Cool Machines
Kid Stuff
This essay originally appeared in the September 2002 issue of Smithsonian Air & Space Magazine The Beechcraft King Air 200 has shut down; the passengers disembarked and as the pilots are walking away I whisper into my 4-year-old son’s ear “Wave at the pilots”. It works like a charm. One of the pilots walks … Continue reading
The Grittiest Gold Medal of London
I loved watching the summer Olympics and its mix of ancient warrior sports tied with the relatively modern touches from cycling, tennis, diving and gymnastics. In the 16 days of competition there was so much exceptional athleticism on display it’s tough to pick a favorite, but I will. My vote for the grittiest display of … Continue reading
The Trail less Taken
With sincere apologies to the memory of Robert Frost Two trails diverged in a Carolina wood And I with but a second to choose with two other cyclists bearing down quickly thinking I was their trail riding food I looked down one saw blackberries bent up to here Then took the other, thinking it … Continue reading
The State of the Market
When we moved to Greenville in 1994 I had embraced the idea that great restaurant food should have a sense of place. In short order I ended up as Chef at a recently opened bistro that featured a New-American style menu and I set about creating a regional focus. I sought out local farmers … Continue reading
Thanks for making it interesting George
Larry and I were a third of the way up the north side of Paris mountain when a white-jersey clad rider flashed by us, descending at an incredible angle and speed. “Damn, I think that was Hincapie!” My cycling buddy Larry worked third shift and lived around the corner so four or five times … Continue reading
Hollywood and Whine
Why do we feel the need to turn authentic heroes into caricatures of themselves? My son and I recently watched the movie Red Tails. We wanted to see it on the big screen but had to settle for our own theatre. I really wanted to like this movie. If there ever was a chapter of … Continue reading
The Class of the Field
“Here’s your lunch and if you’ll excuse me” I announced as I handed the paper plates to Juan and Jimmy. I was serving lunch to two professional racing drivers that I respected and admired yet at that moment I was certain no one wanted me near them. The producer was having none of it. She … Continue reading
Doughnuts for Chapel Hill
Months ago I convinced Marilyn Markel, the director of the cooking school at A Southern Season to host me for a demonstration class. Amy and I decided to celebrate our 25th at the same time so we turned it into a long weekend, sans kids. I surprised her by trading favors with a friend and he … Continue reading
Happy 25th Sweetheart
Although our anniversary is still a few weeks away, Amy and I are celebrating this weekend. We’re headed to Chapel Hill where I’ll teach a cooking class at Southern Season centered around the food in my novel, Doughnuts for Amy. I swapped favors with a very good friend of mine and he has loaned me … Continue reading
Five Seconds
January 16th. My birthday. I had turned 33 years old eight hours earlier and I’m going to celebrate by winning a NORBA sanctioned mountain bike race at Manchester State Forest near Sumter, SC. Amy and I left the warm confines of our home at six am so she could watch me bang wheels with a … Continue reading
