An Old Plane, an Old Rocker and some celebrity BOOKings

Thinking back with a smile of my great trip to The Finger Lakes last month.

5/1 - I went to see a late afternoon matinee of Return of the Jedi which is back in theaters for its 40th anniversary at the Regal Theaters at Opry Mills.   Still not my favorite of the original trilogy, but I enjoyed seeing it again on the big screen.  40 years...how is that possible?  

5/2 - Well, my day to be a background extra in Holland, Michigan movie production starring Nicole Kidman finally happened today after a postponement, a flip-flopping of the new date to shoot, etc.  I had a bad feeling about this one based on these delays, and I was right to feel that way.  It was pretty much a waste of a day.  Instead of three scenes as I was originally cast for, it changed to just one as a restaurant patron.  Then my promised "moving background" role by the assistant director got tossed due to time constraints, I guess.  So, in the end, I sat around for eight-plus hours, got in zero scenes and didn't even see Nicole even though she was probably 50 feet away.   At least I got paid, fed, got free Diet Mtn Dews, and it was interesting to watch the production set up around and inside Swett's Restuarant in West Nashville (for a while, not 8 hours' worth).  Disappointing overall, but I would try again because based on my first background experience with the "George and Tammy" series that went so well, I have to think this particular production was just a mess to begin with and not typical. 

5/3 - I went to play Euchre again tonight at Prost and Riot in Mt. Juliet with my friend, Tom.  I had a ball with it last month, so why not give it another go.  The cards were not compliant tonight and my blind-draw partner and I lost three games in a row.  Oh well, the beer was good at least.  While playing I enjoyed a pint of the very good Grevensteiner Original Naturtrubes Landbier, a kellerbier from Veltins Brewery in Germany.    Next up was a decent Italian pilsner from Yazoo Brewing up in Madison.  I finished with a tasty and refreshing helles lager, the Aldersbacher Urhell from Aldersbacher Brewery in Germany. 

5/4 - I had a flight booked on the vintage Ford Tri-Motor plane here at the Lebanon Airport for this weekend, but the weather forecast is not looking great, so I was able to move my flight up to today with nice partly cloudly weather.    This 1926-built beauty is only one of a few remaining, so I felt fortunate to get to take a ride in it right around the corner from the house.  In fact, I walked to the airport which ended up being about 5 miles total since check-in was on the far end of the airport at their cool new main building.  

The take-off, ride and landing were very smooth.  And the window seat was rather comfortable actually. 

My signature hand/set early on in this $1 turbo bounty tournament today on Global was a foreshadowing of the win I got over 79 others with eight knockouts.   I turned $1 entry into $21 in profit.  Small potatoes money-wise, but that's still a 2000% ROI.  

I went to opening night of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 at the IMAX theater at the Streets of Indian Lake in Hendersonville with my pal, Toney, tonight.  Beforehand, we had dinner at the new Double Dogs in Gallatin where I had a super-smooth and flavorful nitro Bertha Oatmeal Stout from Fat Bottom Brewing here in Nashville with my tasty meal.   The movie was outstanding, but man was it dark and disturbing at times.  That sure is a HARD PG-13 there, Marvel Studios.  

5/6 - Another Bachelor Week began for me today as I took Ashlee to the airport early for her to catch a flight down to Orlando for a girls' cruise.   I decided to head up to play in a weekly poker tournament at The Triple Barrel Social Club in Franklin, Kentucky.  I guess this is legal? I've been watching them on Facebook for a while and they haven't been shut down or raided, so let's give it a whirl.  I "joined" the club for a $10 one-day membership and then I "rented a chair" for $40 to play in the $200 buy-in tournament.  Frustratingly, I finished on the bubble in fifth place with only 4 getting paid out of 16 including some rebuys.  A much smaller turnout than I was expecting, but not a bad experience overall.  I will probably go again if the chance arises. 
Probably the most interesting and valuable thing I got from today was a statement I heard an older Asian fellow sitting next to me at the final table say.  As we watched the news report of yet another mass shooting development in north Texas, he said with real sincerity that more people should play poker and learn how to deal with adversity and bad beats that they can take with them into everyday life because life is hard and will have its share of bad beats, but being a poker player seems to help to with you cope with them and forge on.  Great observation, sir! 

(Editor's note:  I relayed this bit of poker table wisdom via email to a national poker podcast I listen to called "Ante Up" and the host, Joe Scales, actually used it in his weekly final segment called "Joe's One Outers" and gave me full name credit for it.  Thanks, Joe!)

5/7 - I went to see the boxing classic film, Raging Bull with a 4K Restoration at the Belcourt Theatre today.  I've honestly never seen it before, so this seems the way to do it even though I am not the biggest Martin Scorsese film fan.  I thought the film was, again, OK at best.  Sorry, I think Marty is overrated as a director, folks. I did have a decent beer during the movie - the Cold Snap 2023 winter wheat beer from Samuel Adams Brewing (Boston). 

Afterwards, I stopped by Rice Vice by Proper Saki in East Nashville to meet my beer pal, Nate, and to try a couple of limited rice beers in their "Get Nice on Rice" program as part of the Craft Brewers Conference going on this week in Nashville.  I started with the excellent Super Super Turbo Turbo rice lager from Halfway Crooks Brewing (new to me - Atlanta).  Next was the decent, but a bit watery, Irusu rice lager from Wiseacre Brewing out in Memphis.  I finished with a small taster serving of the 1% ABV (barely) "hard" kombucha called Rice Mother from Walker Brothers Brewing here in Nashville who were also co-hosting the event. 

5/8 - I headed downtown this afternoon to meet my best friend, Craig, to do a little brewery-hopping and have dinner before the first show of a SOLD OUT 3-night stand by John Mellencamp at The Ryman.  This turned into Craig's retirement gift from me after Ashlee booked a cruise the same week as this show.  Congrats to my old pal for getting to close up shop for good at the end of the month! The show was very good after a bit of a rough start.  The 71-years-young "Johnny Cougar" has still got the gusto and a few of those cool moves from the past.   Good to see this living legend while we can!

