May - June 2026

5/1 - Back on the road just for the day for work - Father Tom's Pub? 

5/3 - back at the $2-million-dollar house on the lake cat-sitting for the week 

tournament at The Barrel? 

5/9 - Steeplechase beers 

Star Wars:  The Mandalorian and Grogu

Pressure movie 

Doin' Fine at 59!!

BIRTHDAY MONTH:  ENGAGED!!

4/1 - I was in Morristown for work today (no April foolin'!) and when I was done, I headed south toward Greeneville for some waterfall hunting.  My first stop was at the historic Nolichucky Dam on the river of the same name where the right side of the old dam (built 1913 and held like a champ during Hurricane Helene back in 2024) looks like a natural waterfall. 

My next stop was to pee, and I was so grateful for the little gas station's super-clean bathroom (and store overall) that I just had to buy something.  I found an interesting regional soft drink called Dr. Enuf that was actually pretty good.  Kind of tastes like a Sprite and ginger ale mixed together.  It has natural energizers (no caffeine), so I got a Sun-Drop as a back-up!  

Kelly Falls is a little roadside beauty on Paint Creek inside the Cherokee National Forest near Greeneville, TN, and close to the North Carolina state line.  

Dudley Falls is farther downstream on Paint Creek and is signed but is more of a sliding cascade than a true waterfall.  Still, it makes for a nice roadside area with a great swimming hole beneath it.  There were even two people swimming in it when I came back through!!  What??  It's April 1st, you crazies!!  
Delicate little Ricker Branch Falls is across the road from the parking area for Dudley Falls and was just a trickle today but would definitely be worth coming back by to check out after some significant rain.

They even had a sign for this little fella, also on Paint Creek farther downstream, called Stephen Falls. 

Hardy-har-har - UNTAPPD trying to be funny on April Fool's Day - hey, morons, did you know you actually can check a beer in while in Antarctica?  My best friend, Craig, tried to do it recently and got no love for it?  Get your shit together already.  I earned this goofy badge back at the Casual Pint in Pigeon Forge this evening where the beers were back to their pricey $8+ per pint cost (welcome to the Smokies, tourist!).  At least they were both good brews.  I started with the smooth and tasty Wrought Iron oatmeal stout from Iron Forge Brewing over in Sevierville, and then the crisp and rather fruity IPA from Hi-Wire Brewing (Asheville) called Cooler Nights.   I even saw a rainbow as I was coming in born of the rain showers that I drove through coming back from the west through the mountains. 

Well, ya got me, Facebook.  Well done.  An ad popped up last night for this Verse Immersive "experience" at Ripley's Super Fun Park in Pigeon Forge, and it looked and sounded kind of interesting, so I plopped down the $30 cost ($25 plus taxes and fees) for a ticket tonight.   Turns out it's more of just a trivia game in AVR (augmented virtual reality) than an "experience" and looked nothing like the ad picture above.   It was still kind of cool, and I even learned a thing or two (did you know that giant-ass Jupiter acts as shield to Earth blocking a lot of interstellar bad stuff - like comets and asteroids- from getting to us), but it was not nearly worth the hefty price.  Oh well, lesson(s) learned.  

4/2 - I headed back west today with some new-to-me waterfalls and breweries in my sights. My first stop was Middle Fork Falls near the little hamlet of Stephens, between Oak Ridge and Wartburg.  It's roadside and fairly free of litter and graffiti which was nice.  

This next one's been on my radar for many years.  I finally got visit Yahoo Falls up in Kentucky.  Not sure why I never came here before since it's only about 25 miles from Oneida, TN.  I knew that it is very rain-dependent, and it was only a delicate stream today, so I didn't venture to the base of the falls.  I will do that sometime again after some significant rain since it's so much closer to home than I realized. There's also the Yahoo Arch nearby that should be worth checking out too on a return trip.  I did get this cool pic from the precipice of the drop of over 100' making it the tallest in Kentucky.  Another reason to come back is that I scouted two other waterfalls - Princess and Lick Creek - very close by but with longer hikes that I couldn't do today but would make for a great weekend return sometime hopefully.   

My next stop was the new Big South Fork Brewing Company in Oneida.  They actually only have one beer of theirs on tap, the solid O and W Light lager.  Their guest taps were pretty good though.  I also had the tasty Around the Bend ESB from Clinch River Brewing over in Norris, TN.  This new brewery is set up in an old bank and even has a small event space in the old vault which is pretty cool.  A nice addition to this small town and this great outdoors area. 

I was running late getting back home but just had to stop and check out the new brewery in Cookeville called Dream Country Brewing.  Great beer in a very neat little bi-level building.  I had their very good farmhouse ale called Strange Folk, and then a half-pint of their nice juniper-infused farmhouse ale - grisette called Hedge Witch.   I am glad to see these guys here since I really miss Hix Farm and Jig Head Brewing (RIP).  

4/3 - I had a day off from work but just hung around the house for the most part since I've been gone all week.  I did take an afternoon drive over to Donelson to TennFold Brewing to have their excellent new IPA called Check Your Latitude and a delicious grain bowl with blackened chicken.  I also stopped by Mt. Juliet Beer Company on the way home and got a variety four-pack of new-to-me pint can IPAs to have at some later dates.  
Back at home tonight, I won another $5 SNG on ClubWPT Gold.

4/4 - Boom goes the dynamite!!  That's 6,000 unique beers checked in on UNTAPPD!  Salute to me and my liver!  That historic beer happened to be the excellent double-hopped DIPA called Wandering Into the Fog (Galaxy) from Abomination Brewing (CT) in collaboration with Twelve Percent Beer Project (also CT) which was part of the variety 4-pack I got yesterday at the Mt. Juliet Beer Company.  Not a peep of recognition from UNTAPPD.  Lame-o's!! 

