I am so excited for this coming week!

[Tandy]

I decided this year that rather than making those long trips back and forth for a couple of days of TC, I was going to actually take some vacation days from work and stay up there for a couple of days.

I went to check how many vacation days I had accrued since I haven't taken one in so long and was pleased to see I had over 300 days of vacation accrued and 90 personal days accrued. Guess I work too much! So, I decided to take a week and a half instead of a couple of days and soak it in as much as I can.

Anyway - I've booked us up in Norcross so we can make the training camps at least once a day, and since we are up there - I'm making some other plans. I am trying to get tickets for a Braves game or two when the Giants are in, got tickets to see Cats at the Fox, plan to go to the zoo and to see the laser show at least once. We'll probably drive up to Helen and maybe over to the Appalachian trail as well. We're contemplating the aquarium as well. So, it should be a full 12 days and I'm as excited as I've been in a long time.

Any suggestions on FABULOUS places to eat or visit? Any events you know of from the 28th of July through the 8th of August? Can't interfere with TC, Friday night lights or the mock game at FB on the 7th.

I also heard they've changed the parking this year for TC but I can't seem to confirm or disprove that - does anyone know? If so - do you have any suggestions on the best place to park for TC this year?

It's starting to feel like the season is really going to get here - and man, I'm really jonesing for some football!!!! I'm bringing a couple of new footballs and my Tony Gonzalez book - hoping to get some good autographs this year. I really want Spoons, Peters and Robinson - hoping for the best!

Now after all that chatter (sorry but I'm just giddy!), I come to my real issue. I have problems finding good places to buy gear other than online - and I really want to get my granddaughter suited up (she came to live with us to attend her Senior year in HS and she'll be coming up with us) and I want her to be able to try some things on. Where, now that F360 is no longer open, can we find good deals and lots of selection on Falcon gear in the area? It can be Atlanta, Norcross, Alpharetta or anywhere else within a 50 mile radius of Flowery Branch or at any of the locations I mentioned visiting while up there.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

GO FALCONS!!!! Bring on the Season - RISE UP & TO H*LL WITH THE SAINTS!

[Falcons 'til Death]

Lucky you. I don't get to accrue my vacation like that. If I don't use mine during the course of the year I lose them. And I work for a union.

[Tandy]

Lucky you. I don't get to accrue my vacation like that. If I don't use mine during the course of the year I lose them. And I work for a union.

Yeah, I was actually surprised at how much has accrued. I guess I need to start taking some time off. That's over a year of time off - maybe I should go on hiatus!

[phattywankenobi]

Congrats, sounds like it's about time you took some R&R and that's a great way to spend it. Falcons gear is hit or miss depending on what you are looking for. Just a heads up if you are not familiar with the area, certain parts of Norcross especially around Gwinnett Place Mall are not good places to visit at night.

If you want you can go a little further north to Discover Mills and obviously the Mall of GA. Your best bet is to call first for sports apparel. I will say Falcons gear in the stores has increased to a certain extent.

You are relatively close to Stone Mountain and if you head north for the day a little bit Lake Lanier Islands is a good place to go.

[Tandy]

Congrats, sounds like it's about time you took some R&R and that's a great way to spend it. Falcons gear is hit or miss depending on what you are looking for. Just a heads up if you are not familiar with the area, certain parts of Norcross especially around Gwinnett Place Mall are not good places to visit at night.

If you want you can go a little further north to Discover Mills and obviously the Mall of GA. Your best bet is to call first for sports apparel. I will say Falcons gear in the stores has increased to a certain extent.

You are relatively close to Stone Mountain and if you head north for the day a little bit Lake Lanier Islands is a good place to go.

Yep, the hit or miss is what I've experienced in that area for shopping, which is why I was hoping someone would know 'THE' spot to go to.

As for the area, I stayed in the hotel I booked while attending classes for work once several years ago and really liked it - plus it's a suite and has a second bedroom for my granddaughter so we can get away with one room. It's been a while though, so I'm hoping it's as nice as it was then. It's on Peachtree Industrial Blvd further North than Norcross really. I will keep your advice in mind.

