The one- or two-week sessions of day trips out of downtown Oakhurst feature introductory, expert-trained fun in hiking, rock climbing, canoeing, whitewater rafting, geocaching, swimming, kayaking, boating/tubing and more to destinations including Callaway Gardens, the Chattahoochee Nature Center, the Georgia Nature Center, Amicalola Falls, Fort Yargo State Park and the Chattooga River.

Owner/director Scott Seitz is a middle school science and math teacher year-round, but his summer lesson plans, which complement the camp’s daily activities and destinations, exclusively cover the environment. Topics include Georgia wildlife and eco-regions, energy conservation, alternative energy, waste reduction, recycling, composting, stream/wetland ecology, water conservation and air pollution.  Camp Scene is a member of the Environmental Education Alliance.

“Without a doubt, there’s one irreplaceable way for kids to learn to appreciate nature and our interdependency,” Scott said. “And that’s to simply experience it. Start early, and then their daily life is infused with that natural sensibility.”

Scott, and his wife, Jennifer, also have an infant son, and they are excited to include him and expand their programming to feature all-ages family adventures starting in the fall. Already, families are encouraged to get in on the summer camp fun, with Weekly Green Challenges during each session and resources for at-home environmental exploration.

Discounted rates of $35 off each session are being offered with DISCOUNT CODE: GO GREEN before May 15. Visit www.campscene.com or call today! 404-502-3196. For information about financial scholarships, e-mail info@campscene.com.

Thanks to Jennifer for passing this along! I asked her is grown-ups could participate and she said they’re working on that.

ABOUT CAMP SCENE:
Camp Scene, a summer day camp based in Oakhurst Village in Decatur for ages 8-12, teaches environmental stewardship through outdoor adventure. Hands-on field studies are based on lesson plans from the Environmental Education Alliance and adapted to the daily field trips and Georgia destinations. Rigorous procedures during travel and on site keep campers safe, happy and healthy, and the well-trained, professional staff consists of certified Georgia teachers who are also certified in first aid and CPR. Camp Scene donates 5% of proceeds to local environmental organizations and gives back to the community by offering financial scholarships and organizing volunteer service projects.

Keep Atlanta Beautiful is looking for 20 volunteers to help out at the Race 2 Recycle on Saturday, November 14. Volunteers are needed to help with set-up, registration, timing on the finish line and passing out water to runners. All volunteers will receive a free organic cotton race t-shirt and are encouraged to dress in a recycled-themed costume. What a great way to celebrate America Recycles Day!

Those interested should email peggy.denby@keepatlantabeautiful.org or call 404-249-5853. Learn more about the Race 2 Recycle.

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Register Today to Run the Race 2 Recycle!

In celebration of America Recycles Day, Keep Atlanta Beautiful is setting the pace for zero waste with the 3rd annual Race 2 Recycle. Make an impact by rallying your club, co-workers, family and friends to run the 5k or 1 mile fun run, around beautiful Piedmont Park in Midtown Atlanta on Saturday, November 14. Race starts at 8:30 a.m. Register online at www.KeepAtlantaBeautiful.org.

Runners will be joining teams from IKEA, Republic Services, Novelis, Mohawk, Wal-Mart and more! >>Learn more

At the top is me with my running buddy Greg coming downhill into the mile 26 aid station, followed by us refuling at that aid station. The middle is Kelly, me, Zack, and Greg with our paper cups of champagne; me blissfully icing every part of my left leg humanely possible; and then sleeping in the car on the way home.

This past Saturday, I ran the illustrious and challenging Stump Jump 50K in Chattanooga, TN – my first ultra-marathon! Due to the fact that the race was 31 miles (which I found out later that the course is actually a little longer) and everything I read about it talked about it being one of the more difficult 50K’s in the southeast, I spent most of this past week worrying about that void of the unknown that awaited me. I’ve run road marathons before and know what to expect – what my body will feel like in the later miles, the pace to keep, etc., but I didn’t know what to expect on 31 miles of trails. Turns out, I love trail running! This does not come as a huge surprise as I really enjoyed my training runs in Sweetwater Creek State Park, Kennesaw, along the Chattahoochee, in Blue Ridge, etc. and I simply love being outdoors, in the peace and quiet of the woods, and with (or without) people who share the same passion to be outside and active.

So, to add to the other Stump Jump 50K reviews and stories that are out there online, here is my adventure (and you can check out more photos on facebook here):

Pre-race pasta dinner:
My boyfriend Zack and I met up with Kelly for race packet pick-up and the pasta dinner. We shared a table with a man who had run Stump Jump the year before and we grilled him about what to expect. Probably not good for someone with heightened nerves, especially when he said that he had the same goal as me when he set out last year (a 6.5 hour finish) and finished in 8 hours instead. Lord! The other guy we sat with said that he runs 3 hour road marathons and hoped to finish in 6 hours. He and I actually spent quite some miles the next day hopscotching on the trail until he took off ahead of me, which is probably a good thing so I actually lived to tell about it and not die of exhaustion.

