Fri, Apr 16 2010 - Cloudland Canyon Group Lodge & Hiking Weekend (View Original Event Details)
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Our friendly group of 26 AOCers shared an unforgettable spring trip to beautiful Cloudland Canyon State Park high atop Lookout Mountain in NW Georgia. I'm proud of how we all hit it off with one another in such a short time form such a cohesive group—also how we took advantage of the great weather to enjoy all the beautiful hiking trails and other neat things to see and do, including just hanging out at the Lodge! We had exclusive use all weekend of the Park's well-equipped "Group Lodge," and made good use of its spacious living room & kitchen, 4 dorm-style bedrooms, screened porch, large restrooms w/hot showers, big fire ring, and picnic tables.
Besides having great campfires, copious food & refreshments, and tons of fun & laughter all weekend, we enjoyed a variety of scenic group hikes and excursions. Many of us also took advantage of some of the great free optional adventures offered by the Park as part of their annual "Adventure Weekend," including Night Hikes with the Park naturalist, Rappelling, Archery, and a Reptile Encounter. Thanks to all who have already sent links to your trip photos, and we look forward to more! Click on some of these great Photo Links attached to this article!
Our Saturday adventures began just after breakfast with the entire group hiking together to the spectacular main canyon overlook in the center of the Park, just an easy 10 minute walk down the hill from the Lodge. After group photos at the overlook we enjoyed a "reptile encounter" in the Interpretive Center where experts were displaying live specimens of GA's native snakes. We then continued our hike deep into the Canyon via the steep boardwalk trail, and got lots of great photos at three different spectacular waterfalls including a one that until recently was inaccessible until the new bridge and trail were opened. At this point, part of the group decided to continue down the canyon via the new creekside trail, while the rest of us headed back up to the "West Rim" where we enjoyed a leisurely lunch from our daypacks at a rugged overlook. By the time our various carpool groups departed for home on Sunday everyone had worked in a nice variety of hikes and adventures all over the park.
Sessions around the campfire both nights were a blast, complete with jokes, singing, s'mores, "YZARC" costumes, and sharing of old prom stories and favorite movies. Thanks to our excellent "firemonger" Gerhard, who got the roaring campfires going and kept them well tended for us. Congrats to BINDU who wins the award for "Yzarc-iest" for her crazy-sexy Indian dress and stiletto heels, and our runners-up, sisters Ashley and Meredith Campbell who sported great 70s "retro outfits."
Thanks to everyone for pitching in with their prep, serving and cleanup there at the Lodge—also thanks to all who pitched in Sunday to clean and vacate the Lodge. Our six group meals from Fri evening thru Sunday noon were a big hit! Thanks especially to my AOC co-leaders Bobby Marie and Lynn McIntyre who did such a fine job with all aspects of the trip including helping me shop for groceries & supplies, hauling them to the Park, cooking, cleaning, hike leading and more. After the trip I found out that Lynn (+ Mollie and both Martys) really "went the extra mile" for us! Their Cloudland departure was delayed an extra hour because the Park Superindent suddenly showed up at the Lodge and "held their noses to the grindstone" -- made them re-scrub and re-mop the toilets, sinks & floors before they could head back to Atlanta.
-Submitted by volunteer AOC Trip Planner/Leader Charlie Cottingham, Apr 22, 2010
OUR CLOUDLAND CANYON GROUP: Cott4Treks@aol.com (Charlie Cottingham), CampbellMer@gmail.com (Meredith Campbell), MJChina@aol.com (Mollie Mahany), Ashley.Campbell@BBandT.com, KarenClark10@gmail.com, AtlantaMediator@bellsouth.net (Marty Lavine), LynnMcIntyre@bellsouth.net, VtMRE@bellsouth.net (Michele Earles), Jeanne.Guthrie@comcast.net, AISeit@gmail.com (Alan Seitman), SRyherd22@gmail.com (Sonya & guest Chris Roberts), M@martinLwhite.com (Marty White), Bindu.Kandula@gmail.com, TaggartD@bellsouth.net (Denise Taggart), AriesFN223@yahoo.com (John Ariail), AndreaGarwood@hotmail.com, GKinas@eswt.net (Gerhard), HeidiKGleason@yahoo.com, Denise.Sladky@gmail.com, MascuchC@yahoo.com (Claire Mascuch), BobbyMarie@bellsouth.net, DolginD218@gmail.com (Dan Dolgin), IrisAtlanta@yahoo.com (Iris Meaders), SJelovic@gmail.com (Sandra), JVanSkiver@gmail.com (Jenny)
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