Post T-day Stone Mountain Hike

Another tradition at our house is hiking stone mountain on Friday after Thanksgiving. I think we started that with my friend Mark (Uncle Mark to my kids) a number of years ago. It's a great way to get some exercise and burn off some of the big meal the next day. One year we couldn't go up due to icy conditions so Mark, the kids, and I had to walk around the mountain instead. This year was much nicer but it was still cold and there as some ice in places along the trail. I think the highs were in the 40s today but it was sunny and beautiful.

Family photo at the top of Stone Mountain with Atlanta in the background.

 

A "smiley" on the mountain side. Mark taught us to look for smiley faces :)

I go to Stone Mountain all the time but usually just to run around the base of the mountain (5 mile loop). I always forget what a great workout it is to walk up the mountain (1 mile up). My legs are like rubber by the end. Emily just want to lie down and the top and not go back down :). Clearly not an option. Another great year, great thanksgiving day, and so much to be thankful for. Can't wait for 2015.

The First Eggnog of the Year!

The kids and I love eggnog! Diane likes it but doesn't seem to get as excited about it as we do. We try really hard not to start drinking eggnog too much before Thanksgiving but man is it hard. This year we made it to today (the day before Thanksgiving); not too shabby. Last year Emily and I took a photo of us drinking our first eggnog of the season (below).

First nog of 2013!

So we decided to continue with that tradition this year. We drink a variety of brands but the Publix generic is our preference. And we always make it extra special by using a microplane to grate a little fresh nutmeg on the top of each glass. That makes it smell so good and man is it delicious. It was also Drew's birthday yesterday so I had to throw in a little photo of that (the big 15!).

The first eggnog of 2014!

Drew and his chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream cake

I also like to make my "patented" Nog Russians. Basically - a White Russian with eggnog substituting the cream or milk.

Nog Russian

1 part (shot glass full or little less) coffee liquor (Kahlua)

2 parts vodka

eggnog to your liking (couple tablespoons?)

freshly grated nutmeg

couple ice cubes

 

I'll have to add a photo for that later. Enjoy the season!

Arabia mountain

The last few weekends I have visited Arabia Mountain. It is only about 30 minutes away, a beautiful spot to hike or ride bikes, and doesn't have the crowds like it's sister Stone Mountain. Two weeks ago Diane and I took a motorcycle ride there, walked the bike path and hiked to the top. This weekend the kids and I went and took the forest trail to Arabia Lake and then walked out into the bare rock area (don't know what else to call it). Anyway here are a few photos of our trips.



Flowers at top of Arabia Mountain

 

Arabia Mountain



Drew and I in the rock lands near the lake

Arabia Lake

More flowers

Some kind of cool ground cover in the woods and near the lake. Sort of like lichens.....need to look it up.

Drew and Emily at Arabia Lake

We had beautiful Fall weather for both days and had a great time. We definitely want to go back with our bikes so we can explore the bike trails and cover more terrain.