Lake Lanier/Buford Dam Day Hike May 9th, 2009 By Carol Robinson I started the day off excited and ready for a new adventure. When I arrived fourteen hikers were gathered at the designated REI parking lot and Jim Norvill, the hike leader was checking off the attendee list and Ellen Miller was helping with coordinating the carpools.  The Laurel Ridge Trail is an easy 3.8 mile hike and includes views of the shoreline of Lake Lanier, The Chattahoochee River and The Buford Dam. After we took our initial group picture, Jim handed out maps of the trail and the hike began.  It did not rain, but it was very humid.  Dressing in layers is very important due to weather and time changes.  Approximately an hour into the hike, the sun made a brief appearance.   Scott Harris our resident flora expect identified the following flora on the trail: Christmas fern, sassafras, venus looking glass, blueberry, jack in the pulpit, rattlesnake weed, club moss, poison ivy and mountain laurel.  I found Scott’s knowledge of the flora, which included origin and history, flowers that bloom from the plants and other tidbits very informative. My excitement grew when I recognized another fern called cinnamon fern.  Along the trail, Ellen was handing out these yellow flowers and I begin to smile because of walking with her I knew it was a honeysuckle.  I also knew how to get the honey from the plant. Listening and checking out the flora Scott was talking about I looked up and did not see a part of the group.  I mentioned that I was going to run ahead which I did to catch up with the rest of the group.  Scott informed me that there are markings on the top of the trees to point the way that are called blazes.  Outdoor group activities are great because there is safety in numbers. While we took some pictures along the boardwalk overlooking the Chattahoochee River, we saw goslings and people canoeing and kayaking.  We had a great diverse and interesting group.  A few months ago, the WCOG newsletter spotlighted Mimi Needham and I recognized her name from the article and was impressed to meet her in person because she completed an 8-day BRAG competition. I was happy to meet Alpha Bennett again.  She is a mature, seasoned triathlon competitor and international traveler who inspires and impresses me because she is active and can keep up with people half her age.   The hike was over and the remaining group gathered for lunch.  Eating a good breakfast, which I did, is essential.  Although, I read and knew we were to bring out lunch I did not.  Accommodating and generous the hikers were sharing their lunch and I was eating apples, trail mixes, and nuts.  Helpful hiking information from Jim, Scott, Alpha, and Ellen covered backpack selection, camelbacks, hiking shoes and attire.  Keeping a rain poncho in your backpack is a great idea, thanks Ellen. During our photo taking, I mentioned I was a newbie to hiking and discovered Dulcei, Sandra, Karen, Adam and Mimi came out to hike with the WCOG for the first time. I had a great time and workout. I hope to meet more of the WCOG members on the hikes, including the Hike Inn Group Trip in November.  By Victoria Hamilton The hike on Laural Ridge was my second Georgia Walking Club outing. It was a perfect Saturday morning hike through pristine foliage and well maintained trails. We were lucky enough to have nature enthusiasts among our group who could identify different plants and I was surprised to learn that these walks/hikes are first scouted by our fearless leaders!  Between the great conversation and the much needed exercise (after all, it is a walking club and the pace is healthy), I certainly look forward to the next hike.  Any Day is a Beautiful Day for a Hike! By Ellen Miller Fifteen intrepid hikers met at REI on a cloudy Saturday morning, even though several more had begged off due to the threatening weather.  I knew most of the hikers (although I hadn’t seen some of them for a while), but hadn’t met a few of the others.  However, during the 45-minute drive to our stating point, the 3.8-mile trek through the beautiful wooded landscape and our picnic lunch afterwards, we had the opportunity to talk with - and get to know - everyone there. The clouds remained constant companions during our walk, a welcome shield from the sun; we enjoyed breezes at some points, but wouldn’t have minded a bit of rain to cool us off.  We strolled or walked briskly down the trail, stopping occasionally to admire the remaining wildflowers.  (Scott is so handy to have along, since he knows most of the flowers’ names.)  But we didn’t have a drop of rain until we were graced with a sprinkle of cool drops that were a very refreshing accompaniment to our lunch. It was a wonderful hike - we got to visit the great outdoors, visit with others who enjoy hiking, and yet return to Atlanta shortly after lunch.  I am looking forward to visiting this park - and seeing the other hikers - again at the June picnic/hike!  By Fay Swennes What fun to experience a Saturday hike with fifteen of the club members. The location was beautiful, the weather was “iffy” and the hike, itself was just about right; four miles with no major hills. I saw some folks I had not seen in a while and met some for the first time. It was a good morning’s workout and we made it before the rains came! I even tasted a bit of honeysuckle nectar after enjoying its fragrant aroma for a couple of miles.  By Mimi Needham The hike was a perfect orchestration for a really great experience. We had a cloud covered walk to keep us from getting too warm, a picturesque trail with experts to inform us about the flora of the land and a cozy lunch after. Not until our trip home did the heavens open up to shower us with rain and help lake Lanier to fill with more water to invite us to hike again.  By Sandra Moreland I really enjoyed the hike.  I had been meaning to get over and check out this trail for some time, but never got around to it.  Going with the Walking Club was the catalyst that I needed.  What a gorgeous trail and very enjoyable to experience it with a fun, lively group, including our own personal botantist.  The "Laurel Trail" lived up to its name and was bursting with Mountain Laurel in its peak of bloom.  I look forward to joining future hikes with the Walking Club, and I'll be doing this Laurel Trail again soon with friends.   By Tom Redmond As a new member of WCOG, I'm hooked!  My wife Esther and I joined just in time for a well planned hike on the Laurel Ridge Trail at Lake Lanier close to Buford Dam.  What a terrific outing!  Clearly Jim's careful planning for a great event pays off.   Esther had a workshop commitment she could not change so I decided to check out this group on this first hike.  What a pleasure to meet with such quick new friends from such  wonderfully diverse backgrounds and share the time on a beautiful trail!  The travel time was less than an hour up 400 and over to the Buford Dam area near the lake.  The immediate friendships, group picture, and good conversation made for a great start.  Then the smell of laurel and rhododendron thickets, the well kept trail,  the crossing of creeks with little waterfalls, the conversations, the quiet forest, and the views of the lake took over and the two hours passed too quickly.   We paused for rest at key views, including the shelter site of the upcoming June 14th club picnic.  Scott's humble and expert knowledge of trailside flowers and ferns and trees added to the enjoyment and education of this terrific hike.  Yes, I worked up a sweat, even for this dedicated runner, but the exercise worked on muscles not so well used during the week and the scenery was absolutely superb whether by the water or in the deep woods. I think it's the combination of the WCOG members WITH the scenery that does it for me.  Yes, I'm hooked.  Can't wait to put on the t-shirt, strap on the water and powerbars, and join the next hike.   Esther's going to love this.