look or be willing to explore in order to find these budgeting bargains before heading to your favorite restaurant. And the good news is that once you know the secrets, you can apply them for any location while visiting or traveling.
We visited the AARP website and the AARP NOW app as the first step in satisfying our hungry hankerings. After logging in with our membership credentials, we began our search of this treasure trove for treats. But on both the website and app, we were overwhelmed with information, but it wasn’t the discounts we were looking for.
Our first attempt at the restaurant selection found a list of all national chains that offer AARP dining discounts. We counted more than 20 options.
To find those, we had to click on a benefits area in the app, then selected “categories” to find restaurants. On the website, that translated to a membership and benefits tab on the top navigation area, then scrolling down the left hand navigation bar to find a restaurants option.
Even after selecting restaurants, we weren’t in the exact location. That’s because the restaurant selection presents a list of all national chains that offer AARP dining discounts. We counted more than 20 options. Some, like Auntie Anne’s, Carraba’s, Cinnabon, McAllister’s, Moe’s and Outback, offer locations in and around Cobb County.
Once again looking around the pages, we finally found an option for “Coupons for Local Restaurants.” But we were still two clicks away from our payoff.
Finally, we landed on app and web pages that feature more than 40 restaurants with real Cobb County locations, including several that were true local restaurants run by community members. And we loved some of the bargains we found.
Finally, we landed on app and web pages that feature more than 40 restaurants with real Cobb County locations.
For example, West Cobb Diner offers a 25% discount, with savings up to $25. That’s a perfect way to enjoy their huge portions, which always makes multiple meals for us in our to-go box.
Several other local places offer 10, 20 and 25% off deals, too. And while we’re not a familiar with some of them, those offers may be a great reason to try them out soon.
Plus, there are a number of BOGO-type discounts for lunch and dinner meals.
And after digging down deep into the navigation, we did find a shortcut — at least for the website. And we’ve bookmarked the site since it includes a location search function to find dining discounts from virtually any location. Check out this link for the location, and be sure to bookmark it for your future reference, too. When we tweaked the locator to include restaurants within 10 miles of Marietta, we turned up 45 locations offering senior discounts.
Our travels frequently take us to the Caribbean, where we enjoy sandy beaches, clear blue-green waters, “boat drinks,” and lots of flavorful foods. But one of our shortest, closest authentic Jamaican experiences happened on Powder Springs Street. We were heading south, of course, just outside of downtown Marietta.
That’s where we found Juicy’s Jerk. This family-run authentic Jamaican restaurant gem virtually hides in a roadside strip mall at 1115 Powder Springs St, in Marietta. But it didn’t require a week of sailing and port stops on a cruise ship. We drove to Juicy’s Jerk for a weekday lunch, where we walked in and were served with virtually no wait.
Hidden in a streetside strip mall, Juicy’s Jerk isn’t fancy. And the adjacent hookah bar wasn’t our vibe. But we’re glad we went in.
Now, I’ll admit that we almost turned and retreated to our car when we walked through the door into the dark restaurant and accompanying hookah bar. We’re really not into the hookah scene, but fortunately, we continued — hesitantly but undeterred — to the counter for ordering. The smokey aroma wafting from the outdoor smoker provided the encouragement needed, our mouths watering for the authentic Jamaican delights.
We were helped with our ordering by the friendly owners, who made a few suggestions for our midday meal. The menu is not extensive or complex, and we felt well guided by the friendly suggestions. Jerk chicken, pork, ribs and fish made up the main protein choices, supplemented by shrimp, cow foot and oxtails.
The menu was small and simple. But we appreciated the suggestions from the friendly owners and went with their recommendations.
We ordered a small jerk chicken meal and a small jerk pork meal, both served with the standard sides of rice and peas, and also with cabbage. What we got was a huge and heavy styrofoam container filled to the brim with wonderful food, each containing enough for two full meals.
Dining in, we sat alone in the dining room and dug in to the heaping servings. First, we feasted with our eyes and noses. Both the chicken and pork were slightly charred with crispy edges, a deep, mahogany-brown color from the smoking process. The jerk spices caramelized on the exterior, creating a beautifully textured crust. It was speckled with bits of fresh herbs, blackened spices, and glistening juices. Steam rising from the meats hinted at the juicy tenderness inside. The aroma was intoxicating, a smokey essence of sweetness, spices and citrus zest.
