Tales from the Corners

Hey folks, I just added some new material in the Golf section and the following item in The Latest section: The ribbon has just been cut to open the third leg of one of southwest Florida ’s most acclaimed nature-based attractions, the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail – nearly doubling the size to 190 miles. This latest phase will introduce paddlers to the Caloosahatchee River ’s creeks and meandering waters.

This week I'm all about "staycations." I'll post some information about destinations in the Atlanta area including beautiful downtown Norcross and Lawrenceville. Also, new restaurants in the Good Eating section on Men's Traveler

I have a new "In The Spotlight" feature in Men's Traveler. This week, Atlanta radio legend Jimmy Baron supplies Men's Traveler with his favorite vacation destinations. Check it out at Men's Traveler

From time to time, I ride Atlanta's rail transit. This morning was the first time I got on since my Little Rock trip in June 2008 (I took MARTA to the airport). I'm writing this short post because a fellow rider recently wrote an opinion editorial in Atlanta's newspaper -- The Atlanta Journal Constitution -- about how the system failed her one day. Yes, in my 19 years here, it has happened to me on a few occasions, but for the most part, MARTA saves me on gas and frustration. This morning I had the opportunity to finish David Sedaris' new book When You Are Engulfed In Flames. I'm bringing this book up in the travel blog because Sedaris not only does a great job at hilarious storytelling, but he brings up descriptions of locations including Paris and Tokyo. After reading When You Are Engulfed In Flames, I seriously need to get to Tokyo and even Hiroshima! If you want an excellent summer read, pick up this new volume.

Here are some more videos from my June 2008 trip to Little Rock, Arkansas. This is a walk-through at Garvan Gardens: The Rankin Brothers perform Simon and Garfunkel's "Sounds of Silence."

I'm still getting around to posting more material from the Arkansas trip. In this entry I have some still images and video. We had great musical entertainment at the Society of American Travel Writers meeting at the Peabody Hotel. This is the Rankin Brothers who perform in Branson, Missouri. For info, visit The Rankin Brothers The upload tool on this blog is quite slow. It's a bit faster on my YouTube page. The following isn't much, but it gives you the idea that the water in Hot Springs is indeed hot -- notice the steam.

I have a new AJC op-ed out today. Check Here's hoping the stadium is green out. My recent observations on Little Rock are mentioned in the article.

I had a few moments to upload more of my Arkansas material. Be sure to visit my Men's Traveler site http://www.menstraveler.com to view even more photos in my Arkansas article. Stained glass ceiling at the Fordyce Bathhouse in Hot Springs. Here are some more photos from the recent SATW chapter meeting in Little Rock: Musical entertainment at Little Rock's Peabody Hotel in their Riverview Room, a great facility for breakfast meetings.

Cathedral at Garvan Gardens Blackened Ribeye over Mashed Potatoes at Acadia in Midtown Little Rock, Arkansas Little Rock rocks. That pretty much sums it up. This once-sleepy Arkansas town is booming with great shops, restaurants and world-class hotels. The folks at restaurants like Acadia, Ferneau, So and the Copper Grill and Grocery are incredibly talented. If you drive through or find yourself on a layover, make your way to the downtown area which features the Old Statehouse, the Peabody Hotel and the Clinton Presidential Library. Mary Beth Ringgold, one of the owner/chefs at Little Rock's Copper Grill and Grocery. Lil Arkansas girl at Copper Grill and Grocery. Home of the minor league Arkansas Travelers. Please visit Men's Traveler: http://menstraveler.com

I'm having a blast in Little Rock! This is a great walkable city with a "grid-like" pattern. In the heat of the day, I took a stroll over the bridge from the Peabody Hotel to North Little Rock, home to actor Ted ("Cheers") Danson's wife Mary Steenburgen. Later on in the day, the SATW (Society of American Travel Writers) group held their Marketplace at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library. It is a massive shrine to the 42nd president. Tomorrow it's off to Hot Springs! Be sure to see my full stories on my new site: http://menstraveler.com

I just arrived in Little Rock on this rather hot and muggy day. The temperature is about the same as Atlanta. There is a breeze which makes it feel like the back end of an air conditioner unit. My American Eagle flight arrived without hassle into LR's aiport. The kind folks at the Convention and Visitor's Bureau had everything worked out. I was quickly whisked into downtown via limo service. LR is similar to the ATL in its look. Many downtown buildings are boarded up, but the difference here is that the city fathers are on the ground floor with a major renovation. I wish I could say the same for the ATL. OK, we do have some bright spots in ATL's downtown even with the reminder of March's tornado, but LR is off and running. I really think I'm going to enjoy my week here. In other news, please visit my main Men's Traveler site which is now up and running. After this trip, I will definitely have more material. Please visit: http://menstraveler.com