Thanks all; I'm back from Germany -- visiting the Heckler & Koch weapons plant in Oberndorf, southwest of Stuttgart, on the fringes of the Black Forest. It's beautiful country, with picturesque little villages set in rolling countryside between green fields and stretches of forest. The forested sections had a dark, almost primeval feel to them. The D&D'er in me easily envisioned tribes of savage goblinoids, giants, and feral beasts inhabiting the forests, waiting to prey on unsuspecting villages. The whole area would make a great real-world stand-in to an area like the FR's Dalelands, or Greyhawk's Gnarley Forest region.
For those who've asked, I'm stationed at Fort Benning (Columbus, GA) for the next two years, doing small arms weapon development work. Had I more time, there could be a great d20 Modern sourcebook in the sorts of things I'm doing.
For my group in Atlanta -- what are you doing Memorial Day weekend? Anyone care to head deeper into the Underdark?
Las Vegas, Nevada next week for a national small arms industry conference; Vermont the week after.