4/6 - I went to see Sebastian Bach of 80's heavy metal hairband, Skid Row, fame, with my head-banging friend, Nate, at the newly reopened Cannery Hall in Nashville.  We Ubered from Nate's place to Marble Fox Brewing for some pre-show libations.  I had their excellent IPA called Ghost Runner on 1st and their equally good TIPA called Pick Your Prize.  It was a short walk from there to the venue which has had a nice upgrade.  The show was surprisingly good.  SB still has his singing pipes, he's pretty funny too, and has a great way with the crowd.  The opening bands, Blaze Francisco and Stitched Up Heart, were OK, but nothing to get too excited about.  

4/7 - I went to see NSC in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Championship vs. Club America from Mexico tonight at Geodis Park thanks again to my pal, Nate, and his season tickets.  It was a frustrating 0-0 tie with NSC having some real chances.  Now they have to go to Mexico City next week and play again, but a win or even a tie with a goal would send them to the semifinals.  I sure won't miss the endless drumming from the CA fans during the match.  I don't how they do it every game!  
Beforehand, after some really shitty traffic, we parked for free at Broadcast Brewing (thanks, Mike!) and had a pre-game brew.  I had their new-to-me Belgian Tripel called Arcane Frequency along with an excellent cheeseburger all the way and cheese curds from the Austin's OG Smashburgers food truck outside.  

That is surely not my work rental car and a walking beer from Broadcast Brewing, is it?  Nope.  Can't be.  Well, it was a tasty IPA called Bone from a guest tap of theirs from The Veil Brewing (VA). 

4/8 - I had one last overnight trip to Chattanooga this spring for work today.  I stayed at a nice Fairfield Inn in East Ridge (points!). Before checking in to the hotel, I stopped by Five Wits Brewing for lunch and some brews.   With rare free parking and a comfy place to hang, it's become one of my favorite places in downtown Chattanooga.  I had a solid Philly cheesesteak sandwich and three 10 oz. new-to-me beers including their nice Vienna-style lager called Viva la Vienna; then a quirky but enjoyable wild ale they called Zing It Again; and I finished with their pretty good Scottish ale called Scottish Alexander. 

Tonight, I went and checked out a new-to-me chess-themed microbrewery on the east side of Chattanooga called Mean King Brewing.  I had their very nice DIPA called The Long Game and then their terrific NEIPA called Fog of War.  It's a cool vibe here and along with Alpha Brews nearby, it's nice to see the east side have some great craft beer for once.  

4/9 - I drove back from the Chattanooga area today after a lunchroom visit up in Cleveland.  I stopped at Monkey Town Brewing in Dayton for a late lunch and a brew.  I had their solid red ale called Amber Waves of Grain along with their great club sandwich and corn nuggets.  While there I also logged into my order window queue for some 2028 Olympic women's preliminary soccer tickets at Geodis Park in Nashville.  Now we just gotta wait two-plus years for the game!! 
When I got home, I was able to win another $5 poker SNG on ClubWPT Gold.  

4/11 - I won another $5 poker SNG on ClubWPT Gold. 

4/12 - We had a fun (and tasty) Master's Snacks Party today out on the patio today, and I had a couple of new-to-me-beers during it including the excellent Fugu IPA from Tox Brewing (CT) and another very good NEIPA called My Love Language is IPAs from Little House Brewing (also CT).  They were both from my recent variety 4-pack pick up at Mt. Juliet Beer Company.  
But the biggest news of the day was that my Golf Team: Shank O Potamus tied for first place with two other teams at -23 in a $10 Masters pool vs. 23 other teams.

And then I won the tiebreaker for the full win!!!  Rory McIlroy repeated today as the 2026 Masters Champ with a -13 and my guess of - 9 was closest of the three top finishers!!  That's $230 in profit!!! 

4/13 - Finally, some love on ClubWPT Gold for my favorite hand: pocket threes.  And, yes, I doubled up with them on this hand! 

I hit another milestone badge tonight on UNTAPPD (again, I think with 6K+ check-ins, this one's coming a little late) while meeting my pal, Nate, at East Nashville Beer Works - Wilson County where I started with the interesting (and boozy at 9.5 ABV) imperial stout called Snapback with a lot of ginger in it.  Next up was their new IPA called Truth in Revolt that was excellent.  I finished with a half-pint of their very good collaborative black IPA called Heavy Metal Parking Lot.  They made this one with help from the newish Stoke Haus Brewing over in East Nashville.  

4/14 - Ashlee got us tickets for tonight's live podcast of "The Consumers" at The Lab at Zanies which was part of the Nashville Comedy Festival going on this week.  I am a bigger fan of this podcast than she is, but it was an early birthday present for me.  Thanks, hon!  It was a great time although my "truck nuts" joke was probably a little too blue for them and will probably get cut out of the final version.  But, hey, "it made Randy laugh" and that's all that matters! 

Beforehand, Ashlee picked up at Homegrown Taproom since she was getting her cut nearby.  While I waited on her, I had a half pint of the very good West Coast Diesel IPA from Mill Creek Brewing over in Nolensville.  I blew out the keg on my next half-pint order and wound up getting a free quarter-pint of the solid PILS from Sierra Nevade Brewing (CA).  At the show, I had a repeat of the always-good Hippies and Cowboys IPA from Tennessee Brew Works here in Nashville. 

My trophy for winning the Global Poker Championship Grizzly Series Event # 4 back in January of this year came in today.  I stayed on their ass about this one since I lost out the last trophy I won in their Rattlesnake Series which they evidently sent to someone else.  I've got another hat and T-shirt coming for this win as well.  

Cali Hwy 59 sign pic on phone at 1/19

4/18 - I flew to LA today for my 59th birthday trip which will include shows at two legendary and historic rock-n-roll venues in West Hollywood and also checking off another national park visited.  Craft beer and other fun to be determined!  This was my first time flying on Southwest with an assigned seat.  Prices are a little higher, but it is kind of nice not being in the usual cattle-call.  

