Georgia
Took the All Night Train to Georgia – The Trek
It’s been a long time since I cried as much as I did the days leading up to leaving for Georgia. I was blown away by a surprise party at work – my current and past (and some future) kids were there with families. I gave and received more hugs than I could possibly count. I sobbed and cackled through my “Good Nuck” video. It really hit me how nice it is to have a job I love so much that it hurts to leave it (even temporarily)!
The Adventure to the Adventure
Monday morning my partner and I lugged our selves and our stuff onto the Amtrak headed for New York City after a very tearful goodbye to my family. Our first leg was quiet, probably because we ended up in the quiet car.
I realized as we left Massachusetts and crossed into Rhode Island that I won’t be back in my home state until I walk myself back! On my own two feet!
Big thank you to my Uncle Jeff for meeting us at Penn Station and treating me to lunch (does this count as trail magic? Or at least train magic LOL).
And then we were off to Georgia on the Cresent 19. I was excited to travel by train as a bonus adventure. It was certainly romanticized in my head but I also kept my expectations very, very low! My advice is to do just that if you chose to travel by train for a long distance. The food was microwaved, but yummy, and they have vegan options! The people were loud and got a little rowdy – complaining and taking very loud phone calls after midnight – but overall the majority were kind. It rained which was pretty on the windows but caused some delays. Overall, it was totally fine and I’m happy I added another new experience to my ever-growing list!
What if My Plan is to NOT Plan?
Now, planning is not my strong suit, which I’m sure will be a recurring theme as I bring y’all on this 6 month-ish adventure. Our tickets got us to Gainesville, GA because I saw that was closer to Amicalola Falls than Atlanta. However, it’s also no where near an REI so that will have to wait until I’m on trail. I also didn’t think to call ahead for a shuttle (I wanted to meet Ron of Ron’s Appalachian Trail Shuttle!!!!) so we called a Lyft. Thankfully, the kindest woman picked us up, brought me through a Starbucks, and chatted with us all the way… until I realized we also put in the wrong address! Seriously, my planning – or lack thereof – will surely be at least a point of entertainment over the coming months.
We updated the address and Asami brought us into the mountains, shared stories of growing up in Asia surrounded by similar views, and safely left us at Amicalola Falls State Park Lodge!
I felt so overwhelmed with gratitude, absolutely humbled, and overcome with emotions as I saw the view from the lodge. It’s a view I’ve seen in pictures, videos, movies, and dreams. And I’m actually here. I stood next to the 3-floors-tall map of the trail in awe. It’s happening. I’m walking the Appalachian Trail.
So, next on the list is to rest, eat, register, walk the approach trail, and walk on! & on & on & on & on & on…
Thank you so much to Keira & Connor, my cousin Denise, Lucy, Camille & family, Audrey, my Martinezes, Satya & Arnav, Mackenzie & Maddox, the Strubles (Ellie you are so not a chicken!), Van, Dax, & Kara, and the DeVoes! And of course all the MAPsters, past and current who made me a video message and starred in a famous Kurt music video. I’m blown away by the support and am so incredibly grateful for all the words of love and kindness. I will see y’all soon – keep being you, because you rock!
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Georgia
Ga. lawmakers propose changes to state’s early voting process
ATLANTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – State legislators are considering more changes to Georgia’s voting law, proposing a new bill that would alter the way early voters cast ballots.
State Sen. Greg Dolezal, a Republican from Cumming, introduced SB 568 this week. The proposal would assign early voters to one precinct in their county. Currently, voters can cast early votes at any precinct in their county.
It would also move early voting to a hand-marked paper ballot system, where voters use a pen to mark their selections, instead of the currently used touchscreen system.
“So that we would not have to print so many permutations at the paper ballots, we would assign voters to an early voting location,” said Dolezal. “Most people are going to vote to the at the early voting location closest to their home anyway.”
The bill was immediately met with backlash from democrats as a barrier to the vote.
“I have no idea how voting on a piece of paper, marking it down with your pencil in any way suppresses the vote,” said Dolezal. “For most counties out of, you know, 140 call it out of 159, they just have one location.”
Dolezal’s proposal would also require local clerks to publicly post their entire voting rolls ahead of elections.
“Making public every single voter who is qualified to vote is to some extent, a little bit of an invasion of privacy for each individual voter,” said state Sen. Sonya Halpern (D-Atlanta). “We need to have trust in our election officials to run those elections.”
It’s the latest change the legislature has proposed to Georgia’s voting system.
“You have dirty, dirty voting rolls, you’re going to have dirty elections,” Dolezal said.
The bill would also shift responsibility for voter challenges from the counties to the State Elections Board. In addition, it would also move the threshold for an automatic recount in the state from a 1.5% margin to 2%.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Georgia
No. 3 Georgia to Host Top-Ranked Auburn for Regular Season Finale – University of Georgia Athletics
Georgia fell at Auburn 14-6 to wrap up the fall slate of their season. The overall record against the Tigers currently stands at 31-31, including a 13-7 record in Bishop.
During their National Championship run in the 2024-25 season, the Mane Dawgs faced off against Auburn on three separate occasions. Georgia was victorious at home, 11-9, before falling on the road, 11-8. In the quarterfinals of the NCEA National Championships in Ocala, the Bulldogs stunned the second-ranked Tigers, 13-4, en route to their eighth National Championship title.
Georgia returns to action following a trip to Blythewood, South Carolina, to take on the third-ranked Gamecocks.
Top-ranked Auburn travels to Bishop after hosting No. 4 SMU at home the prior weekend. The Tigers defeated the Mustangs 13-7 and swept all four MOP honors.
Following the conclusion of the meet, Georgia will honor their seven seniors for their dedication and contributions to the program.
The meet will be streamed on SECN+ at https://gado.gs/e7v, and live scoring will be available at https://gado.gs/e7w.
HOW TO FOLLOW GEORGIA EQUESTRIAN: For complete information on Georgia equestrian, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGAEquestrian on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
JOIN OUR MANE DAWGS FUND: Mane Dawgs Fund contributions make a direct impact in supporting our student-athletes and equines at the Georgia Equestrian program. A gift to the Mane Dawgs fund helps provide resources such as equipment upgrades for our student and equine athletes, travel assistance, and enhance overall team experiences. Contributions to the Mane Dawgs provide benefits such as membership gifts and information about upcoming special events. Click here for more information.
Georgia
Georgia OC Mike Bobo gets giant pay raise, salary matches DC Glenn Schumann
Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann will be paid equally in 2026 after receiving raises, according to an Athens Banner-Herald report.
Coach Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs are coming off a second consecutive SEC championship season and College Football Playoff Sugar Bowl quarterfinal appearance.
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