After dinner, we walked across the street to hear Dean Karnazes speak. You may know the name as the crazy guy who ran 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days. He gave a great talk and came out to run the race with us the next morning! Then it was off the hotel for a Sweetwater beer, more water, and some quality time with the race maps. And filling the cooler with ice to chill the champagne for the finish line.

Pre-race morning:
In the early morning hours, we wound our way up Signal Mountain to the starting point at the high school. You could hardly miss which way to go – it seemed every car on the road was headed to the race. We arrived, we parked, and we walked up to the school to check in, shivering at the 50 degree temperature. Zack had decided overnight to run the 11 mile race, so he checked in as Rich, our friend who should have been there to run the 50K, and downgraded his number to the 11 miler. At least that would buy him some time from sitting around for who-knows-how-many hours he’d be waiting on me to finish!

We met up with our friends in the school, stretched a little, took pictures, swallowed salt tablets, and headed to the start line. All of a sudden, it was almost 8 o’clock as we shuffled into our 11 mile and 50K chutes. And then we were off!

Miles 1-3:
We started out on asphalt, but just long enough to wind around the school and into the woods (we split with the 11 milers as we left the parking lot). The initial trail was a gently sloping, double-wide gravel path used for training by the Signal Mountain High School cross country team (who were out running the 11 miler). We started to sort ourselves out pretty quickly but still ran in a long line of people for the first stretch. I kept checking for Kelly right behind me to make sure I didn’t get too far ahead since she was planning on closer to a 6 hour time (she passed me a couple miles later). We reached the Mushroom Rock aid station at around mile 4, where photographers were taking pictures as we ran by the enormous balancing boulder for which that spot is named. Then came the first major descent…

Mile 4:
This is the first part where thoughts of “I have the run back up this?!” entered my head. The trail dropped straight down in a series of switchback, tree roots, and rock steps that had just about everyone walking.

Mile 5:
The trail bottomed out at a creekbed and a beautiful camping spot, which was occupied by a guy who, a few minutes before, had probably been having a very peaceful Saturday morning all alone in the woods, until he was interrupted by 201 runners bouncing off rocks and roots. When I ran by, he had a kettle in one hand and a coffee mug in the other and I couldn’t decide if he looked annoyed or surprised or still a little asleep. After passing him, we ran over a long suspension bridge, which I know had everyone doubting its safety as the 2×4′s bowed and it looked like the only thing holding it together was zip ties. Then it was straight up the next hill!

Miles 6-10:
After a couple more ups and downs, we descended into Suck Creek and the next aid station. After a couple peanut M&Ms, we crossed the road and up a set of steep, rickety steps to a muddy hill face that we quickly climbed only to have the trail continue uphill for a bit more. At this point, we had formed smaller running packs of 6-7 people and people would politely ask when they wanted to pass. We were all getting into our stride (and I was still trying to make sure I’d kicked the habit of going out too fast). This stretch of the race opened up over the Tennessee River valley, where you could catch glimpses of the fog burning off over the water and, around the bend, could see the river, too. The sun was up, the weather the perfect temperature, and the views were incredible. I felt ecstatic to be out on the trail with these other crazy people in such an amazing setting. Of course, you can hardly look up from the trail to soak in the view and it seems like sabotage to say, “wow, check that out!” when clearly it’s going to result in a competitor taking his eyes off the ground and surely taking a tumble. Which happened more than once.

During this segment, the guy behind me and I started talking – the usual “have you run this race before?” kind of questions. It dwindled down to three of us running and talking until we passed and the guy and I continued on. More narrow wooden stairs, more rock steps and huge boulders, more small stream crossings, but no huge elevation changes. As we approached the Indian Rock House aid station, I realized I had no idea what the voice behind me looked like, as I had not turned around for miles, so I had to be sure not to lose him at the aid station. The aid station was a hike-in spot situated underneath a huge rock outcropping – not a bad place to spend a day volunteering and handing out water! After that, I introduced myself to my running buddy, who’s name was Greg. His 8-month pregnant wife had hiked into that spot to support him and bring him a fresh water bottle, which was awesome!

Mile 11-16:
The lollipop! Greg and I set out on the next section of the course, which is the lollipop part of the course (10 miles out on the stick, 10 miles around the candy, and 10 miles back on the stick), and continued to run along the ridgeline overlooking the valley. I knew I should stop and check out the views, like I’d been saying for months that I would do, but my competitive side was kicking in and I didn’t want to stop. For one stretch, the path got pretty overgrown and it seemed like the last people to pass through were probably the Stump Jumpers from the year before. I almost tumbled a couple of times on the underbrush lining the trail. In the distance, we could start to hear whooping and shouting and emerged from the trail to make a right up a steep gravel “road” which looked more like an old creek bed. And we hiked it in to the Hailey Road aid station at the half-way point.