We stayed overnight in East Nashville at the kinda hip and cool Waymore's Guest House and Casual Club.  It's a great location in walking distance to great food (and beer).  And then just a short Uber ride over the river to downtown.  Our room was quiet, spacious and modern.  

Our first walking beer stop was The Picnic Tap at Hunter's Station where I started with the excellent pilsner called Speed Castle from 3 Floyds Brewing (IN).  I finished with the Picnic Tap's own solid House Hazy NEIPA made for them by Honky Tonk Brewing here in Nashville. 

Our next stop was Smith and Lentz Brewing where I had a tall uber-pint of their excellent Turn on the Lights Dark Czech Lager.

Food was the next order of business at the Joyland burger joint where I also enjoyed a bottle of their own Joybier brewed for them by Harding House Brewing here in Nashville. 

We closed out the great night back at the very nice and airy hotel bar with a non-beer nightcap of George Dickel bourbon neat for Craig and a nice white Russian for me.  

5/9 - Before heading out this morning, we walked up to Snooze - An A.M. Eatery for a late breakfast.  The choices for breakfast were really unique.  I got a 3-egg omelet with chicken sausage, roasted corn and cheddar cheese (my combination choice) that was excellent and opted to change out my toast for an delicious sweet potato pancake.  What a great find!  We have got to come here again and explore more of their large and inventive menu!  I finished up some work in my comfy hotel room before checking out and heading back home. 

The afternoon turned into a rather hot and sunny one - perfect for a pool float and a patio hangout.  I continued to clean out my beer drawer in the fridge with a can of the excellent Cali Creamin' Creamsicle cream ale from my pal, Curtis.  Thanks, bud!  I continued with a tasty English-style stout with a nice cinnamon linger called Raze the Dawn from War Pigs Brewing (USA?).  Next was a pint can of the aptly named Poolside Breeze, an OK Berliner Weisse that was more tart than sour. Last was a decent high-ABV barleywine called Killer Penguin from Boulder (CO) Beer Company.  

 5/10 - Tonight I went to see Better Than Ezra lead singer, Kevin Griffin, at Parnassus Books in Nashville discussing his recent book, "The Greatest Song: Spark Creativity, Ignite Your Career, and Transform Your Life."  Along with meeting him, I got a personalized signed copy of the book as well.   Talented and famed song writer, Sam Hollander, was the moderator and I got to meet him briefly as well.   Kevin even played a few acoustic songs and called out my wearing of a Pilgrimage Festival T-shirt which he started a few years back.  Very cool!! 

Beforehand, I finished up work and avoided Nashville rush hour at the 12th South Tap Room where I had an excellent Chocolate Milk Shake Nitro Porter from Boulder (CO) Beer and finished with an OK Saison de Lis from Perennial Artisan Ales (St. Louis).  

On my way into Nashville today, I stopped in Mt. Juliet and sprung Sunny from the doggy day-care/boarding place she's been at this week with Ashlee out of town.  We spent about an hour nosing around Old Hickory Lake and she seemed to enjoy her time out.  Who says I don't love this dog?? 

5/11 - It was another Parnassus Books event tonight, this time it was the SOLD OUT talk with superstar actor, Tom Hanks, about his new novel, "The Making of Another Motion Picture Masterpiece" with my movie-loving friend, Brenda.   This event was too big for the store, so it was held at the quite large Curry Hall in the Burkholder Wellness Center at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville.  Brenda and I got there pretty early and were able to grab front row seats!  Tom was a hoot and talked for well over an hour about his experiences on movie sets that helped lead to writing his novel.  We also each got a hardback copy of the book with our admission. 

Beforehand, I finished up work and avoided Nashville rush hour at the 51 North Taproom where I had the light and refreshing Bibo pilsner from Creature Comforts Brewing (GA) and the interesting and tasty (and GABF gold medal winner) Rockhill and Locust English style mild dark ale from BKS Artisan Ales (Kansas City) along with a pretty good dinner of their brisket quesadilla. 

5/12 - I decided sort of last minute to run up to the Harrah's in Cherokee, NC for the World Series of Poker Circuit Event # 13.  I did OK, making it to Level 8 with nearly 400 entrants before running my tens into jacks.  I fired another bullet in the 7 PM tournament again running pretty good until my AJ ran into AA.  No cashes.  That kind of day, I guess. 

I was able to snag my same sweet AirBnb room in Waynesville that I had on my last visit.  Thanks again, April, for the comfy and quiet place to crash.  

5/13 - I had some wins today with two new-to-me Tennessee waterfalls (technically four waterfalls, two named) that I visited on my way home from North Carolina.  First up was the interesting Triple Falls of Bruce Creek in Caryville north of Knoxville.  The trail was pretty easy and quick.  There was also a pretty smaller drop below this main one.  Someone in my Facebook waterfall group said that this waterfall is actually somewhat man-made after the interstate was built nearby.  I noticed the explosive drill markings on the far wall of the little canyon which was a clue to me this place had a history beyond nature.  Still a pretty nice result! 

Next up was about an hour farther east at Melton Mill Branch Falls off the Lily Bluff Trail of the Obed Wild and Scenic River Area near the small town of Lancing.  This pretty drop isn't even mentioned on the trail signs, but there was a rough spur trail to its base.  I have looked for this one before while here but gave up when I didn't see a sign for it.  But, after some further research, I was ready this time!  Well worth the return trip.  What a beauty! 

There is also this very pretty cascade below the falls on Melton Mill Branch as it rushes toward the Obed River.  

I had the place all to myself except for this big guy stretched out on a mossy boulder above the lower cascade.  
One thing I did find the last time I was here was the awesome Lily Pad Hopyard Brewery just up the road.  I stopped in for a couple of pints again including their rich and tasty Viking Honey Rye brown ale and their nice saison called Ruby Slippers.  

It was a pretty drive home as well through one of my favorite areas of Tennessee.  

5/14 - I had my weekend rental car - a nice Chevy Equinox (a free upgrade from my "small sedan" reservation - thanks, local Hertz rental office!) - for another full day, but for the life of me could not think of a decent place to go before picking Ashlee up later this afternoon at the airport.  So, I just ran a few errands including dropping by the Mt. Juliet Beer Company to get a 10-can variety pack for around the house and for camping next weekend.  I cracked my first one open later in the afternoon after some mowing and a well-deserved float in the pool.  The Green Man Lager was light (just 118 calories) and refreshing.  Can't believe those guys have been around in Asheville for almost 30 years! 