[aerosmith67]

Team gear might be tough, I know Target in the Atlanta area has some lower end stuff that's decent looking. There's a Target up near the facility in Flowery Branch that's nice. They also had pretty decent stuff at the trailer over mini-camp. They had rack with just 8X10's on it of different players as well as decent looking hats/shirts/the usual.

Good luck with the autograph hunt, I'm looking for Norwood or Tony this year. I started collecting the autographs on white/blank 5x7 index cards since my collection was starting to take up too much space so I'm basically starting from scratch with most of the team. I got Spoon and Dunta's over mini-camp, both were really nice but I image they'll be swarmed over TC.

[aerosmith67]

Congrats, sounds like it's about time you took some R&R and that's a great way to spend it. Falcons gear is hit or miss depending on what you are looking for. Just a heads up if you are not familiar with the area, certain parts of Norcross especially around Gwinnett Place Mall are not good places to visit at night.

If you want you can go a little further north to Discover Mills and obviously the Mall of GA. Your best bet is to call first for sports apparel. I will say Falcons gear in the stores has increased to a certain extent.

You are relatively close to Stone Mountain and if you head north for the day a little bit Lake Lanier Islands is a good place to go.

This is true, DicksSporting Goods has been pretty good lately.

[Dog River]

Helen...DO NOT go to the Troll House.I like sitting in the International cafe and laughing at the tubers trying to transverse the hooch. Good food...good beer.

If you want some quiet time and some beautiful sights...20 minutes west of downtown is Sweetwater state park. Gorgeous shaded scenery, ruins of an old mill, just a jewel of a state park. I can offer a guided trip if you desire.

[falcons faithful]

Tandy I hope you have a GREAT time what ever you and the other half do. My father in law had a job before he retired that he could accrue Vac. day and personnel time so I can tell you with some experience you have worked to hard and deserve the time off.

One thing I can tell you unless the aquarium has improved on the food LOTS don't eat there.

[slamee101]

Is that this week? I tell ya I forgot all about the season approaching us...just so busy with other stuff.

:P

[crankdatfalcon]

300 days tandy????wow, when was your last vacation??? hope you have fun.

[aerosmith67]

Tandy I hope you have a GREAT time what ever you and the other half do. My father in law had a job before he retired that he could accrue Vac. day and personnel time so I can tell you with some experience you have worked to hard and deserve the time off.

One thing I can tell you unless the aquarium has improved on the food LOTS don't eat there.

STATS has better food which is nearby.

[JRid]

I've heard Sweetwater park is nice. Also, Stone Mtn. has ropes courses now, and I've heard they are pretty cool. Definitely go to the top of Stone Mtn, it's a beautiful view. They might have a water park there too, but not sure. The botanical garden is a really nice place to visit, if you're into that. They also have some cooking demonstrations by top chefs(one chef was on the Top chef tv show) at the botanical gardens. Lake Lanier also has a water park and a beach. The Aquarium is nice and it's air conditioned, so you wont be dying from the heat the whole time you are here.

Discover Mills is a discount mall so that might be a good place to get Falcons gear at a good price, I don't know if they will have all the Jerseys you are looking for. I was just in T.J. Max yesterday and they still have those Vick Jerseys for $7, haha.

Have fun and enjoy your vacation.

[Bullitt]

Yep, the hit or miss is what I've experienced in that area for shopping, which is why I was hoping someone would know 'THE' spot to go to.

As for the area, I stayed in the hotel I booked while attending classes for work once several years ago and really liked it - plus it's a suite and has a second bedroom for my granddaughter so we can get away with one room. It's been a while though, so I'm hoping it's as nice as it was then. It's on Peachtree Industrial Blvd further North than Norcross really. I will keep your advice in mind.

As big a fan as you are, are you sure you don't qualify to stay in the Falcon's condos off the practice fields?

Also - I like taking the young-uns to the zoo, too, but walking through the zoo right now is like walking through the mojave desert. It is hot!!!!

[aerosmith67]

I also heard they've changed the parking this year for TC but I can't seem to confirm or disprove that - does anyone know? If so - do you have any suggestions on the best place to park for TC this year?

I looked into this a bit, it looks like it's a similar plan from past years:

Where will fans park during Training Camp?