Mile 17:
At least it took 17 miles before the inevitable happened. Crossing a small stream, my brain thought it lifted my foot higher that it did and I tripped into the bank on the other side. Luckily, the sloping ground met me partway and it was an easy fall. And that was my only fall! After that, my foot-and-eye-coordination had a regrouping.

Mile 18:
You know you’re nearing the end of the loop when you hit the Rock Garden. I’d heard about the field of boulders that lasts for “3-4 miles,” but it took me a few minutes to me sure we were in it. The Rock Garden actually lasts about a mile, pretty much all of which has to be hiked. In a heavily-shaded part of the forest, the surroundings were beautiful, although wet leaves, damp rocks, and dirt churned up by earlier runners made for careful steps.

Mile 19:
Greg and I again heard shouting voices pierce the silence in the woods and knew we were close to the next aid station. Our drop bags were here, so I went a grabbed a couple more gu packs and stretched while a volunteer came over and draped with an ice cold, soaked blue towel. It felt lovely! I located Greg talking to his wife and mother-in-law by their car and went over to introduce myself to them. His wife said that he’d just had a moment of panic that he’d lost me and kept asking “Where’s my pacer?” I told him not to worry, I needed him to run with just as much, so I wasn’t going to leave without him.

Miles 20-25:
After squeezing through a tiny rock staircase between two huge boulders, we were back to the Indian Rock House aid station and out of the loop! Going home! This time, on the way back, I asked Greg if we could stop a couple of times and check out the view, which we did while we stretched. At this point, my left knee was causing my whole left leg to hurt, but what are you going to do? The pain probably wasn’t going to get any worse, so might as well run through it. The grunting and swearing did increase exponentially, especially as it seemed like we would never reach the next aid station. Then, all of a sudden, we rounded a bend and there was Zack! He had hiked up the trail a little bit to find us and take pictures – yay!

Mile 26:
Zack hiked with us down the hill into the Suck Creek aid station. I didn’t know which I was more excited about – seeing him or being at the next-to-last aid station. We refilled our water bottles and got ready to head out again. Zack took me by surprise by asking if I felt like I’d already run a marathon. Funny, I’d meant to celebrate that moment, but had completely forgotten about that benchmark in my quest for the next aid station. I told him not really, I actually felt pretty good!

Miles 27-28:
Up the hill! I actually thought it was going to be a lot worse climbing out of Suck Creek (and across the suspension bridge and up that hill), but we hiked it and I took off on the trail again. I had gotten a second wind from seeing Zack and feeling the pull of the finish line (even though it was still quite a ways off). I looked back for Greg, but there were a couple of people between us and I couldn’t make my little legs stop running. He caught up to me, though, and later told Zack how I’d taken off after seeing him. I pointed out that he still kept up! All I wanted to see at this point was the gigantic balancing Mushroom Rock, signifying the end of the uphill climb. It came sooner than I expected, which was awesome, but now we still had 3.5 miles left to go.

Miles 29-31:
I tried. I tried really really hard to keep running, but oh, I was getting worn out! The trail surface was easy running the rest of the way in, but still mildly hilly. When I heard footsteps behind me and I looked back to see a few women, my ego kicked in a little bit as I thought, “they better not be in my age group!” My counter-thought to that is usually, “hey, if they can still run right now, then they are a better runner and I admire them.” But I still want to beat them. At this point, Greg pulled ahead of me and was encouraging me to keep moving. Talk about never-ending miles… and then you keep winding by the school… the soccer field… the football field… the delirium from the pain and the thought of the finish line…

We finally crossed the last road, into the woods one more time, and emerged on the other side with .6 mile left to go on the road. Uphill. I’m not sure how, but I ran that last stretch all the way in with Greg right behind me. Zack was filming to the right and Kelly was cheering to the left as we crossed the finish line one right after the other. Holy crap. I’m not a crier at the end of a race, but I teared up just a little bit when I sat down next to Kelly and Zack – again, from both delirious pain and from having run the longest distance I’ve ever done in my life.

A few minutes later, we popped champagne and I gave Kelly her present of a Stump Jump bottle of wine. We caught up with each other, people we’d met the night before, people we ran stretches of the race with, and basically hung out in the sun for an hour or so. Turned out, Kelly ran the race in an incredible 6:06:57 and won first in her age group!! My final time was 6:47:09, which earned me a third place in my age group! That’s my PR time, too, since this is my first 50K.