5/15 - Check out the big Hollywood paycheck!!  This is technically my biggest payday for background work so far (and I didn't do much at all, but I will take it!). I had a couple more pool float beers today from my variety 10-pack after mowing and weed eating.  First up was the excellent IPA called Infinity-Hero from Revolution Brewing (Chicago).  Next up was another great IPA called Nerd Nectar from Green Man Brewery over in Asheville. 

5/17 - It was a beautiful day for a beer crawl this afternoon before our next comedy show at Cedar City Brewing tonight.  I started with a visit to historic Lebanon Woolen Mill (photo above) which now houses TennLakes Brewing.  I had their Sinking Creek Cream Ale and sadly it was just not that good.  I worry for the future of these guys here.  This space has seemed cursed in the past for keeping good establishments here and without some killer beer, even the great Prince Street Pizza from Gallatin being served here may not be enough for a longtime stay. 

I jumped on over to Cedar City Brewing to have their Wednesday special of wings and a beer for $15 next.  I had their new and excellent CDR CTY Maibock.  Now this is how you do great local beer! 

I walked over to The Cedar Tap next as the brewery cleared house to prep for the comedy show and had a very interesting five-brewery collaboration.  It was a wild blonde ale called Octatonic by Yazoo Brewing up in Madison with the help of four other breweries from across the country:  Russian River (CA); Jester King (Austin, TX); Allagash (Portland, Maine) and Green Bench (St. Pete, FL). 

The comedy show was fantastic, and I had two more CDR CITY Maibocks to give me quite the buzz! 

5/18 - It was an eventful day today in the history of craft beer here in Wilson County.  I stopped by the groundbreaking celebration for the new East (of) Nashville Beer Works facility off of Hwy. 109.  They were even serving up free beer and I had a repeat of their solid flagship East Bank Citra IPA.  They project to be open in about a year and this will be the main brewing facility for them then with a large tap room and restaurant included.  Can't wait!! 

I re-upped my Beer Box subscription now that pool weather is upon us, and my May box arrived today with a nice assortment of craft beer including three IPAs, a couple lagers, a sour, a fruit beer and a milk stout.  More on these later as I crack them open in or around the pool! 

5/19 - Holy flashbacks, Batman!! Our camping plans got rained out/delayed, so I cracked open a couple here at home as a toast to our Happy 22nd Wedding Anniversary today!!  First up was the excellent rye stout called Repo Man from Revolution Brewing (Chicago) from my recent Mt. Juliet Beer Company variety-pack, and then a nice, crisp lager called Lagerado from O'Dell Brewing (CO) - the first from the aforementioned Beer Box.  Here's to all that dark hair gone to gray!  It was all worth it!! Cheers, Ashlee, my love!! 

This one's for Doyle.  I played ten-deuce today in a small tournament on Global in honor of the passing of poker legend, Doyle Brunson, this week.  I won the hand with a bluff repping better than a pair of tens...the tournament itself was another story.  RIP, good sir.  

5/20 - We had VIP tickets to the Southern Skies Festival in Knoxville this weekend and while dodging rain tonight I used my three allotted drink tokens to grab a couple old repeat favorites while watching one of our favorite bands, The Dirty Guv'nahs, tear it up on stage.  The classic Seirra Nevada Brewing Company's Pale Ale (CA) went down smooth and easy, as did two of their Hazy Little Thing NEIPAs. 

5/21- ...but our pool more! We skipped day two of the festival since we didn't know any of the musical acts and floating in the pool sounded better.  During my float I enjoyed a couple from my Mt. Juliet Beer Company variety pack including the surprisingly less than stellar AlphaGator double IPA from Abita Brewing (LA), and the light and refreshing Maine Blueberry wheat beer from UFO Beer Company (Boston).  I also had one from my recent Beer Box delivery - the nice Super Rica IPA from Cruz Blanca Brewing (Chicago).

5/23 - I went to see the latest installment in the seemingly never-ending franchise called Fast X tonight at the Roxy Theaters (recliners!) here in town with my pal, Toney.  The movie was silly, over-the-top and fun as expected and even left quite the surprising cliffhanger at the end.  Bring on Furious Eleven!! 

Beforehand, I got a pool float in before the unpredicted late afternoon rain came in where I enjoyed a couple of craft beers (on the clock).  First up was a pint can of the terrific Death Grip IPA from Pig Minds Brewing (IL - new to me) from my recent Beer Box order.  I finished with the pretty good Throwback Vibes IPA from Urban South Brewing (New Orlean).  This one was from my Mt. Juliet Beer variety pack.  

5/24 - Here's to yet another baby fawn in our back yard this year which is surprising since we now have a dog.  But always great and sweet to see!  I toasted the little fella during a pool float this afternoon with a can of the light and refreshing Lime Lager from Tailgate Brewing in here Nashville.  This one was part of my recent Mt. Juliet Beer Company variety pack. 

5/25 - I took Sunny with me up to Cedar City Brewing today for a bit and we enjoyed sitting outside for a visit with my friends, Curtis and Kate, and I also enjoyed a couple brews including their new CDR CTY Porter and a repeat of their excellent Hazy IPA.  

Earlier today I went by M.L. Rose at Mt. Juliet for lunch and a brew while having the oil changed on our Honda Accord nearby.  I have to say I was really disappointed in this visit and probably won't be coming back here.  First up, they were out of two advertised beers that they say they had.  I settled for an OK Bikini Blonde Lager from Maui (HI) Brewing.  Next, they had removed my favorite menu item, the ANM.L. fries.  Lastly, the ANM.L. burger I got was decent, but the house made chips were cold and old. I should have complained on this last one but didn't.  

5/26 - Dammit, why don't these guys have merch for sale??  I NEED me some Fat Orange Cat swag!!  I toasted the upcoming long holiday weekend tonight with a couple more pool float libations including this nice Belgian blonde ale called Read the Room from FOC Brewing (CT).   I followed that with an excellent Fuzzy Fresh fruit ale that has a great orange opening burst and a sweet peachy finish.  Both of these were from my recent Beer Box order.  