I got a discount rental car at Enterprise (thanks to points) and headed to an AirbBnB in West Hollywood where I was staying tonight.  

Tonight's show was at the famous and historic (est. 1964) Whiskey a Go-Go nightclub where rock bands like The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Quiet Riot, Motley Crue and many others got their start.  I had to settle for Stevie and the Rockers, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band (poster pic saved on phone).  Openers were Mancini and Lucy.  The show was 

Viper Room?

4/19 - I got up early today and headed north to catch a boat out to the Channel Islands National Park.  My choice today was to visit Anacapa Island and its Lighthouse (ticket pic saved on phone) 

I stayed overnight (for free with points!) at a nice Springhill Suites in Oxnard tonight before heading back to West Hollywood again tomorrow for my birthday.    

Breweries in Oxnard.  

 

4/20 - Happy Birthday to me!!!  Tonight's show was at the legendary and historic (est. 1957) Troubadour nightclub where The Eagles, Jackson Browne and many others got their start.  And tonight's show was Nashville's own, Langhorne Slim. (poster pic on phone).  The opener, Laney Jones and the Spirits was 

I stayed overnight at the historic (and convenient) Beverly Terrace Hotel which also has rare free parking for its guests.  

4/21 - Fly home from LA

4/23 - Desert Warrior movie?

cat-sitting at a $2-million-dollar house on the lake

poker tournament at The Barrel? 

Michael movie 

Feb's March toward April

2/3 - I got mentioned by name on this week's episode of the Ante Up Poker Podcast with praise for my monthly articles that I contribute to the Ante Up Online Magazine.  The positive recognition makes up somewhat for the zero pay I get for doing it.  Oh well, like this blog, it's a nice writing exercise that I enjoy doing.  

 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ante-up-poker-magazine/id283834552?i=1000747429261

2/6 - I had a remote day at work today, so I was finally able to get back over to 3rd and Lindsley for another "Finally Friday" show and broadcast.   First performer up was the soulful husband-and-wife duo, The Waymores.  Next was the clever lyrics and clear voice of singer/songwriter, Susan Werner.  And to close the show (and my favorite performer of the day) was the outlaw country crooning of Chris Canterbury.  With my tasty chicken finger basket lunch, I also had a bottle of the magnificent Bell's Brewing (MI) Two Hearted IPA (2026).

Afterwards, I was finally able to stop by the new Stoke Haus Brewing and Barbecue in East Nashville (where Crazy Gnome Brewing used to be) and try a couple of their beers.  They were both outstanding!  First up was their West Coast IPA called Reserve. I finished with their German-style pilsner called Pilsmatic.  I will definitely be back and with an appetite because the barbecue smelled awesome! 

2/7 - It was another classic matchup between Duke and UNC today at The Dean Dome.  My Duke boys held the lead the whole game right until the end and then got cold shooting while any prayer the Tarholes threw up seemed to go in.  Tough loss, but probably good for their egos going into the second half of the season.  We'll get 'em in Cameron!!  I enjoyed an appropriately named Billy Goat Tavern IPA based on the opponent during the game.  It's made by Miskatonic Brewing (IL) and is an ode to the famous and historic Chicago-based bar.  It came from my last BeerBox.com order.  

2/8 - Well, at least the right team won tonight.  My old favorite NFL team, the Seattle Seahawks, dominated the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl with a game that wasn't as close as the score of 29-13.  We watched the game at a party at the home of our friends, Todd and Kelly.  I brought some brews to the party including a couple new-to-me ones that finished up the last BeerBox.com order I received a pretty good while back.  First up was the very nice lager called All Time by Middle Brow Brewing (Chicago) and then the pleasant Wandawega Lemon Radler from Solemn Oath Brewing (IL).   I also won $22 by having the most correct prop-bet picks! 

2/9 - I went to see tonight's Regal Monday Mystery Movie at the Regal Theaters at Providence which was not Crime 101 as I was hoping, but turned out to be the rather lame comedy, Nirvanna the Band, The Show, The Movie.  I guess it's based on a popular TV show out of Canada, but just like most Canadian comedies, in my opinion, it's a laugh maybe every 10 minutes or so, and otherwise kind of dumb.  At least it only cost me the $5 discounted ticket price.  And the beer I snuck in, the Winter Lager from Johnson City Brewing, was excellent.  I picked up a sixer of them at Providence Wine and Spirits near the theater.  

2/12 - Work perk!! It's always nice to catch a few innings of CU Baseball on the clock.  Our boys split a double-header at home today vs. the University of St. Francis out of Illinois in some pretty mild weather for mid-February.  

2/13 - I had a remote workday today and also began a dog-sitting long weekend with my favorite pit bulls in Watertown again.  I've really missed those lug-heads! 

And tonight, I finally got an out-and-out win on Club WPT Gold with a $5 NLHE turbo sit-n-go vs. 7 other players to garner me 400% ROI!  Of course, that's just about what I paid in today, so no real profit.  But I may have finally found my beatable game on here since the MTT's are loaded with crazy players and the variance is awful.

2/14 - Happy V-Day!  I got another 8-handed SNG win today on Club WPT Gold (but only after blanking in the three others beforehand, so good ROI, but no real profit), but still noteworthy since I got into the money (top 3) with the least amount of chips and battled to first place.  I also got 13th out of 734 players in a freeroll turbo NLHE tournament on there that earned me over 1,400% ROI.   

Later in the afternoon, however, I got two more SNG wins! I went ahead and cashed out $20 just to see it if would work and it looks smooth so far.  I am really starting to "heart" this site a little! 