A big thank you to Rock/Creek and all Stump Jump organizers and volunteers! Great job and an amazing course! Runners, if you’re thinking about doing a 50K or thinking about this race in particular, just go ahead and sign up – you won’t regret it!

Well, we’re about to change all of that. Race recycling (and the lack thereof) is something that has bothered me for a very long time (read here), but now we’re going to start working with B Green Services to provide race recycling services across metro Atlanta. Emil Bekyarov heads B Green Services, which currently provides complete recycling solutions to hotels and restaurants around Atlanta, and we’re going to work together to institute race recycling at the Silver Comet Half-Marathon in conjunction with Dana Greene of Get Fit Atlanta! I’m incredibly excited about this and will be posting more about it in the near future, so stay tuned!

Are you interested in race recycling? Do you know of a specific race or race production company that could use our help in recycling at their race(s)? Would you be interested in volunteering with us to make race recycling a reality? Please leave a comment below and let me know!

The gift of a bike unites communities and improves lives

Free bikes for Atlanta residents from Bicycling Magazine and Jamis bikes!

Emmaus, PA (August 20, 2009) –What do you want to change about your life? Do you wish you were in better health? Wish you were more connected to your community? Do you wish you could save money on gas?

Bicycling Magazine and MetLife have the solution: Start riding a bike. In its seventh year, Bicycling’s BikeTown USA, presented by MetLife, is giving away 30 bikes to Atlanta residents.  People interested in changing their daily lives will have the opportunity to see how a bike can improve life for themselves, their families, and even their communities.

“In our seventh year of BikeTown USA, we wanted to refocus the program on neighborhoods, where people spend time with their family and friends,” said Loren Mooney, editor-in-chief of Bicycling. “A bike becomes the ultimate neighborhood multi-tasking tool – you can connect with your community, improve your health and travel to the local coffee shop all by riding a bike.”

Anyone interested in receiving a new bike simply needs to tell Bicycling, in 50 words or less, how having a Jamis Commuter 1 or Citizen 1 bike would help make a change in his or her life. Bicycling’s editors will select what they feel are the 30 best essays and the selected writers will each receive a bike to keep.

Bicycling tracks participants’ progress for three months, with results featured in the magazine and on Bicycling.com. Previous stories have been astonishing – thousands of pounds have been lost, blood pressure and diabetes medications dropped, marriages saved, impromptu bike clubs started, and countless bike commuter miles logged to save money on gas and help the environment. In essence, thousands of people enjoy their lives more because they spend more time on a bike.

“On behalf of MetLife, we are proud to sponsor this year’s BikeTown USA to help bring bicycling to people across the United States and in Atlanta next month,” said Michael J. Vietri, executive vice president, Individual Distribution, MetLife. “As a company, we have a long-standing history of community involvement and are particularly focused on people’s health and well being. Through bicycling, our clients and their friends and families have an outlet to relieve stress, improve their health and have fun.”

Participant entries are being accepted on a rolling schedule at www.bicycling.com/biketown until August 31st. The BikeTown event will happen in a local park on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. All selected participants will receive a new Jamis Commuter 1 or Citizen 1 bike, a helmet from Lazer and a lock from OnGuard.

“Jamis is proud to join the team as the Official Bike of BikeTown 2009,” said Carine Joannou, President of Jamis Bicycles.  “We’ve been building bikes for 30 years and know firsthand how cycling can change lives.  We are really looking forward to helping BikeTown participants achieve their goals.”

Bicycling’s BikeTown USA will also be traveling to:

City                                                     Date
Chicago, IL                                        August 21
Miami, FL                                          August 27
Westbury, NY                                   September 3
Los Angeles, CA                               September 10
Jackson, MS                                     September 17
Phoenix, AZ                                      September 26

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About Bicycling Magazine
As the world’s biggest bicycling magazine, Rodale Inc.’s Bicycling is the voice of cycling, providing the stories on the personalities, trends, and techniques behind the sport.  Appealing to readers of every ability and interest level, the magazine features expert reviews of the latest equipment as well as training and fitness tips. Published 11 times a year, Bicycling is the magazine for the athlete for whom the bicycle is the centerpiece of an active lifestyle. For more information, please go to www.bicycling.com.