5/27 - I drove up to The Cedar Tap (I would do enough walking behind the lawnmower today) and checked out the food truck on site called The Floppin' Fish.  Let me tell you, that's pretty much the best catfish I've ever had!!  Whatever spices are in their rub, it's perfect!!  And the corn nuggets and hushpuppies were top-notch too!!  These guys are local, so I will be following them for more stops in the future!!   My beer choices were the excellent IWB Pub Ale English bitter (in the photo above) from The Black Abbey Brewing Company here in Nashville, and the light and smooth Savage Gulf Cold IPA from Tennessee Brew Works in Nashville as well.  Since the nitro wasn't working too well, I also got a free sampler of the Nitro Cali Creamin' from Mother Earth Brewing (CA). 

5/28 - I went to the NSC game vs. Columbus tonight with my pal, Danny.  It was a thrilling come from behind 3-1 win for the Boys in Gold!  Beforehand, we had a couple brews at Fait La Force Brewing in exchange for some free parking.  First up for me was their lovely and roasted East of the Rhine altbier.  I finished with their light and smooth pale lager called Mornings of Gold.  

Before all that, I also had a couple beers around the pool where it was just a bit too cool to float.  I started with the rich and decadent Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Imperial Milk Stout from Lexington Brewing and then followed it with the decent Oatmeal Stout from Schlafly Brewing (St. Louis).  These were both in bottles from a hard-to-complete variety four-pack at Lebanon Wine and Spirits.  Man, their craft beer aisle has really gone down since the last time I was in there.  Pretty disappointing.  I guess the trek to Mt. Juliet Beer Company will be back in rotation now.  

5/29 - We finally got a little pool float time in this afternoon for the first time this Memorial Day Weekend.  I toasted the fallen that this day was meant to honor with a nice crisp lager from Allagash Brewing (ME) called Seconds to Summer - very appropriate name for this time of year.  

56 Years on this Earth

 It's my birthday month - let's celebrate it from start to finish and beyond!! 

Hey, I'm full of it!! 

4/1 - Bachelor day # 3 - It was a windy, but sunny and warm Saturday, and there was no way I wasn't spending my last full day with my rented convertible without the top down cruising and in search of waterfalls and craft beer! 

The waterfall scouting around the Spencer area didn't go too well with two on private property and not readily accessible.  I did find this possible honey hole for red-eye (rock bass) in the Calfkiller River near Sparta that I have made note of in case I start stream fishing again which I've been kicking around as a spring activity.   I also found the trailhead for Wheeler Farm Loop (again? I think I've been here before) near Fall Creek Falls State Park.  It's supposed to have a waterfall on the trail, but looked a little dry today, so I need to hold out for more rain and go afterward looks like. 

I dropped off the plateau and stopped in for my first-ever visit to the fairly new Sequatchie Valley Brewing Company in Dunlap.  Finally, some fresh craft beer in The Valley!!  The place is small, but very cool.  I started with their Big Orange Wheat Ale which was enjoyable.  I finished with their Action Jack's Irish Stout that I thought was very well made.  They only have a few of their own brews on the menu, but the two I had were solid, so I will be back any chance I get!  

I can't give SVBC credit for actually being the first craft beer in The Valley however.  The folks at Creekside Brewing Company in southern Crossville (love the old repurposed rusty tin on their ceiling in the photo above) have been doing it longer and while the city of Crossville is not in The Valley per se, CBC has a Hwy. 127 (Valley Road) address that is at the head of the valley.  There's also Top o' the Rock Restaurant/Brewing down in Jasper, but technically they aren't IN the valley, but on a mountain overlooking it.  There's even one in Pikeville now (Bankwalker Brewing - didn't open til late in the afternoon...on a pretty Saturday?  Dumb.) 
I stopped for one at Creekside since it has been a while since I have been there, and I was going right by it.  I had their decent cream ale called Homestead Tower.  More impressive was the BBQ brisket I had!  Yummers!!  This was my first time having their food and it was fantastic!  I will be back for that as well!   A Valley Beer Crawl is coming together nicely!  

I did get one waterfall in today even if was roadside.  Hey, I did have to scramble up a ways to get this shot of wind-blown Wildcat (Creek) Falls a little over five miles east of Sparta as I completed my loop back towards home. 

4/2 - It was my last bachelor day and I had to drop the convertible off (sad face) at 11 A.M. back in Murfreesboro.   So, while I was in the area, I stopped by Panther Creek Brews and enjoyed their Porchlyfe IPA out on their patio watching the big CSX locomotive next-door prep for a trip.

Later in the afternoon, I stopped by The Cedar Tap on my way to pick up Sunny at the doggy daycare and Ashlee at the airport, and had a couple pints with my pal, Curtis.  I started with a repeat, but a dandy:  the Scorned Hooker red IPA from Calfkiller Brewing over in Sparta.  I finished with the excellent White Ale from Blackberry Farm Brewing over in Maryville. 

4/3 - I had to go for a Covid test for my movie background work tomorrow at Skyway Studios over in north Nashville.  Just up the road is the Rock and Dough Pizza, so I had lunch there with a couple of tasty pie slices and their OK Scottish ale called Highland Campfire.  
(Editor's note:  I found out later the same day that tomorrow's filming had been cancelled due to a major schedule change.  A new date is TBD.  That's showbiz, folks!) 

4/5 - I attended the monthly-scheduled Euchre Night at Prost and Riot in Mt. Juliet with my friend, Tom, tonight.  It was a whole lot of fun.  We did blind draws for partners, and I got three dandies as we went 6-0 playing two games each round.   It was a lot of transplanted Yankees since the game is very popular up north, but a lot of nice folks.  This was their largest turnout so far with 44 players.  I hope to make it again next month! I also had a couple of pretty good pints during play including the very good Pineapple IPA from New Heights Brewing here in Nashville, and the decent Aldersbacher (Brewing) Kloster Weisse Hell hefeweizen from Germany.  

