Long Time No Type

It's been a while since I've updated. I've been so busy traveling that I haven't really had the chance to update the blow with pictures. Here's a quick summary of what we've missed since my last post:

- I visited Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia for the first time over July 4th weekend. Saw many beautiful sights, visited a brewery and a vineyard, and managed to get to a friend's renewal of vows in Frostburg, MD. Also had some pints at Dante's in Frostburg - I highly recommend you drop by if you're ever in town!
- I then flew to California (another first) with my friend Justin. It was my first trip where someone volunteered to bring me along (since I was shipped to Ethiopia with Christen years ago). We got to see San Diego and some of the sights in Los Angeles. What a trip!
- Upon arriving back from California, I then joined a group of Clemson graduates on their Annual Beer Trip. We drove around North Carolina visiting many breweries, bars and restaurants. Needless to say, while many mornings we didn't feel the best we still had a heck of a time. Among the places I would recommend, I'd say that Raleigh was by far the best city of the trip. With places like Big Boss, LoneRider, and The Pit BBQ we had ourselves filled with pork and beer. The Highland Brewing tour in Asheville was also a trip (if you go, make sure to check out the Big Ass Fans that they have on the ceiling - they are unreal). And of course we stopped at Foothills in Winston-Salem, which has long been a favorite of mine. I'm just waiting for the day that they release a shirt for my favorite beer they make - People's Porter.

Since then, I've been preparing for my trip to Costa Rica next weekend. I'm getting very anxious for this - can't wait to share all my stories with you upon my return! Hopefully it won't take me more than a month to update next time. :)

Up until now I've posted all of my pictures both to Facebook and Google Photos. Instead of using both, I'm just going to be uploading to Facebook from here on out. So whenever you want to see pictures from my latest trips, head over to the FBook or check out my Google Map.

Well, that should be enough of an update for now. As always, safe travels!

~G4

Upcoming Trips to Maryland and California

On Friday I am heading out of town to go to Frostburg, Maryland for a family friend's renewal of vows. While en route we'll hopefully get to see some of the area, and just maybe I'll get to stop by Dante's (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/17830) for a pint or two of brew. Can't wait!

But in bigger news, one of my facebook friends has invited me to go on a trip with him! Justin and his family are apparently traveling to California for the week of July 12-18 and he will be bringing me along. We'll be going to Anaheim, San Diego, Los Angeles and Hollywood to take in all the sights and all the experiences southern California has to offer. Should be a really great time.

This is all adding up to a very busy July, as at the end of the month I also have my beer trip to North Carolina. After a mostly uneventful beginning of the year, I can honestly say I'm ready to hit the road - it's going to be a blast. :)

Safe travels!

~G4

Pictures from trip to North Carolina

So I had a blast in the mountains this past weekend! Although the Honda Civic we took to the mountains was not nearly prepared for the icy mountain roads we had to climb (we got stuck for a few hours), we managed to survive just fine. The cabin in Hot Springs was incredible, and getting to see a bunch of different towns in the mountains was incredible. I highly advise you taking a trip there if you get the chance.

Asheville was also awesome. I had the chance to try maple syrup / brown sugar / bacon ice cream at the French Broad Chocolate Lounge, and oh my it was close to life-altering. One of the most creative and tasty ice creams I have had in a while.

Also had a chance to go to The Beacon in Spartanburg, SC for the first time. You can see pictures of that in my South Carolina album on Picasa.

Other than that, I'm just back in Atlanta waiting for my trip to Montreal next week. Hope you enjoy the pictures, and as always, safe travels!

~PG

From North Carolina

Football!!

So Clemson released their football schedule today (you can see the impact on my upcoming trips list), and man is it brutal. Two soft games, the Auburn game, then we have our bye week. Then we have 9 straight weeks of games against our entire ACC schedule and South Carolina. Just brutal.

That being said, it also looks like it'll work out that I can go with some friends to see games at Oklahoma and Penn State. I've added the dates on there, although they are tentative. But if things work out I'll see PSU play Illinois, and Oklahoma go up against Texas Tech. I'm quite excited!

Anyway, nothing new to report - just going to North Carolina next weekend. Also, going to try to brew the North Carolina beer trip happening in May. Lots going on!

As always, safe travels!

~PG

Pictures from North Carolina

I finally ventured into NC for the first time, and what a trip! I got to see my first snow of this winter, stood on top of a 150ft waterfall, and had the chance to drive through some beautiful mountain scenery. For anyone who has never been to the Rainbow or Turtleback Falls in NC, they really are a must. In the summertime, you can go sliding off of Turtleback (you'll have to wait your turn in line, though) and just a few hundred yards down the Horsepasture River is Rainbow Falls. You can stand at the very top of it (as you can see in my gallery below) and just take in the roar of the falls and the beauty of the mountains. It truly is the best hike I can think of (and it's only 3 miles round trip from where you park - not too shabby).

If you're ever within 2 miles or so of Lake Toxaway, NC and need a way to kill an afternoon/day - make the trip up to Gorges State Park. It'll be well worth your while!

Next up for me is Christmas in Greenville. I just met another Clemson gnome who is about to move up to Waukesha, WI so hopefully he'll be able to share some of his adventures with us on here as well!

As always, safe travels - and happy holidays!

~PG

North Carolina

Lake Toxaway

So I'm heading up on a hike tomorrow - Lake Toxaway has received snow the past two days, and should be sunny and 30 tomorrow. Hopefully this means I'll get to see snowy mountains on the drive up! I will be sure to snap a ton of pictures to share from my first venture into NC - keep your fingers crossed that I don't get into any auto accidents!

As always, safe travels!

~PG

ACCCG

Well, I just got back from the ACC Championship Game in Florida. Had a really memorable time down there, and despite the outcome it was a very fun and entertaining game to watch (as pretty much every GT game for the past 6 years has been).

We also were selected for the Gaylor Music City Who Cares Bowl in Nashville against Kentucky. A few years ago I had the chance to go to the Who Cares Bowl in Nashville to see us play...Kentucky...and I said then what I'll say now "One of two outcomes could happen: we beat Kentucky (who cares?), or we lose to Kentucky (why'd I waste money on this?)." What'd we go out and do? Lose, because our team didn't care about playing Kentucky, which after the last two losses we've had I really feel like will happen again. If we want to have much in the way of positive momentum for next season, we don't need to just beat Kentucky - we need to slaughter them.

That being said, that doesn't mean I want to travel to see that. So I'll be watching the game from the comfort of a couch in Greer, probably working off a meal from The Beacon in Spartanburg.

Also, I've found that over Valentine's weekend I'll be going to Asheville, NC. This will be my first time going to that state, so I'm very excited (although there is a slight chance I'll go to NC over Christmas break). I'm also going to a wedding in Newberry next weekend, which should be fun - it's been a while since I've been in formal wear.

I'd go into more detail on the ACCCG (like how we should focus 99% of our recruiting in the next year on linebackers), but I really don't have the energy from all the driving I did today. So I'll leave you with a few pictures from my visit to Tampa.

As always, safe travels, and let me know about any fun trips you are going on!

~ PG

From Florida