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| Exploring the Great American Outdoors! |
February 2010 | |
____________________ Did you know...
As you age, you do not need to experience a decline in physical activity. By staying active, your muscles stay strong. As you get older, your body will weaken, but regular hiking helps minimize that. |
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Member Highlight |
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Alisha Smith |
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Alisha is in training to become a Hike Leader. I had the pleasure of having a great conversation with her on the Sweetwater Creek Hike. She is a very ambitious, focused and determined young lady who is a joy to have on the hikes. |
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Member Shout Out |
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Francine is currently in Ghana, West Africa. She is there, amongst other things, going through marriage counseling with her soon to be African husband. We wish her all the best! |
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Member Update |
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| Kim is our resident photographer and she is an author. We missed her book launch reception due to the extraordinary events on the Blood Mountain hike. Please keep her and her family in your prayers. Her father, who lives in Alabama, has been ill and as any good daughter, she has been there for him. We just learned that he was just released from the hospital and is now home recuperating..
We miss you Kim! |
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Celebrating Black History Month |
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Greetings!
I tell you all of that not to give an excuse, but to update you on my activities. I hope you will be able to join us, if not this month, or some time in the near future. If your schedule is busy like mine, or not, it is always good to find peace and tranquility in nature on our monthly hikes. I am so looking forward to the hike to Helen on the Unicoi State Park trail.
Thank you if you are one who reached out to me wondering about the February hike. I appreciate you. It is always good to hear from you. Please, keep in touch! |
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With the stroke of my pen, I wish you everlasting love, peace and joy in 2010! Carolyn
Carolyn Hartfield, The Hiking Lady
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____________________ February Hike
Unicoi/Helen
Saturday, February 6
Rated: Easy to Moderate
Distance: 6 miles
8:00 a.m. sharp
3 miles, one-way. Compacted Soil Surface. Approximately 2 hours, one-way / 4 hours, round-trip. Rated easy to moderate. Hike from Unicoi State Park to Helen on an easy to moderate, scenic winding trail that starts out as the Bottom Loop Trail, then continues through stands of rhododendrons and mountain laurels to cross Lower Smith Creek. The trail crosses several small streams before reaching Unicoi Hill City Park in Helen. Thisis where we will eat lunch before heading back.
The drive is approximately 1.5 hours from Atlanta. We will meet in the parking lot in front of the Hong Kong Market located at 5495 Jimmy Carter Blvd. Click here for directions.
As always, wear comfortable (not new) shoes and layered clothing. We will carpool, so please be prepared to donate $5 - $7 to the driver for gas and parking. There is a $5 fee for parking unless you go to your local library and check-out a State Park Parking Pass for free parking.
Weather is forcast to be partly cloudy with a high temperature of 47 and 30% percipitation.
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____________________ Black History Trailblazers
Audrey and Frank Peterman are true trailblazers. In their recently released book: Legacy on the Land they uncover little known Black History facts as they chronicle their journey across America camping and hiking in our National Parks.
The book is a MUST READ. The scenes are so vividly described, you feel as if you are there with them. I read the book in 2 days. I could not put it down!
Click here for more information on the book, read an excerpt and place your order. |
____________________ Weekend Getaway
 Calling all Nature Lovers, Hikers, or Just Want To Getaway people for a Weekend Adventure... You don't have to worry about driving, just relax on a deluxe motorcoach, socialize, watch movies, play cards or other games, enjoy the people, the sights and the outdoors.
The price of only $150.00 includes Transportation (Motorcoach), Double Occupancy (add $25 for single occupancy), Tickets to Cathedral Caverns and Rock City Gardens, and a Continenental Breakfast.
Click here for more information and to reserve your space. |
____________________ Good Hiking & Health Tips
Hiking
Winter Hikes: Drink more and eat more than on summer hikes. The drier winter air will suck more moisture with every breath you take. You will be carrying more weight and working harder to keep your body heat up so you will also consume more calories. Eat small amounts often.
Health
Reduce Stress and Depression: Your body's natural drugs like endorphins and adrenaline are released when hiking and these chemicals have a natural positive effect on your stress levels. |
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Membership
There is NO COST to become a basic member or friend of Hartfield's Hikers and to continue receiving our newsletters and joining us on our monthly hikes.
We love what we do and are dedicated to keeping it going. As a result of hiker inquiries, we have established the 'Supporting' member subscriptions for only $10 a year to help us with ongoing operational expenses.
Supporting member subscriptions will gain added value as we expand and reach out to partners, sponsors and advertisers. Supporting members will be the first to receive the added value and benefits from the relationships we form.
Please accept our invitation to become a Supporting Member subscriber now by clicking below.
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____________________ Monthly Survey
We continuously strive to not only work in a spirit of excellence, but also in a harmonious environment. To accomplish this and ensure we are on the right trail (pun intended), we have implemented these monthly surveys so you can tell us how we are doing and offer suggestions on how we can better serve you.
Please take a few moments to answer our
5 question survey .
Thanks! |
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| Check Out Our Upcoming Hikes |
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This 3.2 mile-long loop trail introduces you to the plants and animals in a mixed oak-pine forest found along the headwaters of Mountain Creek. As the trail climbs and descends, look for changes between the drier ridges and the wetter stream bottoms. There are also differences due to past human activities. Early in the morning or just before sunset is a good time to hear woodpeckers tapping on snags or see deer grazing in forest glades.
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This trail begins at the front porch of the park Visitor Center, turns north for one mile, crosses Lodge Road and then makes a 3.5 mile loop through some of the most beautiful areas of the park.
The loop portion of the trail follows the lakeshore for approximately half its length. Completion of the loop brings you back to the same one mile route to the front porch. | |
MAY Ravens Cliff Falls and
Duke Creek Falls
The Ravens Cliff path is rarely more than 50 feet from the creek, and this eastern facing cove has an abundance of wildlife. The approach to the Cliffs is the highlight of the trip.
The Dukes Creek Falls descend more than 400 feet on the half-mile walk. The sound of the waterfall can only be heard at the middle of each switchback, fading as the next turn approaches.
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"The Hiking Lady" |
Normally, we hike the first Saturday of every month unless posted otherwise. Our hikers are all ages, from youth to seniors.
We simply ask you to make note of the length of the hike and the level of difficulty rating. We are as fast as the slowest person...no need to feel pressured. We enjoy nature and the company of each other as we hike the trails.
Both Carolyn and Paulette, who is the Sweep (the person in the back to ensure no one is left behind) are 'Certified' Outings Leaders with the Sierra Club. They hike as a team to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the hikers are assured.
Carolyn is available for speaking engagements on practical ways to improve your current state of health and wellbeing. Her profession is Integrated Marketing Specialist.
Tune in to her weekly radio show 'OPALs' (Older People with Active Lifestyles) every Wednesday morning at 6:00 a.m. on BlogTalkRadio.com/opals
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| "A loving attitude, enjoying life, and learning something new everyday is my goal." | | |
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