The Appalachian Trail

Just a note for all of you out there looking for information on thru-hiking...you should take a look at this site!

Zach Davis, author of Appalachian Trials, is the mind behind this wealth of a website!  Take a look at the Thru-Hiker Resources:  You'll find a list of past and present bloggers, and now is the perfect time to start following the class of 2014 as they'll be making their final purchases and preparations in order to depart in (typically) February/March. 

Some of my favorites from the class of 2013 include the following, all found on Zach's website.  Take a look for yourself and find your own favorites!

Acorn Hikes
Dirigo Bound
Hitched Hike - VIDEO! 
My Meandering Trail
Tandem Trekking
     Take a look at one my favorite posts from Lindsey and Kyle.  After all, what's in a trail name?
Wandering the Wild

Single Speed Soul

     I bike because I love it.  All of it. The sore muscles, bumps, bruises, and broken bones. I take all of it in stride to get that feeling I get while rolling through the woods.  I am only just getting back into riding after a while out of the saddle.  A broken middle finger that was pinned together for 8 weeks, 4 weeks getting that finger to bend again, and then the lack of opportunity due to schedule and weather kept me off the trails.  I'm getting my legs back under me, and I am on a mission to visit the multitude of local parks that have biking trails and bring you some current reviews.

     You may have heard the term soul surfer, not the movie, but the surfer who doesn't care if they are the best, or if they ever ride the really heavy stuff; they just surf for the love of it and the emotions that come with it.  That is why I bike:  I guess I am a soul biker, out there for the love of the ride, and the love of nature.  I am not the fastest nor do I ever care to be.  All I want to get out of biking is the feeling.  Some folks ride with headphones in and their music cranked up:  I ride without because I love to hear my chain spinning, my tires on the dirt, the crunching leaves, the wind in the trees, and the animals in the woods. 

     Bikes are simple machines, you can see all of their parts, how they work.  Being a wrench head myself, that appeals to me.  I love to take a bike that isn't working, strip it down, clean it up, re-assemble it, and have a perfectly functioning machine. There is something about that act of taking something that was almost useless and making it functional again.  Kind of like the guys who fix up old cars just to sell them so they can finance their next resto.  There is just something about it.  Fine tuning a shifter and derailleur can be a pain, but some times it is just what the doctor ordered.  I usually come away clearer, and more able to focus.

     Get out and do what ever you do just for the soul of it!  Even if it is reading a book, go to the park, find a spot under a tree, and get lost in your book, just do it for the love of it.

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!

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