What: Tons of Fun Fitness Challenge
Where: Georgia State Parks
When: Begin now
Cost: $5 Parking Fee, Online resources available

The holidays are over and it’s time to get rid of those unwanted pounds and get fit (bathing suit season is around the corner you know:) The Georgia State Parks is encouraging everyone to get out and get fit and they’ve put together a new wellness program to help do it.

The new Tons of Fun Fitness Challenge features a website – TonsofFun.org — where Georgians can create an online profile to plan activities, track calories burned and document weight lost. The state’s goal is for citizens to lose one million pounds. Trainers and nutritionists will be available to answer questions online or during public programs.

Providence Canyon is part of the Georgia State Parks Canyon Climbers Club

The website also includes an event calendar with activities such as healthy cooking demonstrations, outdoor yoga classes and guided hikes. Make sure to check the Georgia State Parks overall calendar too, as there were some activities not listed on the Tons of Fun website that were on the main calendar for each park.

Look for more activities to come, including a program where you can borrow a dog for a hike. I love this idea. I’d love to have a dog, but am so busy that it just wouldn’t be fair to bring a pet into the family. With this program, I can get my pet fix without having to find him a place to stay when I go out of town.

For anyone who is embarking on a serious fitness program, the Tons of Fun website tools are a great way to track your efforts. Charts allow you to get a quick visual of your progress. For me, recording my food intake, exercise program and other health features every day would be a whole lot of work. I’d rather just take a longer walk.

However, the Tons of Fun Fitness Challenge does bring front and center how enjoying state parks in good for the body as well as the soul. Combine this program with the Get Outdoors Program already in place and you are on your way to better health. Get Outdoors includes several Clubs where participants pay a $10 fee to join then receive a prize for reaching their goal. Canyon Climbers is a challenge to hike four canyons in the state. Muddy Spokes Club challenges mountain bikers and casual cyclists to tackle 11 state parks and 68 miles of trails. The Park Paddlers Club offers an abundance of scenic waterways (22 miles in all) to explore, for both seasoned paddlers and wet-behind-the-ears beginners.

Atlanta Vacations

What: FDR State Park
Where: Warm Springs, Ga.
When: Open Daily
Cost: $5 Parking Fee

Our last stop on a recent tour of west Georgia was a camping trip to Franklin Delanor Roosevelt State Park in Warm Springs, Ga. The park is named for the only four term president in US history. FDR came to the area to find relief in the warm springs from polio. He enjoyed it so much, he built the only house he ever owned and the one in which he died. FDR State Park is a combination of beautiful scenery and National history. In addition to hiking a bit of the 42 miles of trails, here’s what we found:

1. Roosevelt Stables: This activity was a vacation favorite. Located within the park, the stables offer trail rides from one hour to overnight. If you have your own horse, they offer boarding and 28 miles of horse trails to discover. Children must be at least 6 years-old for the trail rides, but they do offer pony rides for the younger set. Make a reservation before you arrive. We called the week before and had no problem, but the day we arrived, they were booked for the entire weekend. Rates from $35.

2. Dowdell’s Knob: FDR’s favorite retreat when visiting the area was Dowdell’s Knob, a rocky outcropping where FDR would entertain friends using a grill that remains on the site or contemplate the issues of the day. As my children climbed on the statue and ran around the picnic area, I tried to imagine the weight of the issues FDR contemplated. A marker states that just before he died, FDR rode to this spot and told his secret servicemen to leave him until he honked the horn, more than two hours later. No doubt he was grappling with a decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan.

3. Camping: Our camp site was right on Lake Delanor. It was great to be free of TV and electronic devices. The first night, we sat by the lake and made up a progressive story that involved a catapil named Larry and an elephant that layed cheesecake eggs. The second night, we built a fire and the children who can’t sit still for a minute in church were engrossed for literally two hours.

4. FDR State Park Office: Located in a former Inn, the park office is made entirely of stone and was built by FDR’s Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) during the Great Depression. In addition to the Inn, the CCC built a swimming pool, bridge and several other structures within the park. In the park office are videos of former CCC members talking about their experience, that by today’s standards would seem like a prison, yet these gentlemen talked with pride about what they had accomplished and were grateful for the experience that many felt “made a man out of me.”