4/7 - I attended yet another free taping of the live WMOT weekly radio show, "Finally Friday" today at 3rd and Lindsley with this week's performers being Lauren Morrow; Jake Ybarra; and Eddie 9V(olt).   While I didn't know about any of these folks before today, I liked what I heard on my YouTube research from each of them. This was the best overall group of artists I've seen so far.  I enjoyed all of them and even got to briefly meet Lauren and Jake.   I loved Lauren's voice.  And Jake's songs tell great stories which I always really enjoy.  And Eddie 9V and his band basically tore the roof off the place.  I would travel to see those guys again!  Wow! 

This evening I went by The Cedar Tap and had a couple of pints including the really good Scottish Ale from Mill Creek Brewing over in Nolensville, and the solid Stones River American Lager from Mayday Brewing down in Murfreesboro. 

I came home and promptly won a small tournament on PokerStars vs. 7 other players (photo above) from the local home-game bunch clearing $40 in profit after agreeing to a 4-way chop for everything but $20 for the winner (my idea, glad I won it!).  I already gave my 10% contribution of poker winnings (and then some) to WMOT who puts on the Finally Friday shows as an independent radio station.  I agreed to $10 a month for a year.  It's the least I could do for these great free shows they put on (and a logo hat!).  

4/8 - I went with my pal, Danny, tonight to the NSC game hosting Toronto.  The game ended in a scoreless, frustrating tie, so the real highlight to me of the game was seeing recoding artist, Marc Scibilia, open the game with a great guitar riff as well as play a rocking halftime set that sounded great.  We saw Marc as an opener a while back and I have been a fan ever since.   I parked at Fait La Force Brewing, for free as usual, and had a few pints there too, as usual.  They were their top-notch Bending Corners pilsner and their very good IPA called Bespoke Dreams. 

Earlier in the day I was back at The Cedar Tap again to check out the Down N the Bayou food truck they had on site.  With my excellent Cajun food, I had a pint of the surprisingly good (tart, not sour) Margarita Sour from Hi-Wire Brewing over in Asheville, NC. 

4/9- I enjoyed a repeat craft brew at brunch today at Geist Restaurant in the Germantown area of Nashville.  It was the tasty Tank 7 saison from Boulevard Brewing (Kansas City).  When we got home, we blew up our first pool float of the season (photo above) and I toasted the nice weather with a pint can of the excellent Key Lime Thinking lager from Pollyanna Brewing (IL). 

4/10 - My wife makes THE BEST shrimp scampi!  I enjoyed a big Jethro-sized bowl of it for dinner out in the mild weather on the patio along with a pint can of the excellent Thirteen Pils, my last of the variety six-pack from Soul and Spirits Brewing out in Memphis (time for another road trip!!).  

4/11 - I got off a long skid on Global Poker tonight with a win over 38 others in a turbo progressive bounty crazy pineapple tournament with 13 KO's and $77 in profit.

4/12 -We attended another SOLD OUT Comedy Showcase at Cedar City Brewing tonight.  During the show I enjoyed their tasty Bubba Bock.  Beforehand, I also crawled by Tenn Lakes Brewing and had their decent Tenn Lakes Stout. I crawled on to The Cedar Tap next and had the surprisingly good Sour SZN from East Nashville Beer Works.  It was a handful of Starburst in a glass! 

4/13 - I went to a showing tonight of the 20th Anniversary of the Best Picture winner, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.  It was also an extended addition along with special intro (4 hours plus total) at the Green Hills Theaters (recliners! thank goodness!).  

Beforehand, I finished up work (and avoided rush hour) at Game Terminal and then on to Jackalope Brewing where I had dinner as well with some awesome tacos from the Birria Babe Food Truck.  With my food I enjoyed their excellent NEIPA called Mist of Chaos and their equally strong Polar Bears and Penguins Cold IPA.

The movie is still the great epic it's always been, but the "special intro" turned out to be about 45 minutes of ads.... what a crock!   
 

4/15 - We got our first pool float of the season in today with temps up near 80.  The water wasn't ready to swim in yet, but it wasn't bad to dip toes (or ass) in a little.    Our friend, Curtis, came over to join us as well (photo above - thanks, Ashlee for the pic).  I started clearing out my beer drawer in the fridge with three pool libations today that included the excellent Pompeii IPA from Toppling Giant Brewing (IA) which I had actually had before (on draft) up in Nantucket a few years back.  Next up was the light and crisp Food Truck Pils from Ravinia Brewing (IL).  I concluded with the solid and smooth Stone Tangerine Express Hazy IPA (2022) from the folks out in Cali.  

At dinner later on at Emmy Squared Pizza in the Germantown area of Nashville, I had a can of the nice Montucky Cold Snack 2022 lager out of Montana.

4/16 - I got a nice score on Global Poker tonight with a 2nd place finish vs. 33 others in a No Limit Crazy Pineapple Progressive Bounty nightly tournament called "The Diesel."   I made right at $100 in profit with only 2 knockouts.   I cashed out $100 which will be helpful on my trip coming up at the end of the week.   I am still good on my 10% donation to charity with my monthly $10 going to WNOT for at least a year. 

4/19 - I toasted the start of the NBA playoffs for our Memphis Grizzlies today with another raid into the fridge beer drawer.  I had a bottle of the excellent Dad's Oatmeal Cookie Stout from O'Fallon Brewing (MD).  The Grizzlies had the best home record in the entire league this year and landed a # 2 Seed in Western bracket.  They opened with the #7 seed LA Lakers who had to play their way in to this point, but then got a commanding win in Game 1.   The Grizzlies bounced back tonight with a 103-93 win. 

4/20 - Happy 56 to me!!  I flew up to Rochester, New York, today to start a very long weekend of waterfall (and craft brewery) chasing in the Finger Lakes area.   This beautiful area has been on my radar for a long time due to the numerous waterfalls and scenic lake vistas available.  I was fortunate enough to mention my trip to my pal, Chris, who recently early retired. and said he could meet me in the area for a couple days since it wasn't too long a drive for him and that his wife, and my friend too, Tarryn, had a brother living near Rochester in Honeoye Falls, NY.   Guess what town name near Rochester had already attracted my attention so much that I booked an AirBnb there for a couple nights?! But not tonight, so Chris arranged to actually pick me up at the airport saving me a couple days car rental and also got his brother-in-law, Kip, and his wife, Melissa, to let us stay at his place tonight, saving me a hotel room cost.  Nice!! 

