By Denise Etheridge
I rebooted my brain and recharged my batteries on Sunday. I took a walk in the woods.
I’ve been getting a bit stressed out lately, working overtime trying to balance increased job responsibilities and family obligations. In short, I’m a working mom and grandma and like too many American women forego self-care. That and I’ve gotten really cranky lately.
So, my husband and kids had enough and insisted that I relax this weekend. They did most of the household chores, too. And since my husband also works long hours at a demanding job, we both needed fresh air and exercise in a tranquil environment. Fortunately, we live in beautiful north Georgia with plenty of gorgeous state parks nearby that boast a plethora of trails. Whether you’re old and out of shape like me and need a moderately challenging trail for beginning hikers, or you’re an athlete and avid fan of the great outdoors there’s multiple trails to suit.
We took our dog, Luna, with us. She is a six-year old Jack Russell Terrier/ Labrador Retriever mix who needed a break from the three geriatric dogs in our household. Luna is a rambunctious teenager. Her excitability doesn’t always sit well with the grumpy old dogs. Especially Damian, my son Michael’s 15-year-old Pit Bull/Lab mix. When Luna gets boisterous around him, Damian will bark at her as if to say, “Get off my lawn!” So we packed water, snacks, Luna’s traveling bowl, dog waste bags and hand sanitizer.
The weather was perfect – low to mid 70s.
It took us just 20 minutes to drive to Smithgall Woods State Park. Frank renewed our yearly state park pass. As he’s a military veteran and older than 62, we received a nice discount.
Frank and I did the Laurel Ridge Trail – backwards. We started at marker 19. I huffed and puffed the first part of our 1.6 mile loop. Bear in mind I’m tethered to a desktop computer most hours of the workday. Once the trail evened out it got easier.
We passed young families, other couples with dogs and older people like us on the trail. I feel blessed we are healthy and still able to be active.
Most of the trail was quiet except for birdsong and the rustle of the trees as a light breeze tickled the forest canopy. At each marker I read the trail brochure aloud. At the summit – 1,841 feet – we enjoyed the view. From there one can clearly see Mt. Yonah.
It’s been a long time since one afternoon changed my entire outlook.
It’s simply amazing what a walk in the woods can do