Serenbe Farms

Up and Went, Palmetto, GA Tweet Map

From Serenbe Farms

When somebody uses the words, “organic farming community,” my first thoughts are of some kind of hippie throwback community with folks who make their own clothes and odors of patchouli drown out odors of, well, other things. Not exactly my primary thought when I’m looking for a getaway with my significant other. But so many Atlantans just love the place. It usually wins the readers polls for best daytrip. So when the right moment came, this monkey made an afternoon trip to Serenbe Farms in Palmetto, Georgia.

Serenbe Farms is exactly as it states a farming community using organic principles to emulate sustainability. Its produce can be sampled at three dining establishments in the area, as well as some Atlanta restaurants like Restaurant Eugene or Holeman & Finch. For the record, I like the principle of sourcing things locally and understand that if there was only organic farming, there would be a lot more starvation in the world. I think the folks at Serenbe get the idea: if you are blessed with the prosperity to allow yourself to make more environmentally friendly decisions, you really ought to, but I digress.

What you get to see at Serenbe is three basic elements. First, there are the Farmlands, which radiate a well maintained and rustic beauty. Farm Tours are available, but take some prior arrangement that we did not make, but one can still walk along the path enjoying its aesthetic beauty without understanding the agricultural science behind it. Second, are the shops and services. The reputation Serenbe has garnered has made it attracted a number of shops for your perusal. They are pricier, high end, sort of things, I would rarely buy from, but often find it fun to stop and look around. I will note that the wine store had a significant number of items under $20, so kudos to them for having something for the everyman.

Finally, and probably, the most notable attraction at Serenbe are the Restaurants themselves. There is a quaint little bakery shop called the Blue Eyed Daisy, which seems to be open most of the day, and doubles as the area’s grocery store. And then there’s the two major restaurants, The Hil, a more upscale eatery in the commercial district, and the Farmhouse, which is part of the original Farmhouse and Inn, where we chose to eat. Both places take and basically need reservations, and as I have said, we just up and went with no planning, but both offered to seat us without reservations, as long as we arrived immediately upon opening at 5pm (the website now says they open at 6p). We considered this generous and gladly accepted.

From 4-5pm outside the dining area at the Farmhouse, they had significant drink specials for happy hour. If my memory serves, mixed drinks were half off, and this wasn’t in the advertising. So we had a drink and waited for the doors to open. Then menu was simple, choice between two starters ($6), two entrees ($18), and two desserts($5). This made the deciding process quicker, but might hamper the more finicky eaters. I had the pork chops over grits, while my companion had the chicken dish. All the food was organic and local and very tasty. The menu does change regularly, but the format remains the same. We had planned to spend the afternoon at nearby Cochran Mill Parkexploring the trails, waterfall, and mill ruins, but the necessity of being at the restaurant at exactly 5pm curtailed that excursion.

So why do I think people love this place? Because it is sort of an oasis from what you normally see on a day to day basis in the Atlanta Area, and the food is authentic, organic, and really good. The Farmland and the area around the Farmhouse was the most beautiful. The commercial district was little weird to me, as I have a guttural disdain for planned playgrounds that only the affluent can enjoy, that comes from so much of my life being lived in the Shadow of Disneyworld. The Farm seems real and true to its purpose, the business district seems to be an overpriced and fairly surreal, a place where people should visit like a museum or a zoo but not live.

Restaurant Fundamentals

The Farmhouse at Serenbe
Address: Hutcheson Ferry Rd, Palmetto, Georgia
Hours: Thu & Fri 6-9pm, Sat 11:30-3pm, 6-9pm, Sun 11:30-3p
Phone: 770.463.2622
Website: Serenbe Farmhouse

Cultural Significance: B
Food Quality: A+
Healthiness: A
Price: B
Value: A

Overall Rating: A

Recommendations: I would suggest you order as much local vegetables and sides as you can. The Fried Green tomato on the salad was probably the best I’ve ever had.
Significance: Sustainable, organic, Farm to table restaurant ahead of its time.