I just hope I can find a craft brewery or two in this area during my trip!

I had a long layover at Midway airport in Chicago, so I took advantage of a pretty cool sports bar near my gate called Harry Caray's Shortstop.  I lifted my first one, the nice Here's to Harry IPA, to the Cubbies man himself, RIP!  It's made by Moody Tongue Brewing here in Chicago.  I earned my ninth birthday badge on UNTAPPD as well with it.   My next one was the excellent Son of Juice NEIPA from Maplewood Brewing also here in Chicago.  I finished with the legendary Zombie Dust (2023) IPA from 3 Floyds Brewing just down the road and across the state line in Munster, IN.  

Thanks, Kip and Melissa for the beer and the lodging!  Chris picked me up at the ROC Airport and I was feeling pretty buzzed with a double screwdriver on my flight to Chicago, then a double Jack and Coke on the flght, plus the three IPAs at Midway.  Kip immediately offered me a nice and light Ruby Red Kolsch from Genesse Brewing, the grandfather macro-brewery in Rochester (more on them later).  They also gifted me a nice can of the IPA Aurora Orangealis from Clown Shoes Brewing (Boston).  What great folks! 

Our hosts had planned a little local microbrewery crawling before dinner, so our first stop was Noble Shepherd Brewing in nearby Bloomfield, NY, where I had a flight that included:
the excellent Goat Impressions NEIPA
the equally great Cravings NEIPA
their very good There and Bock
their unique and tasty Fancy Pils w/ Wildflower Honey

It was on to Birdhouse Brewing next back in Honeoye where I had their very interesting and flavorful Early Bird Tea Wheat.  I love their logo, so I had to get me a hat here (thanks recent poker winnings!). 
We closed out the night with dinner at Flaherty's Honeoye Falls restaurant where I had the solid Scotch Ale from Rohrbach Brewing up in Rochester.   There was some bourbon tasting when we got back to the house and the rest of the night went pretty fuzzy for me from then on! 

4/21 - Chris and I were out pretty early to let Kip and Melissa start their workday (sorry, kids), and we headed south to Watkins Glen State Park.  This place was on the top of my list to visit, and it was a bit crushing to pull in an see the park was technically still closed for the season.  The amazing-looking Gorge Trail was completely closed until late May for repairs (Reason # 1 to come back here!!).  We were fortunate enough to observe that a lot of the Rim Trail was open, so we climbed A LOT OF STAIRS and got some pretty darn good views down into the amazing little canyon (photo above).  The weather was perfect as well, so you take what you can get. 

Now that, is a downtown waterfall! Our next stop was the small village of Montour Falls which has a huge waterfall right downtown that is actually called Shequaga Falls.  There is no actual Montour Falls although this one is referred to by the name sometimes.  The town is quaint and quiet.  I could definitely live here...except for the winter. 
It was time for a beer, so we headed to the other side of town (and the valley) to Hop Notch Brewing Company which turns out to be one of those places that calls itself a brewery but is really just a tap room.   Nice place, nice owner, but the name just bugs me.  I enjoyed a couple of drafts from Diversion Brewing down in Chemung, NY.  First up which I sipped with a distant view of Shequaga Falls still present across the valley, was the Evil Rye that I thought was pretty good.  I finished with their very nice session IPA they call Sunny Side Up.

Nearby was Eagle Cliff Falls as well.  This pretty one is in the back of a county park with a Montour Falls address.  We technically had to sneak in to see this one since the park was still closed for the season.  But we weren't the only ones there, so we were probably just bending the law a little.  In hindsight, this is probably my favorite waterfall of the trip.  Very unique, delicate and beautiful.  

Bonus waterfalls!  We saw the sign to Deckertown Creek Falls on our way to Eagle Cliff Falls, so we doubled back to check them out next and were pleasantly surprised at the free parking and ease of getting to these pretty little tumbles.  Chris even saw a snake on the walk back out attributing to the very warm temps today. 

We headed back to the quaint town of Honeoye Falls to check in to our AirBnb on the falls that give the town its name at The Red Mill.  On the way we stopped at the swanky new Finger Lakes location for Other Half Brewing out of Brooklyn, NY, and picked up some pint cans to enjoy while relaxing back at The Red Mill.  
The Mill is amazing as are the owners, Joan and Richard, who live downstairs.  We had the whole upstairs to ourselves with two bedrooms, a full bath, full kitchen and plenty of overlooks of the falls themselves.  We cracked open some of Other Half beers and sat outside on the banks above the falls just taking it all in.  What a tremendous find!  Joan even made us cookies!! (Reason # 2 to come back!!).  

Beer-wise I had OHBC's terrific triple IPA called Shroomies and their very good double IPA called Space Diamonds. 

Dinner was just a pleasant 20-minute walk away at OKAY Beer Company at West Main Lanes where these guys have saved a retro bowling alley and added a restaurant and craft brewery.   We decided to bowl two games before eating while enjoying a couple brews as well.  Chris kicked my butt in both games, but I had a respectable score in both at least.  Brew-wise, I started with the dopplebock they call Bock Bock Goose which I really enjoyed.  With my tasty dinner afterwards, I had their light and refreshing cold IPA they called Set Change.  

On the walk back from dinner, I got this awesome reflection shot of The Red Mill even though it was near dark.  We enjoyed a few more Other Half brews to finish off this great day.  I had their excellent IPA called Mosaic Dreams, followed by another solid IPA they simply call Oh...

I closed out the night with a nice and light Japanese rice lager OHBC calls Poetry Snaps.  Thanks to Joan and Richard for the hilarious big sipping glass I found in their china cabinet!!   Thanks to Honeoye Falls for all the great background music throughout our visit. 

4/22 - Chris dropped me off back at the Rochester Airport this morning so I could get my rental car as he was heading back home.  The weather was a little iffy in terms of the forecast for the next couple of days, so this seemed like my best chance to check out a few places in Rochester since I was back here anyway.  My first stop was the amazing High Falls of the Genesee River right downtown.  They had easy, free parking nearby for access to several overlooks of this giant waterfall.  I thought a black and white version looked pretty good similar to the downtown waterfall in Paterson, New Jersey, that I visited last year. 

