Ding Dong The SVX Is Gone

Derek cleaning up his SVX project car before selling it

It was a bittersweet milestone. Derek had a special bond with the SVX, but the uniqueness of the car made parts difficult to find and the age and condition of the car required a lot of time, effort, and frustration. 

Have no fear though. He's busy looking for a "better" project car to sink his money and limited life energy into. He asked if I was excited about him getting a new project car and I asked if it was going to leak fluids and require a bunch of tools and parts to be strewn around like the SVX. He said, "probably", to which I replied, "probably not".  

Album for these photos
All photo albums

Madison and Derek came over on Saturday after spending the day at the High Museum and Krog Street Market celebrating their one year anniversary

Madison is smiling here because she's making brownies, but I'm certain it's not dissimilar to the smile she had when she found out the SVX was sold

Adam, Derek, and Life

Adam helping Derek with some car maintenance this past weekend

Derek has been doing a nice job of involving Adam in his car hobby and Adam is surprisingly receptive. We rarely see Adam. On the rare occasion he does come downstairs, usually for food, he's always glued to his phone and wearing headphones. When he's home he's almost always in his room gaming, talking to his friends on Discord, or happily lying in his bed watching movies and keeping up with all the various content he's interested in.

Derek is working nearby this semester, but staying with Madison in her apartment at Georgia Tech. He comes home for lunch most days and sometimes after work if traffic is bad or to work on his cars. He's enjoying his life, except for the school and work part. Working as a cad monkey in a typical office cubicle environment this semester is sucking his soul. He's having some very difficult existential struggles with the reality and imminence of what awaits him in the real world.  

Album for these photos
All photo albums

Feels Like Fall

The weather is cooling off and it feels like fall

Album for these photos
All photo albums

Fall Break In The Mountains

Helen and I headed up to the mountains during the fall school break

Album for these photos
All photo albums 

Checking out Jaemor Farms on the way

Never would have planned on going through Helen during Oktoberfest, but that's where the GPS took us. Thankfully it wasn't too crowded during the middle of the week. 

We talked about stopping in Helen. It kind of looked fun, but also contrived and touristy. We decided to keep on driving. 

Anna Ruby Falls

Unicoi State Park

Spending the night in Moccasin Creek State Park

We didn't realize until we arrived that "the park" is really just a campground on Lake Burton that was turned over to the state parks department to manage.

Trying out our new 2 person tent for the first time

Me: I don't think our queen size air mattress will fit. I'm sure we'll be fine with just a tarp and some padding.

Helen: Okay...I guess?

I'm kind of rolling with this minimalism thing. Helen's wondering what the heck happened. We're figuring out that, while she appreciates some merits of frugality, minimalism is not the same thing and that there are some big differences between the two concepts.

The sleep wasn't very good, but I think we just need more practice

We remembered the ear plugs, but Helen pulled them out when she got tired of hearing her pounding heartbeat. I left one in, but pulled the other out in order to hear some natural sounds.

Our little Honda Fit and tent

We were surrounded by big trucks, campground rigs, outdoor tv's, satellites, smokers, college football team displays, and other elaborate accommodations.

We also noticed how much campground people love their dogs. Many people have multiple dogs and some even have elaborate enclosures. It seems escaping to the great outdoors doesn't free you from having to hear other people's dogs bark.

I know there are lots of crazy cat owners out there as well, but at least they're home bodies who mostly keep their pet obsession to themselves (and maybe social media).  

Hemlock Falls Trailhead across the street from Moccasin Creek State Park

We did the wilderness trail next to the falls trail beforehand and on the way back heard a loud rustling about 50 feet up the trail. It was louder and more violent than deer. We were afraid it was a bear and then saw about 15 wild hogs running across the trail and then through the creek. At first we were happy it wasn't a bear and then came to realize death by wild hogs would probably be worse. 

Campground store decorated for the season

We drove back to Unicoi State Park with the idea of taking one of the trails into Helen, but decided on a shorter hike

We drove back through Helen and talked about stopping again, but the crowds and the unseasonable heat sapped our will

Smithgall Woods State Park