Cirque du Soleil

The Big Top in Atlanta Map

photo by Denny Wood

As many of us drive down the 75/85 corridor, we see the amusing blue and yellow tents standing outside Atlantic Station. This sight is instantly recognizable as a circus tent, and specifically the trademark coloring of the world renown, Cirque du Soleil, which has a sort of permanent home in Atlanta’s midtown. And this week, the cirque came back to town, for a month and a half of performances of their Ovo show. Of which, I had the good fortune to be invited to attend their pre-opening preview this past Wednesday.

photo by Denny Wood

Cirque du Soleil is a new interpretation of the Circus, and is not the type of place your parents took you as a child. Cirque du Soleil’s style is to do themed productions focused on a story, and the theme of Ovo is the insect world. The story revolves around a group of bugs and their encounter with an egg. This dramatic convention’s biggest enhancement to the evening’s entertainment is brilliantly colorful costumes. But there’s more to it, remaining true to its circus roots, Ovo focuses on the more exciting elements of the Big Top: the feats of incredible athleticism and coordination. You get to see a firefly do some incredible juggling, a dragonfly perform feats of hand balancing, ants perform feats of tumbling, and butterflies sore gracefully on ropes above your head. The three most compelling pieces were: a single spider on the slackwire; the trapeze act performed by a beetle troupe; and the finale, an incredible trampoline act dominated by grasshoppers, but with more than 25 acrobats leaping, flipping, and bouncing off the walls.


But of equal note is the homage to the true face of the circus: the Clown. Although there are no bright red noses or huge shoes, the story is carried along by three performers acting in the true spirit of clowndom. First is the ringmaster, a multicolored beetle of sorts, who orders folks around. Next, a spiky, quirky, nerdy insect, who falls in love with the final entertainer, a larger and brightly colored lady bug. When these folks were on the stage, it was like watching a cartoon from my childhood, and I have to admit that I chuckled and laughed probably more than I oooed and aahed at the feats of daring. The remarkable thing was that not a word of English was spoken. They conveyed their meanings via motions and action, accentuated by some verbalized gibberish intended to evoke the idea of insects speaking, if they could talk. In probably the funniest moment from the show, they were even able to get three audience members to act in a funny and harmlessly foolish manner which brought roars from the crowd.


So I am telling you all that I am very glad to see the circus come to my town of Atlanta. In interest of full disclosure, I will tell you that they comped my tickets, which aided my enjoyment because of my personal focus on financial utility. As I have mentioned before, I am not poor, but I am frugal, and I am proud of it. The price range for tickets runs from $50 dollars to as high as $230 (the tickets I was given normally run $70 on a Wednesday night), but there are cheaper prices for children under 12 and discounts for weekday shows for students, seniors, and military, which could bring your cost down $5. A simple google search for “Ovo Atlanta Discount” brought up a couple of ways to find discount pricing the day I wrote this. The only other regret is that I wasn’t allowed to photograph anything under the big top, but this is understandable of the inherent danger of some of the feats high above our head. Some of the photos here are not mine but actually provided by a friend of mine, Denny Wood (shot with a Sony Cybershot Pocket Digital H55 - photos 1 & 2). The exterior shots I took didn’t come out well as hers as Wednesday was a dreary, foggy night (and were taken with the Fuji Finepix Z pocket camera).

Watch Video of Cirque Du Soleil’s Ovo
official trailer 1
official trailer 2
Trampoline Grasshoppers
Ants Juggling Ants
Canadian Performance of OVO

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

He’s goin’ back to a simpler place and time…Map

From Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

There’s something in our collective unconscious that thinks trains are romantic. As a person who has actually travelled by train, I understand this in part, but I know it’s mostly being stuck in a cramped box for hours. But still even I tend to romanticize the railroads. Now there are some great things about it, the slow passage of time, views of the American countryside, and the lullaby of rail on steel. A great way to get the best of the rail without the worst of the rail resides about an hour and 45 minutes north of us in Blue Ridge, Georgia at the appropriately named Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.


