Atlanta is known for its traffic, hard work ethic, and fast growth in business and population. Once the temperatures hit around 75 degrees, something very interesting happens around the City of Hustle. The 5 o'clock rush hour begins to die down. For some reason, there aren't nearly as many cars coming home from work at the same time as there are going to work. We all know what's happening. Atlanta loves to cut from work early and hit the lake, river, or even a quick weekend trip to the ocean. … [Read more...]
Backpack Like a Pro, or How to Not Be a City Slicker
Camping is a unique experience. You are consciously choosing to leave your bed, electricity, running water, and oven behind. What you receive is the opportunity to breathe fresh air, pack down to the essentials, and view life through a different lens. There are several different ways we can define the camping experience (car camping, glamping, etc), but I'm going to focus on helping you take an overnight backpacking trip. Instead of the usual park-the-car-and-set-up-a-tent , I'm going to be … [Read more...]
Summer Day Hike Essentials
It's Friday, and you're stuck in traffic. Again. The concrete jungle hems you in as you will the car forward to a break in the horizon, your exit sending you home. Perhaps you're maneuvering your cart through the aisles at Trader Joe's, looking for real trees instead of the ones painted on the signs. You find yourself thinking about green grass, rolling hills, and fresh air. You my friend, need to go on day hike Summer is a great time to hit the trail and experience a day out in the woods. … [Read more...]
On thin ice
It’s just a peculiar winter. I was out jogging last night, after dark, down Revolutionary roads. Past signs for Indian footpaths that are now named after colonists. Houses from 17– that have cable internet. They glowed, the warmth of density. In years past the glow might pull up a chair on the Massachusetts snow-drifts, out in front of windows, to spend a few hours. But our lawns are without snow and our light wanders on. The ponds are fully melted. Weeks back they’d have still held a … [Read more...]
Hammocks – Not Just for the Lazy Afternoon
Over the past two years, I have embarked upon a drastic deviation from my normal camping routine. Up until that point, I only knew camping as pitching a tent and sleeping on the cold hard ground as has been done for centuries. My world was rocked one evening as I was talking to a close friend. He had purchased a hammock in which to relax on lazy afternoons. Although both of us are avid backpackers neither had ever even considered replacing our tent with a hammock. This conversation sparked a … [Read more...]
Day Hiking in Georgia
The fall is fast approaching here in Georgia, and the weather has thankfully started to cool off. For me, and many outdoor enthusiasts, this means it is time to get back outside and enjoy nature. This could be anything from taking a walk with the family, playing fetch with the dog at the park, taking a day hike or spending a night or two out in the woods. This time of year is fantastically beautiful and should be enjoyed. Regardless of the activity, I highly recommend getting outdoors … [Read more...]
Tubing Down the ‘Hooch
[Updated 4/4/13] Whether you are from the city, or from the backwoods, there is one thing that all Georgians love to do during the summer; Tube down the 'Hooch. The Chattahoochee River plays a major role in Northern Georgia's ecosystem and recreation. You can hear shotgun blasts and calls up and down the river during duck season, and you're likely to see a few fisherman trying to catch a trout year round. When the summer sun starts beating down in the Peach State, you can count on a wide … [Read more...]
The Only Gun Shop in Atlanta
I grew up hearing from my Mom that we were not a "gun family," and that I would never own a gun while I was living under my parents roof. Life as a teenager was rough, right? Something that is found deep within the heart of a young man is this call to be wild. Spending time outdoors, learning how to fend for myself, and making things go boom has always been something that I have been drawn to. Fortunately, when I was teenager, a few of my friends grew up in "gun families" and I was able to … [Read more...]
