Georgia – Heart of Loia `'.,°~

Have you ever been camping?

Are you kidding me…

I’m a Gen X kid.

We didn’t call it camping…
that’s what city folks say…
when they do it once in a while.

We called it…

the weekend.

…and sometimes in the summer—
it was just life.

…

Growing up in Georgia…

I didn’t have to go anywhere—

to find it.

I lived on the edge of thick… deep woods…
the kind full of things
that could hurt you.

We weren’t scared…

didn’t matter—

we were in there anyway.

Kids… by ourselves…
no parents…
just dirt… trees… and whatever moved in the shadows.

…

Then there were the weekends…

My friend Chris—
his folks had land on Lake Oconee.

Man… we lived out there.

Tents…
or just sleeping by the fire…

Fishing… boating… skiing… swimming…

Great times.

…

And when I wasn’t there…

I was with my dad… and my uncle…
heading up into the north Georgia mountains…
along the Tallulah River.

We’d drive about 15 miles down a narrow gravel road…
till we hit the river crossing.

Then we’d drive straight through it.

Clear water…
ice cold… even in summer…

on the other side—
was nothing.

No people.

Just us…
and whatever else was out there.

Bears…
Bigfoots…
timber rattlesnakes…

just the locals.

…

We’d set camp right on the water…

Fish all day.

Rainbow… brown…
beautiful native brook trout…

Trout for breakfast—
fish… grits… eggs…

Lunch—
fish sandwich… chips…

Supper—
we went all out…

Grilled or fried fish…
vegetable kabobs…
baked potatoes in the fire…
salad…

We ate like kings out there.

…

I’ve caught so many fish in that river…
I couldn’t even guess the number.

Been going since I was about 7…

I’m 52 now.

Haven’t been in a few years…

Life gets busy…

…but that place is down in me.

…

Some summers…

the riverbanks would glow red—

tiny garnets everywhere.

We’d sift through them…
looking for the bigger ones…

We’d also look for gold…
found some too.

I remember once…
I had a handful of decent-size wild garnets and gold… glistening in my palm

but that place for me—
is more valuable than anything I can hold.

…

Then came Florida…

Lived there for 12 years.

Different world—
same soul.

Many freshwater fishing trips inland…
spent much time at many of the different springs…

…but also the coast…

I lived on Anna Maria Island…

Had a sea kayak.

Weekends…
I’d load up my truck…
drive to Bishop Harbor…

Drop in…

Paddle 45 minutes out
to these tiny… remote islands.

Set up camp.

…

Mornings—
I’d paddle and fish…

Afternoons—
back to camp…
eat… rest… chillax…

Evenings—
back out till dark…

Then nights…

just me…

the fire…
the water…
the sounds…
the wildlife…

Alone…

but not really.

…

Down there…

we call it…

Salt Life.

Had the sticker on my truck and everything.

…

So yeah man…

I’ve been what yall call camping
a few times 😁

…

All jokes aside…

I’m about that life.

It’s in me…

just like music.

…

been singing this in my head and on guitar all day…

Me and my buddy Jonathan… fishing in Florida

Jon and I were fishing when 3 huge wild boars walked behind us

My friend Jimmy holdin’ my fish… this is my pb 9.3 lbs… caught at Lake Istokpoga FL… Feb 2o14

…

Romans 1:20

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

© 2026 bryanforchrist. All rights reserved.

`’.,°~

What is your favorite restaurant?

An Atlanta Chick-fil-A Story…

Growing up in Atlanta… if word got out that I answered this prompt with anything other than Chick-fil-A… I’d probably get ostracized, kicked out of church, and have my house egged in the night by a pastor dressed like a ninja…

So yeah… let’s keep the chicken-lovin’ Bible Belt Army happy-happy, as Phil from Duck Dynasty would say…

Seriously though… it’s a freakin’ amazin’ place for fast eats.
Chick-fil-A was born here in Atlanta… started by Truett Cathy… a legend in these parts. A great Christian man… a man who really cared about his employees and his customers… he built his business on biblical principles… a man who was always closed on Sunday.

I’ve even got a personal story tied to him.

My ex-girlfriend’s grandmother owned and ran a newspaper here in Atlanta for many years called The Southside Insider. She was friends with Mr. Cathy… and he actually sold her the building for that newspaper for $1. I always thought that was pretty cool.

I never got to meet him… I almost did. Missed him a few times in passing… but I’ve been blessed to hear many stories about him.

So from its humble beginnings here in my city… Chick-fil-A is now everywhere. But it’s different here in Atlanta. Different than anywhere else.

Here… we’ve got the Dwarf Houses and Truett’s Grill.

If yall can fit through the door… then by all means… come on in and have a seat 😎

These places aren’t just fast food joints… they feel like actual restaurants. You can sit down… be waited on… and get menu items folks in other places have probably never even heard of.

One of them is found only at the Dwarf Houses and Truett’s Grill…

Ladies and gentlemen… I present to you… The Hot Brown.

Man…

Let me describe this thing!

It’s like a casserole-style dish with white meat chicken in a rich cream-style gravy like thick sauce… but it’s not a gravy, really, I don’t think… and it’s covered in melted cheddar… topped with strips of bacon… and served with toast.

You’re just gonna have to trust me on this one.

I wouldn’t lie to you.
my taste buds are elite.

I wish I had one right now.

And their sweet iced tea? elite too.

When I’m not goin’ with the Hot Brown… my next favorite is the spicy chicken sandwich with pepper jack and waffle fries. The mac ’n’ cheese is worth fightin’ for… and the cheesecake is straight-up badass.

So if you’re ever in the Atlanta area… now you know what you need to do.

I might just see you there.

Lunch is on me.

…

And in me.

…

Bawk! 🐔…

…

Comedian Tim Hawkins-songs about Chick-fil-A