HiS Traditions: New Year's Hike

Every year since K and I started dating we have spent New Year's Day hiking together. For us it's symbolic of the adventures we have together, of experiencing the vast creation of our Maker, and of remembering what really is important in our lives. Every year we explore a new loop or summit, and this year we explored a section of the Appalachian Trail and the Benton-MacKaye trail that goes to the top of Springer Mountain. We decided that a trip on December 31 with glorious weather would be much better than actually hiking on January 1 in the rain and sleet. We were so very correct. The weather was perfect, and it had snowed for the past few days. Had we attempted the hike on NYD, it would have been icy and raining and freezing cold, and the clouds would have most likely blocked our view from the top.

The summit at Springer Mountain is the southern terminus of the AT, and there are commemorative plaques at the site. It's a short climb {only 9/10 of a mile!} to the top, and from there we doubled back to take the Benton-MacKaye trail for about 3.5 miles. It was so lovely! The hike was far from strenuous, with gorgeous views and lovely snow-laden trees. The final leg of the loop takes you south on the AT back to the parking area. We both wished we had more time to complete a second loop, which is about 6 miles long, but we didn't particularly want to be hiking in the dark. Next time though!

This is a really great loop for novice hikers, too. The few small climbs are short, the views are fantastic, there is a lot of history, and the scenery is really lovely. We are planning a trip with my parents, sister and nephews for the spring. I can't wait to share this with them.

Here's to a year filled with adventures, large and small.
xoxo

copyright Hiking in Stilettos

Weekend Adventure No. 331: Upper Chattahoochee Campground

Lately husband and I have both been suffering from a bit of wanderlust. Maybe due to the insanely beautiful weather, the long list of upcoming changes in our lives, or just the constant need to feel connected to nature... either way, we needed a little weekend escape. Our original plan was to head back to one of our favorite spots in Tate City, but despite our early morning arrival on Saturday, all of the campsites were taken! After getting over our disappointment and scouring the map for another campground, we decided to head to the Chatahoochee River area. The site where we ended up was just perfect. In fact, it may very well be a new favorite of ours.

The weather was simply gorgeous on Saturday with warm sunshine and a cool breeze. It cooled off a bit after sundown, making the campfire the perfect companion to storytelling and dreaming up ideas for our house.

This was the pup's first camping trip, and suffice to say that he's definitely found the right family with us. He loved the water... After he realized it was okay to get in, he went bounding through the river full force. More than once he caught a wild hair and ran full speed in circles picking up sticks and running into trees {I kid you not}. It's safe to say he enjoyed the adventure.

We are planning a return trip in the future with plans to visit this section of the AT, which is nearby.

xoxo

copyright Hiking in Stilettos

Long Weekend

This Labor Day weekend husband and I spent some much needed time in the north Georgia mountains with some of our favorite friends. We revisited the Nantahala River for a bit of kayaking, grilled burgers on the cabin porch, ate breakfast at a local country store, and laughed and talked with friends. Sunday evening was spent at a pizza-making contest {our pizza won}, followed by homemade peach ice cream and painting on the porch while listening to the rain. On Monday we celebrated two years of marriage with a low-key but delicious homemade dinner, cuban sangria, and chocolate peanut butter almond-flour cupcakes.

If only every weekend were a three-day weekend....

xoxo

copyright Hiking in Stilettos

Leisurely

A glimpse into our July fourth weekend in the mountains...

Porch swings, rainstorms and waterfalls, delicious meals, wonderful friends, and a whole lot of fun.

xoxo

copyright Hiking in Stilettos

Fourth of July in the Mountains

This past weekend was an absolute delight as husband and I were able to head to the north Georgia mountains and spend a few days with a few good friends. The weather was incredible, with cool mornings and nights that required a sweater or campfire for warmth and sunny days that begged for swimming in the waterfalls. Here is how we spent the weekend.....

staying at the cabin {complete with a porch swing}

white water kayaking on the river

lots of fresh berries were made into a cobbler

a hike to three forks waterfalls

picking wild blackberries beside the road

campfires at night

Hope your long weekend was equally as relaxing.

xoxo

copyright Hiking in Stilettos

Fall Photography

There's nothing like a relaxing drive through the mountains on a crisp fall day... enjoying the beautiful colors and the cool morning air... which is exactly what K and I did last weekend.