Welcome Shon - from middle Georgia! Glad to see you here...
I was in Houston last week...it is way yonder bigger than most places I've visited. I visited with IR2DUM, who is a member here. He took me and a friend on the BBQ tour - Luling, Lockhart, etc. What a great time!
I bought an AKORN a couple of weeks ago and I am really gettin' into it. Lost Arrow made me buy one and he has coached me in my beginner stage. I cooked some baby back ribs yesterday for 5 hours at 225* using the snake method with the charcoal. In 5 hours I only used half of the charcoal and wood, so I am glad to have something that cooks so well and so efficiently.
Maybe you can feed me some tips along the way. I'll be watchin' for your posts hoping you include some pictures.