Somehow, another week has flown by and I have managed to once again not update on my most recent adventures. Now that it is almost the end of May I think things are finally calming down!
So, last week I went on a family hiking trip! It was the first time we have done anything like this and it was awesome. We felt very adventurous and oh-so-hardcore.
We left Tuesday morning and drove to Amicalola Falls State Park to check in. From there, we parked the car and hit the trail! It was 5 miles to the Len Foote Hike Inn where we stayed. We had two connecting rooms with bunk beds there, plus there was a bath house, dining room and sunrise room. Everything is very eco-friendly, so they provide your linens, there are solar panels and rain water collectors, you have to carry out your trash, and the toilets are composting (not nearly as disgusting as I expected. seriously.) They served us a big dinner family style, so we got to meet the other guests. That night they had a program on owls and other birds of prey (hence the title of this entry. said in reference to a vulture. ew.)
The next morning was another family style meal and we hit the trail again. This time, we went 8.8 miles round trip (NOT "almost 10", as Dad liked to remind us) to Springer Mountain, which is the starting point of the Appalachian Trail. The hike was considerably harder, but the view was awesome, and it was pretty cool to be at the start of the AT.
The view from Springer
The plaque says it is the start of the AT!
Headed back to the inn for a relaxing afternoon, another big dinner and program, this one about bent trees and their significance to Native American culture. Went to bed eeeearly. We were exhausted!
Thursday morning we got up early to see the sunrise. It was gorgeous and totally worth the 6 a.m. wake up call (courtesy of banjo playing by the cook.)
One more big breakfast and we hit the trail to head back to the park. After a quick look at the falls, we headed back home and took looooong showers and lots of Advil. It was a great time for the whole family to be together (minus cell phones, computers and TVs) after our crazy, crazy month. We actually had a chance to talk, which was so nice! I have a pretty cool family, I must say. I'll claim them any day.
I was in Athens over the weekend to get some med school application business taken care of (ugh. what a crazy process they put us through!) and to pack up for camp!! My car is now stuffed (literally. I think nothing else will fit in that car) and waiting to drive south in just two days!! woohoo!
Happy Memorial Day!!
Lauren
No comments:
Post a Comment