Training camp parking is available at the Hog Mountain Sports Complex and the Davis Middle School across the street from the Falcons Training Complex. After Hall County Schools begin, parking will be available at the Hollis Transportation Lot located one mile from the Falcons Training Complex. A complimentary shuttle service will be provided from this location. Please follow the signs to this location. There is no general public parking available on the grounds of the Falcons training complex.

School starts 8/9/10 so you'll have to go to the Hollis Parking Lot.

[FalconinPA]

Have a great time Tandy! Any chance you can lend me some of those vaction days??

[Tandy]

Helen...DO NOT go to the Troll House.I like sitting in the International cafe and laughing at the tubers trying to transverse the hooch. Good food...good beer.

If you want some quiet time and some beautiful sights...20 minutes west of downtown is Sweetwater state park. Gorgeous shaded scenery, ruins of an old mill, just a jewel of a state park. I can offer a guided trip if you desire.

Oh my gosh!! Sweetwater Creek - I love that place - I used to go there a lot when I was younger. Thank you - I am DEFINITELY DOING THIS!

You just brought back some wonderful memories for me!

[Tandy]

Have a great time Tandy! Any chance you can lend me some of those vaction days??

Why not - there is no way I'll ever use that many. Please!

[aerosmith67]

Why not - there is no way I'll ever use that many. Please!

Hold on to some, you almost have a years worth of salary in vacation days when you retire! I cashed in when I moved jobs a few years ago and I only had 2 months worth of vacation saved, not 300 days! Legally they owe you cash for the vacation days once you move on, they can keep the personal/sick days.

[Tandy]

Tandy I hope you have a GREAT time what ever you and the other half do. My father in law had a job before he retired that he could accrue Vac. day and personnel time so I can tell you with some experience you have worked to hard and deserve the time off.

One thing I can tell you unless the aquarium has improved on the food LOTS don't eat there.

Thanks! I think we've about scratched the aquarium off the list - too many other great things to do. I may take in the aquarium during season this year at some point - I do want to go.

Is that this week? I tell ya I forgot all about the season approaching us...just so busy with other stuff.

:P

Yeah, sure! Like I forgot to breathe yesterday because I was busy planning!

[Tandy]

300 days tandy????wow, when was your last vacation??? hope you have fun.

I think the last time I went on vacation was about 4 or 5 years ago - I can't remember now - but even then I never used what I had. I am soooo looking forward to this!

STATS has better food which is nearby.

Got that on my list!

I've heard Sweetwater park is nice. Also, Stone Mtn. has ropes courses now, and I've heard they are pretty cool. Definitely go to the top of Stone Mtn, it's a beautiful view. They might have a water park there too, but not sure. The botanical garden is a really nice place to visit, if you're into that. They also have some cooking demonstrations by top chefs(one chef was on the Top chef tv show) at the botanical gardens. Lake Lanier also has a water park and a beach. The Aquarium is nice and it's air conditioned, so you wont be dying from the heat the whole time you are here.

Discover Mills is a discount mall so that might be a good place to get Falcons gear at a good price, I don't know if they will have all the Jerseys you are looking for. I was just in T.J. Max yesterday and they still have those Vick Jerseys for $7, haha.

Have fun and enjoy your vacation.

I love the gardens - thanks for reminding me - I'd like to show that to my granddaughter.

[Tandy]

As big a fan as you are, are you sure you don't qualify to stay in the Falcon's condos off the practice fields?

Also - I like taking the young-uns to the zoo, too, but walking through the zoo right now is like walking through the mojave desert. It is hot!!!!

Yeah! What's up with that????? :P I don't mind the heat too much - but my granddaughter would probably not like it.

I looked into this a bit, it looks like it's a similar plan from past years:

School starts 8/9/10 so you'll have to go to the Hollis Parking Lot.

Hollis - is that where you turn left directly across from the gates?

[Finally]

Don't mind me. I am just here because my name is in the subject line and to make sure this wasn't secretly about Phillip Rivers. :P

[Supes™]

You don't fool us, Tandy. We know where you're gonna be staying.

[texasbirdfan]

Like to eat? As long as you are going the Helen/ App. Trail route- make the drive to Dillard near the NC state line for some super family style food. Famous for decades....