The Hike

And the hike continued to be a pain in the ass. Took me forever to figure out the parking and trail head. The park is HUGE and I ended up at the furthest entrance gate (it was like an amusement park entrance). Finally got settled and now I'm in the know. Glad I went really early.

I solo hiked up the mountain; 1 mile up, 700 feet elevation. It was beautiful and a lot of fun going up the granite. It's all stone and some parts so steep they installed hand rails. Then met up with the group for another 8.5 miles around the mountain. 

It was just a group of 8 women and it was in my top 5 hikes with this club. We had such a good time.

Incredible flowers on the granite

Stone Mountain

Trail that honors women
artists

Entrance to women's trail

Old mill

Hiked around 2 lakes

Halfway up the mountain

Starting up the granite climb

Early pizza dinner with the family. The GF pizza was good -- the other local place is better, but this is a solid option too. It hit the spot. We walked around the area after dinner. 

There was a farm stand and I got a few things to make ratatouille using the garden peppers and eggplants. I have a craving for it. Every 10 years or so (no exaggeration), I decide to make it and it's delicious. Then I forget about it and wait until the next craving. Maybe it'll be on rotation more than every decade now.

Have a good Labor Day. Later gators.