Looking more like Iceland than downtown Rochester, New York, the Lower Falls of the Genesse River was my next stop and the weather cooperated nicely. There is also a Middle Falls just upstream that I visited, but it's pretty much been submerged by a dam built there. 

I headed back upstream to High Falls again since I spied the Genesse Brewhouse nearby earlier and it was time for lunch and a brew.  While Genesse Brewing is considered a macro-producer, their brewhouse has some smaller-batch productions only found there (and a kick-ass view of High Falls).  So, I enjoyed their Brew House Scotch Ale along with my lunch of very tasty buffalo chicken perogies. 

Before leaving Rochester and since the weather was still cooperating, I also checked out the Charlotte-Genesse Lighthouse up at the harbor on Lake Ontario.  To have the honor of being the oldest(1822) surviving lighthouse on Lake Ontario, they sure aren't giving it a lot of TLC.   Where can I chip in for some paint?  Sheez. 

This is probably the best picture of the trip - the awesome Taughannock Falls under some perfect lighting.  I got to it after a couple hours' drive SE of Rochester.  What a monster!  While it does look a lot like Fall Creek Falls here in Tennessee, the canyon here is much older and deeper.  This shot is from easily a half mile away.  What an awesome state park they have here. 

I moved on to nearby Ithaca Falls next which is smack-dab in the middle of town and is another large drop and a real beauty.

Also on the outskirts of Ithaca is Six Mile Creek Falls and Mill.  Traffic was busy in this area, so I didn't get a lot of time here, but oh, the potential!!  Wish I could buy this baby and restore it similar to where I am staying.  This one's even bigger than Honeoye Falls with a two-tier drop.   I need to come back and try and get a better picture from the base of the falls (reason # 3 to return!). 

Not far out of Ithaca is pretty Buttermilk Falls State Park.  This was the only New York state park that I visited that charged a daily fee. I didn't mind paying the ten bucks, but it was almost sunset, so not much value left in the day.   But still a cascading beauty of a slide.  

It was getting dark, and the rain was settling in, so it was time for a beer.  The Brewery of Broken Dreams was on the way back to where I was staying and I liked the name, so it got my vote.  Turned out to be a good choice.  First, it's housed in a cool, old historic (circa 1889) building in the quaint lake town of Hammondsport.  Second, the badge I earned from UNTAPPD here is one of the coolest I've seen in a while ("Loonatik Fringe" - that is awesome!).  Third, the beer I had, the Bine and D'vine session IPA was very good. 

I got really fortunate on the long drive back to Honeoye Falls to have the rainy weather break enough for me to catch a brilliant sunset to show off my excellent rental Jeep Compass. 

I also got some nice views along the drive in the Hemlock-Canadice State Forest including another small unnamed waterfall.  The natural beauty and lack of development in this area is so refreshing. 

Who knew I even have a Nature Conservancy trail named after me here??  I wanted to hike it, but darkness was coming on fast.  (Reason # 4 to come back!) 

I got back to Honeoye Falls starving and noticing that fast food places here are few and far between (and that's really a good thing), so I found a Chinese place within walking distance of The Red Mill and the pepper steak was fantastic!  No wonder there was a line at 8 o'clock at night!  Thanks, Four Seasons # 3!! 

4/23 - Look, I've stayed at a lot of AirBnBs - even others on or near waterfalls, but The Red Mill has been my favorite place, hands down.  Joan is maybe the sweetest lady on Earth.  Not only did she pack me a snack bag to go this morning (a banana and cheese and crackers!), but I got not one, but TWO HUGS.  Top that, Ritz-Carlton!!  (Reason # 5 to come back!!) 

I would have loved to stay another night, but I was equally excited about staying overnight at The Lodge at Grist Iron Brewing Company on Seneca Lake for a really great price.  So, I headed out this morning straight to Letchworth State Park - the pride of the New York park system.  Jaw-dropping isn't a good enough description for this place.  Above was one of my first glimpses into the amazing Genesee River Gorge and that's Wolf Creek Bottom Cascade tumbling in on the far right.   Actually, I came in from the north end where there is a dam on the river and no water visible upstream?  I have yet to find an answer as to why that is.  I am just glad there was water where it's really needed (at the waterfalls for my pictures!). 

This is the Top Cascade of Wolf Creek and there are evidently two other cascades upstream. (Reason # 6 to come back!) 

Mind-blowing overlooks throughout Letchworth State Park. 

I was on that bridge about 20 minutes (and a lot of steps - 149 by my count, even though the sign says 127) - later.  It's the Lower Falls Arch Bridge completed in 1935 and is probably the coolest CCC project I've ever seen.

This is just some of the very wide and powerful Lower Letchworth Falls.  I met a really nice couple from Ohio coming out of the canyon who I would also see again at the next two waterfalls upstream. 

This one gave me Icleand vibes as well.  This is Middle Letchworth Falls.  The early landowner of this amazing area, Wiliam Pryor Letchworth, had his home overlooking this falls and canyon.  He bequeathed this area and around 1,000 more acres to the state of New York which was the seed of this amazing state park's existence.  Thanks so much, WPL!!  RIP, good sir!! 

Upper Letchworth Falls was covered in mist, but still incredible. What a day! What a park!! 

As I headed toward my hotel for the night at a brewery - so excited - I saw a town name and a craft brewery that caught my eye. 
"Hell, you know you're the best-looking woman in Bath."  - Sully Sullivan from Nobody's Fool

One of my favorite movies takes place in Bath, NY (yet, sadly, I came to find out that it was filmed in a small town over in the Hudson River Valley instead), but I still had to stop and check out Tub City Brewing (great name, get it?).  
On the way into town, I wanted a picture of the city name to send to Ashlee, who also loves the movie, and my writer friend, Joe, who is also a big fan.  I got a shot of the town sign that was OK, but then I spied two police cruisers sitting by a red light and I knew I had my shot.  Well, evidently the officers saw me take the picture and then park a little farther down (across from the brewery), and pulled up beside me (no lights, no siren).  I rolled the window down with a smile and said, "You wanna know why I took your picture, right?"  He was a young guy and never heard of the movie (not surprising) but seemed to believe me and moved on with a smile and a wave goodbye.  
OK, so inside the very small brewery I had their interesting IPA 34 (Guava) and asked the older brewer and barkeep if they had seen the movie...and they had not??? WTF??   Time to move on. 

