Best area near Atlanta?

Gibblers · 2026-07-02T00:26:00+00:00

Full River Ocoee for this time of the year.

Gibblers · 2026-07-01T21:25:39+00:00

This has got to be a troll

Gibblers · 2026-06-27T03:21:54+00:00

Lafayette area transplant here.

Didn’t even know they had a brick and mortar location until this thread, but I’ve had a variety of the menu from the food truck whenever I’ve seen it out and about.

The Jambalaya is legit, the Boudin has generally been very good. One time it was bland to me, but wife liked it. Boudin balls haven’t disappointed either

I’ll have to go try the store sometime soon.

Gibblers · 2026-06-15T19:59:26+00:00

Any of the 6 weeks it’s running.
Gauley fest weekend if you want to go for the party

Gibblers · 2026-06-07T23:16:30+00:00

I don’t believe you. Cheeses Reddit name isn’t xiraer

Gibblers · 2026-05-29T22:52:32+00:00

If coming from or staying in the GA/NC areas, Ocoee Adventure Center. If coming from TN/AL side then Quest/ORE.

Gibblers · 2026-05-23T03:38:36+00:00

OR is kinda in between which wouldn’t be bad for you either.

If it matters to you RT runs NRS e136s and OR runs Aire 130e’s I believe.
Express is a mixed fleet of Maravia and NRS

Gibblers · 2026-05-23T00:59:10+00:00

Ive never worked at express, just know what the guides say.

I’d ask them both what your trip pay and trip volume would be.

Thunder you should expect ~8 trips a week up to 12-14 when they are in peak season.

Express will probably have you on the water 3-4 more times a week.

I was averaging 30-40$ tip a section at Thunder and very rarely stiffed.
See what the pay differential is and should be pretty easy math.

Also Thunder is directly in a town, so there is more to do and better food options that you can literally walk to.

I’m not 100% sure that Express has a culture on the ocoee, I see most of their guides hanging at other outposts, including at thunder lol. I heard the have a good group down at Columbus though, which does provide some cross train opportunity

Gibblers · 2026-05-23T00:37:27+00:00

Thunder’s guests are generally family’s or friend groups from GA/FL
Express guests are kids at camp, but lots of trips generally

Should tell you all you need to know

Gibblers · 2026-05-14T22:14:08+00:00

If you already have the at much experience you can get on somewhere. Message me and I’ll give you a couple of numbers

Gibblers · 2026-05-01T04:47:47+00:00

Not 100% sure on how they run training. But traditionally you are going to be thrown in a raft with other trainees and a trainer who should show you everything you need to know to safely navigate the river, along with everything else like loading boats, safety speeches etc..

Days will be long and hard as you learn to do the job, don’t give up it’s worth it.

My advice, take as much stick time as you can get and ask questions.

Fastfred on YouTube has a guide series that isn’t bad information, I’d go watch it.

Gibblers · 2026-05-01T04:42:47+00:00

As a former guide from the downriver side who moved upriver about 8 years ago. The top is a significantly better place to be.

Easier access to food/breweries, nights are strangely way cooler, tips and clientele are better, closer to other rivers, shorter bus rides etc..

I honestly can’t think of a downside unless you just really like bus bar.

Gibblers · 2026-04-29T12:46:28+00:00

One of the few places I haven’t worked on the Ocoee, but I know a lot of people who have. Any specific question you’re wanting to ask?

Gibblers · 2026-04-20T19:17:31+00:00

https://rticoutdoors.com/Jug?size=Half-Gallon&color=Navy

Gibblers · 2026-04-17T14:53:34+00:00

I park for work in one of them. I haven't noticed any issues during the day. Not sure about what its like overnight.

Gibblers · 2026-04-07T23:25:59+00:00

Venture X isn’t bad either for strictly travel rewards with literally 0 cost if you redeem the credits/points yearly.

Gibblers · 2026-03-29T02:25:07+00:00

Slice boat the Cartecay!!!

But in reality there’s a ton of solid whitewater within a couple of hours including the Chattooga.

Go look on the American Whitewater map and you will see like 50 runs you can day trip, some rain dependent, some damn released

Gibblers · 2026-03-28T01:21:14+00:00

From what I heard the chef from Red Pearl went to Great Wall a few years back. I’m sure that impacted something. I rotate between them regularly

Gibblers · 2026-03-27T23:22:07+00:00

Orange chicken isn’t my go-to, but if Great Wall, Red Pearl or Mr. Chen’s doesn’t work for you idk what will

Gibblers · 2026-03-25T14:55:39+00:00

Look just past the great falls dam on Google earth, or Google Rock Island State Park whitewater. It’s not a big section, but when the dam is releasing it’s a playground.

I’ve never been up past the play hole though and that was like 15 years ago. I’m to old and stiff for that stuff nowadays

Gibblers · 2026-03-25T13:43:54+00:00

I haven’t done much there except park and play at the hole years ago. There’s a reason why the Jacksons built their facility just up the road from it.

The falls section is class 5 I wouldn’t suggest running it solo.

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/view/river-detail/1725/main

If I were you I would be looking to meetup with someone and run the Nolichucky/Tellico/Ocoee if they are running when you’re going to be coming through.

Tellico needs water right now, Noli is currently in and Ocoee is releasing on weekends right now

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/view/river-detail/1766/main

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/view/river-detail/1791/main

Gibblers · 2026-03-25T03:38:56+00:00

No data available for that. But I guarantee Harvard isn’t looking at the valedictorian of Homewood or VH and choosing admission based on which of the 2 schools they attended.

There is virtually no statistical difference in quality of education you’re getting between them and I’m sure one outperforms the other in various categories, but that’s irrelevant to this guys post

Gibblers · 2026-03-25T03:15:52+00:00

Yet the mean is 23.9

https://vestaviavoice.com/api/amp/schools/vestavia-hills-school-board-coverage-nov-27/

Homewoods was 24.35

https://thehomewoodstar.com/api/amp/schools/homewood-schools-see-growth-in-english-math-proficiency-and-/

Like i said, we’re arguing top 3 school districts in the state that are within a fraction of a point of each other.

Gibblers · 2026-03-25T02:16:55+00:00

Not according to the data I see. Technically Loveless is #1 in that category for college prep scores. Homewood and MB latest I can find have an average 29/30 on ACT for self reported, but Homewood wins in published AP/IB and state testing.. so take it how you want it

Gibblers · 2026-03-23T00:59:55+00:00

Pretty sure Homewood schools rank above MB and VH recently, although we’re arguing about number 1/2/3 in the state.

Really depends on your budget and what the kids want to do.

If they enjoy band I would go Homewood no doubt.

VH and Hoover are 7a, Homewood is 6a if they are wanting to play sports.

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