announcing: INTO THE WOODS: ATLANTA

source: age old tree / ann whittaker

There. I did it. I have been talking about it with myself and my husband for weeks, and tonight I went ahead and just set it all up. 

A few months ago, one of my absolute favorite bloggers, Ann Whittaker of Age Old Tree started this monthly gathering of women in her neck of the woods to women to get, well, out into the woods.

Readers of this blog will know that being outside and in the woods is what makes me feel the most alive. I crave it. I need it. It keeps me sane. It gives me the perspective to move on and forward with my life in the short term and the long term. 

As mothers, especially those of us with very small children, we can often feel like we're -- well, let's face it -- dying at times. I know I feel that way when I feel confined by schedules and routines. But hiking and being on a trail has always been good medicine for me, and I feel especially liberated knowing I can put my youngest in a backpack and hit the trail. It won't last long, but for now, I live for it. 

So I decided to start an Atlanta chapter of "Into the Woods". The focus of this group will be to focus on the abundance of trails here in the Atlanta area... to help women who need exercise and a new perspective realize that nothing except a short car ride and a little motivation can dramatically impact their world. 

I have established a Facebook group which you can find here, where I've posted details about our first event on Wednesday, February 27th. 

I am so excited about this and I am mostly excited to encourage women and mothers to experience the joys of the outdoors either alone or with their kids. 

For now, here are some photos/videos of recent hikes near my home. Come join me as we venture deeper into the woods!