Allatoona Creek Park- Acworth, GA

Allatoona Creek Park's main trailhead is off of Old Stilesboro Road in Acworth. This park's trails are maintained by the West Georgia Chapter of IMBA(International Mountain Bicycling Association)-SORBA and are tucked in around Little Allatoona Creek.  I rode the Turtle Back Trail today a 4 mile intermediate loop trail that has some very small climbs, a few bridges, a couple rock gardens and some really great, tight turns. Most of the trail just rolls and turns, some is tight and curvy single track, and some more of it is a little wider, more open, and straighter.  All in all it is a great park, from what I have seen so far.  The folks that maintain the trail do a great job as the trail bed is great and the route is fantastic.  Signs to trails are a little lacking.  So here is a tip park at the main trailhead and go to the kiosk to the left in the parking lot as you enter, from there cross the street and follow that trail(keeping in mind that it is bi-directional) to the Turtle Back Trail trailhead. I definitely will be heading back to Allatoona Creek Park soon .  Load your bike, grab some water, don't forget you helmet, and hit the trail.

Big Creek Park Mountain Bike Trails- Roswell, GA

 I love living so close to so many great places to get into the great outdoors.  Big Creek Park in Roswell is one of those great places to forget about the great metropolis we live in and get in touch with nature.  Big Creek Park is at the end of the Greenway Trail in Roswell and has a little something for everyone, including two pump tracks and a downhill section.  The trails link together very well and if you get in too deep there are many connector trails that help shorten the loop.  I only rode the beginner trails today and they are perfect for everyone, from mom or dad out  with small children and new comers to mountain biking, to more experienced riders needing to stretch their legs and get their heart and lungs ready for the harder trails.  The Sleepy Hollow trail is like Mosquito Flats at Blankets Creek, no climbs just flat, but some narrow trees keep you looking ahead.  Stumpy's Loop Trail is a great trail with some very small climbs, and plenty of roots and rocks.  It is fast and very flowy.  It is much less technical than the Explorer Loops at Rope Mill park, but just as enjoyable.  On a Sunday, around 11 a.m., with perfect weather and I didn't have to wait for a parking spot, this park is a hidden gem.  Having a hard tail, single speed I don't think I will ever make it to the downhill section, but the other trails will be conquered by me and my mighty single speed.  

Don't forget to drop a buck or two into the donation pipe to help keep the trails maintained.  Check out the Roswell Area Mountain Bike Organization (RAMBO) website for trail info.  Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) is the largest nonprofit mountain biking organization in the Southeast and helps with securing land and designing trails.

Rope Mill Park Explorer Trail - Woodstock, GA

70° and overcast. What a great day to ride. Rope Mill park in Woodstock. The Rope mill park trails have been open for a while now, but thankfully that remain less used than Blankets Creek. The Explorer trails are the easy trails and total around 3 miles, but don't let that fool you they are narrow and rocky especially on the inbound run of loop 2 on clockwise days. My rig. K2 Zed 5.0 early 200?, single speed conversion. Easton XC One SS wheels, Gussett 16 tooth cog out back, e13 guide ring 32 tooth chainring up front, KMC drop buster chain, Avid bb7 discs, and Oury grips. Still getting my legs under me, but single speed is the only way for me to ride the trails.

Water & Fun In The Sun -- Safely

Having been raised by a former Navy Sailor/Scuba Diving/Boating dad, and a mom who is quite less than thrilled with anything water related, I had a 50/50 chance at loving the water.  Being a "glass is half full" girl...I chose to jump head first (never safe!) into a lifelong love of water and water sports!

I was born in Miami and my family was privileged enough have a personal pool.  My dad loved spending time on the boat and swimming with us at home from our first days.  We relocated to the Atlanta area and I began swimming on our neighborhood's Summer League Swim Team at about age 7, I briefly tried my hand at an Atlanta based USS team, and now am a member of a Metro Atlanta based USS Masters Swim Team.  Additionally, I spent many years life guarding and teaching learn to swim lessons around Metro Atlanta.  While enjoying this work, I became painfully aware of the importance of water safety and education.

I loved every single thing about my job with one exception:  I spent my days fishing small children out of pools only to return them to parents who were sure to tell me that they were "watching," or that they "promise he/she can swim!"  My favorite response came from one mother sitting out of sight of her son clear across the pool who asked me "where he was at?!"

