Mountain Do

Daddy,hiker,geocacher,explorer,camping,kids,travel, Youtuber,computer geek, I collect moments,not things.

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Candy Rush World of illumination Marietta Georgia "Carol of the Bells"

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HOWEVER YOU SEE IT, THE often-overlooked installation created by famed artist Sol LeWitt in Atlanta’s historic Old Fourth Ward is a conversation starter. The public art piece “54 Columns” has been causing controversy since it was installed in the neighborhood in 1999.

Some have wondered if the 54 concrete columns are there as a shell for a forthcoming structure, or the remnants of an already destroyed building. Some think the minimalist construction strains the boundaries of what we should consider art. Others admire the piece for the way the viewer can interact with it, moving in and out of the large columns.

The structure is built out of 54 concrete columns ranging in height from 10 to 20 feet. LeWitt envisioned the work as a nod to the city’s urban surroundings (hence his use of an industrial material like concrete) and to Atlanta’s skyline (from a distance, the work takes on the appearance of a cityscape). The piece combines industrial elements with a more abstract representation to create what Gregor Turk, the county’s public art coordinator at the time, called “simultaneously lowbrow and highbrow.”

Those who aren’t fans of the minimalist structure have made their objections known in a few ways. In 2003, neighbors who thought the concrete pillars weren’t exactly the look the neighborhood needed planted dogwood trees among the columns to cover up the view. The trees were removed after the city ruled “the trees spoiled the sanctity of LeWitt’s installation.” And in 2005, one of the structure’s columns was painted with bright pink latex paint.

The work has inspired dance performances, photo shoots, and, well, derision through the years. But as Charles Taylor, whose family donated the land and financed the structure’s construction, noted in an interview about the piece, “Good public art creates some controversy.”

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Hiking Arabia Mountain Trail Stone Crest Georgia

Arabia Mountain is the northern of two peaks in the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. A low saddle separates it from Bradley Mountain, several hundred feet to its south. The two form a monadnock. The peak is 955 feet (290m) above sea level, rising 172 feet (52m) above Arabia Lake reservoir. Bradley Mountain is closer to the visitor trails than Arabia Mountain and is often mis-identified by visitors as Arabia Mountain.

Arabia Mountain is one of Metro Atlanta's three monadnocks, which also include Stone Mountain and Panola Mountain. The unique topography and geology of this monadnock allows for unusual plant and animal species to thrive. Arabia Mountain has five species that are listed as both state and federally endangered, including the bright-red diamorpha plant that lives in small pools of water (known as vernal pools or solution pits) that form on the monadnock.[1]

Panola Mountain is 3.63 miles (5.84 km) to the southwest. While designated as one peak on USGS maps, most users familiar with the area consider the rock formation to be two peaks: Arabia Mountain to the northeast, and Bradley Mountain to the southeast, connected by a low saddle.

Arabia Mountain appears to be composed of granite, like other nearby peaks such as Stone Mountain and Panola Mountain. Although made of metamorphic rock, the mountain is actually composed of migmatite, metamorphosed at higher temperatures than gneiss but not sufficiently melted to become granite. The resulting swirl pattern made the rock a popular building stone and many buildings in the region were constructed with stone quarried from the Lithonia district quarries.[2]

Like Stone Mountain, Arabia Mountain was quarried for decades before the property was turned over to the DeKalb park system. Structures and excavations from the quarry operations can be seen throughout the park. The stone quarried from Arabia Mountain, officially called "Tidal Grey", was prized for its high structural density and compressive strength as well as its "swirl" pattern. Tidal Grey Arabia Mountain can be seen in the construction of buildings for the U.S. Naval Academy, the Brooklyn Bridge, and street curbing in Atlanta as well as many other Georgia cities.[3]

Prior to 1880, the stone was hand quarried but starting in 1879, workers used drills, dynamite and air compressors to “raise a ledge” or sever a large block of stone from the mass. That allowed more control over the size of the stone and large stones could be used for dimensional or building construction.The proximity to the rail road meant that the Tidal Grey could be easily transported across the country.

Another advancement to the quarrying industry at Arabia Mountain was the discovery that adding granite grit to chicken feed helped with the birds’ digestion. The Davidson family, which owned several quarries in the area, became the largest supplier of poultry grit in the world. They claimed that the sparkling particles of mica in the Stonemo grit attracted the eye and helped the chicken's gizzard break down food. The company was so successful in distributing their feed additive, a TIME Magazine article from 1941 reported the U.S. government allowed them to continue to operate during WWII in the name of national defense.In 1949, the Lithonia district produced nearly 1.5 million tons of granite valued at the time at $3 million.