About MetLife
MetLife, Inc. is a leading provider of insurance, employee benefits and financial services with operations throughout the United States and the Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife, Inc. reaches more than 70 million customers around the world and MetLife is the largest life insurer in the United States (based on life insurance in-force). The MetLife companies offer life insurance, annuities, auto and home insurance, retail banking and other financial services to individuals, as well as group insurance and retirement & savings products and services to corporations and other institutions. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

About Jamis Bicycles
Jamis Bicycles rolled out the first Earth Cruiser bicycle in 1979 and has since built a reputation as a brand unmatched in performance, value, and style.  Jamis Bicycles are sold in the US from coast to coast and in over 40 countries.  A unit of G. Joannou Cycle, one of the oldest and largest bicycle companies in the US under original family ownership, Jamis is committed to advancing all forms of cycling.  The company is the official bike sponsor of the Colavita/Sutter Home Cycling Teams presented by Cooking Light and the US Pro Tri Professional Triathlon Team.  Jamis bikes are the choice of world-class riders in mountain biking and cyclocross, including Olympian Seamus McGrath, six-time Israeli National Champion Rotem Ishay, US champions George Ryan, Kathy Pruitt, and Jordie Lunn, and Jesse Anthony. The company also supports elite athletes through its partnership with Full Throttle Endurance and the GS Mengoni USA Cycling Team. Jamis is the Exclusive Bike Partner of Bicycling’s BikeTown USA, presented by MetLife, and the company’s grant to Transportation Alternatives has made possible the largest bicycle valet program in New York City’s history.

CONTACT:
Josephine Parr  |  Bicycling magazine  |  212-808-1358  |  josephine.parr@rodale.com

Don’t want to run solo? Get a group of people together and form a team! In the upcoming weeks, Keep Atlanta Beautiful will be recruiting teams to join in the fun. In 2008, more than 300 people participated including teams from IKEA Atlanta and Turner Broadcasting, Inc. For 2009, Keep Atlanta Beautiful has added convenient online registration for individuals and teams. For more information on the race and to find out more about sponsoring a team, visit www.KeepAtlantaBeautiful.org.

On top is the perky me prior to Sara's and my three hour adventure on Flat Creek Trail in the Aska Adventure area of Blue Ridge; in the middle is our group of friends getting ready to tube down the Toccoa River (such professionals we are); and on the bottom is Zack, Grant dog, and me at Amicalola Falls during our detour on the way back to Atlanta

In another installment of what some friends & family jokingly refer to as “the adventures of Jack & Zenny,” our busy summer continued the weekend-before-last with a trip to an amazing Blue Ridge cabin! We are lucky to have an incredible group of friends who make this (and every trip) so much fun – and are willing participants in my quest to be outdoors as much as possible. So, for those of you who are looking for an active getaway to the north Georgia mountains and the Western Blue Ridge, here is a breakdown of the weekend’s outdoor adventures…

#1: Open-water swimming in Lake Blue Ridge

On top is Zack wrapping Grant up in his doggie life-jacket and below that is Grant swimming in a cove of Lake Blue Ridge; at the bottom is our group at the cabin!

Zack, Adam, and I rolled out to Blue Ridge after a half-day of work on Friday and, after a pit stop at the local Food Lion, headed to the cabin to drop off our stuff. Zack and I grabbed towels and Grant dog’s new doggie life-jacket and headed down to the lake. We were advised of a boat ramp close-by, which was just off of Aska Road. If you’re coming from Blue Ridge, get onto Aska Road going east from town and make a left on Dry Branch Road. A little way up the road, you’ll see the parking lot to the right. Only one other woman was around when we got there, so we walked straight down to the boat ramp and got into the water.

The cove itself was a tucked-away edge of the lake with a still, glassy surface – perfect for an open-water swim and throwing the ball for Grant dog. If you’re looking for a beach swimming area, this isn’t it, but if you’re looking for a workout or just to splash around for a bit, this is great. The Lake Blue Ridge swimming area is to the north at Morganton. Any google search will reveal a great deal of info.

#2: Trail running and hiking from the Rich Mountain Trail

My friend Sara is training for the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk at the end of October and I am training for the Stump Jump 50K at the beginning of October, so both of us wanted to hit the trails for a significant amount of time on Saturday morning (as we got up early, we were alone for this part of the trip). We drove down to the Aska recreation area, which is also just a few miles from Blue Ridge on Aska Road (just look for the brown national park sign pointing to the parking lot). The tiny gravel lot sits on the intersection of Aska Road and the Rich Mountain Trail, which feeds into the long-distance Benton-Mackaye Trail to the south. You can also hike the Rich Mountain Trail north to the shore of the lake.

Sara and I set out with the intention of spening a quality three hours on the trails, doing a few big loops. We found the perfect set-up after hiking in about .6 mile and reaching the Flat Creek Trail – a 4.5 mile loop. I decided to run the loop three times while Sara hiked it twice. We veered off onto the right fork first and, initially, the trail was packed gravel and made for a comfortable run. But after about a mile or so, it droped off down the ridge and became the root-and-rock riddled trail I was hoping for. After another mile or so, I had settled into a good pace and was quietly enjoying the filtered sunlight through the trees when the path opened up to a forrested hill of ferns and I heard a rustling about 30 feet to my left. The rustling rapidly morphed into crashing through the woods as I caught site of the rear-end of a medium-sized black bear. It’s not every day that I get the chance to intimidate a black bear into running for safety. Needless to say, my little feet picked up their pace for a little while after that. And I felt like a fool (but an alive fool) as I spent the rest of my run clapping, singing, and whistling my way through the woods to scare him / her off. No roly poly, curl-up-and-protect-your-head moves for me today.