Leaving the city of Blue Ridge every day except most Tuesdays and Wednesdays (Schedule) is a seven or eight car train that traverses the Murphy Connector between Blue Ridge and McCaysville, Tennessee. The trip is 13 miles one way with an hour break in McCaysville. There are normally two or three open air cars and two or three closed cars so you can escape or enjoy the weather. The cars themselves are restored historic railcars from times past and places as far away as New York City. The trip takes about four hours in total. There are restrooms and a snack car on the train if either should become necessary.


The Summer cost is a little on the high side at $32 (fares) with discounted pricing for Seniors and children 12 and under. But compared to buses, trains, and planes, it’s not that out of line. And what you’re paying for is the experience. You get to rush behind peoples homes and along the serene Toccoa River. Along the way, people run out to wave at the passing trains, you get to see an ancient Indian fish trap, and the occasional encounter with wildlife. This must be a fascinating way to see the fall colors turn, if that’s your sort of thing.


The only negative about the trip is the stop in McCaysville. Sure it’s a cute little country town, and it has this charming blue stripe running through it separating Georgia from Tennessee and the town of McCaysville from Copperhill. But If you’re thinking of dinner, the food is a bit regrettable. We ate at the Nifty Fifties Diner, which had a beautiful view of the river and some nice bluegrass music, but the food was reminiscent of the kind of stuff you’d get at your average bowling alley, but kids may enjoy it. Based on my discussions with fellow travellers, I think your best bets would be the BBQ joint across from the train station (not next to it) or the Mexican eatery.


I write this because I recently received an email about discounts to the rail road for weekday excursions and for reserving the Christmas ride with Santa Claus, if you book before August 31st. The code for the Santa excursion is SUMSANTA10 and the weekday trips is SUM10WEEKDAY, both being good for 10% off (2010 codes). Even at full price, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is an enjoyable was to relive the glory days of American Trains without the commitment or hassle of spending too much time stuck in a metal box.

The Georgia Aquarium

My Second Favorite Thing On Baker Street* MAP

From GA AQUARIUM

Only one attraction has garnered more discussion than any other in the Atlanta Area this past decade. And its one to which I have never been until this past Saturday. It’s a place that has garnered more people telling me that I just “gotta go” than any other, and that by a wide margin. The primary reason for the delay has been the cost involved, I’m not poor, but I’m cheap (and I’m rather proud of it). With every post I make I make sure that the cost is known and most of my posts are about places people and families can go without breaking the bank. But some places are really such an important part of the Atlanta Landscape that they deserve mention, and that is why I’m going to relay my impressions of the World’s Largest and our very own Georgia Aquarium.


But first, in interest of full disclosure, I was invited to go for free as part of their Planet Shark Blogger Day, which has a standard cash value of $31.50 (admission plus Planet Shark exhibit). If you think that has swayed my opinion, please feel free to discount my comments by a value equal to the admission price in your mind. But because of this I will be able to post the $2 discount coupon on the at the bottom you can print off and use through March 14, 2010. And I would like to publicly thank them here for this invitation. Another note is that I grew up a frequent attendee of what was the World’s largest Aquarium, the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago (My aunt was a diver there during my childhood). This information explains my lack of hurry to see it and that my perspective may be different from someone to whom this is a more novel experience.


It’s hard not to be impressed by the 8 million plus gallons of water and the 100,000 animals from 500 or so species. And I believe the viewing areas are done quite splendidly. The Ocean Voyager viewing room is the centerpiece of the entire venue with seating to view through this amazing 61 foot wide, 23 foot tall window. From this position you can view Whale Sharks, gliding Stingrays, Hammerhead Sharks, mammoth Grouper, and myriad other members of the ocean community. It would be easy to spend an hour in this room alone. To get to the viewing room, you have to cross under the tank in a 100 foot acrylic tunnel, which offers another unique perspective on ocean life. There is a slow moving travel platform which will give you ample time to gawk without keeping anyone from advancing if they choose.