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Dukes Creek Falls Hiking Trail White County Georgia

Dukes Creek is the creek in White County, Georgia, on which gold was found in 1828. Either Frank Logan or one of his slaves is typically given the credit for this find. The discovery of gold in White County and neighboring Lumpkin County led to the Georgia Gold Rush.

Dukes Creek rises right off of State Route 348 at the confluence of Bear Den Creek and Little Low Gap Branch, about 2 miles west of Helen,[2] and flows into the Chattahoochee River just east of the intersection between State Route 17 and State Route 75 southeast of Helen. The creek receives inflow from Dodd Creek, Dover Creek, and Ash Creek on its way to the Chattahoochee River.

The 150 foot Dukes Creek Falls, which are actually located on Davis Creek at its confluence with Dukes Creek, are accessed by a hiking trail called the Dukes Creek Trail. There is an observation platform at the falls. Dukes Creek Falls is one of four waterfalls in the Chattahoochee National Forest near Helen, Georgia that are popular destinations. Two of the other waterfalls, Anna Ruby Falls and Raven Cliff Falls, are also in White County and the third waterfall, DeSoto Falls, is in neighboring Lumpkin County.

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McDaniel Farm Park Gwinnett County Georgia South Gate

This former cotton farm is relatively unchanged since its drawing in the 1820 land lottery. In the early 1900s, it was a thriving farm. In later years the farm housed sharecroppers and experienced the struggles of the Great Depression and the boll weevil. This story comes to life in the property’s original barn, well house, chicken coup, blacksmith shed and restored tenant farmer house.

Historic Entrance: 3251 McDaniel Road, Duluth 30096 Hours: Monday – Sunday, 10:00am – 4:00pm

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Sweetwater Creek State Park SUMMER/WINTER Hiking Trail Georgia

Sweetwater Creek State Park is a 2,549 acre (10.32 km2) Georgia state park in east Douglas County, 15 miles (24 km) from downtown Atlanta. The park is named after Sweetwater Creek which runs through it. Cherokee people were forcibly removed from the area and it eventually became home to the New Manchester Manufacturing Company and mill town of New Manchester. During the American Civil War the textile mill and general store were burned down by the Union Army and the women and children taken away and eventually sent to Louisville, Kentucky and Indiana as refugees.[1][2]

Sweetwater became an official state park in 1972, driven in great part by the work of the Georgia Conservancy, an environmental organization that was formed during a meeting at Sweetwater Creek in 1967. The park features wooded walking and hiking trails, the George Sparks Reservoir, a visitor center, a bait shop, and a gift shop, as well as the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company.

The Visitor Center displays artifacts that belong to Native Americans, remnants from the Civil War era, and mounted animals and birds. The park has rich biodiversity, geology, and history. The park's mission is to conserve environment for the present and future generations through use of various conservation methods such as bioretention ponds, solar panels, green roofs, and a composting toilet.

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Driving Georgia SR-136 E Cloudland Canyon to I-75 S Marietta

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Morgan Falls Overlook Hiking Trail + Bull Sluice Lake Sandy Springs Georgia

Morgan Falls Reservoir Loop is a 1.4 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Roswell, Georgia that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and birding and is best used from April until September. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Bull Sluice Lake is a 2.1 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Atlanta, Georgia that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking and fishing and is best used from April until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

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Simpsonwood Hiking Trail Peachtree Corners Georgia

Simpsonwood is named after its donor, Ludie Simpson, who bequeathed 223 pristine acres with frontage on the Chattahoochee River to the Methodist church in 1973 with the understanding that it would not be subdivided or developed. The church operated a lodge/conference center on the property, but at a loss and decided to sell. Fortunately, Gwinnett County was able to procure the property in 2016.

The goal is for the park to lean more toward a nature preserve than a community park with minimal improvements being planned. As of this date, the lodge has been demolished and the hardscape area is in the process of being re-vegetated. Only a small chapel remains and will operate as a wedding venue. There is a 3.1 mile dirt trail around the perimeter which is through mature hardwoods. The high point of the park of course is the Chattahoochee River. The most direct route to the river is an asphalt roadway through the park’s center that limits vehicle access only up to the chapel. The park is a popular destination for hikers, dog walkers, and fly fishermen.