Wow!  All I can say is wow!!  Grist Iron Brewing and Lodge are amazing!!  How is this beautiful room only a $100 a night??  I loved my visit to The Doghouse in Columbus, OH, but it was pricier...and in Columbus.  This has lake views, a huge waterfall just down the road (see below) and lots of great beer! (Reason # 7 to come back!!) 

Before I set in for some proper drinking at the brewery and my lodge room, I had enough daylight left to check out the beautiful upper section of Hector Falls just down the road.  

The lower section of Hector Falls tumbles toward Seneca Lake - Finally!  A waterfall into a Finger Lake pic!  And check out that awesome sky!  

After dinner at the Grist Iron Brewery (two orders of awesome Polish sausage bites) and a couple of brews - their excellent MaXXimus Brown ale and their top-notch Juicy Way NEIPA - I got another surprise sunset to close another excellent day in the wonderful Finger Lakes.  I also got me a hat with some past poker winnings.
I wanted to go see Shenaqua Falls lit up at night, but I was just too comfortable/tipsy to go see it (reason to come back # 8!).  So instead, I enjoyed my crowler of Lake Life IPA that I had pre-ordered to be waiting in the room, played (and won) a small S1 tournament on Global Poker (vs. 19 others, 1000% profit) and counted my blessings! 

4/24 - I guess Jim Morrison and The Doors said it best..."I woke up this morning and I got myself a beer!"  in the shower no less!  I enjoyed their light and tasty Campfire Life Lager (they have a breakfast stout, but it wasn't available in my room fridge).  I set out for an almost full day in the area before flying back home late tonight.  Definitely coming back here!!  (Reason # 9). 

I made an impromptu stop on my way north at Caywood Point, a part of The Finger Lakes National Forest.   Thinking it was going to be an easy-access lake overlook, it was instead a pretty steep hike down to Seneca Lake itself.  But well worth it as I had nice weather and the place all to myself on this Monday morning. 

Another of my favorite shots of the trip was the close-up look at stones in the lake water.   

Another impromptu stop was at Wagner Valley Brewing where I had their decent Helles Bock Spring Lager.  I was just happy they were open on a Monday.  The better impromptu stop was War Horse Brewing - a really nice brewery/winery that I enjoyed checking out despite the spotty rainy weather.  Here I had their excellent Lieutenant Dan - India Pale Ale and got a cool T-shirt with some poker winnings. 

My main planned visit was Sodus Point Lighthouse back up on Lake Ontario and she is a beauty (hey, Rochester, this is how you keep up a historic [1871] lighthouse!).  I had this beautiful spot all to myself as well on a quiet Monday early afternoon. 

I had to have a "garbage plate" before I left Rochester and the little hole in the wall, DogTown, is known for them.  I enjoyed my "split plate" (a hot dog and a hamburger) and it was dirt cheap for a lot of food but was a little underwhelming in flavor to be honest.  

My last stop before the airport was the historic (1964) House of Guitars in Rochester.  This famous place has had many the famous musician step through its doors and the place is a wild cavernous structure filled with musical equipment and such throughout.  Thanks AtlasObscura.com for the tip! 

My flight was a bit delayed out of the smallish Rochester Airport, so I enjoyed a can of The Kind India Pale Ale from Three Heads Brewing here in town.  But I made my connection in Chicago and was home before midnight.  I have at least 9 reasons to come back to The Finger Lakes area and I hope to do so ASAP.  

4/26 - I watched the Grizzlies take a win at home tonight in their series with the Lakers (too bad they got woefully bounced from the playoffs in the next game in L.A.) at The Cedar Tap tonight.  This was the end of a small crawl from Cedar City Brewing where I had their always-awesome dry rub wings and their new tasty Barney's Bock and equally nice Hefeweizen.  At The Tap I had the very nice session IPA from Wiseacre Brewing out in Memphis called Air Bath (photo above) and the tasty high-ABV Sumco Tripel from Briarscratch Brewing up in Gallatin 

4/28 - How is this little girl going to junior prom already!!   We went down to Chattanooga tonight to see our beautiful niece, Ella, rock her prom gown.  Thanks to Ella's mom, Paige, for the great picture above.  Afterwards, we had dinner at the always-great Tony's Pasta where I had surprisingly good Blackberry Hug fruited sour from WanderLinger Brewing here in town while we waited for our table.  At dinner, I had the great flagship IPA from Hutton and Smith Brewing here in town called The Promenade 2022.  

4/29 - After almost 30 years, I finally made it back to Lula Lake and Falls up on Lookout Mountain just outside Chattanooga, but technically in Georgia.  I also went legally this time by paying for admission during one of their Open Gate Days.  This beautiful area is now under a land trust and made open to the public a few times each month.  The $16 admission fee goes to their non-profit organization to help with upkeep of the large expanse of property.  Lula Lake and Cascade were shining like jewels today! 

I took my first picture of this beauty from this very spot almost 30 years ago. (note the rainbow!) 

I also finally got to the base of Lula Falls.  It was a tough climb out of the gorge, but so worth it!

I
 I was rewarded for my 6 miles of hiking today with some craft beer a short time later at Play. Wash. Pint. back down in Chattanooga - a dog park with craft beer! What a great idea!   While Sunny romped around, I had a pint of the decent Outlaw lager from Tivoli Brewing Company (Denver), and a pint of the very good Quite Brite wheat beer from Bell's Brewing (MI), and a few sips of Ashlee's quite nice Lookouts Blood Orange Ale from Big River Brewing and Grille here in Chattanooga. 

4/30 - I walked up for dollar pours at The Cedar Tap for Mug Club Members today.  I started with the very nice pale lager from Living Waters Brewing here in Nashville called Misol.  Next up was the solid Hefeweizen called Slow Paddle from Marrowbone Brewing over in Ashland City.  And I finished with the bright and tasty Springling Lager from BriarScratch Brewing up in Gallatin.