The second most interest part of the Aquarium is the Georgia Explorer, a very hands on exhibit. You can touch Stingrays, Horseshoe Crabs, small sharks, shrimp, and sea stars. I like that it is so much more than simply staring at a window full of sea critters. There’s also some majestic Loggerhead Turtles and the encroaching Red Lionfish. Just outside this area is a small, but nice display of Penguins (and who doesn’t like Penguins).


The other three areas are nice diversions in there own right. In Tropical Diver, you get to see many beautifully colored fish, with my favorite being the Moon Jellyfish. In River Scout, the Piranha, Alligators and Otters stand out for being the most fascinating and entertaining. I also liked the overhead tanks that let you see the bottom of the river from a bottom dwellers point of view. Coldwater Quest is probably the least interesting of the bunch, due to the fact that the Beluga Whales have departed, but there’s still some interesting Crabs and Squid to be seen.


The second floor has two exhibits: a 4D Theater which we didn’t view, but seems very popular with kids. And the Planet Shark exhibit, which we did. (both have an additional cost, Planet Shark being $5.50). This exhibit, which allows no photography, had a lot of intriguing information about sharks, especially on shark attacks. I learned that the Great White has 64 confirmed kills from some 400+ attacks, but that the Hammerhead Shark, though slow to anger with only three attacks, kills at a prodigious clip with only one remaining to tell the tale. The question posed is whether the Shark is predator or prey and it weighs in even-handedly on both sides of the argument. While I now know that I am 200 times more likely to be killed by a deer, this doesn’t make me think sharks are less dangerous, it just makes me believe that deer are cute, but evil creatures. Please note that there are no tank with live specimens in this exhibit


The Georgia Aquarium is a must see attraction here in Atlanta. It is pretty kid friendly with plenty of interactive exhibits and viewing platforms that must be crawled through giving them a nice way to get to the front of the line for viewing (and out of the adult’s way). The drawbacks are really just three in number. First there’s the cost, which I feel is a bit high, but after doing some research (See info below) on top U.S. Aquaria, I’ve found the cost is comparable to other locations. And a simple google search will yield various coupons and package deals to decrease your expenditures. I would, however, like to see some changes in this area. I would like to see the price for children to not be so high, I really can’t imagine spending $19 for a three year old to get in. In addition, they don’t allow any outside foods in, and a simple pack of trail mix cost $5 and a bottle of water $2.50, with actual meals being significantly higher. As frugal adults, we can just do without until later, but children always seem to need something to eat or drink. And I would like to see some free days for Area residents, I know there are lots of discounts available and nearly no one pays full price, but to put this in perspective, the Shedd Aquarium has 52 community free days a year. Second is the crowds: they do manage them reasonably well with delaying entries and this goes to prove that the market exists at the prices set. And lastly, it lacks a primary attraction now that the Beluga Whales have gone, but that is set to change with the arrival of the Dolphin Exhibit in Winter 2010.

US Aquarium Prices
Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta GA ages 3-12 $19.50 adult $26.00
John G Shedd Aquarium, Chicago IL, ages 3-11 $17.95, adult $24.95
Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga TN, ages 3-12 $14.95, adult $21.95
Monterrey Bay Aquarium, Monterrey CA, ages 3-12 $17.95, adult $29.95
National Aquarium in Baltimore, Baltimore MD ages 3-11 $19.95, adult 24.95

*the title refers to the fact that Sherlock Holmes lived at 221B Baker Street

Snow Mountain

The Baboon and the Snow (map)

From Snow Mountain

With the winter coming and beginning to go I started to trek back outside. A couple of weekends ago, some friends and I decided to go to Stone Mountain . There’s a bit of a hubbub going around about their newest attraction Snow Mountain and we wanted to see what the fuss was about.



