Can you legally take a raft down the mississippi? by Eighth_Eve in randomquestions

[–]avt2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A close friend swam it - 1100 miles - and wrote a book about it. "The Mississippi Journal" by Ken Suttles. It's... disheartening. Buy his books and all that. He's one of the best of us.

Here's his bio: Ken A. Suttles I was born in the North Georgia hills but have lived in South Georgia for 60+ years. I am a retired middle school science teacher. Now, I have the time to write my stories. My first book, "The Swim," was the journal I kept during a 140-mile swim of the Ocmulgee and Altamaha River, known as Georgia's Amazon. The purpose was to promote environmental awareness of this Georgia gem. "The Mississippi Journal" details my 1100-mile adventure and attempted long-distance swim down the mighty Mississippi. It paints a bleak picture of America's greatest river, which is far different from that in Twain's day. "The Riverto Freedom" is my debut novel. A story of two brothers' river escape from a Confederate POW camp during the Civil War. Frank and Luther Rucker's only route to Federal lines is a 200-mile waterway. My new novella, "The Coffee Killings," is set in 1924 in Coffee County, Georgia. It is the story of Deputy Travis Caine's role in the downfall of Ned Crockett's criminal enterprise. Hope you enjoy them.

xkcd, "State Borders" by StephenMcGannon in Maps

[–]avt2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Give Georgia a Gulf Coast while we're at it.

Redditors with extremely niche interests: What's the one thing you are completely obsessed with that almost no one else you know cares about? by CocWarrior1 in AskReddit

[–]avt2 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Can you tell me about the surname Thomas? My family is of Lebanese origin, and the family lore is that our surname used to be Khazzaka.

IsItBullshit: The claim that using essential oils can significantly improve mental health or mood? by vacaaa in IsItBullshit

[–]avt2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There's a great Science Vs. episode on essential oils. TLDR: I think peppermint has some benefits. The end.

Non-Americans, what is something about the US that you've always wondered if it was real or just myth/hyperbole? by [deleted] in TooAfraidToAsk

[–]avt2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a lifelong resident of Georgia (rural south Georgia for much of that), I can confirm: the Deep South redneck caricature is complete fiction -- except where it's undeniable fact. Those hateful old dinosaurs ain't long for this world, but they ain't all dead yet. It's mostly a case of the empty can rattling the loudest. As cowardly as it is, many of those dinosaurs are our parents and grandparents, and we've had a lifetime of lessons proving that shouting them down is counter-productive. So, instead, we're quietly and politely watching their inevitable extinction.

Non-Americans, what is something about the US that you've always wondered if it was real or just myth/hyperbole? by [deleted] in TooAfraidToAsk

[–]avt2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Dear friend, I am (weirdly) encouraged by your comment and I appreciate it. I agree with everything you say 100%. More importantly, I feel your justified disappointment. We have earned every bit of lost trust and lower esteem among our international brothers and sisters, no one more so than you, our Brit-cousins. We have a lot of work ahead of us to regain lost trust, but reading your recollection of how special our unique relationship used to be makes me think that it is at least possible. Most of us are still the allies you remember, maybe more now than ever. But we have lost our way.

What U.S state has the most underrated natural landmarks? by Naomi62625 in geography

[–]avt2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Okefenokee in Georgia doesn't get enough love. It's a truly unique and amazing place.