Explore the State Botanical Garden of GA in Athens! - Sat, Nov 13 2010

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Explore the State Botanical Garden of GA in Athens!


The Basics:
Event Type:Adventure
Event Location: 2450 S Milledge Ave, Athens, GA 30605
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Nov 13 2010  11:30 am >> N/A  (Carpool Departure: 10:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Wed, Nov 10 2010 4:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Nov 12 2010 10:00 pm
Event Duration:4 hours + 1-hour drive each way if carpooling
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Charlie Cottingham
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 8 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:


OVERVIEW:  The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is a 300-acre forested preserve and public education facility in Athens, on a bend of the Oconee River just 3 miles south of the U of GA campus. It boasts about 5 miles of beautiful nature trails and is free of charge for the enjoyment of all who love nature.
  Since the weather is shaping up to be gorgeous this Saturday I thought it would be a good opportunity for myself and a few fellow AOCers to explore the Garden and its trail system.  This will be my first visit—hence my designation of this outing as an "Adventure!
  Our plan will be to enjoy about 2 hours of easy to moderate hiking and to visit some of the formal displays of native and exotic plant species.  At about 1:00 PM we'll plan to take a half-hour break from our "exploring" to have lunch together at the "Gardenside Cafe" inside the Garden.
  The Garden's very nice official website is:
     http://www.uga.edu/botgarden  

A BIT MORE DETAIL: 
Founded in 1968, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia is intended for all who find beauty, knowledge and solitude in a garden setting.  It also serves as a "living laboratory" for U. of Georgia students and faculty who utilize the collections and natural plant communities for studies in a variety of disciplines.
  Along the 5 miles of hiking trails are a wide variety of natural features and plant communities.  The terrain includes wetlands, floodplains, slopes, and upland plateaus. Portions of the trail system parallel the shoreline of the Middle Oconee River which borders the western portion of the Garden.
  Wildlife such as foxes, rabbits, raccoons, possums and numerous bird species find the Garden a natural habitat, and birding is a popular activity.  The Garden and adjoining U. of GA Whitehall Forest have been designated an "Important Bird Area" by the Audubon Society.
  Sites of archeological interest include several old home sites and rock mounds of uncertain origin.
  The "Gardenside Cafe" on Saturdays offers soups and sandwiches and sometimes a salad bar—also a variety of beverages.
  The Garden's main phone number for Visitor Information is 706-542-1244.  For detailed online maps of the Garden and its Trail System use this link:
http://www.uga.edu/botgarden/infomaps.html


Required Items to Bring:

• Wear comfortable well-broken-in Athletic Shoes or Hiking Boots, Synthetic or Wool-blend Socks, and comfortable lightweight Clothing Layers appropriate for the weather.

Hydrate in advance and carry in a light Daypack or Fanny Pack a filled Water Bottle (or other favorite soft beverages)—or if you have one, your filled "Camelbak" or other hydration system.

• For Lunch at the Gardenside Cafe, bring perhaps $10 to $15 in Cash (+ a Credit Card if you like.)

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

• Consider bringing a pair of Trekking Poles if you have a pair and like to use them.  A simple Hiking Stick is an excellent alternative.

• Consider bringing your Camera—also perhaps lightweight Binoculars if you have a pair, for birding, etc.

• Consider bringing a couple of Snack Items in your pack along with your water.


How to Get There:
Event Directions:


TO the GARDEN, from the SPAGHETTI JUNCTION INTERCHANGE (I-85/I-285) in NE Atlanta:
 
1) Take I-85 North about 4 miles where you'll pass our optional "Indian Trail Rd" carpool meeting point at Exit #101.

2) CONTINUE on I-85 North (from Indian Trail) about 5 more miles to the Exit #106 "GA-316 East" interchange and bear Right onto GA-316 toward Lawrenceville & Athens.

3) Take GA-316 East about 40 miles  (passing Lawrenceville and Dacula en route) to the US-78 "Athens Perimeter" beltway, and bear Right off GA-316 at the "US-78 E/GA-10 Loop S" exit ramp.

4) Merge here onto US-78 East (the beltway) and follow it eastward for about 4 miles.

5) Take Exit #6 off US-78, turn Right onto Milledge Ave, and follow it southward about 0.8 mile.

6) Near the top of the hill look for a small stone sign for the "State Botanical Garden of GA," turn Right onto the Garden entrance road, and proceed about 0.5 mile into the Garden.

7) For parking, the Garden reps recommend that after we cross a metal "cattle grate" in the roadway we take the second available Right turn toward the "Callaway Building" and park in that "lower" Parking Lot.  In the unlikely event that this lot is full, we can drive instead to the larger main lot which is nearby.

8) Our entire AOC group will plan to gather at about 11:30 AM by the "circular fountain" in front of the main entrance to the large Visitor Center & Conservatory (or just inside it at the information desk if it happens to be raining).

9) If you use an onboard GPS navigation system (or would like to use "Google.com/maps," etc. to prepare a custom map or directions to the State Botanical Garden of GA from your point of departure) use this as your destination address:
   2450 S Milledge Ave, Athens, GA 30605
 
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Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):100Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 10:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $40.00 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Notes:
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost Includes:


Free Event with Free Parking!


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.