Vibram Five Fingers

I wanted to take a quick moment to discuss my love for Vibram Five Fingers.  VFF's are basically multi-sport barefoot shoes. What that means is the feeling of being barefoot, but with a thin protective layer of rubber between your foot and the Earth.

I first discovered Vibram Five Fingers back in early 2007 when I saw a guy wearing a pair in this specialty shoe store in Kennesaw, GA.  My first reaction was to say to him "what the hell do you have on your feet, guy?" He responded with "There called Five Fingers and they are made by Vibram, the same guys that make all that great rock climbing rubber, and before you knock them too much, I'm gonna make you try them on".  My reaction was to decline trying these things on, but a short while later, after he knew my shoe size by my asking for another shoe, he had brought out a pair of Sprints for me to try on.  I realized this as he handed them to me instead of the ones I had wanted to try.  After a short "argument", I put them on. He had me go outside and jog across a median and over some rock, on the grass and back into the store. Once back inside, I knew I was leaving with a pair on my feet.  He had me sold right then and there, no matter that they were 75.00 and were basically a glove for my foot.  I ask "do you have any other colors"? and he said "Ha, I knew you would want them".

OK, Changed my life. I have since owned 5 pair of VFF's. I currently own a pair of VFF KSO's, KSO Treks, KSO Flows (in black with the super sticky rubber), and a new pair of Bikilas.  I am also waiting for City Sports to get the new KSO Trek Sports in stock (in black) in my size so I can grab yet another pair!  I wear them almost exclusively now, inside the house, out hiking, to the office, to the store, when I am kayaking or rafting (KSO Flows are great for water activities).  If you have not tried a pair, go and get them. I have already had six friends go out and get them some and so far all that have converted LOVE them. No complaints from them at all.  Seriously, they look a little funny at first, but looks ARE deceiving. These feel like they are a part of you in fact, I think they will become part of you.  You won't own just one pair!  Join Us! Free your feet in Five Fingers!

Here are some pics of my Vibram Five Fingers.  www.vibramfivefingers.com
www.citysports.com  www.birthdayshoes.com

A morning hike on the Pine Log Creek Trail System.

This morning I took a hike on the Pine Log Creek Trail System.  I decided that since it was such a great morning, a bit cooler and a nice breeze, the entire 4.2 miles were in order!  The trail conditions were good. The pathway had one obstruction, a fallen tree that was an easy hop over. The trail was wet in places from the recent, flash flooding rainfall.  The lake was nice, saw some neat reptiles, and got some video.

Overall, this trail is one that I have hiked many times before and I would rate it "family friendly". There are a few moderate sections and one on the West Loop that climbs 420 feet to its summit before descending.

At the beginning of the trail, just before the bridge that crosses Pine Log Creek, there are some fruit trees. These trees are PawPaw Fruit trees (more info here: http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/pawpaw.html). These trees have fruit repining now and falling to the ground now, be sure to check them out.

I am attaching some video below that I took with my Venom Xtreme Sports Cam.

Kayaking the Chattahoochee River

This past Friday (8.20) me and buddy, TJ, decided to head over to Up The River Outfitters to do some Kayaking on the good old Hooch.  Let me tell you I needed this break, badly. The weather was nice, pretty warm, but did stay partly cloudy at times. The water was cold, but refreshing. We put in right below the Buford Dam and took out at Settles Bridge.  On the way there is a class II rapid and as we approached, I noticed that the local Swift Water Rescue Team was out training, so we took out of the river for a second to observe and to check out the rapid. My goal was to show my friend who has never kayaked before, the possible routes to take so safely make it through.  After a few minutes, it was time to run the rapid!

After getting back in the river, I awaited the Rescuers signal that it was OK to proceed, and off I went. I entered, ran the rapid, then exited wet but excited. I look back just in time to see my buddy get toppled by the rapid and the Swift Water Rescue Team spring into immediate action! Within seconds, they had him and was surfing the rapid down to the River Right. One had my friend, another his boat and paddle. After making sure he was OK, they got him back in his Kayak and sent him on his way. He was a bit shaken, more cold than anything (the water temp is 52F here).  Although I was felt bad he got toppled, it was good for the rescue team. They had a real-life situation on their hands and were able to react and respond instantly.  So even though TJ was cold, his topple was for the greater good.  In the end, he had the best river story!

Be safe on the river!

Adam

Vineyard Mountain Trail Hike

This past Saturday (8.22.10) morning I decided to tackle the Vineyard Mountain Trail. This trail is located just south of Cartersville, GA. and can be accessed from two different trailheads. The first access point is at the Riverside Day Use Area located below Allatoona Dam along the shores of the Etowah River. The second trailhead is located on the right just before crossing Bethany Bridge into Red Top Mountain State Park. Today, I choose the Riverside Day Use (no fees) as my access point.

