Get people talking about their travels, and you’ll learn what they value in life. That’s what we
discovered when we chatted with a few guys from the Magic City, all of whom spent a recent
vacation in a unique setting doing something fun and challenging – sail fishing in beautiful
Guatemala; clay shooting in the wilderness of northern Georgia; dove hunting in the vast fields
of Argentina, and more.
But the sporting was only part of what made these journeys memorable. Quality time with loved
ones while learning about other parts of the world (who knew that bears are pretty chill as long
as enough fish are there to go around?!) kept these conversations humorous and engaging.
We hope you enjoy reading their travelogs as much as we enjoyed hearing them. And if the
man in your life needs a break – or if you’re the man who needs a break – let these stories be
the sign to sign off, pack a bag, and embark on your next big, manly adventure.
A Fishing Oasis in the Wilderness
Pacific Fins Resort, Guatemala
Hunter Martin had been traveling to Central America for fishing adventures for years when he
discovered a new favorite: Pacific Fins Resort. Located in picturesque Guatemala, the resort is
an oasis situated on the wild coast, accessible via a memorable drive from the airport.
“It’s a unique experience to drive through Guatemala City, between volcanoes and burning
sugar cane fields, wondering what we got ourselves into – then suddenly you’re on the coast
pulling into this beautiful little resort, where folks are waiting with drinks and ceviche,” he says.
Though Pacific Fins offers an authentic experience for the geography, its upscale amenities and
service inspired Hunter to invite his 15-year-old daughter on their most recent trip. “We went this
past February, and it was a really cool cultural experience for her.”
The highlight of Pacific Fins is, of course, the fishing. Because boats are docked at the resort,
hopping aboard for a day of deep-sea adventures is easy. Each vessel is staffed with a captain
and two mates, and guests can catch their own or reel in fish caught by the crew. “The mates
freelined bait and handled the hook-up, then handed my daughter the rod,” Hunter says. “She
was able to fight the fish into the boat, which wasn’t easy!”
Guests can catch (and release) the region’s iconic sailfish and others, such as Mahi, which
Hunter and his daughter enjoyed in fresh mahi sandwiches right on their boat. “My daughter’s
favorite part of the trip may have been that lunch,” Hunter laughs.
When the Doves Cry
Guayascute Lodge, Argentina
Joseph Braswell had always heard the dove hunting in Argentina was the best in the world, so
when a chance to visit Guayascute Lodge in Cordoba came along, he was game. The journey
was part of an incentive trip to Patagonia and Buenos Aires for top sellers in the HVAC industry,
and several couples, including Joseph and his wife, Abby, elected to go a few days early for a
hunting adventure.
“If you ask any hunter where they would ideally go for dove hunting, Argentina is their answer,”
Joseph explains. “The country produces a lot of grain and corn, which attracts birds, and it’s
now a world-renowned location.”
The Guayascute Lodge is situated on 1,500 acres, and hunters get up in the mornings to try
their luck with the numerous birds. Abby joined her husband on the first morning but opted to
enjoy extra sleep, spa time, and a tasty breakfast otherwise. “Most of the wives did not hunt but
could join the picnic in the afternoons: lunch in the open field,” Joseph says.
The Braswells enjoyed their time at Guayascute Lodge more than anticipated. It has elevated
amenities and more personable service than a hotel—like “staying at someone’s house,” says
Joseph. With just 20 bedrooms, the couples had the place to themselves and could socialize
nightly in the main room.
“We’d turn on the TV, make a drink, and hang out,” Joseph says. “Some of us had never met; a
lot of us had. But we are all in the HVAC business, so we had stuff to discuss!”
From Here to Bear
Newhalen Lodge, Alaska
For Tony Goodman, the invite to Newhalen Lodge was unexpected. A friend spearheads an
annual trip to the Alaskan wilderness with several other anglers, and when one declined, a spot
was suddenly open. Tony wasn’t sure what he was getting into – though an avid fly fisherman in
places such as Belize, the Bahamas, and Mexico, he’d never been to Alaska. “I’d never been in
that level of wilderness,” he says. Still, he accepted the invitation.
The lodge itself, set on Six-mile Lake near Nondalten, has everything you need, including a
stocked bar, evening hors d'oeuvres, and cold plunges in the ice-cold lake – then warming up in
the wood-burning sauna, which felt more like a cave. Though the Alaskan sun never fully sets in
summer, the fisherman had no trouble with slumber. “A full day on the river is enough to wear
you out,” Tony chuckles.
The crew had a specific fish in mind for their goal—trophy rainbow trout in the 25- to 30-inch
range—but caught a variety, including sockeye and chum salmon, grayling, and Dolly Varden.
While they fished, wild animals scouted their lunches as well.
“You’re out there with bears and moose, all kinds of wildlife,” Tony says. “We were surrounded
by bears, and I was reluctant to catch a fish at first because I thought a bear would charge. But
the bears aren’t interested. There's plenty of fish, and fish are easier to eat than people!”
His-and-Hers Retreat
Barnsley Resort, Georgia
Nathan and Bailey Mercer got married last February and looked forward to a peaceful, romantic
honeymoon just two and a half hours from their home in Birmingham. Barnsley Resort in North
Georgia offered the couple a reprieve from wedding fanfare with delicious food, luxurious
accommodations, and ample time in nature. “A friend recommended the resort to us,” explains
Nathan. “And driving, rather than getting on an airplane, was a big plus.”
The couple adored their cozy, private cottage—including the bathtub, fireplace, and comfy king
bed—and appreciated the property's overall peacefulness in wintertime. “We knew we would
have a quiet trip, which is what we were looking for,” Nathan says. We also loved the food—the
venison chili at the Woodlands Grill was great, and they had woodfired pizzas on our first night
there.”
For Nathan, the opportunity to shoot on the clays course was appealing. He’d brought his own
gun and shells, but he notes that the resort also offers a variety of Beretta shotguns for rent.
“The course was very nice—and very challenging, not an easy walk-through,” he adds.
The couple also rode horses during their stay and enjoyed viewing the Barnsley property from a
unique perspective. “Our guide who handled the horses had them saddled up when we met with
her, and she took us on a beautiful trail that winds around the property, including the golf course
and the Barnsley Manor ruins,” Bailey says.
"It’s a unique experience to drive through Guatemala City, between volcanoes and burning
sugar cane fields, wondering what we got ourselves into – then suddenly you’re on the coast
pulling into this beautiful little resort, where folks are waiting with drinks and ceviche."
The lodge has everything you need, including a
stocked bar, evening hors d'oeuvres, and cold plunges in the ice-cold lake.