BCS madness, colorful leaves, snow falling in many of our favorite northern destinations....its Novemeber here at the Tourist Network and there are so many things to be thankful for. The great thing about our newsletter is that its a monthly conversation with our station's viewers and our website's community. Thanks to the internet and technology we can have a virtual Thanksgiving dinner right here for millions to take a morsel of reflection from....in that vain, here are the things I am most thnakful for in our wonderful Southeastern Destinations....

Key West...wow so much to be thankful about America's little piece of the Carribean, but for me its easy - the weather. As I mentioned, its snowing up north, people have been wearing sweaters for months in some parts of the country. In Key West, as I type this, its a wonderful 80 degrees. I am sure there is a perfect breeze off the water, and simply put, its called 'paradise' for a reason!

Myrtle Beach...this year we are thankful for our recent expansion in the Carolina Coast area. A year ago we got to explore everything Myrtle and North Myrtle offered to locals and visitors, BUT in 2007 we added the laid back luxury of Merrills Inlet, Pawleys Island and historic Georgetown! Lots going on in Carolina and I am thankful to bring our visitors all the information!

Atlanta...the new World of Coke, the continuing committment to arts and culture, the Fabulous Fox Theatre, the new vision of Buckhead, and of course the incredible aquarium... need I say more, take your pick of the many things to love about Atlanta![Hyperlink the attractions to their spots if thats possible]

New Orleans...I had the opportunity to enjoy my first Jazz Fest this year and I had friends attend both Mardi Gras and Voodoo Fest in 2007. What a city - faced with challenges, faced with strife, two years out from Katrina its pulse is beating strong like the rythyms of the many musicians that have returned to help re-build this once and soone to be again WONDERFUL city! [hyperlink to pics of the events mentioned if we have them]

...and last but certainly not least, my home, the panhandle of Florida...this time of year I am thankful to have such a wonderful landscape to come home to...after traveling from one beautiful destination to another it would be easy to just get off a plane and take for granted the wonder of the panhandle, but it simply won't let me. From the sugar sands to the emerald waters, I never grow tired of this place.

That leads me into a great story that happened this past year here in Panama City. I was on the beach shooting and this girl was nearly in tears when she looked out over the Gulf. I asked her if she was okay and she began to tell me how she had never been to a beach - at 24 years old she had never been to a beach - and the reality of standing on ours filled her eyes with tears. Yup, myself and every other local here in the panhandle have got to be thankful that this is our backyard, and we love having company come by to enjoy it!

Of course, I wold be doing a diservice if I did not leave you with a fun Thanksgiving cocktail to mix up with your friends and loved ones while you reminice about things you are thankful for in 2007. Its easy and quick and sums up the flavors that we love about Thanksgiving and wintertime -

The Pumpkin Pie martini(thanks to www.cocktailtimes.com for the recipe):

- 2 parts Absolut Vanila vodka
- 1 part pumpkin schnapps
- Splash of cream
- Sprinkle with nutmeg

Shake all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. And strain into a martini glass. Garnish with nutmeg and cherry....enjoy with friends around a comfortable living room!

Thanks for the martini recipe, Randy! We're having a party this weekend & I think I've just found the signature drink! Gonna buy the ingredients on the way home from work tonight & give it a trial run!