Thu, Apr 14 2011 - AOC 10th Anniversary Dayhike ! (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Tony C, Larry Cooper Participants: Chris H, Bill Phillips, Julie Rambo, Richard K, Enid, Tony C, Joyce T., Marty B, Larry Cooper

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Write Up:
As is often the case, the weather played a huge factor with this event and just allowed it to really live up to its potential.  We lucked out with a beautiful spring day..temps in the 70s, low humidity and lots of sun.   And of course a really fun group as usual.  We hit Anna Ruby Falls first, just like that first AOC group did exactly 10 years prior.

We enjoyed the falls and took the first of our many group pics and then headed over to the Unicoi Lake Trail.  This was a leisurely stroll with some really pretty views, especially from on the damn looking back over the lake towards the mtns.

From there we stopped at Betty's store in Helen for snacks and sat outside on the rocking chairs, fueling up for the next hike...then we headed over to Yonah and hit the trail at 3:30.  So we still had 4 1/2 hs before sunset and really took our time on the way up...stopping to take lots of photos, especially of some hawks and buzzards soaring above (and then below) us, gliding on thermals.

We played a bit of frisbee on the summit, then just relaxed at some overlooks and enjoyed the sunset behind the distant mountains.  

So we headed down in the dark with our headlamps to end a very long and full day of outdoors adventure, celebrating the 10th anniv of first AOC hike and also all the natural beauty and wonder that we are so fortunate to have so close to home.

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