What we’re about
This Meetup began in 2022 with the intention of keeping a commitment I made to myself (hold my feet to the fire) to keep moving through hiking, which improves:
Physical Health
Hiking is a cardio exercise that can:
· reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure high cholesterol, and some cancers,
· improve your sense of balance,
· build stronger muscles and bones,
· increase endurance, and
· help with weight loss.
Mental Health
Hiking can:
· calm the brain,
· reduce negative thoughts,
· increase feelings of positivity & energy,
· reduce tension, anger, and depression,
· improve problem-solving skills,
· release endorphins, which can make you feel happier, and
· exercise the parts of your brain (hippocampus and the retrosplenial cortex), that help you navigate through life.
Connect With Nature
Hiking can:
· make you more mindful by awakening your senses to nature, and
· enhance your mood.
All to say, this Meetup is a means to:
· improve overall wellness,
· join like-minded people, and is
· NOT a dating site.
My hikes are typically rated easy to moderate on natural surface, that include roots, rocks, granite, length is anywhere from 3-10 miles, with an average pace of 2-2.5 mph (not a sprint, not a stroll), breaks as needed, trekking poles encouraged.
Kindly leave your furry four-legged loved ones at home.
I retired in 2023, so I’m old(er), I often schedule hikes during the week, often on Thursdays at a minimum. Start time is usually contingent on the weather: earlier during warm months, later during colder months.
I expect that when you sign up for an event, you will be considerate; in that,
· you arrive on time,
· we start as a group, hike as a group, finish as a group, and
· you keep your attendance current. If your plans change, you realize you can’t make it, you will update your status to 'not going' so I/we know not to expect you.
Sometimes others will lead, sometimes others will post events, sometimes I’ll post “FYI ONLY” events that I may not attend, but believe others would like to be made aware of.
I’m not professionally trained, I appreciate your company when/if schedules permit, join me at your own risk, by voluntarily participating in an event, you understand -- your safety is in your hands -- prior to attending, you as well as your guests are responsible for doing your own research to determine if an outdoor activity is compatible with your health and/or skillset, and you alone are responsible for discerning what items are necessary to carry with you. Organizers nor other members of the group are responsible or to be held accountable if an incident including accident or theft occurs.
Lastly, for those who don't realize, we organizers must pay to use the Meetup platform and the more members we have, the more we’re charged, so I prefer to maintain a smaller group than most. If you become inactive for two or more years, you could be removed. If that happens, you are more that welcome to re-join... any time!
I will never ask you for monetary contributions to supplement my commitment to myself.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Where History is Buried: Westview Cemetery, Registration Required, Sr 65+ $24.67Westview Cemetery - Entry Gate, Atlanta, GA
Prepare to be awestruck. When Westview opened in October, 1884 with nearly six-hundred acres of land, it was designed to be the premier cemetery in the Southeast. It is still an active cemetery with more than 125,000 interments. Westview remains the largest cemetery in the Southeast and one of the largest non-profit cemeteries in the United States.
Come learn about the lives of many important Atlantans like Joel Chandler Harris, Lemuel Pratt Grant, Donald Lee Hollowell, Asa Candler and Harriett Harwell Wilson High while enjoying beautiful and historic structures. Tours will include the 1890 Gatehouse, the massive Spanish Plateresque Westview Abbey and Chapel.- Msg me if interested in carpooling, will depart Loganville Publix and/or Snellville Park-n-Ride; plan for dinner afterwards.
- Meet in the cemetery parking lot outside 1890 Gatehouse at 1:45p.
- The tour will last approximately two hours and consist of a 1.5 mile walk that includes one steep hill.
- Event end time depends on optional dinner participation afterwards.
- Public restrooms are not available at the cemetery.
- Tickets are limited & required, will sell out quickly; no walk-ups allowed.
- Click Here To Purchase Tickets; Seniors, 65+ $24.67 (incl tax & fees). Refunds up to 7 days before event.
- The tour is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. You will be notified via email.
- If sold out or you can't make Sunday, May 25, there are add'l dates avail. See details: Sunday, June 22, July 20, or Aug 24.
Optional dinner afterwards at Six Feet Under Pub & Fish House, Grant Park
- Alexander Lake (at Panola Mtn State Park), Easy 5-6 Miles, Stockbridge, GA5015 Flat Bridge Rd SW, Stockbridge, GA
So much to explore at Alexander Lake (property of Panola Mountain State Park), great place for biking, hiking, fishing, and birding. Weather permitting, a relatively easy 5-6 mile hike consisting of approx 3 miles of paved PATH, 3 miles of natural surface and a couple of bridges/boardwalks; mostly shaded tree canopy.
Points of Interest: Wildlife Habitat, South River, Lyon Homestead (circa 1821), in Flat Rock (Dekalb Co), one of the oldest African-American communities in Georgia, the PANO Mtn Bird Banding Station a/k/a Power of Flight Grassland (maintained by DNR, restoration in progress by Birds Georgia), Scout Lake & Primitive Campground and, of course, Alexander Lake.
My hiking style is slow/steady (approx 2-2.5 mph), not a sprint, not a stroll, break as needed, small group, and we start, hike & finish together.
Insect repellent advised (tis the season), bring water/snack, trekking poles welcome, and kindly leave your 4-legged loved ones at home.
Park in the Alexander Lake lot (intersection at Flatbridge & Alexander Lake Rd), near the Archery Range and Parker House, meet at the restrooms towards the back/end of the parking lot.
Please be flexible as the end time is a guesstimate.
GPS coordinates: 33°37'56.0"N 84°08'49.0"W
Daily parking is $5; Annual State Park Pass, $50 or (62yo +) $25
