behindDeal 8A

110109 - Vinings - I had been riding along with Nathan Deal all day, covering the count down to his inauguration. After dinner the big snowstorm had begun. On the way back to the Governor's mansion, an out of control vehicle, sliding on the ice, nearly careened into the Governor's SUV, and smashed into the car in front of us, then slid down the road. "Governor, we've got to get you home", said his driver. Governor-elect Nathan Deal (center) leaves an evening dinner hosted by his Mercer ATO fraternity brothers at Garrison's Broiler and Tap in Vinings. The roads were clear when he arrived in his state vehicle. He is escorted by Georgia State Patrol executive security driver David Herring (left), called "Dawg" because he spent time on Mark Richt's protective detail. At right is State Trooper Jim Andrews. He accompanied Because of the snowstorm expected to hit throughout the state, all nonessential inaugural activities were canceled, the Governor-elect announced Sunday, taking a break from his pre-inaugural activities. Behind the scenes with Nathan Deal, leading up to and through his inauguration. Sun, Jan. 9, 2011 Bob Andres bandres@ajc.com