What Happens on the Mountain…..

These past 2 weeks have been full of nothing less than absolute fun.  When I told y’all that I wanted to focus on my physical fitness, I wasn’t playing.  I decided to do more activities outside, especially with the weather getting warmer by the day. 

I started out on a Friday, visiting the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.  Yeah, I know there’s not much going on for physical fitness; however, I managed to walk over 2 miles while viewing all the lovely flowers and plants at this place.  It wasn’t as green as it was the last time I visited (My last visit), but the tulips, orchids and lilacs were in full bloom and simply amazing.

Then, the next day, I took it upon myself to join Ms. Precious Williams of www.simplypassionatelife.com on her Stone Mountain Retreat.  I met a few wonderful ladies and Ms. Precious is one of the nicest people you ever could meet.  I look forward to more of her retreats on Stone Mountain.  That morning, I clocked over 4 miles and climbed 33 flights.  If you have never conquered Stone Mountain, it should definitely be on your list of things to do in Atlanta.  If you’re afraid of the entire mountain, there’s a half-way mark with a picnic bench and of course, there’s a 5-mile trail around the mountain, if you don’t feel like ascending up.

Now, I thought I did pretty good when I conquered Stone Mountain, friends, that was only a prelude for my next hike.  The following weekend, I took a trip to North Carolina to join my sister and nephew on a mountain hike into Gorges’ National Park and Chimney Park State Park.  When I signed up for the trip, I thought that since my sister was still in the recovery mode from a total knee replacement, that this hike wouldn’t be too strenuous.  Boy, were we surprised!

On Friday evening, we boarded a bus with the Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation Department. We traveled to Flat Rock, North Carolina and checked into the Mountain Inn & Suites. The next morning, we rode the 45 minutes to Gorges’ State Park. Led by 3 very enthusiastic Park Rangers, our group of 20 hiked up the mountain for a beautiful view of Rainbow Falls.  This hike took us up 5.8 miles and we climbed 61 floors. This my friends, was only the beginning!

On Sunday, we traveled over to Chimney Rock State Park. Chimney Rock has a 315-foot spire overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure.  As I looked up, I wondered if my aching body was able to climb up that far.  Not to be outdone by the 60+ year old  couple on the trip, I decided emphatically Yes! I could definitely do it! Chimney Rock has a waterfall that can be viewed from the top or the bottom.  We chose to hike down to the bottom of the waterfall and this was a site to behold.  The hike along the mountain was beautifully decorated with natural foliage and distinct rock formations. My 17-year-old daughter and nephew traversed the terrain with ease while I deliberately monitored every step. While going up this mountain, we hiked 4 miles and climbed up 38 floors. 

Chimney Rock State Park has a quant village town below the park that offers several restaurants. The village was populated with park visitors and although busy, we were able to get in and out of the restaurant within an hour.  We also visited the ice cream shop that offered over 31 flavors. This village offered a little bit of everything for everybody. I highly recommend stopping here for a midday pick-me-up!

After lunch, our group traveled to Crowders Mountain State Park. This park is located in Kings Mountain, North Carolina.  This park offers 2 peaks: The Pinnacle and Crowders Mountain.   Because of time constraints, we decided to hike around the lake located in the park.  Since we’d already ascended the mountain at Chimney Rock, most of us was glad this hike didn’t require going up any stairs. This hike around the lake was only 1.5 miles, but it was a beautiful walk where we saw a variety of birds, plants and insects galore. I can’t say enough good things about the Park Rangers: Amber, Brian & Jacob. They kept us safe as we traveled, hiked and dined on this excursion. I know I couldn’t drive up mountains with such ease and finesse.

After the hike, we boarded the bus to make the trip back to Fayetteville, NC.  We arrived back in North Carolina at 10:30pm and believe it or not, I drove back to Atlanta in order to make it to work the next day. That wasn’t a fun drive at all—Ughhhhh!

So about last week…..it kicked off my new hobby – HIKING!   I’m currently looking up groups in my area to meet up with and maybe I’ll see you on the mountain.

For those of you who are thinking, “I’d like to hike up a mountain!” Let me give you a few words of advice when you visit any state park.

1. Wear Sturdy Comfortable Shoes.  I wore an old pair of Nike sneakers and they did just fine; however, I noticed the more seasoned hikers had on some pretty spiffy hiking boots.  They said they were good for ankle support, wet weather and all types of terrain.
2. Make sure you have a trail or park map.  We were with a guide most of the time, but if you’re uncertain of the area, a map is a must!
3. Suncreen and Bug spray are your friends.  It gets hot out there and the further up you go, the hotter the sun feels.  Don’t get caught unprotected from the sun or the bugs.
4. Take some water & a snack! It doesn’t matter if it’s a short hike; you should take water anyway. Don’t be that person.
5. Check the weather! I’m sure that’s closer to the top of your list, but I wanted to remind you just in case you forget.  The weather is unpredictable, so preparedness is not just a pretty word.
6. Hike with a friend! Even if you’re into solitude, bring a friend anyway – there are safety in numbers!
7. Tell people where you are going.  Did you hear about the couple who got lost on a day hike and it took them 5 whole days to be rescued? Yeah, they told someone where there were going and when they were expecting to return. 
8. Respect the park and other hikers.  We were greeted so friendly by the other hikers on the trail. Don’t be the one to ruin it! Be kind and don’t be a litter bug!
9. Lock your car & Stow away valuables.  Thieves are everywhere, even in nature.  Be aware & use common sense.
10. Check the park hours.  Common sense again, but know when to leave.  We found out that earlier is oh so much better at the park.  Try it one time and you’ll be hooked on being the first hiker of the day. These tips were obtained from the NC State Parks Passport booklet.

Let’s get hiking!

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