I took a break from the SNG action to go to Valentine's dinner back in Lebanon with my wifey-poo and we joined our friends, Todd and Kelly, at the Lebanon Public House on The Square where I had a Lebanon Public House Ale with my tasty dinner.  The LPHA is really just the kolsch made by Cedar City Brewing around the corner, but I entered into UNTAPPD as is since it's on their menu that way.  XOXO and cheers! 

A little more late-night SNG action when I got back to Watertown included a 3rd and a 2nd place finish for about 210% ROI.  And then another win!!  So, make that $40 cashed out instead of $20!! 

2/17 - I am on the road for work in the Knoxville area tomorrow and the next day, so I headed out after work in the office in a nice, new Nissan Altima rental car and drove to a decent Fairfield Inn in Kodak, TN, near Sevierville.  I bought a new audiobook for the drive from one of my favorite Southern authors, Ron Rash, called "The World Made Straight."  He captures the mountains of North Carolina so eloquently in his stories and the area is as big a character as the people in it.   Two hours in and I am loving it!  

2/18 - After knocking out my one fair of the day this morning, I had the afternoon to myself, and it turned out to be a fun and interesting one.  I started with the famous burger at Chubby's Restaurant in Sevierville.  This heart attack on a plate has two beef patties, pulled pork and bacon!  And it was awesome!  I couldn't even finish all the pulled pork that was piled on it.  

I was touring through The Great Smokey Mountains National Park after lunch and happened upon Mannis Branch Falls without even knowing it existed! It's technically roadside, but across from the Little River which it cascades into.  Maybe on a warmer day I can wade across and scramble up for a better view of its 30' drop that's obscured by vegetation.  Still a pretty site and a great accident to stumble upon! 

This was another interesting stop.  This roadside waterfall is for sale!  What a perfect place to put a brewery!  If I just had that extra $500K laying around, I could do it up right! They had it walled off pretty well from site, but I glimpsed it through the trees.  It's a nice little 15 or 20' cascade on Cove Creek just outside Pigeon Forge.   

My next stop was a new-to-me brewery (they've only been around a year so) called Mountain Brothers Brewing Company in Sevierville.  It's a nice little nano-brewery added on to a popular general store also ran by the "mountain brothers."  I tried their very good IPA called Jolene.  Next was their brand new Eye-Witness Dunkle that I thought was top notch.  Note the CU sticker going into the brewery!  I shall return!! 

I finished off the fun afternoon with a great matinee price for a 5 PM showing of Crime 101 at The Forge Theaters in Sevierville.  I thought it was a solid flick, although the ending was a little goofy IMO.  The theaters were great and look pretty new too. 

Beforehand, I had a medal-winning pint of the outstanding brown ale called Don't Feed the Bears from Gatlinburg Brewing.  I had it at their Sevierville location which I have not been to before.  And, yes, I will be back!  

2/19 - On the drive back from Knoxville, I stopped at Father's Tom Pub for a couple of pints.  First up was the solid Vienna lager from Xul Beer Company (Knoxville) called Till Death Do We Riot and finished with the nice Mardi Gras Pils from Urban South Brewing (New Orleans).  

When I got home, I promptly won another $5 SNG on ClubWPT Gold.

This month's issue of Ante Up Online Magazine 

Page 2 for review! 

Even got a nice mention in the table of contents! 

2/20 - We flew up to NYC today to see Jason Isbell perform at Radio City Music Hall tonight. The show was fantastic and RCMH is amazing!  We stayed at the very nice Grayson Hotel nearby and when we arrived, I had a nice Pilsner from The Bronx Brewery in the lobby bar called Harta.  Before the show at dinner at the Irish bar, Pig 'N' Whistle, I had their decent (house made?) Pig 'N' Whistle Lager.

After the show, we went for late night pizza at Roma which was decent on the way for some more brews as well.  

We found late night craft brews just around the corner from the hotel at the very nice Clinton Beer Hall where I started with the excellent Double Something Citra IPA from Finback Brewing over in Queens.  I finished with the solid NEIPA called HEX from Upward Brewing (NY).

2/21 - We had a full day in NYC today and enjoyed being back on the streets of The Big Apple.  After a cool Gilded Age-themed tour, we stopped in the swanky Cafe Sabarsky inside one of the former mansions from that era for a snack and a brew for me.  This Vienna-style cafe had a nice beer selection, and I have to say I had one of the best German beers I've ever had there (and I am rather hard on German beer seeming to all taste the same to me).  It was a bottle of the Rothaus Pils/Tennen Zapfle from the Badische Statsbrauerei Rotahus in Grafenhausen, Germany.  It went great with my sinfully good slice of pistachio and chocolate cream cake! 

The Yard House at Times Square was busy as hell, but we managed to squeeze in at the bar for a couple pre-Broadway show libations.  I started with the so-so German IPA from BRLO Brewing (Berlin) and then finished with the much better Space Camper Juice Nova Superstellar DIPA from Boulevard Brewing (St. Louis).   

Being just two rows from Ray Ramano on stage on Broadway was pretty freakin' cool.  The show was called All Out! and it was wacky and fun with some great music too.  

2/23 - I was back on the road for work today with stops in my old stomping grounds inside the lovely Sequatchie Valley tomorrow and Wednesday.  I had a chance to stop at Sequatchie Valley Brewing in Dunlap (thanks for being open on a Monday!) where I had their excellent Cartwright Kickers Black IPA and their equally good 1858 Brown Ale.  It was slow today and I got to talk with the brewer, Eric, who was very cool.  He's a one-man operation here, but he's putting out some quality stuff.  I also bought a very nice SVBC-patched flannel shirt with some recent poker winnings.  