The rest of the trail was fantastic. It dropped down to the forrest floor and crossed Flat Creek by a few hike-in campsites. Then started the ascent back up to the fork in the trail. Parts of the trail were pretty technical, and by the time I turned around at the top, I was looking forward to the descent. I ran back by Sara and shared the good news that the path was officially cleared of spider webs (thanks to my face), but the bad news was we were a guest in a black bear’s home. Which led to two of us clapping and singing our way down the paths. We finished up without another bear sighting and headed back to the cabin in time to eat the breakfast that everyone else had just finished cooking. Impeccable timing (thanks Gerard!).

#3: Tubing down the Toccoa River

The Toccoa River runs along Aska Road for a good distance and, as a result, so do the tubing companies. We picked a tubing outfit about 8 miles or so up Aska Road from Blue Ridge (Aska Road featured prominently in this trip) and, Saturday afternoon, packed up our tubes and water bottles and hit the water. I’m not sure what the name of the company was that we used, but they had big red tubes and were situated across the river via a wooden-trellised bridge. Another prominent company was the pink tube outfit a little further up the river. The tubing was only a few miles long and lasted a couple of hours (in pretty shallow water), so relaxation outweighed excitement. The Tocooa River rambles on to become the Ocoee River, which is known for its whitewater rafting if you’re looking for more adventure (an adventure we had last fall).

#4: Hiking Amicalola Falls

Zack and I headed back a little later on Sunday afternoon and diverted to visit Amicalola Falls on the way. It’s a bit touristy, but I’ve always wanted to see the falls, and I can why they’re a destination – not too bad! We hiked up the paved path to the right and then back down the hiking trail to the left of the falls. You can find plenty of information about Amicalola online, so I won’t really go into it here, but you might want to consider checking it out. And if you’re planning on hiking the Appalachian Trail, this is the check-in point and approach trail to Springer Mountain, which is the starting point of the AT.

That’s enough for one sitting! Please feel free to let me know of any north Georgia outdoor activities or hiking / camping spots that you love – I love hearing from people about their favorites!

Registration is free and available online Aug. 25 – Sept. 8. The Extension Office is seeking team captains to head walking teams. For more information, call 404-298-4080 or visit Walk Georgia online!

Getting ready to take my new Fuji Finest 1.0 for a quick spin up the street a few minutes after purchasing it! (and then Grant Dog jumped in the picture)

After months of searching, I finally found my bike today! I would like to welcome my new Fuji Finest 1.0 to the family! This 2007 model has an aluminum frame, two carbon forks, Shimano Integra derailleurs (and other Shimano components), and is built for women. I didn’t set out to purchase a feminine bike, but this one fit great (and I like how the shifters are made for smaller hands – a little easier!). I’m no bike expert, but this bike is awesome, especially since it was originally priced at $1,600, knocked down to $800, and then came with another 20% discount for joining the store’s club. It’s a race-quality bike for an entry-level price, which was key.

I did call my brother (the avid bike rider with both a road bike, mountain bike, and no car) to ask his opinion, and he said Fujis are a solid choice, even though they’re not a huge name in the industry. But then again, I knew I wasn’t going to walk out with a Cannondale.

After weeks of searching craigslist, I sort-of gave up on that avenue (especially because my boyfriend and I are hoping to do the Tugaloo triathlon in one month) and commenced to researching online, visiting local bike shops around town, test driving, etc. I called around to see who had what bikes in my size and ended up at Performance Bicycles on the 85 access road today. After we initially looked at some bikes that didn’t really do it for me, Ryan was extremely helpful and suggested the Fuji Finest 1.0 and set me up for a test ride. Performance Bikes also has a program similar to REI where you get 10% back in store credit on every purchase when you join their club, which I did, and so can go back and have a credit to start buying all of the accessories that I’ll need.

Anyway, I’m excited and have owned the bike for all of a few hours, so I’ll keep y’all updated as I get out there on the road with it!!

A few details:

• Open up a MAX Reward checking account with Buckhead Community Bank
• Apply for a 12-month, 0% APR loan towards a bike purchase of up to $2,500
• Earn 4% Annual Percentage yield on your checking account with no maintenance or ATM fees
• Make 10 signature-based debit card transactions
• Receive monthly statements electronically through online banking
• Make at least one direct deposit or automatic payment

In addition to a bike loan, BAMTA is also offering cash incentives for people to hop on their bikes to work. New bikers can earn $3 a day up to $100 over three months. And for commuting 3 or more days a week, you can earn a $20 gift card. Worried about the weather? You will also be rewarded with up to five free taxi rides in case of bad weather or emergencies.