Now, I’m sorry if I sound like a broken record, but Stone Mountain Park is a tremendous asset to our community. Nearby, beautiful and offering a little something for anybody, it truly is one of the things I love about living in the Atlanta area. Being so close and somewhat commercial, I think it gets overlooked and underappreciated. It is the place to go for me, when I don’t have the time to take on a larger project. That being said, my friends and I on the spur of the moment decided to travel go there to see what this “Snow Mountain thing” was all about. They knew I knew the park, and they didn’t want to pay 25 bucks for the attraction sight unseen (ticket prices), they thought I might know how to get close to it without paying a dime (they were right).

First, we parked here , behind the train-building-visitor-center for free, just off downtown Main street. I have an annual pass for parking but I wasn’t in my car. We walked the two or three blocks to the entrance, where I had planned to catch the loop trail around the backend to approach the attraction. When we hit the train tracks, there was a communal decision to walk the tracks to Snow Mountain (its on the great lawn where the lightshow and carving are). I told them to turn one way, they all thought we should go the other, which was significantly longer. I deferred because I had always wanted to hike the complete train tracks at Stone Mountain.



You probably can only do this in the Winter months post Christmas when the train isn’t running. And considering the train completes the loop in a little about 45 minutes running at 5 mph, the train loop is probably a little more than 3 miles (with the walk from car we might have strolled 4). It’s a nice flat surface and easy terrain, so the hike is pretty simple, but was genuinely enjoyable for me, getting a new long look at an old friend. And really, is there anything more romantically nostalgic than old trains and train tracks. One friend I was with couldn’t stop singing “King of the Road .’ To me, it was more of a “Stand By Me” moment.



We walked the rails counter clockwise, encountering the mountain to our right, the quarry exhibit to our left, and came very near the old grist mill on the right. Just beyond the gristmill, and signs that said do not continue, we entered the delightful world of Buzzard Hollow . It was like stumbling upon some cool ruins, except the ruins were recent and pretty goofy. But it made for some excellent photos and a real fun moments prior to reaching our destination. I can’t recommend you do this because it amounts to petty trespassing, and there was some creepy guy staring at us the whole time through a window of Mr. Picken's Apple Pickin Party Room.



We arrived at Snow Mountain shortly before nightfall. I was using my personal camera (not the one I usually use for this site, but a Fuji FinePix Z, very compact, very secretive), so the quality may not be up my usual standards. (One of the reasons for this simple post is to see how this new camera's pics look on the web)

Snow mountain looks like a lot of fun, for $25 bucks you get to play in the attraction all day, and get a two hour slot to get sled to your hearts content on the hill (I am sorry about the timing of this post as it is scheduled to close down March 8). They provide the snow tubes, they even have a conveyor belt system to haul you and your tube up the slope, taking the one dreadful chore of sledding off your hands. We timed some people from bottom to top up the hill and it took about 9 minutes to reload yourself, meaning that with proper dedication you could get 12 or 13 runs in your two hour window. If I was estimating I would place it at 10 runs (for value rationalizing purposes and ease of calculation). So if sliding down a hill is worth about $2.50 to you, this is a great value. And if they didn’t block this out in two hour increments the wait to sled would be horrific.



But there’s more, there’s a place to build snow forts and have snowball fights, along with a firepit to roast marshmallows and warm up a bit. And these things you can use all day long. You can even leave the roped off area to visit other parts of the park, and return later. If you want to just watch your kids have fun (and only pay for them) there’s a bit of an observation deck, but I can’t imagine being able to stand there for twelve hours, and I don’t know how you would be able to get your kids to leave without being inside with them to drag them out.

From Snow Mountain

Anyway, it did my heart good to see a nice patch of winter snow a few scant miles from my house, to get reacquainted with my good friend Stone Mountain, and just to get the old legs moving again. The baboon presents Stone Mountain, featuring Snow Mountain, for those with the same questions we had.

The Gwinnett County Fair

GOATS, FOOD, COWS, RIDES, MUSIC, & MORE map



Starting this Thursday, September 13, the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds welcomes back its yearly bellweather event, the Gwinnett County Fair. The Fair is a real slice of Americana goodtime, complete with beauty pageants, animal shows, and a grand carnival. And its the signature moment for Gwinnett County, my home.



