Annual Wolf Moon Winter Gathering with our Chattahoochee River Nat’l Rec Area Friends

12:45 PM Saturday Update:  EVENT CANCELLATION by NATIONAL PARK SERVICE!
Sorry to have to let you know that we just got the word from Ranger Jerry Hightower and other "Friends of the Chattahoochee" that the Wolf Moon Gathering today and our AOC "Pre-Hike" both have to be canceled due to the wintry weather and the icy condition of some of the metro-area roads & bridges.  We look forward to offering both nice events again nfor the AOC ext winter! -  Charlie & Jerry

We AOCers have greatly enjoyed this festive annual winter party in past years. All fans of the Chattahoochee River Nat'l Recreation Area (CRNRA) are encouraged to attend, and we're excited about offering it again as an AOC "participation event."  Our friend, ranger Jerry Hightower is again hosting the annual "Wolf Moon Gathering" at the Chattahoochee River Environmental Education Center. (See Directions & GPS Info below and register below.) This will be a great opportunity to meet with Jerry & other "Friends of the Hooch" and celebrate the new decade's arrival with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts.  As usual we expect to enjoy the warmth of a blazing fire or two and lots of delicious food & refreshments - also we'll discuss upcoming opportunities to "give back" to the river and its surrounding parklands & trails.
  Again this year we're offering a convenient optional 2-hour AOC "Jones Bridge CRNRA Pre-Hike" just prior to the Wolf Moon.  We'll conveniently meet & park for the Hike in the free Ed Center lot at 2:45 PM.  Click here for that separate event and register also for it if you're interested!  https://www.atlantaoutdoorclub.com/event/details.asp?eventid=18101

Our AOC group for this "Wolf Moon Gathering" event will hook up with one another a few minutes before 5:00 PM on the top floor rear deck of the Environmental Ed Center.  (- also greet our hosts and other attendees there.  See Directions, GPS Info and Parking advice below.)  No problem if you need to arrive a bit late, and also feel free to depart at any time that's convenient.

Ranger Jerry Hightower's Invitation includes this information:

Dear Volunteer, Partner, or Friend of the Chattahoochee River,
 You, your family, and your friends are cordially invited to the annual Wolf Moon Gathering at the Chattahoochee River Environmental Education Center, 8615 Barnwell Road Johns Creek, Georgia 30022.  It will begin a bit after 4:00 PM and last at least until about 8:00 PM.  Gather with friends, old and new, for good food, good conversation, and good companionship - any time after 4:00 PM. Gather and enjoy the warmth of the great room fireplace, the campfire by the lake and the spirit of the Wolf Moon.  You are most welcome and encouraged to bring a festive food item to share with others.  You're also welcome to bring your own personal beverage.  Please feel free to bring photographs and stories of your experiences in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.  Ham, turkey, coffee, hot chocolate, water, hot apple cider and lemonade will be provided.  The favor of a reply is requested.

Jerry Hightower  678-538-1245  jerry_hightower@nps.gov  Environmental Education Coordinator, Planning & Resource Stewardship Division, Chattahoochee River Nat'l Recreation Area

The following is excerpted from a nice extra note from Jerry in 2018, addressing a few questions:

Dear Folks,  Several of you have asked if you could bring side dishes and if this is a potluck dinner event.  As mentioned in the invitation, ham & turkey and various hot & cold drinks will be provided.  Also my co-hosts and I will provide several hearty side dishes, salads, desserts, etc. - also dinnerware, an oven & microwave oven for reheating dishes, etc.  Please bring any item that you would like to contribute from a bag of chips to a casserole to a dip, etc.  However, bringing food or refreshments is strictly optional. The most important thing is your presence. This is a very casual, informal open house style gathering of interesting persons. Please plan on joining us and please bring your appetite along with a friend. Also, please remember not to eat dinner before the Wolf Moon Winter Gathering. I very much hope to see you there and hope your time till then is filled with smiles. - Jerry 

ABOUT MR. HIGHTOWER and the CRNRA's Stewardship, Volunteerism, and Nature Education Programs:  Jerry grew up in north metro Atlanta and since childhood has loved the Chattahoochee and its surrounding forests, ecosystems and trails.  He joined the professional staff of the CRNRA as an Interpretive Ranger soon after its founding in the '70s and over the decades has gained hundreds of fans and disciples.  He and his colleagues offer a wide variety of year-round free outings including nature hikes, paddling excursions, volunteer river channel & bank cleanups, and trail maintenance projects - also nature education programs & campfires for kids.  We AOCers are fortunate to have participated in dozens of these fine events over the years and they're always rewarding, friendly and fun!  In addition to the Nat'l Park Service Jerry is an active supporter of other fine nature & conservation organizations and has served as president of the GA Botanical Society.  

DIRECTIONS to the Chattahoochee River Environmental Education Center, located at 8615 Barnwell Road, Johns Creek, GA 30022
GPS Users can enter this concise Lat/Lon as your Destination Address, being sure to include the comma and minus sign:  33.9899, -84.2582

FROM GA HWY. 400 near ROSWELL, GA:
1.  Take Exit 7, GA Hwy 140, "Holcomb Bridge Road,"
2.  Turn eastward  (toward Norcross) and go about 4 miles to the traffic light at Barnwell Rd. (CVS on right here & Kroger on left).
3. Turn Left onto Barnwell Rd and go about 0 .7 mile and look for the Education Center entrance on your right by the sign.
4.  Turn Right into the entrance road, go about 0.2 mile straight ahead and park in the designated area just beyond the Education Center.

FROM INTERSTATE  I-85 in NE METRO ATLANTA near NORCROSS:
1.  Take Exit 99, GA-140, "Jimmy Carter Blvd."
2.  Turn northwestward on GA-140 (toward Norcross and Roswell) and go about 6.6 miles to the traffic light at Barnwell Road.  (En route via GA-140 you'll cross Peachtree Industrial Blvd where Jiimmy Carter Blvd. becomes Holcomb Bridge Rd, and also you'll cross the Chattahoochee River bridge.)
3. Turn Right onto Barnwell Rd and go 0.7 mile.  As discussed above, look for the Education Center entrance on your right by the sign,
4.  Turn Right into the entrance road, ago about 0.2 mile straight ahead and park in the designated area just beyond the Education Center.

We event leaders will RSVP for all AOCers. Should you wish more information, Ranger Jerry Hightower can be contacted at 678-538-1245    jerry_hightower@nps.gov