Check out the article on Go Green Intown here! And for more on the Buckhead Area Transportation Management Association, please visit www.BATMA.org. And for more on opening a MAX checking account, please visit www.UpgradeYourBank.com or call (404) 231-2265.

Camping and hiking in north Georgia

In my quest for the most active, outdoorsy summer possible, a group of ten of our close friends headed up to the north Georgia mountains for our annual camping trip to Three Forks. This is one of my most favorite camping spots (and a hotspot for day hiking) and one that we trekked to a few times during high school and that I’ve been to once a year for three years since moving back to Atlanta. The hike is only about a mile and quarter in, but the last quarter of a mile is a steep decent into a valley. But it’s well worth the clamber down the hill, because the valley is centered about three rivers (Big Creek, Holcomb Creek, and Overflow Creek) that come together to form the West Fork of the Chattooga. It is a gorgeous site full of water falls and wading pools and majestic rock faces.

Saturday afternoon, four of us set out on a 4-5 mile hike with the intention of looping around to meet our six friends arriving to the trailhead in the early afternoon. The hike through the woods was great, even though the temperature above the trees probably reached triple digits. Being in the north Georgia mountains and foothills of the Appalachians makes for a very hilly hike, but a rewarding one. I recognized the path we were on as one I had hiked in previous years to get to Three Forks, but couldn’t remember exactly where it came out. We found out about an hour and a half later that it came out due west – not east – of where we had intended to be. Thanks to technology, we scrambled to use what little cell phone reception we had to summon google maps to figure out where we were, which just told us we had to go back the way we came. Once we got back, we spent the afternoon playing in the falls and building our huge campfire, a lovely way to round out the day.

On the way home the next day, Zack & I made a pit-stop by Jaemor Farms on highway 365 (which turns into 985 going south into Atlanta), which is a Georgia Certified Farm Market. I’ve probably passed by this place a dozen times – it’s on the right as you’re heading north and the market is in a big, long shed with “Jaemor Farm Market” painted on the roof. We picked up some fresh Georgia peaches, tomatoes, Vidalia onions, and garlic. I steered clear of the squash and peas for now since they’re starting to come ripen in my garden (more on that to come). Anyway, just an update for those of you interested in the outdoors and in local Georgia farms not too far from Atlanta! They have a number of happenings that go on year-round and their barn and shed are available for rental (and I’ll try not to hold it against them that they spelled “ya’ll” wrong on the back of their brochure… ).

Tribble Mill Park in Lawrenceville

• What: National Trails Day sponsired by the American Hiking Society and REI
• When: Saturday, June 6th, 2009 at 9 .m.
• Where: Tribble Mill Park in Lawrenceville
• Registration: Only if volunteering, please register with djessee@rei.com with location in subject line. If you have questions, please contact Jamie Fergerson at jferger@rei.com or 404.633.6508.
• Cost: Free

This year we’re partnering with Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation, the Gwinnett Parks Foundation, and the Southern Off-Road Bike Association’s Gwinnett Co. Chapter (SORBA-GATR) at their annual Trail Mix Celebration. The event will be held at the multi-purpose Tribble Mill Park near Lawrenceville. Starting at 9AM we’ll need at least 40 volunteers to help with trail work (think shovels and getting dirty), and the whole day will be filled with events like hay rides, horseback tours, fun runs, rock climbing, and disc golf. The first 250 volunteers to register are guaranteed a wicking REI Volunteer T-shirt. Lunch and hydration will be provided.

Volunteers are needed to help man festival stations as well as do trail work. If you’re interested, please e-mail djessee@rei.com with your full name, phone number and T-shirt size (we have mens, womens, and child sizes) along with your preferred type of work (more strenuous trail work or easier festivity help). Also include which location you are registering for in the subject line. (Tribble Mill Volunteer, for ex.). We’ll email you with further information.

Powers Island branch of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

• What: National Trails Day sponsired by the American Hiking Society and REI
• When: Saturday, June 6th, 2009 at 9 .m.
• Where: Powers Island branch of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
• Registration: Please register online by clicking here! If you have questions, please contact Natalie at nmolnar@rei.com or 770.901.9200 ext. 204.
• Cost: Free

REI is partnering with the National Park Service and SORBA in helping to build a lasting legacy of trails, rivers, and wild lands for generations to come. Each year we participate in The American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day to help beautify the local parks and trails where we recreate. For 2009, we’ll be helping out at the Powers Island branch of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

We will need lots of hands to cut brush, restore habitat, dig in the dirt, pull invasive plants and manuever wheelbarrows. Please wear long pants and closed toe shoes. Bring work gloves and a reusable water bottle. A wicking REI Volunteer T-shirt will be provided to the first 250 volunteers to register. Snacks and hydration will be provided. The normal parking fee will not be assessed for volunteers that day.

