To the Weekend Warriors.. Finally Back Home.

I finally put this long week behind me! By the end of it of course I am sitting here exasperated and begging for relief. After venting to Candace about my woes we both came to the conclusion we needed a weekend away in the hills. We just yearned for some fresh cool air, close friends and big fish to really help clear our minds. So without further hesitation we headed out Friday afternoon bound for Dahlonega, Georgia.

I am one of the fortunate ones to be raised in this small town in North, Georgia. It is an incredible outlet for music, writing, art and culture of all sorts. Most of my close friends still live there so I try to get back as often as I can. But of course that never seems often enough.

We arrived at the Chestatee Garden Tavern to find my best friend Matthew playing an all original acoustic guitar set, and as usual I had my guitar handy and tuned. We were able to entertain the great folks that came out until the wee hours of the morning. All the while we got to enjoy the crisp mountain air while consuming copious amounts of our favorite adult beverages with our close friends.

As I woke up Saturday morning, I’m still not sure at what point I quit dreaming and the day began but none the less, the next thing I knew, I’m standing in a cold river catching monster rainbow trout. We spent the day fishing and eating campfire cuisine. I love getting a chance to go back up North and enjoy spending time with great friends. The photo up above is the big fish I was able to land for the day. It gave me a tremendous fight with several of my favorite gut wrenching,”oh I’m going to lose it!” moments.

The photo below is of my good friend Andrew and his enormous rainbow.

Sunday we actually timed our drive through the state nicely so we were not caught up by traffic or speeding to tickets.

I encourage you to get out there on the weekends. See the country and enjoy the fruits of the area around you. The weekend warrior lives on, I will continue to float my kayak and I hope you do similar and or the same.

Cheers
BenG

Will post in a day or so with some Gulf Coast fishing reports and pictures.

Wide Angle Pine

I enjoy a unique perspective of the world we live in. Even a simple pine tree in the right eye can be an imaginative wonder.

Speckled trout in Appalachicola FL

Beyond the foreground

It’s the images like this that I flip through when a rainy day has me moving slowly. Look through the foreground to the dance of the waves beyond. It’s going to keep raining on over the next few days so I’m sure we will get in the kitchen and make something delicious as well as keep you entertained with stills from my wide angle life.

Leave Only the Lightest of Footprints, Take Nothing but Photographs.

The only evidence of my kayak launching on the forgotten coast. If you are not sure what i mean by the forgotten coast, I encourage you to research, and hopefully experience it. I enjoy this place as my ocean paradise where you are one of only few at any given time to be out here. Incredible fishing and great memories.

From the roots up; A little about me.

Never having a clear image or direction has truly become in its self a direction in which I live.

A being of freedom is what some see in me however, others share the opinion that i am misguided and losing ground on what my future could/may have been. I am not in the slightest way oblivious or naive to the fact that organization and planning are great keys to success I have just come to terms with, and enjoy a lifestyle that involves more trial and error as well as following your dreams and feelings. When asked my plans for my future I am the one who often replies ” I’m gonna make ends meet” or ” I’m just gonna keep on keep-in on” I don’t care to be anything I am not I just want to love the life I live.

I don’t fit into the cookie cutter mold. I beat to my own drum and will continue to write my story everyday as it unfolds.

In the real world I am a chef. I enjoy every facet of what I do. My creativity is challenged everyday and i continue to hone my people skills through frightening and always hilarious customer service issues.(many of which I will share)

I am an advocate of, and very passionate about farm to table fare and sustenance living. My near future plans include buying a farm where I will be able to produce and sell nutritious veggies and meats as well as educate and inspire local restaurants and schools to cook with these products instead of many of the alternatives used today.

I write often and will always. Enjoy following the journey. I hope to give you some ideas, recipes, laughs and photographs as you get a glimpse of my wide angle life.

One of my favorites and a southerners pride. The low country boil! This picture was taken at about 11:30pm after a very long day of kayak fishing with friends while camping at St. Andrews St. Park.

Shrimp and sausage goodness!!