FROM THE PUBLISHER
ISSUE # 87 ❖ SPRING 2021
“ It should come as no surprise that the secret of the South ’ s not-so-secret wealth of adventure has managed to get out .”
Publisher , Michael Brooks and son , Dodge Brooks with Savannah Combat Club ’ s Stephen Bass ( center ).
READY FOR AN ADVENTURE ?
AS I WATCHED MY SON TEAR INTO ME WITH LIGHTNING-FAST PUNCHES , I COULDN ’ T HELP BUT CHUCKLE . In hindsight , I probably shouldn ’ t have . It just made him angry . For what it ’ s worth , I wasn ’ t laughing at his fighting skills . He ’ s already a terror in the ring and improving every day .
I chuckled because this was a heck of a situation to be in when you realize you ’ re watching your child grow up before your eyes . That moment in the boxing ring , getting punched repeatedly in my torso , was one I wouldn ’ t trade for the world . It ’ s adventure in its purest form .
South magazine ’ s Annual Travel & Adventure Issue is one I always look forward to . As much ink as we have devoted to the many ways to get out there and get your blood racing in the South , it seems we always discover something new and exciting . Of course , this is the South . One infallible truth is that you don ’ t have to look far to find your next adventure .
It should come as no surprise that the secret of the South ’ s not-so-secret wealth of adventure has managed to get out . Everywhere you look , you see a new neighbor and a new face calling the South home . Ask any real estate agent you know , and they ’ ll tell you : the great migration has arrived .
Part of that is the natural appeal of the Southern experience — warm spring days , sweet ice tea , a boat ride on a meandering tidal creek — these are the dreams we all share , the life we all want to live . Nevertheless , this past year has shown more of us that nothing is guaranteed . Life is to be lived , full stop . Chasing that dream has brought countless people here seeking that great Southern adventure .
This past year has shown me something , as well . What it has taught me is that adventure takes on many forms . Look , this job is all about the adventure — getting that look behind the curtain of Southern society , being among the first to try that new restaurant , enjoying the opportunity to meet some of the most fascinating people that call this region home . I wouldn ’ t trade a minute of it , nor would I trade places with anyone else .
But in chasing down adventure , you can often miss something even more exciting .
Creating each issue of South magazine is an immensely rewarding experience in itself , but it is also a time-consuming one . Making sure every detail is perfect , making sure we ’ ve left no stone unturned in our quest to bring you the very best with each edition , can mean hundredhour-plus workweeks . For a father like me , it can mean late nights and missed bedtimes . It can mean weekends on a photo shoot instead of at soccer practice .
I recently started training again , this time under UFC fighter Stephen Bass ( see page 78 ). In doing so , I realized I didn ’ t have to choose my own adventure . I could share it with my son . If only for that one hour , I get to enjoy not just the adventure of gaining strength and confidence , but also the adventure of seeing that growth in my son . For that hour , we ’ re creating memories and strengthening our bond . What better adventure could a father ask for ?
Wherever your journey takes you , remember the greatest adventures are shared with those we love . If this past year has taught us anything , it ’ s that you ’ ll never have this time back . You don ’ t necessarily need to glove up and step into the octagon to share your adventure — what South ’ s Travel & Adventure Issue proves is that there are countless escapades to be found .
But sharing that adventure is how you create the greatest memories . •
MANY THANKS & KEEP READING
MICHAEL BROOKS PUBLISHER / CREATOR
16 SOUTH Spring Issue 2021 PHOTO BY D . PAUL GRAHAM