There will be ample work for people of all ages and abilities!

Cruger, Jenny, and Kimberly running beside the Parks on Ponce de Leon in the 2008 ING Georgia Marathon

Probably a lot, actually, but I’ll be doing my part to leave the car at home and take to the Atlanta streets this Sunday morning, along with 15,000 other runners and walkers! The wee hours of March 29th, 2009 will usher in the third annual ING Georgia Marathon and, while this is exciting for thousands of runners and spectators, running 26.2 miles isn’t always convenient. Which is why I’ve provided links to the list of road closures as well as the course map for ING Georgia Marathon.

• Click here for the marathon and half-marathon course map!
• Click here for the road closures!

The marathon and half-marathon run through some of Atlanta’s most beautiful and historic intown neighborhoods as well as Piedmont Park! And all along the course, Atlanta and Decatur residents come out to cheer on runners. ING coordinates special Cheering Zones to encourage neighborhoods to show their support and pride – and compete for prize money to fund fitness programs in their own communities. The three prizes award $5,000, $2,500, and $1,250 to the most enthusiastic organizations.

The following Atlanta and Decatur neighborhoods participated last year, so if you live in these areas, look for them to possibly be out there again!

And see you on Sunday!!!

A photo of my boyfriend's & my first date with 400 other people on the inaugural BeltLine Bike Ride. He's in the picture to the far right in the black shirt. I got cut off on the other side of him. (photo by Todd R. McQueen for the AJC)

In order to make it happen, though, the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign (who’s teaming up with the BeltLine for our biking pleasure) is looking for sponsors for this event. If you or your business would like to sponsor this awesome activity, please click here for more information and sponsorship form on the ABC website!

On a side note, the first BeltLine Bike Ride in 2008 was my boyfriend’s and my first date (although he contends it was when we went to dinner at La Tavola later in the week; I vote bike ride) and was a great ride! The AJC ran a front page article with a huge picture of the bike riders. My boyfriend made it in the picture and I was riding to his left, but I got cropped out of the photo! But there it is for posterity anyway.

With a showing of almost 400 people, I encourage everyone to come out and top that number this year! Whether or not you can sponsor or participate in the bike ride, the BeltLine can always use your help volunteering!!! Please sign up on the BeltLine website for more information, updates, and calls for volunteers from the Volunteer Management Center. Volunteer here!! (You can also email me, Jenny Pittam, at jenny.p@mac.com.)

• When: Saturday, April 18th at 10 a.m.
• Where: Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St., Decatur GA 30030 (view map here!)
• Who: People interested in bicycle commuting, recreational cycling, or occasional riding on city or suburban streets or trails.
• How much: $25
• Schedule: Class lasts 4.5-5 hours (until ~ 3 p.m.); please arrive 15 minutes early

Check out more photos from the Atlanta Bicycle Campaigns events on their flickr account by clicking the photo! (I borrowed this photo from them)

Join other cyclists to equip yourself with the knowledge you need to ride safely and with confidence on the streets and trails in your community. Joe Slade will be your instructor in this practical, hands- on class. You will receive classroom instruction, watch a video on interacting with traffic, learn bike handling skills, and take a practice ride with your instructor.

Content: Laws affecting bicycles, the importance of visibility and predictability, lane positioning, intersection safety, interacting with pedestrians, trail etiquette, bicycle safety checks, fixing a flat, on-bike skills, crash avoidance techniques, basic bicycling gear, and much more! Including:

1. Classroom instruction on bike safety, laws, gear, lane positioning, etc.
2. Short video
3. Parking lot skills instruction
4. Practice Ride

Things to bring:

• bicycle in working condition (check to ensure you have brakes, etc)
• helmet
• comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes
• water bottle
• light lunch

Instructors are certified by the League of American Bicyclists. Recommended for adults and children above age fourteen, this compact and comprehensive class will make you a safer and more confident cyclist. Call (404)881-1112 for more information. Visit the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign online at www.atlantabike2.org.

If you’re looking for a running group in Atlanta, Chattahoochee Runners’ Club is a great way to go. For only $25 a year, they have a “Go the Distance” run every Saturday morning with maps, water stops, and all the usual support. Yesterday morning, after running 13-14 miles, we were also greeted with free coffee from Caribou, delicious biscuits from the Flying Biscuit, smoothies from Smoothie King, cookies and more!