Stone Mountain [1003.1999]

What a beautiful place! Stone Mountain really does have some beautiful scenery. (The carving of the confederate generals is tiny, small enough that you don't have to notice it). I didn't realise there were all sorts of trails and woods and a beautiful lake out there.

I pretty much just drove around in there until I found the walk-up trail (they give you a map at the door, but I felt like exploring).. And then I got out and hiked all the way to the top. Not an easy task. It starts out with a fairly shallow incline, but by the time you reach the top, it's got to be at least a 60° angle (there's also stairs, if you want to go the easy way..) All along, people have carved their names into the rock (despite the sign saying not to - probably put there by whoever carved those silly generals). There's beautiful evergreens all over the place until you reach the timberline, and of course then the view is spectacular.

At the top is a lookout tower, with snack bar, although this was closed that early in the morning. There's also a lift that takes people up and down the other side of the mountain. I was sitting on the bare rock, looking out over Atlanta, and for some reason that gondola, off to my left and thirty-something feet over my head nearly scared me to death. It didn't startle me when it turned on.. It just turned on an old phobia of heights. Maybe the way the cables were swaying in the wind had my body thinking I was going to blow right off that mountain. In any case, I relaxed and it passed. So much for my fear of heights.

I missed the sunrise, but I got to see the early morning cloud cover burn away. The clouds really were right over head. You could see them floating by, not ten feet above your head.

It was really a great experience. Lots of exercise-and-nature induced endorphins floating around. I must have smiled at and said good morning to just about everyone I saw while I was hiking down. I don't usually say hello to strangers - at leas not since coming to Atlanta. So this was pretty cool. I felt more extroverted than I have in months.

I think I'm going to make Stone Mountain a Sunday ritual from now on. Get up early (or stay up late), drive out there and watch the sun come up. It's worth it.