Southern Queer Folk Hikes

We will be re recreating on stolen lands from the Muscogee/Creek nations. For more information https://www.muscogeenation.com/

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Difficulty - Moderate - the trail is well defined and maintained with tree roots and rocks. It can be done with a cane or trekking poles. This trail is multi-use which means we will be sharing it with mountain bikes and following the common courtesies.

Length - 2-5 miles (we'll decide amongst those that attend)

Pace - the pace will be determined by those in attendance. No one will be left behind.

Parking fee - $0

Restrooms - there are no restrooms so you will have to find a tree, remember we practice LNT and you will need to pack out anything you pack in - like toilet paper

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What you will need:

Closed toe shoes, sneakers will do

Moisture-wicking clothing (workout clothes)

Water - it will heat up quick, bring more than you think you'll need

Tick preventative. Whether this is in spray form or you wear long pants and sleeves, we live in Georgia - there are ticks.

Sunscreen, use your judgment

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Feel free to bring children but they will be your responsibility, in other words, you have to decide if your child can handle the hike and must be under your care the entire time. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed at all times.

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Selma Erwin Nature Preserve - This trail is great for birding, hiking, and mountain biking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. There is about 5 miles of trail.

We will be recreating on stolen lands from the Muscogee/Creek nations. For more information https://www.muscogeenation.com/
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Difficulty - Easy/Moderate - the trail is well defined and maintained with tree roots and rocks. It can be done with a cane or trekking poles. There are a couple of places where the incline might be a little difficult for wee ones but not unmanageable.

Length - 1.5-2 miles

Pace - the pace will be determined by those in attendance. No one will be left behind.

How to find us - Use the #5 entrance off of Tucker Road to get onto Wesleyan's campus, follow that road all the way to the back, you'll see the lake on your right, park in the parking lot by the tennis courts on the left.

Parking fee - Free

Restrooms - there are restrooms at Mathews Athletic Center otherwise, be prepared to use a tree and practice LNT principles (pack out everything you pack in, including tp.)
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What you will need:

• Closed toe shoes, sneakers will do

• Moisture-wicking clothing (workout clothes)

• Water, bring more than you think you'll need

• Tick preventative. Whether this is in spray form or you wear long pants and sleeves, we live in Georgia - there are ticks.

• Sunscreen, use your judgment

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Yes, this is a kids hike but your children are your responsibility, in other words, you have to decide if your child/children can handle the hike and must be under your care the entire time. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed at all times.
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We will have scavenger hunt type activities for the kids according to their ages. Since you know your children's capabilities, I'll let you decide which type of hunt they do.
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The arboretum comprises 100 acres of mixed pine and hardwood forest and lies within the boundaries of Wesleyan’s suburban Rivoli campus. More than 100 species of trees, shrubs and woody vines provide habitat for a diverse assortment of salamanders, snakes, lizards and mammals, as well as more than 150 species of resident and migratory birds. The five-acre Foster Lake, three streams and seasonal rain pools are home to nine species of turtles, fourteen species of frogs native and game fish. For more information, please go to https://www.wesleyancollege.edu/community/Arboretum/arboretum-home-page.cfm

We will be recreating on stolen lands from the Muscogee/Creek nations. For more information https://www.muscogeenation.com/
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Read more about this float on Ocmulgee Outdoor Expeditions' website at https://www.ocmulgeeoutdoorexpeditions.com/far-from-the-madding-crowd-tour/

Right now, we are just doing the sign up here on Meetup to see how much interest there is. If we have 10 or more people sign up, OOE will give us a small discount. Once we know the trip will make, I will let everyone know and you can reserve your spot on OOE's website.

To rent a single kayak it is $85 (plus tax) and to rent a tandem kayak it is $165 (plus tax.) If you have your own kayak, to shuttle it is $25 ($50 if it is a tandem.)
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What you will need:

• Water shoes - these can be sandals, water shoes, or old sneakers
• Moisture-wicking clothing (workout clothes are fine) - avoid wearing cotton or denim as you will get wet, even if it's just a little bit and it will be hot
• Water, bring more than you think you'll need
• Snacks
• Sunscreen and/or a hat
• Towel and/or a change of clothes for after

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This is kid-friendly and dog-friendly but I would check with OOE about what that would look like.
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Winding through a wooded corridor, the Upper Ocmulgee is home to bald eagles, blue herons, and slider turtles. Very little signs remain of the many mills that harnessed the river’s energy in the 19th century or the numerous ferries that crossed it. This area is known as Seven Islands and two of the oldest roads in America, the Seven Islands Indian Trail and the Seven Islands Stagecoach Route converge in Jasper County and cross the Ocmulgee at Smith Mill Road.

We will be re recreating on stolen lands from the Muscogee/Creek nations. For more information https://www.muscogeenation.com/

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This is an art hike focusing on watercolors. Casie Trace will be joining us to offer guidance. We will be bringing materials for those that have none but if you have your own, feel free to bring them. (For example - sketchbook, watercolors, pens, pencils, charcoal, etc.)

Difficulty - Moderate - the trail is well defined and maintained with tree roots and rocks. It can be done with a cane or trekking poles.

Length - 2 - 2.5 miles

Pace - the pace will be determined by those in attendance. No one will be left behind.

Parking fee - $0

Restrooms - there are restrooms in the visitor center but it doesn't open until 9am - we practice LNT so if you have to find a tree, remember we pack out tp or wipes.

🥾

What you will need:

Closed toe shoes, sneakers will do

Moisture-wicking clothing (workout clothes)

Water

Tick preventative. Whether this is in spray form or you wear long pants and sleeves, we live in Georgia - there are ticks.

Sunscreen, use your judgment

🌞

Children are welcome but are the responsibility of parent/guardian at all times. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed at all times.

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This hike will be donation based to help cover cost of materials and time spent.
Casie Trace is an artist and instructor born and raised in Macon, Georgia. She studied Visual Arts at GCSU and received a BA in Visual Arts with a concentration in Painting in 2011. Since then, she has been creating and teaching art in both Macon & abroad in China. She owns ARTSPACE Macon with her sisters. https://www.artspacemacon.com/

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park is a prehistoric American Indian site, where many different American Indian cultures occupied this land for thousands of years. American Indians first came here during the Paleo-Indian Period hunting Ice Age mammals. Around 900 CE, the Mississippian Period began, and people constructed mounds for their elite, which remain here today. For more information, visit their website at https://www.nps.gov/ocmu/index.htm