2/24 - I had an easy workday back in The Valley today with just a lunch visit to Bledsoe County HS.  Afterwards, I had a late lunch and libations at Monkey Town Brewing in Dayton.  I had their solid pilsner called Coastline Crusher and their excellent oatmeal stout called Black Magic.  This is still one of my favorite regional breweries with great beer, outstanding food (my club sandwich and corn nuggets were killer) and a great name honoring the history of the town and the Scopes Monkey Trial that took place in 1925 in the beautiful and historic Rhea County Courthouse pictured above. 

2/25 - It was a long workday inside Marion County with three school fairs that started with the ol' alma mater, Whitwell High, and then a long drive to Johnson City afterwards for a rescheduled two-day fair there to close out the week.  I was able to have lunch with my old pal since kindergarten, Veen, who was the sitting judge today at the Marion County Justice Center in Jasper.  We met at the nice Redpoint Inn in Jasper where I had a pretty good Philly cheesesteak sandwich and a bottle of their house Redpoint Bock.  I am not sure who makes it for them.  

I got to JC without any issues and stayed at a nice Fairfield Inn (points!). 

2/26 - After a shorter than scheduled morning fair in Johnson City, I had the rest of the day free and scouted out a couple waterfalls in the area.  First up was the pretty and delicate Little Laurel Branch Falls (photo above).  The reflection in Wilbur Lake was a nice bonus since this across-the-way shot was the best I could get today and had to briefly trespass onto a construction site to get it.  This one would be nice to come back to with the kayaks and explore from the other shore.  

Next up was the surprisingly beautiful Millstone Creek Falls just outside Jonesborough, TN.  It is just off the road and drops about 30' on its way to the Nolichucky River on the other side of the road.  It looks to be privately-owned with a house perched above it on the left side of the creek with a sweet viewing deck and stairs down to the base.  On the right side where I was there's a short trail with no nasty signs saying to go away.  Thanks for the access, folks.  She's a beauty! 

I continued south and on into North Carolina to meet my best friend, Craig, for dinner and brews at the Homeplace Beer Company in Burnsville, NC.    Cool town and a cool brewery with the dining room on the second floor with an open view of the brewery down on the first floor (photo above).  Along with our interesting and tasty chicken marsala pizza that we split I had excellent session IPA called Faith Healer.  I had a flight next and was surprised to see I had already had a couple of them on some previous trips to NC. That's what UNTAPPD is for!  The new-to-me tasters were the decent Bag of Bones Scotch ale, the very nice French Saison and the solid IPA called Natural Traveler.  I finished the evening with a half pint of their very good Port in Storm porter.

When I got back to Tennessee and my hotel, I won a $5 SNG on ClubWPT Gold again.   

2/27 - It was a long drive back home from Johnson City today, but it was just too pretty a day, and the streamflow was so good, I just couldn't pass up hitting a waterfall in the area before heading west.    I chose the very interesting Laurel Run Falls inside Laurel Run Park which is a county-owned park near tiny Church Hill, Tennessee, situated on the shores of the Holston River.  It was a rather tough, muddy trek to the small 12' falls, but still a good one to check off the list.  There's actually another waterfall beyond this one, but I was running out time and wasn't really prepared for it.  Next time!  

Such a beautiful area!  I will be back - maybe with better shoes and my hiking stick!! 

2/28 - I just barely got my monthly free beer club flight today at Cedar City Brewing along with their kick-ass dry-rub wings for lunch!  They had two new-to-be beers (top right and top middle).  The Emerald Raspberry Riot sour was a little more tart than sour and was actually a little too sweet to my pallet, but not awful.  The Oak Aged Rye IPA was very good, and I will definitely be having that one again!  The rest were just a few faves of mine that were repeats. 

3/2 - I was back on the road for work today, and after an early fair at Rhea County, I was able sneak in a quick hike nearby.  I thought this black and white video of Upper Piney Creek Falls in Grandview is pretty cool.  This is a revisit from years and years ago, but I sure don't remember much about it the first time I came here, so it's a like a brand new visit and waterfall!    

I am staying in Cookeville at a nice Fairfield Inn for a couple nights (points!) and I had a great chef's salad with grilled salmon at Father Tom's Pub for dinner along with a couple brews (on my dime).  First up was the solid wheat ale from Green Man Brewing (Asheville) called White Beard.  I finished with the decent Centennial IPA from Founder's Brewing (MI), but I was honestly expecting more hops.  

Back at the hotel I watched Duke win the regular season ACC title by destroying NC State.  This really may be their year!  I also chopped our little PokerStars local game vs. 5 other players.  I had to rebuy twice, so it was nice to get something back which turned out to be double my total buy-in including rebuys and add-on.  On ClubWPT Gold I broke even with a second place and then a DNC in two sit-n-goes.  But I did cash out $20 from other recent success on there. 

3/3 - After an early fair in Cumberland County, I had the afternoon free to slip up into Kentucky for a look-see at a couple of small waterfalls and a natural bridge that I had researched.  Plus, how was I supposed to compete with this cutey pictured above on the TWRA's table.  He's a little screech owl being fostered for release back into the wild after he and his siblings lost their mama.  And he's plenty wild, the handler had to use a thick glove to get near him and said he had a hunk taken out of his other hand earlier in the day! 

First up was pretty Town Creek Falls near the city limits of Monticello, Kentucky.  Despite being roadside, it was a tricky hike down to the stream for this shot.  Evidently there's another drop farther downstream, but I wasn't dressed for it, nor did I have the time.  It's a tremendous, little canyon this stream flows through and I wonder why the city hasn't developed it into a park of some kind.  There's evidence of mill activity here and at a smaller drop upstream, so the history is probably pretty interesting too. Some litter from being roadside, but not bad, but it sure seems neglected otherwise.  

Another cataract near Monticello is Meadow Creek Falls that I learned about kind of last-minute.  It's on the grounds of a Civil War park and thus protected looks like although the falls are kind of an afterthought in terms of park attractions.  The stream rushes toward Lake Cumberland in a series of drops with this one being the biggest.  Another gorgeous little canyon carved out here also. 

