After starting at the top of Amicalola Falls, we split off for a moderate 5.5-mile hike with 1000 feet of elevation change. Our destination was the Hike Inn, a Gold LEED facility (think composting toilets, solar panels, and worms that eat kitchen scraps).
And here is what greeted us at the end:
This wonderful little gem had hot showers and yummy meals waiting for us after a fun day outdoors...much better than sleeping in a tent in the backcountry!
The meals were AWESOME - roast beef, mashed potatoes, buns, salad, roasted veggies, cherry cobbler at dinner. Then scrambled eggs, bacon, peach bread, grits, OJ, and coffee for breakfast. WAY better than what we can do while camping.
Our bunkhouse room had single bunk beds, hooks, a fan, and a little stool - that's it. Oh, and you re-use your mug and cup the entire time (see, it's labeled with your name!).
There is a Sunrise Room, a common room with games, books, guitars, cards, etc. Jeff and I tried to play checkers. We couldn't remember the rules though - and since it's a no cell phone facility, we had to give up (normally you would just Google the rules, right?).
Star Base was constructed so the spring and fall equinox shine directly through that little hole into the back of the cave. Very cool.
All the buildings - bunkhouse, bathhouse, mess hall, sunrise room, and check-in area - are all connected by covered walkways.
Which was a good thing - because although you can't see it here, we are getting ready to take off on Sunday morning for the 5.5-mile hike back. In the absolutely POURING rain. And 55 degrees.
Thus, this was our last photo of the trip as we didn't want to get the camera out in the rain!!! We set a personal best time to hike 5.5 miles - 2 hours and 45 minutes...guess a little rain incentivized us.
We've already booked some rooms for the fall colors in mid-October. Lois, and a few of her friends will be joining us...let us know if you would like to do it too and we'll add you to the block!!!
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