Thursday, November 26, 2009

I did what?



Turn up the volume and sit back.

Wow what can I say! I drove from Vancouver BC to Miami Florida and back. I toured the Gulf Coast, visited NASA in Texas and saw the desert in New Mexico, and Arizona. I rode the Ferris wheel on the Santa Monica Pier and fed stingrays in Nashville. Flew my Paramotor in Miami, cooked in The Jack and then swam with sharks in Atlanta. I took a first in The Best of the Best in Douglas Georgia and was invited back to the invitational for next year. I competed in Kansas City and Illinois and then toured the world’s largest cave in Mammoth Cave National Park. I toured the Jack Daniels Distillery and then ate at Mary Bobos in Lynchburg. I went to blues clubs, rock concerts, and on some nights I went to movie theaters. $18.00 for a little hotdog, a pop and popcorn seems like a good deal right? By the way, I loved the movie “District 9”, if you haven’t seen it, go. The list goes on and on and what I have written about is only a very small part of what encompassed a two month trip.

You want to talk barbecue? I met some amazing people along the way including some living legends. Not only did I meet them, but I competed against them. I have eaten some of the best BBQ there is and from different regions as well. I have also dined on donuts as well as crab feasts and even eaten peanut butter sandwiches. When I had family and friends it was great, but they had to go home. After that, most of the time I ate alone but every now and again I would find someone else dining alone and strike up a conversation. The last person I met was a man named Gangi at Bubba Gumps on the Santa Monica pier. He was a trapeze artist for Cirque de Soleil which happened to be performing at the pier. A very friendly guy, but man do we live different lives. I am a BBQ man with a family and he is a circus guy from Mongolia. How different can that be? This is what the whole spirit about this trip represents though, meeting new people, seeing new things and experiencing life on a larger scale. Seems like a good idea to me…

I have shared this with you because I thought it would be fun and it has been. Some of you wrote comments under the stories and I read them, and in fact loved them. Now is your chance to tell me what you thought. Any questions on what I have seen? Ask away and I will answer.



The back.



The front.

A couple of you knew that these were going to be made, so here are the shirts! You can click on the picture for a larger picture. The only difference is the tour dates on the back will be more centered then what is pictured. T-shirts are $20.00 plus shipping. There will be black, white and another undetermined color so let mne know what you would like. You can send me a link by email from the Smoke and Bones website.

5 comments:

  1. It looks like a good time was had by all!

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  2. Im sad i feel like a journey i have been on is ending... you have done a great job on the blog and videos. What a great trip you have had. Hopefully we will be next to you again at the Royal in 2010.

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  3. Welcome home Justin - you really did have THE trip of a lifetime. Congratulations on all of your successes - I am super happy I was there to see part of it. Send me a shirt please, in black 2xl for Dennis.
    Great video wrap up. Your blog and all of your videos are really well done and will be a great addition to the Smoke & Bones world tour cookbook one day.
    See you soon,
    Angie

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  4. Hey man ....seems like one hell of a journey for ya with some memorable wins and places on the way.....i think i met you in Georgia last year.....i was with team cedar grilling from Ontario...My nickname is TINY.......when you look back at all this you will see that you indeed lived life to the fullest on this sometimes short little journey we are all on...and met some very memorable people along the way that are enjoing the same journey in life......i must say i have truely enjoyed our little journey the last few years meeting all the bbq nuts along the way.....and hope to continue it as long as i have room on my visa card to allow it........Cheers....Tiny........
    www.cedargrilling.com

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  5. Yes it was quite the journey, thanks for sharing. The stories were great and I enjoyed the pics and videos too. It's very inspiring to see how you took a great opportunity and turned it into a truly memorable, once in a lifetime adventure. (Please note we're still waiting for the updates post-Texas LOL)... Thanks again for letting me be a part of it too. I will gladly buy a shirt, black in 3XL or 2XL if possible. Take care, see you on the BBQ trail in 2010.

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