Next up was Little Lily Creek Falls near Jamestown, KY.  Obviously from the shot above, this is a roadside waterfall and ever since going to northern Ohio and the Cuyahoga Valley NP region, I've come to appreciate a road or bridge above a waterfall sometimes since they have so many like this up there.  With no obvious trail to the streambed or base of the falls, I had to basically bushwhack my way down.  Very odd.  It seems this place would be kind of popular with the locals.  It does seem to be somewhat protected but not developed as a park or recreation area.  

 
Just around the bend in the road is Big Lily Creek Falls which is also roadside but doesn't have a place to pull off to get a picture.  I had to road hike a short distance for this shot which turned out to be one of my favorites of the day.    
This area of Kentucky looks to have several more falls to research and seek out in the future.  I am looking forward to the challenge! 

Wow!  I was not expecting the Creelsboro Arch/Natural Bridge to be this large!  Like the waterfalls nearby, this incredible area is not really developed at all.  There is a monument to some of its colorful history (used by Native Americans and early settlers alike, churchgoers, plus even moonshiners later on) and the fact that it was saved from being flooded from the plan of damming the Wolf River on the other side of the arch in the photo above, but otherwise no designated parking area or trail really.  The sign says enjoy the privately-owned area and basically don't be a dick.  My daylight was waning fast here, so again I would like to return for a closer look and to explore some more.  

Kentucky granted me one more gift on my way south with an incredible rising blood moon that only lasted a few minutes before going back to yellow.  And also, thanks to all the Kentucky deer for not running out in front of my car (more on that below).   

3/4 - I had a fair this morning at Sweetwater High School and I was so close to The Lost Sea, I just had to go check it out (sorry, Ashlee).  I had been here as a kid, but remember very little about it, so I was excited for the revisit.  It did not disappoint!  So very cool.  What an amazing place!  The largest underground lake in the U.S. (that we know of).  I am glad I came without Ashlee actually because I don't remember it being such a steep walk in and then out which could be rough on her wanky knee.  The lake is amazing and there's even a natural spring trickling waterfall they call Crystal Falls.   What's not to love!  I will come back anytime with you, honey! 

3/5 - As I headed back home from some Knoxville area fairs today, I stopped by Orange Hat Brewing for a couple quick pints.  First up was their tasty NEIPA called J-Hazy (photo above), and then their solid IPA called West Coast State of Mind.  

3/6 - Chalk up another $5 SNG win on ClubWPT Gold today! 

3/7 - It was a good day on the virtual felt and on TV today with another $5 SNG win on ClubWPT Gold and wins for the USWNT (She Believes Cup winners!), Duke beating the snot out of UNC (payback, bitches!!) and NSC manhandling Minnesota at home which ties us for first place in the MLS East in the early season!  

3/8 - I headed up to Franklin, Kentucky, today to take part in Event # 11 of The Barrel Tournament Series since I missed out on the seniors' event that I was targeting last weekend.  The place was packed with the last day of their main event going on, a lady's tournament, plus some cash games.  

And I made the final table!! Ten players cashed out of 77 entries and while I limped into the final table with a low chip stack, I was able to double up, but then ran my pair of kings into a turned straight to still go out in ninth.  But, hey, I will take it!  After tips to the dealers and staff, I came out with double my buy-in and more confidence in my live play including an amazing all in bluff with a four-to-the-flush river and me holding nothing.  I came to find out I did that against the eventual winner (he said he was holding two pair) seated in front of me in the picture above that was borrowed from The Barrel's Facebook page.  

And then... the real BAD BEAT happened.  I was ALMOST HOME from the tournament and made a point not to go down Academy Road because of deer (we hit one on that curvy two-lane road several years ago after dark), and instead I drove, down big, wide, 4-laned Hwy. 70 which turns into West Main in Lebanon, and out comes this big deer out of nowhere right into the side of my car causing all kind of damage including tearing the rear-view mirror completely off.  WHAT THE HELL!!  WEST MAIN GOT ME AND THE SUE-BEE AGAIN!!  I feel bad about the dumb deer but come on already!!   She's already at the body shop on her way to getting fixed at least.  Deal the next hand, please...  

3/9 - I was back in Chattanooga for work today and got another $5 SNG win on ClubWPT Gold at the nice TowneSuites Hotel (points!) that I am staying at.  

3/10 - After work today in Chattanooga, I swung by Sigler's Beer and Cigar Shop which happens to be home to the new-to-me AlphaBrews Brewing also.  I had their new NEIPA called Who Ya Gonna Call? which was decent.  Their red ale called Alpha Red was better.  Cool little place.  I'm happy to have added it to the collection. 

3/11 - After work today while still in Chattanooga, I went to see Marty Supreme at the AMC Northgate 14. They have re-released it in theaters (at a discounted price) since it got nominated for Best Picture at The Oscars.  I gotta be honest, I wasn't crazy about it.  I thought the lead character was an asshole for most of the film.  Maybe that was the point.  Not sure.   But it was a bit of an eye-rolling ending when he suddenly was this greater person after shitting on everyone in his life before that.  Whatever! 

I went over to the Miller's Ale House near my hotel tonight in hopes of finding the NSC game against Miami in Leg One of the Concacaf Champions Cup Tournament at Geodis Park in Nashville.  Their craft beer list was pretty predictably dull as I was anticipating, but I did find a couple new-to-me macro-produced pints and they did get the game on for me, plus a killer Cobb salad with grilled chicken and shrimp for dinner.  I had the nice Hazy IPA from Lagunitas Brewing (CA) and the equally good House Hazy IPA from New Belgium Brewing (CO).  The game ended in a frustrating 0-0 tie.  Seven corners to their zero really shows how frustrating it was not to get the W there tonight.  

