Mile 193. Athens, GA

Dan and Jane Malcher of Pouch Pies in Athens, GA

"The grass is greener, cause there's more shit over there"  -Dan Malcher

It's late, I'm hungry, Yelp sucks.

I'm in that state of hunger where everything, yet nothing, sounds good.  Guys, I imagine this is where we joke we find women at times.  Ladies, I feel your pain.  Downtown Athens has some great eating options, but in my haze I can only make out pizza slice joints and 4 star restaurants, when finally, on the wings of intuition I float into one.  Pouch Pies on Broad Street. 

I've always wondered why my mother never really cared to come back here to Athens, where she attended The University of Georgia.  Why she rarely went back home to Chattanooga.  Some people choose to keep moving forward, for whatever reason.  Nostalgia is a sweet drug to live on, the come down can be quite bitter though.

Dan and Jane Malcher of Pouch Pies have kept moving.  They met on holiday, and married young.  From Malta and Scotland respectively, they moved to South Africa and started a family.  Continents, and worlds away...successful careers built, left....families birthed, expanded...30 years later they've found themselves in Athens, in an industry and town completely new to them.  Their story, though unique, reminded me of my mothers.

Who stays, who leaves, and why?  Dan told his son, the biggest obstacle to success is comfort.  How many cities you've lived in isn't an indicator of your risk tolerance, in absolute terms, but its a strong suggestion.  It doesn't guarantee success, but it's certainly a few bricks in the foundation.  To give up everyone, and all, you've known reveals a courage and willingness to take yourself on.  It's a hefty wager on you making something of the cards you were dealt.

Athens is a hell of a town.  I can only imagine what it's like during college football season.  I kinda wish my mother was still here to show me where she walked, lived.....where she met the college boy who made her heart dance.  But I'm glad she kept moving.  I'm glad she opened up her world, developed her courage, and doubled down on herself.  I believe it contributed to her success, and mine.  It's put me in the position to leave everything I've loved, to be here, and meet people like the Malchers.....to add their story to mine, to yours, to the Caravan.  

I'm full now.  I kinda want to write a Yelp review for them, but won't.  They filled my stomach, and spirit.  Anyone who can do that doesn't need a bunch of stars on a website, they'll do just fine.