Originally from Indiana, never had "real" BBQ growing up; back then and there, boiled meat with sauce on it would qualify. Moved to Tennessee back in 1985 and OMG, what the h*ll was this? Best thing I ever ate. No sauce needed or even wanted. It seemed like a crime to put anything on pulled pork lest you mask any of the flavor. Two years later I moved to California (for my job). Good BBQ is hard to come by. Sure we have the chain restaurants here now like Lucille's, but can't afford to eat there everyday (I would eat BBQ everyday if my wife would let me) and it is still not as good as what I had in TN. So now I am building my own smoker, after many years of pondering the idea. I have some passable welding skills and a small collection of welders, and more ambition than time. I'll be posting pics in the build forums shortly of my progress so far (it has been over a year in-work now). When I started this project, I had joined another well known BBQ forum (to remain nameless) but recently I have been put off by the "Old Boys Club" atmosphere and attitudes there.From what I have read on here so far, it looks like a a great collection of good people.Thanks for having me.