Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1510185
70 maconmagazine.com | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 he's devoted to sharing the natural, historical and cultural beauty of Middle Georgia with all who will listen. From detailing trails on his blog to leading a hiking ministry at Forsyth United Methodist Church, inspiring others to engage with the outdoors is his passion. "When I began looking for places to hike without having to drive 3 hours to go to North Georgia, I began finding places in or near Middle Georgia that I didn't know about or I had forgotten about," he said. "Also, when researching these places, I found interesting historical sites and cool places nearby. This kind of reawakened my eyes to realize that we have much to be proud of right here in Middle Georgia. On our hikes, I like to talk about the history of the area, how Indian Springs was a resort area during the Gilded Age, the power generation at High Falls, the people that lived at Brown's Mount, and especially the Indigenous people that lived along the creeks and rivers, that lived and traveled on this land for tens of thousands of years before the European settlers." clothing to get started. If you aren't sure about a trail or just need a little confidence boost to get started, that is where I come in. I love showing people a trail for the first time. Some people have fears associated with hiking. If I can just get them on a trail, I can alleviate a good number of those fears by 'holding their hand' while they face some of those fears." 'Hike' can be a fearsome word. The image of an athletic-type comes to mind, scaling a mountain easier than I might scale one flight of stairs. But hiking isn't just about getting there. By nature, it's about the journey. Specifically, a 'folk hike' is one that pays close attention to what is happening in and around the group on the trail. Pam o en invites other organizations – like Macon Mental Health Matters – to participate by leading mindfulness exercises alongside the hiking event. Another person building a community around hiking is Forsyth's Glenn Watson. Founder of outdoor brand Red Dirt Vagabond, Whether it be learning the land's history, connecting with wildlife, exceeding a daily step goal, or finding a scenic view that inspires, hiking can bring many rich experiences to those who incorporate it into their days.