3/12 - After driving back from Chattanooga today for work, I started a long-weekend dog-sitting gig in Watertown tonight.  Not my favorite pit bulls, just the three goobers out on Neal Road who are pretty good bubbas too. 

We got a good amount of rain overnight, so this little unnamed (some call it Possum Falls roadside wet-weather beauty on Cagle Mountain in the photo above was running nicely today.  Definitely worth a stop and a snap.

I got another $5 SNG win on ClubWPT Gold today when I got to Watertown.  

Coming soon to a fridge near ME!!   This year's contracted craft beer from Evill Nash Brewing up in Clarksville in partnership with my work pal, Todd, is a black(ish) IPA honoring a historic, infamous (and long gone) bar on the Lebanon Square that Cumberland University students would frequent called The Devil's Armpit.  I hope to go pick up the case of it (in English-style 16.9 oz. bottles) this weekend! 

3/13 - Speaking of CU, I worked remote today from my Watertown dog-sitting gig.  Over at the nearby Three Forks Market, I found a sixer of a craft beer I have not had yet.  I always like to buy craft beer from them since I appreciate them having a nice section for such a small store in such a small town.  I picked up the very good Vienna-style lager from Von Trapp Brewing (VT) called simply Vienna.  

This is my favorite part of the new rebranding by the Tennessee Titans.  New look, new coach, new domed stadium coming next year.  Now let's string some effing wins together!! 

3/14 - Down two starters to injury and STILL IN THE ACC FINALS!! 
LET'S GO DUKE!!! 
AND THEY GET THE CLOSE WIN WITH A GUTSY PERFORMANCE OVER A GREAT UVA TEAM!!!  
NSC also got a great road win tonight in Columbus with an added time goal for the 1-0 victory!! 
And to close out the night I got another $5 SNG win on ClubWPTGold (and another third-place cash since we're counting) 

3/15 - I was able to go see a SOLD-OUT sneak-peek showing of the new Project Hail Mary movie in IMAX 70mm at Opry Mills Theaters in Nashville late this afternoon.  I thought it was fantastic!  It holds very true to the book and Ryan Gosling did a great job in the lead role.  The directors evidently used no green-screen and the production design looked amazing.  

Beforehand, I drove up to Clarksville and picked my case of commissioned craft brews at Evill Nash Brewing.  While there, I had their new solid Scotch ale called Scots Wha Hae, and then their smooth oatmeal stout called Ball-n-Oats.  Both of which are so new that I had to add them to UNTAPPD.  

I got home to enjoy a bottle of my new brew from ENBC which I added and checked into UNTAPPD as The Devil's Armpit Black(ish) IPA - A Tribute to Cumberland University.  It was smooth and tasty and does pour a little brown in color, so I opted for the "brown IPA" style of beer, although that's a new one to me..."Brown Eye P.A." (snicker).  

3/16 - I had another remote day at work today and "hit for the cycle" on ClubWPT Gold with a first, second and third place finish for positive ROI for the day.  Good enough! 

3/17 - Happy St. Patty's Day!  We had a tasty dinner and libations (no green beer, but a Guinness Draught) at Burger Republic in Mt. Juliet with some friends.  I also had a Harp Premium Lager (made by Guinness) which I haven't had in years and never checked in on UNTAPPD. 

3/18 - Got another $5 SNG win on ClubWPT Gold tonight! And a second-place finish and also cashed out $25! 

3/19 - I covered for a co-worker at a night fair (overtime!) at Franklin High School and afterwards, since I was so close, I dropped by Curio Brewing for a one-and-done.  It was the interesting and very tasty TNEIPA called the Howler IPA.  It has a sweet pineapple start and a tingling habanero pepper burn for the finish. Very unique!

3/20 - I had a quick overnight dog-sitting gig in Watertown tonight with my two favorite pitbulls.   I "hit for the cycle" again on ClubWPT Gold $5 sit-n-goes with a first, second and third place finish tonight. 

3/21 - I went to my first NSC game of the new season tonight but only stayed until halftime due to doggie duty back at home with Ashlee gone for the night.  We had a nice 2-0 lead by then anyway and I got to see both goals scored right in front of me and my Super Sam Surridge bobble-head.  We wound up trouncing Orlando 5-0 and bobble-head Sam even got a hat trick!  

If I hadn't left early, I would have never gotten this great shot of our beloved "Castle on the Hill."  What a great night for soccer in Music City!!  

I know it's early in the season but look who's # 1 in the East in MLS!!  With our great win tonight, we jumped to the top and are tied for the most points also in the entire MLS.   

3/22 - I went to see Project Hail Mary again tonight in IMAX at the Streets of Indian Lake Theaters in Hendersonville along with my long-time friend, Casey, and his nephew, Colin.  Definitely worth seeing again!!  Beforehand, we had dinner near the theaters at Brixx Wood Fired Pizza and watched some of the UT game and win in The Big Dance against Virginia.  

Beforehand at home, I got another $5 SNG win on ClubWPT Gold!  And then a second-place finish and was able to cash out $25 in profit.  

3/23 - I was heading to Chattanooga today for work via Hwy. 111 and stopped to scout out pretty little Richey Ridge Falls.  I've been past this easily accessed falls a thousand times and never knew it was here until recently.  It is a little rain-dependent, so I do want to come back when there's been more wet weather. 
When I got to Chatty, I stayed at a nice Townplace Suites (points!) over on the east side of town at Hamilton Place. 

3/24 - With just a lunch visit on the docket to today in Chattanooga, I had most of the day to myself.  So, I went to scout out Blowing Wind Falls over in Mullins Cove again.  I was concerned with stream flow since it's been pretty dry lately, but luckily, I've been to the trailhead before and knew you pass by the stream on the road driving in before hiking, so I could check it before committing to the climb.  And it was dry...as was I...so let's have a beer...or three!! 
So, I headed back over to North Chattanooga and stopped at the Brewhaus for one out on their deck facing downtown.  Beautiful day for a brew!  This one happened to be the Peach Sour from Chattanooga's own Hutton and Smith Brewing.  It was more tart than sour and pretty enjoyable actually.  