After feasting on the delightful aromas, we dug into plates of jerk pork and jerk chicken. Filled quickly, we each brought home full second meals from the leftovers.
Then we dug in. Each bite of the proteins delivered on flavor beyond the incredible promise made by the aroma. The first bites and each afterwards delivered a powerful explosion of heat, smokiness, and sweetness, followed by a lingering warmth that danced on our tongues.
The rice and peas brought the heat level down and provided a short break for our pallets before we rushed for the next bite of proteins. Despite our enthusiasm and delight, we managed to finish less than half of each “small” plate before we surrendered with full stomachs. But the great news was we were each carrying home a dinner-sized serving for another meal.
Though we hesitated because of the adjacent hookah bar, we went in as the smokey aroma wafted from the outdoor smoker.
Though we only sampled the two lunch meals, we’ll definitely return to Juicy’s Jerk. In fact, we have our eyes on some of their larger to-go offerings as a carry-home option the next time we have hungry visitors.
We’re also not the only folks impressed by this hidden gem. We checked out reviews from multiple local foodies we follow, and virtually all of them gave Juicy’s five-star reviews. Consistently, they commented both on the quality and quantity of food. And one even mentioned the same initial hesitation we felt, while also continuing in for a delightful experience.
During our lunchtime visit, the hookah bar — complete with a poster of the legendary Bob Marley and plentiful hookah pipes — remained empty.
So next time you want a Caribbean food experience in land-locked Marietta, navigate your car on down Sandy Springs St. to Juicy’s Jerk.
Our Restaurant Disclaimer: We eat where we want and what we want, and pay for our meals. And when we find a restaurant we like, we write about it. When we have a poor experience, we tell the restaurant. But we don’t do negative reviews — you just won’t read about any bad experiences on our website.
When we moved to Georgia, we set about to explore the state and learn its history. That journey has been alternatively fascinating and frustrating. We’ve occasionally faced difficulties locating succinct history resources that fit our time schedule and short attention span.
After moving near downtown Marietta, we focused more on the rich past of the city and it’s surroundings. We visited museums, walked the downtown checking historical plaques, and took self-guided walking tours found at the Visitor’s Center. Plus, we read a few books. (BTW, Stealing the General by Marietta native Russel Bonds is definitely worth reading!)
Stroll approximately 25 steps along the pedestrian-only Depot Street to get a bite-sized version of Marietta history.
Then, we accidentally discovered one of the best, most succinct history resources available about the city. And it’s literally set in concrete. Amazingly, you’ll learn basic Marietta history in 25 steps — human, walking steps. From native Americans, through the city’s establishment, rebuilding after the Civil War and all the way up to recent downtown beautification, the facts are laid out directly in front of you.
You’ll find this “history walk” at Atherton Square behind the Welcome Center. At Atherton Square, the history walk stretches between the Marietta Welcome Center at the old train depot and the Marietta History Museum in the former Kennesaw House Hotel. It’s a pedestrian-only street running from Church Street / West Park Square toward Atherton Square and the railroad tracks
Each block includes a brief description of Marietta’s history.
A total of 12 concrete blocks are inscribed with brief history, each block focusing on a single topic. You’ll spend less than 10 minutes getting a good basic history timeline of major events in Marietta.
Afterwards, just walk across Atherton Square to Cool Beans Coffee Roasters for a hot or cold pick-me-up. Or, if you’re intrigued and want to learn more, you can always pop into the Marietta History Museum. It’s one of our favorite downtown stops, featuring both permanent displays and an ever-changing array of temporary exhibits. While you’re there, ask about some of their popular history tours, including the walking tour of Marietta City Cemetery. The tours are seasonal, with very limited schedules. You’ll likely want to get information during your pop-in visit and schedule a return. Plus, the friendly teams at the Marietta Welcome Center are always ready to share tidbits of history and a full schedule of Marietta’s upcoming events and activities.
If you walk on a a Saturday, cross the railroad tracks to the Marietta Farmer’s Market. Be sure to stop at Open Heart Bakery, where we always enjoy their scones and other goodies.
Another option if you’re exploring on a Saturday: visit the Marietta Farmer’s Market. You’ll find it just across the railroad tracks starting at 9 a.m. each Saturday, year-round. Be sure to stop in and visit Jenni and (husband) at Open Heart Bakery, where we always pick up a bacon and cheddar scone and other great items.