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Biking Roswell Ramble Hiking Trail Georgia

Roswell Ramble Trail is a 4.6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Roswell, Georgia that features a river and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

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Island Ford Hiking Trail Chattahoochee River park Georgia

Island Ford Park doesn’t seem to attract the weekend crowds of some of the other Atlanta-area parks on the Chattahoochee River, like the ultra-popular trails at Cochran Shoals. But that’s a bonus, as far as we’re concerned: the Island Ford Trail packs in a ton of woodland beauty and scenic river views along its length, but with ample parking and some mid-forest serenity.

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Vickery Creek Hiking Trail + Old Mill + Dam Roswell Georgia

A covered bridge. Civil war mill ruins. A towering waterfall that pours from a historic spillway dam. There’s just a lot to love about the Vickery Creek Trail at Roswell Mill: it’s scenic, shady, and makes a great in-town hike or moderate trail run. This five-mile adventure explores the historic Roswell Mill and the surrounding rolling forest in Roswell, Georgia. It’s one of the best hikes in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area parks near Atlanta, though its trails don’t follow the actual banks of the Chattahoochee River. Instead, this hike explores the historic remains of Roswell Mill and visits the mill’s spillway dam waterfall on a Chattahoochee River tributary. The 5+ mile trail network hikes through beautiful, rolling forest and catches views of the rushing dam waterfall from a steep rock bluff.

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The Alpine Coaster || Roller Coaster In The Mountains

Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster is a mountain coaster located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It opened on August 3rd, 2013, and was the first mountain coaster to be built in the Smoky Mountains. The coaster is also the longest alpine coaster in the United States as well.

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Sims Lake Park Trail Suwanee Georgia " A Morning Walk"

The multi-use hard trail primarily provides 2 distance options.  The route around the lake is 0.7 mile and by extending the route into the adjoining woods, one can increase the loop to 1.2 miles .  The route along the lake passes by a garden pool with waterfall,  metal artwork, and a flagstoned  landing with cascading streamscape.  The trail is ideal for runners, cyclists, dog walkers, seniors, families with strollers, and anyone starting a fitness program.

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Cades Cove Great Smoky Mountains Tennessee Driving and Exploring

Cades Cove is an isolated valley located in the Tennessee section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA. The valley was home to numerous settlers before the formation of the national park. Today Cades Cove, the single most popular destination for visitors to the park, attracts more than two million visitors a year because of its well preserved homesteads, scenic mountain views, and abundant display of wildlife. The Cades Cove Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. #cadescove #greatsmokymountains #driving

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The Birds At Parrot Mountain And Gardens Pigeon Forge Tennessee

When you pull up you’ll see a 200 foot of dry stacked stone fence like the ones you see in Ireland. A replica of Thomas Kinkade stairway to paradise. As you start down the beautiful landscaped paved pathways you will come to these unique parrot cottages which house the parrots each one uniquely designed having different roof lines such as , slate roofing , clay tile roofing, water reed roofing, cedar shake roofing, these are not just birds cages. Pathways are lined with natural field stone.

As you stroll down the paths you will see tropical birds sitting on open perches lining the pathways. Then you will come to a little yellow door which is the secret garden as you enter the garden you awed at the landscaping, then you look up and you’ll see toucans, a silvery-cheek hornbill, magpie’s, ect.. in the garden flying freely. It’s beautiful to see birds in flight.

When you exit the secret garden you will come to the bird garden there you will find approximately 70 birds on open perches and here you can feed them seed from your hand, have pictures made with them or just walk around and look at them. What’s amazing is to see all the different species, sizes and gorgeous colors of the birds up close and personal.

When you exit the bird garden you stroll down the beautifully landscaped pathways then you come to the lory aviary. Here you can feed the lories nectar from a cup in your hand. These multicolor birds are gorgeous.

Upon exiting the lory aviary you pass by a picturesque waterfall, have a seat in the butterfly, dragonfly or peacock benches next to the waterfall and enjoy the soothing sound.

Next you come to the baby bird nursery where you can pet the babies and see them being hand fed. You will see see babies at different stages of development. You can even purchase a bird to take home, our trained staff will show you how to feed your bird and give you instructions on how to take care of your new member of your family. You will be able to purchase everything here to care for your bird, we can also ship your bird if you would like.

Then after this exciting adventure you can visit our gift shop where you can find unique items for your home and have lunch sitting out on our deck while viewing the garden and birds.

[imountaindo]

Nature and coffee. Perfect combination.