The badges on UNTAPPD have become rather haphazard in earning them, but I finally saw a Level 100 one today and had to take note of it.  I finally am recognized for having checked in 500 hazy IPAs.  With close to 6,000 total beers checked in, this is the first Level 100 badge I remember getting.  I think their numbering system is off a little bit!  Anyway, the earner of this badge was the very nice Hazy Heights from Highland Brewing (Asheville). I had this one at Tremont Tavern around the corner from the Brewhaus since their beer list was better (and more unique) for me.  I closed out with the surprisingly good Smokies Light Lager from Iron Forge Brewing (Sevierville).   

One of my favorite "chick movies" ever, Steel Magnolias, was back in theaters tonight as AMC is celebrating Women's History Month, so I went to their theaters in East Ridge for the showing at a nice, discounted price.  Still damn funny and oh so moving (yeah, I teared up a bit).   And it's still very cool to know Ashlee and I stayed in the Eatonton house down in Louisiana one night several years ago.  

3/25 - I returned from Chattanooga via I-24 today, so I could scope out some waterfalls on and around Monteagle Mountain, plus I would have the chance to have lunch at the amazing new Riverdance Restaurant overlooking Nickajack Lake (photo above).  Wow!  This place is amazing!  And I couldn't have picked a nicer day to visit.  

Of course, when Ashlee (who visited Riverdance before me) said they have a brewery, you know I had to come check it out even if the view was of a trash dumpster!!  They've only got 5 taps, but the two I had were excellent.  The Riverdance West Coast IPA wasn't super hoppy, but still very good.  And then their seasonal Riverdance Chocolate Stout was smooth and refreshing.  The food was great too!  What a great new addition to the old stomping grounds of Marion County!  

I took an interesting (and new to me route) route up to Monteagle Mountain from Kimball via South Pittsburg Mountain which was really nice and very undeveloped being part of the Franklin-Marion State Forest.  This would be a great drive in the fall.  I happened on this huge patch of purple wildflowers roadside while heading up Stage Coach Road. 

I struck out on waterfalls going 0-5.  While I got close to the trail for Tom Pack Falls, I did happen upon Tennessee's newest state park, Head of the Crow.   The road to Tom Pack Falls was closed a half mile from the trailhead and I didn't have to time to hike it.  Plus, the water levels seem low here also right now, so best to save it for another time.  Jump-off Falls and another unnamed drop on Falls Branch that I saw on a map were blocked from view on private property.  The falls that Otter Falls Road is named after is still a mystery, and access to Bridal Veil Falls on the campus of Sewanee wasn't really obvious either.  I've been to it before, but it was years and years ago.  I will just need more time and more rain.  

3/26 - I had a dog-sitting gig out off Hwy. 109 thru the long weekend starting today.  The photo above is my sweet girl, Lili, in what I call her "couch camouflage."

3/27 - I used some poker winnings and UberEats tonight to have some terrific chicken-fried rice delivered to my dog-sitting abode from Chada Thai Restaurant over in Providence.  Treat yo'self!!!  

3/28 - Well, I pulled the trigger today to pretty much guarantee me a chance to see at least a small part of the World Cup coming to North America this year.  Tickets prices are pretty insane especially for the higher-seeded teams, but I was able to find two reasonable upper-level seats in Atlanta (the closest venue) on a Saturday to a Group K stage game with Uzbekistan vs. either Jamaica or DR Congo (it's going to be DR Congo with a 1-0 win).  I also secured a reasonable hotel room within Uber distance of the Mercedes-Benz Dome before those prices go shooting up also.  

3/29 - After taking it on the chin for a few days, I finally got another $5 SNG win on ClubWPT Gold today.   
Afterwards, I went for lunch at Cedar City Brewing and claimed my free flight of beer for March as a Mug Club member.  The only new-to-me one they had was their new Maibock which was very nice.  I also had the dry-rub wings which were solid as usual.

I got two more $5 SNG wins after lunch as well. And was able to withdraw $25 of profit. And then proceeded to watch my beloved Duke Blue Devils piss away a 15-point halftime lead in The Elite 8 only to lose at the buzzer to an almost-half-court 3-pointer by those hated UConn Huskies (ugggghhh!!) 

3/30 - I am in Chattanooga for work yet again for this week.  Tonight, I went to see a 40th Anniversary showing of Stand by Me at the AMC Theaters in East Ridge.  Besides being a favorite of mine, the timing of this rerelease is also significant based on the shocking recent murder of director, Rob Reiner, and his wife (RIP).  Beforehand, I had some tasty chicken lettuce wraps and spicy green beans for dinner from PF Chang's.

3/31 - I headed past Knoxville for work this afternoon after this morning's fair in Chattanooga, and I am staying the next couple nights at a brand-new Courtyard by Marriot hotel in Sevierville (points!).   I am so glad I requested the "View of Buc-ee's Suite" - of course that's where I had dinner!! 

I wound up going to the wrong Casual Pint (RIP Casual Pint in Smyrna) tonight in Pigeon Forge instead of Sevierville, but it was open an hour later and had a great beer list also.  I started with the very nice Italian-style pilsner called Cristo from Living Waters Brewing out of Nashville, and then ended with an excellent NEIPA from local Gatlinburg Brewing (these guys continue to impress) called Morning Juice.  It was some kind of happy hour also because I got both beers for seven bucks!!  I just may have to come back again tomorrow night...but maybe to the Sevierville location.

The latest edition of the Ante Up Online Magazine came out tonight and my monthly article looked good except that they inadvertently printed the same paragraph twice (doh!).  

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