This trail was built and is maintained by the Eagle Scouts. There are two routes to take, a yellow blaze that is a moderate hike, and a red blaze that is just about straight up and over the mountain and as a result, is the most strenuous portion of the trail. The yellow blaze will take you to a great spot overlooking the Allatoona Dam and then onto a section through the forest and along side a great rock cliff. This trail will take you along side lake Allatoona and there are some great views. This trail is 2.8 miles one way. If you opt for the yellow blaze (the longest route) expect 2.5 hours of hiking time. This trail is a great trail for fitness and the red blaze trail is even better. I would recommend trekking poles and at least 1.5L of water for this hike. I use a Hydration pack.

Overall, this is a really good trail and is hardly used (I saw two teenage kids on the trail as I was hiking on a Saturday morning). The views are good, but don't expect amazing! This is more of a "forest hike" I would say. This trail will connect the Riverside Day Use Area and the parking lot just before Bethany Bridge at Red Top Mountain State Park.

Laurel Ridge & Cooper's Furnace Trails | Hike through

Back on August 13, 2010 I had some down time so I set out to hike up two adjacent trails located along the Allatoona lakeshore, and the Etowah River. The trails are Laurel Ridge & Cooper's Furnace Trails.

I started my journey at the Cooper's Furnace Trailhead right off H

wy 20 Spur. This is the easiest part of the trail and runs through the forest intersecting Laurel Ridge Trai

l just after the hike begins. On this journey, I continue on Cooper's Furnace Trail for 1 mile until I arrive at the Cooper's Furnace Day Use Area. This trail is a great beginner trail for all ages. Small children will need to be closely monitored along the railing and the incline down to the lower part of the trail. There is quite a drop-off overlooking a deep gully and rock wall. Along this railing, the trail gradually slopes downward and will switchback sharply to the left. Monitor small children here as well, and be sure to keep your footing. At the bottom of this switchback, there is some trail signage and a small bridge that goes over a stream. From here on out, the trail is very gently and runs for .5 miles to Cooper's Furnace. This trail will follow along side the stream and even crosses over another. As you continue to hike, the trail will pass a pond to the right. Take advantage of the bench and enjoy the ducks, fish and turtles that inhabit this wetland. You will also note that the trail is intersecting a gravel road. This road is used to by the US Army Corps. of Engineers to access the bottom and tops of Allatoona Dam. As you begin your hike again, stay straight as the road is the trail. The trail will continue to follow alongside the stream and goes straight to the Cooper's Furnace Day Use Area.

Once at the Cooper's Furnace Day Use Area, take a look to the right to observe the old Cooper's Furnace. If you need a break, there is a restroom and water fountain on the Right at the end of the grassy field. If you walk across the day use area, there are access steps and trails to the Etowah River. Please pay attention to the signage about Water Releases. Just about every weekday, the Corps. will release water from Allatoona Dam. When they do this, the water below the dam is subject to rapid rise, turbulent flows and it is dangerous. In this particular area, the water can rise over six feet in a short time.

After exploring Cooper's Furnace, hop back on the trail but this time, take the road all the way up. Just before the top you will intersect the Laurel Ridge Trailhead on the left, take this route. This trail will take you back into the forest but is very close to the Visitor Center and to the 20 Spur roadway. As the trail travels along the side of the mountain, you will see several vistas of the Etowah River Valley. The trail will cross a high bridge where small children should be monitored closely. After the bridge its back uphill a bit to an observation platform on the right. Take a moment to relax! After the break, its back on the trail and onto the next observation platform. As the trail begins to decline again, look to the right for an observation platform. This one is a bit tricky as the steps are steep and rock. This observation deck is very high and right on the side of the deep gully you passed on the first trail, only higher up. Be sure to monitor small children closely. Enjoy this view and take some pics! As you jump back on the trail its a short hike back to the Cooper's Furnace trail, and then right back up to the trailhead.

Trail Specs:

Time to complete both trails: 2.0Hours (beginner)

How to access the trails:

The trailheads can be accessed from three locations. Two of these locations are right off the Highway 20 Spur (take Interstate 75 North to the Hwy 20 Exit and make a Right, followed by another immediate right onto Hwy 20 Spur). Follow Hwy 20 Spur to the second trailhead on the Right, this is the Cooper's Furnace trailhead. The second trailhead is located at the Cooper's Furnace Day Use Area.