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September 5, 2008

Sky high at Callaway Gardens

Posted: 10:21 PM ET

Eric Lanford and the balloons

We're always on the lookout for cool places to tape "News To Me." Luckily Atlanta and the surrounding area is rife with locations that our cameraman Teague calls "rich." Last weekend we headed about an hour south of CNN Center to Pine Mountain, Georgia. Home to great bar-b-que and a massive expanse of beautiful grounds called Callaway Gardens. It was a phenomenal Saturday weather-wise and as an extra added bonus the annual Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival was going on while we were there. Eric even managed to take a ride!

More behind the scenes pics:

The Whistling Pig

I think if that pig knew he was about to be lunch he wouldn't be whistling. He must not realize what's in that pot he's stirring! Our Turner Broadcasting audio guy Gerald said we had to have lunch at the Whistling Pig (above). "Home to one of the best burgers in all of Georgia," he said. It was a little too early in the morning for me to actually test that claim, but the folks were sure nice.

Callaway Gardens inflatable water slide

After lunch we worked up a sweat walking around Callaway Gardens. It was tough being able to only watch other people taking advantage of all the ways to cool down. Eric couldn't (or wouldn't) take a leap down the coolest cool-down option: Callaway's gigantic inflatable water slide (above), but it did make for a great backdrop.

Eric meditating

The other way we found to cool down was a little more unconventional (above). While walking around the grounds we came across a group of people offering Sahaja Yoga meditation, and not a moment too soon. Eric had had a long night Friday and we were up early on Saturday to shoot, so after 4 hours of working in the sun he was ready for a few minutes of down time. Adam (in the white hat, sitting across from Eric) was a great sport, and even managed to get Eric to be quiet for almost 5 minutes! I'm pretty sure that's a record!

The best part of the day came that evening when we actually got to go for a ride in a hot air balloon. You'll have to watch "News To Me" tomorrow or Sunday to see how that went. Thanks to the folks at SkyScapes of America who took Eric up up and away.

Posted by: Producer Grayson Thagard
Filed under: Behind the Scenes • Shoots

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Pushpa Rao

September 16th, 2008 5:19 pm ET

Is there a segment in "News to me" about Sahaja Yoga and Self-Realization? Could you please send me information where and how I can see it. It would be very nice if Erick went to one of the Sahaja Yoga Programs in Atlanta or all over the country. You can look up about Self-Realization in http://www.Sahajayoga.org
Pushpa Rao

ntmgrayson

September 16th, 2008 7:18 pm ET

Hi Pushpa,

We didn't actually do a whole segment in "News To Me" about Sahaja Yoga.

A practitioner of the practice named Adam happened to be offering free lessons at Callaway Gardens while "News To Me" was shooting there, and was kind enough to participate in what we call a "tease." A short bit where we promote what is coming up next on the show. Adam also succeeded in calming our host Eric down too!

I'm afraid that part of the show will not be posted to the web, but we have provided links to Sahaja Yoga in the post above for anyone who would like to learn more.

Thanks for watching!
-Grayson

Sergio

September 21st, 2008 2:39 pm ET

Hi,

So ?
How Eric found this expirience ? Did he tried to beat his record ?

Louis

September 22nd, 2008 3:34 am ET

Hi,
I also practice this yoga in France for more than 20 years and I can say it works not only on cooling and calming but also on plenty of other ways. It can be the beginning of lot of changes to feel better in all parts of our life. Just try to practice for at least 2-3 weeks and you will see the deep changes.
Louis

Bokwe

September 22nd, 2008 4:43 pm ET

When I started practising Sahaja Yoga in France in 1992, I didn't know how deeply it was going to transform my life for the better – and I'm still at it now in South Africa. You'll never know the great treasure that we all carry with us all our lives until you try it. Now I can enter into a space of peace and silence and enjoy my being here and now! The journey of a thousand kilometers starts with one little step – and you become the change that you want to see in the world.

Love to all.

Noor Hasan

September 24th, 2008 9:51 am ET

Hi Eric,
I don't understand why the media is keeping quiet about the gas situation in Nashville. We are desperate for gas...

Could you bring this issue up please so we at least know that we are not being ignored?
Thank you

ntmgrayson

September 24th, 2008 11:55 am ET

Hi Noor,

I'm not Eric but here are some links to video on CNN and iReport.com about this story:

http://www.ireport.com/ir-topic-stories.jspa?topicId=3041

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/09/20/kumari.gas.price.WSMV

-Grayson

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Go "behind our cubicles" to see how "News To Me" comes together each week... warts and all. See the videos and stories that we did not or could not air (all SFW) and get the early word on what we'll be looking for next week. Want to see your videos or pics on "NTM"? Send them our way. Catch "NTM" with Eric Lanford every Saturday and Sunday at 7:30p/9:30p/12:30a... only on HLN!