Last week the temps hit 70 and I was getting spring fever. I actually suggested that we go for a weekend hike - not something I offer up casually given my ursaphobia/arctophobia. But the weather was so inviting, I wanted to be outside and do something fun. Doc. B. had been up to the The Hike Inn this past summer and I was ready to try it too.
The Hike Inn trail starts in North Georgia near the Amicalola Falls. You check in at the Visitor's Center and then walk a moderate trail, dotted with what we dubbed "brown ice". When you arrive, you can relax with some lemonade or coffee until a family style dinner is served at 6:00 sharp - the dinner bell is rung to make sure you don't miss it. And after a five mile trek, it's unlikely you'd miss a call for food. Despite the occasional ice patches, it was really a pleasant jaunt - we shed several layers of clothes during the two and a half hour walk.
After dinner we were treated to a power point presentation about Saturn - very interesting and done by a volunteer. Unfortunately it was too cloudy to see the planet or it's rings. But after a cold night on bunk beds, the clouds cooperated and did not interfere with our ability to witness a beautiful sunrise while sipping coffee and mingling with the other guests.
Best line overheard by two couples in their 50's: "you two get the beach house, we'll get the mountain cabin and we'll visit each other. We're not doing the ski lodge - with all of our artificial joints, we won't be on the slopes anymore".
Second best line heard from the same couples: "We'll probably have to sell one of the properties when we retire; we can't afford it all unless we are both working." What a bummer - they are going to have to give up something in order to stop working.
Probably the most unique thing about the Hike Inn is their commitment to conservation. You eat whatever you put on your plate, you take home what you bring in, you reuse your drinking glasses, and the toilets are composting. It's more inspiring than "An Inconvenient Truth" because you actually live the energy saving techniques.
I was thinking the entire time that my parents might enjoy this trip...hmmm....
4 comments:
The Hike Inn sounds like a great place. In contrast, check out the website for the Spider Lake Retreat, Traverse City, MI. That's where Sandi, Tom and kids spent last weekend along with 40+ others celebrating a friend's 40th birthday. Think I'd like both places!
So I wonder which place you would pick first? Hmmmm... Happy Valentine's day mimi!
I would say that we'd better do the Hike Inn before we can't hike that far! :) Love, your almost 65 year old mom
you're skinny and in great shape - you can handle it probably better than I can!
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