The weather here in Georgia was beautiful this Sunday so I decided a hike was in order to celebrate the clear skies and warm temperature. I flipped through the pages of my hiking book titled 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Atlanta and found some information on the Oxbo
The parking area was easy to find, located right off of Route 9. The entrance to the hiking path was slightly less clear. After parking, the first path I notice was actually more of a driveway than a hiking trail. I followed that up a hill and to another road. Right across the street was a mini-park with a monument in it. This was a memorial to the 400 mill workers who were deported during the civil war for invading the federal forces.
A Civil War Monument
After spending a few minutes reading the monument, and pondering the correct location of the hiking trail, I decided to head back down the hill to the parking lot. Once I made it back to the parking lot the real trail was much more clear. Instead of going up the hill I should have gone the other direction. This time the path took me around a bend and onto a gravel walkway. This path looked to be ideal for joggers, bikers, and walkers.
I walked along a stream for about two miles when I found a surprise my hiking book didn’t mention; there was a waterfall and the end of this trail. Right where the Oxbo Trail met with the Vickery Creek trail was what looked to be an old dam. The resulting waterfall was beautiful, so of course I stayed for a while and listened to the rumble of of the water and took a few pictures.
The waterfall on Oxbo Trail
The hike back was as relaxing as the hike in. This path was an out-and-back style trail, so there was no loop to walk around. There were a few small animals along the way; squirrels and birds mostly. I used this hike, along with the nice weather to motivate myself to start losing weight again. I made a deal with my girlfriend to encourage me to lose weight; if I could lose 10 pounds by the time she makes it back from her Florida vacation she would make a picture compilation with images that motivate me.
So the challenge is on, I have until May 20th to lose 10 pounds. Hopefully this will force me into a pattern of exercise and healthy eating again. I had taken a break from weight loss for the winter and just maintained my weight, but I’m ready to start burning the fat again!
