Lovin’ the Journey Gravy Trail By Mark Holloway
I
’m like a mosquito in a nudist camp. I don’t know where to start. How can I tell you in just a few words of all the options we have here to explore, train, run, hike, paddle, pedal, and climb.
Deep sigh.....I can’t. I can tell you this much, there is a goodly portion of outdoor choices in these here hills for which we can all be thankful. Speaking of thankful, I’ve decided thankfulness is a renewable resource. I’m thankful today for the very things I’ll be thankful for tomorrow. If for some reason I run out of things to be thankful for, I can merely start over, pondering my blessings all over again. Selfishness, on the other hand is a hope-killer and energy drainer. So let’s stick with thankfulness. Let’s first talk about my first outdoor love... running. No offense to the track walkers, but asphalt in circles isn’t the best choice when 80 percent of our neck of the woods is wooded. Word on the trail is there are more than 1,000 miles of unpaved routes here. Yep, in this tiny little corner of Georgia. The trail head of Panther Creek Falls is in the ‘swoop’ of Old Historic Highway 441 just south of the Rabun/Habersham County Line. This is my favorite trail to run. If offers non-stop whitewater, cliffs of peril, boulders, and a huge reward of a waterfall and pool at the midway point of this 7 mile out and back. Let’s ease slightly north to Tallulah Gorge. This cut in the earth is a must do for runners. You can cardio your way to each North Rim Overlook and then cross the massive suspension bridge to the South Rim and run those overlooks, like grabbing seconds at your Thanksgiving table. I’ve run from Hale Ridge to York House and even from Betty’s Creek to Tiger. One time I ran from my friend Danny Gillespie’s cabinet shop in Mountain City to the top of Black Rock and back. But lately I’ve been training exclusively on our trails. I’m gearing up for the annual Atlanta Make-A-Wish fundraiser where hearty souls hike 22 miles of the Bartram Trail. This fine group asks us Search and Rescue volunteers to provide escort along the route. I’ve accepted the assignment again to pace the first group comprised of runners. I’ll have medical gear and my two-way radio in the event an athlete needs help. They’re inspiring folks who make hearts happier. Cycling here is a big deal. There’s a trail near my home called Stonewall/ White Twister. It’s a dedicated 16 mile route of creek-crossing adventure. I mountain bike it with my older and better looking friend Greg Funkhouser and the Tallulah Falls Athletic Director Scott Neal. I also run it with my future son-in-law, Bret. This amazing trail system exists
58 GML - November 2020