In many cases, drowning looks just like playing.  Your child could die within your reach simply because your back is turned; even for a second.

Instead of getting angry (which I often was in these situations), I began to educate families on the importance of water safety, and on the signs of distress and drowning.  People are shocked to know that there is a difference between the two:
     Distress is similar to fatigue.  The swimmer will be nearly upright or upright in the water, and will be
     making little to no forward movement.  He/she may or may not be able to call for help.

     Drowning means that the swimmer is no longer able to keep him/herself above the water.  He/she will
     make no forward movement in the water; instead the victim will be trying to reach for air.  A drowning  
     victim will NOT be able to call for help.  Drowning is SILENT.

There are two forms of drowning:
     1) Active Drowning implies that a person in distress is still able to try to keep his/her mouth above water.
     In a sense, this person may still be fighting and have hope of survival.

     2) Passive Drowning implies that a person has become submerged and can no longer breathe air.

Do's in and around the water:
     Always follow posted rules
     Always walk around water sources
     Always jump feet first
     Always be aware of your surroundings
     Always watch your children and remain within an arm's reach of them

Dont's in and around the water:
     Never swim alone--wait for a life guard or "swim buddy"
     Never think you are above drowning--anyone can drown, even the strongest swimmers
     Never dive in water in which you can't see the bottom
     Never take glass containers to the pool, lake, or beach--It's not safe for bare feet
     Never swim while intoxicated

You and your children will likely spend time in/around the water for your entire lives.  Now ask yourself, are hockey or ballet lessons more important than swimming lessons?  Make swimming safety a priority for your and your family.

There are learn to swim programs for children and adults alike.  Find one near you today!

Find a short list of links to Metro Atlanta references on swimming/water safety, and on swimming lessons/education below:

Affinity Pools - Alpharetta, GA -- An Alpharetta based, full service pool maintenance provider.  Call or email for information regarding  pools & maintenance, or pool safety.  I am not aware if swimming lessons are available at this time.

Chattahoochee Gold Swimming -  Multiple Metro Atlanta Area Locations

Dynamo Swim Club - Multiple Metro Atlanta Locations

Gold's Gym Swimming - Woodstock, GA -- Speak with Philipp, Aquatics Director for information

Red Cross - Water Safety  -- A leader in water safety and education, and the perfect source for your needs!

Sears Pool Management Consultants - Sandy Springs, GA -- Sandy Springs based full service pool maintenance provider.  Call or email for information regarding pools & maintenance, pool safety, and lesson locations.

Stingrays Swimming - Multiple Metro Atlanta Area Locations

Swim Atlanta - Multiple Metro Atlanta Locations
    
If you are not an Atlanta resident, please seek similar information for your area.  Any pool maintenance company, YMCA, some Red Cross chapters, or other similar business will be able to help you locate a program that is right for you!

    

Staying Safe While Exercising Outdoors This Summer

We all know how important it is to keep ourselves safely moving outdoors,  but do we know how to accomplish this during these heat-filled summer months?  Find basic information on heat related illness written by The Mayo Clinic Staff, and links to a slew of other fitness information HERE.

Other links provided by The Mayo Clinic include:
     How to prevent injuries
     Starting a walking group
     Fitness & Food
     Water intake
     Sports performance
     Boot camps
     ....And More!

OR

Free Food Fresh From the Garden?

Publicly Available Free Food?  Sounds too good to be true, right?  Maybe not!  Landscape architect Margarett Harrison is designing a Free Food Experiment in Seattle, Washington very near the city.  The theory is that it will be a public garden space offering fruit trees, berries, and row vegetables; all organic, and all free to the public!

There isn't much worry of people over utilizing, the mindset being that the goal is fresh food for the public's use.  Take a look...The concept is a bit utopian, but just imagine if it works.  Gardens could be implemented all over the country!

Think about beginning a public use garden in your community!  Take a look at the article here!

Low-Cost Atlanta Activities for Summer Break

Looking for low-cost, family-friendly options in Atlanta this summer?  Here's your list!  With many outdoor options, most are educational, All are F-U-N!

A few of the options are shown below.  They are only the beginning!  Take a look at the link above for much, much more!

Piedmont Park's Green Market-Saturdays 9am-1pm

The Wren's Nest-The home of Author Joel Chandler Harris

Tours of the home and Story Tellers ever Saturday at 1pm!

Atlanta Center For Puppetry Arts