Until I went last year, I didn't even know the difference between a Charolais and a Gelbvieh. Actually I still don't know, but I was educated that there were several different kinds of cows.



Parking is free, adult admission is $5, kids 12 and under & seniors are $2. In order to ride the rides and get some great carnival food (you know, funnel cakes, cotton candy, sodas, sausage, bbq), you probably ought to bring an extra $20 to $30 bucks a piece. I know its not exactly the cheapest thing running, but its fun and normally worth it. On the 17th thru the 20th, you can ride the rides all day for $18 (bring an empty coke can and they'll give you a $3 discount)



Additionally this year, you can see on some evenings the Fearless Flores Thrill Show. Famous country acts, Janie Fricke and Confederate Railroad. On Thursday, Sept 20, you can see the legendary Georgia band, the Skillet Lickers. You'll probably see me there.



The Gwinnett Fair is the second largest in the State of Georgia, and has been a North Atlanta tradition since the 1950's. I don't write much about short term events like this, but this one is special. Hope to see you there.

Atlanta Braves Baseball

I HAVE ONLY IMPLIED ORAL CONSENT...map

From Braves

I shouldn't have to tell you about Braves Baseball . And in the spirit of full disclosure, I am a Cub fan first and a Brave Fan second. But our Braves need a little love. There are Atlantans who can legally drink who couldn't remember the last time the Braves didn't win the division. Its the lean times that proves your merit as a fan. It the lean times that build character. And the Braves ain't exactly lean. They are one of the top teams in the National League.

Plus, you got some great vets, like Smoltz and the Jones Boys. For my money, I think Smoltz is the most money pitcher of this generation (check out his post season numbers). Ahead of Clemens, Maddux, Randy Johnson, you name it. And you got some up and coming stars like Brian McCann, Troy Hudson, and Edgar Renteria. And you got some kick ass rookies like Escobar, Saltalamacchia, Harris, and Johnson. A couple of good turns from the back end of the rotation and this team could go all the way.

Furthermore, the stadium is beautiful. And the cheaper seats are better than the expensive ones . Why would you want to pay a bunch to sit with the snobs in the corporate boxes. The fans, the true fans, who love the game sit in the cheap seats. Sit there, save money, and be proud.

Additionally, Baseball is America's game. Its the best sport to watch and the only place where its good to buy a five dollar beer without naked dancing women.

It's a little pricey, but still the best game in town.

The Atlanta Thrashers

THE STANLEY CUP IN ATLANTA...map

Then you go to da box for 2 minutes by yourself... and you feel shame... then you get free
- Eddie Lemieux, explaining the penalty box in SLAPSHOT

>



I like sports. And I think that everyone knows that Atlanta has got the major sports covered. I sit here today and one of our teams is in first place. It isn’t the Braves, it surely isn’t the Hawks, and, of course, its not the Falcons.

It’s the Thrashers. Yep, NHL hockey. Right here in the ATL. Old time hockey..
Eddie Shore would be proud. And, unfortunately, no one’s talking. I felt compelled to say something.



I listened to the game on my way home tonight on 680 the Fan. Dan Kamal is awesome at play by play. It was like listening to the original six with my grandpa. Listening to the quick goals by Kolvachuk, Belanger, Sim (twice), and Vigier got my blood pumping.



Hockey is a tremendous sport which is simultaneously the most graceful thing you’d ever see and the most vicious. In this way it is something that all humans should be able to relate to.



Additionally, you have to love that our Thrashers made significant moves at the deadline to improve and really run at the Stanley Cup. Keith Tkachuk, Alexei Zhitnik, Eric Belanger, & Pascal DuPuis all bring some real fire to the team. Wish the other Atlanta Teams could learn from them.



Watch the games, go to one or two , listen on the radio. The Atlanta Pro Hockey Team is going to the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year.