Carpe Diem on Earth Day - Fri, Apr 22 2016

Carpe Diem on Earth Day

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Island Ford Chattahoochee National Recreation Area , Sandy Springs, GA

Date(s) & Time:

Fri, Apr 22 2016 10:00 am >> Fri, Apr 22 2016 12:30 pm

Registration Opens:

Thu, Apr 14 2016 9:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Thu, Apr 21 2016 8:00 am

Event Duration:

2 Hours 30 Minutes

Difficulty Rating:

D3: Moderate

Distance:

6 Miles

Pace:

Fast

Trip Leader(s):

Lisa

Email Trip Leader(s)
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Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

11 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Yes

Itinerary:

Happy Earth Day!

Both Earth Day and Island Ford are close to my heart. Let's enjoy and appreciate mother nature by getting out and hiking the serene trails at Island Ford. Along the way, we'll pick up any trash should we find it (trash bags provided). We will meet at the Park Headquarters parking lot for introductions. As a group, we will set off north along the Chattahoochee River before turning west along Summerbrook Creek. We will continue tromping through the woods and over a couple of bridges until we reach the newer section of the trail. We will loop around the newer ("lollipop") section, circling back to glimpse the river before proceeding back over the bridges again. We will backtrack just a short distance before branching off along Beech Creek. For the final section of the hike we will follow along the river, then stop at a scenic vantage point.

This is not a beginner hike. We will be moving fast.

And now for the "Carpe Diem" part: As we return to the riverbank and head south back toward the Park Headquarters, we will pause for a brief rest and perhaps a snack on the rocks. "Carpe Diem" is a phrase from a Latin poem by Horace. The Roman poet Ovid used the word "carpe" in the sense of "enjoy, seize, or pluck the fruit of." "Diem" refers to "day."

Feel free to bring along a quote, line or two from a poem, snippet of a song, riddle, limerick, or any inspired thoughts you have about the Earth, nature, conservation, springtime, trees, clouds, the great outdoors, etc. (You get the idea; pretty much anything goes). We will gather on a boulder on the bank of the Chattahoochee to share musings from anyone choosing to speak. We shall seize the day before returning to our cars.

"I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree

A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed

Against the sweet earth's flowing breast."

~ Joyce Kilmer, 1886-1918

Estimated distance for this hike is approximately 6 miles.

Required Items to Bring:

hiking boots/shoes with good traction; water; $3 for parking or CRNA annual pass

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

snacks; a poem, phrase, or riddle (either written down or in your memory) to recite or read to the group

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

From northbound US 19 and GA 400

Take exit #6 (Northridge Road).
Coming off the exit, stay in the right lane, cross over GA 400, and turn right onto Dunwoody Place.
Go 0.5 miles to Roberts Drive.
Turn right and proceed 0.7 miles to the park entrance on your right.
Proceed straight back approx. 1.1 mi. to Park Headquarters parking lot.

From southbound US 19 and GA 400

Take exit #6 (Northridge Road)
Continue straight ahead at the traffic light onto Dunwoody Place.
Go 0.5 miles to Roberts Drive.
Turn right and proceed 0.7 miles to the park entrance on your right.
Proceed straight back approx. 1.1 mi. to Park Headquarters parking lot

Notes:

Parking fee of $3 required (or purchase an unlimited-visit annual pass that day for $25 at the headquarters building.).

* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost Includes:

$3.00 parking per car or annual CRNA parking pass

Cancellation/Partial Attendance: Please review the AOC cancellation policy.