5. The Little White House: No visit to FDR State Park would be complete without a visit to the Little White House. Nestled on the estate is an museum that tells the story of FDR and his legacy. Among the many items, you can listen to his fireside chats and see his 1938 Ford convertible equipped with hand controls so the handicapped president could drive himself. The Little White House itself is amazingly small, but guard shacks scattered throughout the woods remind you that it is a place of importance. Nearby you can visit the actual pools where FDR sought relief from his polio. The pool is drained most of the year to preserve the historic structure, but you can feel the warm 88 degree water. Once a year, the pools are filled and opened to the public and in 2010, they will be open Memorial Day weekend. Admission ranges from $5 – $8.

What: George T. Bagby State Park
Where: Fort Gaines, Georgia
When: Open Daily
Cost: $5 Parking Fee

I once heard when raising children, it’s better to vacation at state parks, not theme parks. Although I do love a good theme park adventure, we took that advice this past spring break and visited three Georgia State Parks.

Our first stop, George T. Bagby State Park, along the banks of 48,000 acre Lake Walter F. George in Ft. Gaines, Ga. After an active day touring attractions in Albany, Ga., the boys were excited to just hang out at the park. In addition three miles of hiking trails, here’s what we found:

1. Boating: There is a full-service marina at the lake. Since we didn’t have a boat, we rented a canoe ($5 for an hour!) and paddled around beautiful cypress tree outcrops in the middle of the lake, explored inlets and even put in on a peninsula and did some exploring on foot. I was quite proud of my pinecone Christmas tree with shells and sand decorations.

2. Fishing: Anglers will be excited to know that a new state record blue catfish was captured on Walter F. George Lake in February. Too bad we didn’t fair as well. On our trip, we borrowed rods from the marina and purchased some crickets for $3. A very nice couple from Cuthbert, Ga. shared their fishing spot, but alas, we came up empty. It was a relaxing few hours though and we even had a picnic while we waited patiently for the fish to bite.

3. Golf: George T. Bagby has a Willard Byrd designed golf course and was ranked 6th best affordable public course in the U.S. by Golf Digest in 1998. Summer can get a bit hot and buggy here, but it’s the perfect location for a family golf trip any other season. Kids play for only $5 during the week and weekend afternoons. Georgia’s State Parks also sponsor junior golf leagues and tournaments.

4. Swim/Tennis/Playground: At the lodge is a traditional in-ground swimming pool and well maintained tennis courts including a backboard for solo hitting. The playground at George T. Bagby offers lots of different climbing, swinging and play structures. It’s located near the beach and picnic area, so wear a bathing suit and take a dip when you get too hot. There’s even a sand volleyball court for the older kids.

5. 1814 Frontier Village: A short drive south is the Frontier Village in Fort Gaines. Located on a bluff overlooking the Flint River and literally at the end of residential street, Frontier Village is an assembly of historic buildings from across the county. There is no entry fee or costumed interpreters, just buildings and historic markers letting you know the history. The village had a bit of a ghost town feel, as we were the only people there, but my boys had a blast playing in the lookout tower while I walked around. Now if Ft. Gaines would just get an ice cream shop!

Where to Stay: George T. Bagby State Park has cottages, lodge rooms and camping available. We stayed at the lodge and took advantage of the Georgia State Park “logical” rate of $69 a night which includes breakfast for two each morning. There are only a few cottages, so book well in advance if you want to stay there. The lodge rooms were clean, standard motel type rooms with outdoor access. The lodge has meeting facilities and a full restaurant.

What: Zip Lining Eco Tour
Where: North Georgia Canopy Tours, Lula, Ga.
When: Beginning April 1
Cost: 2 hour tour is $69, 3 hour tour is $89. Kids ages 10 to 15 years old fly half price every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, excluding holidays. One discounted Tour for a child per paying adult.

Last weekend, my middle son and I were treated to a sneak preview of the newest zip line course in the state. North Georgia Canopy Tours will open on April 1, just in time for spring break fun.If you’re staying in Atlanta for break, this is a great day trip and kids are half price on weekdays!

A canopy tour is a bit different than just a standard zip line. Canopy Tours are about the surroundings as much as the thrill of the zip. At North Georgia Canopy Tours they start you out “low and slow” to get used to the equipment, the heights and zipping.  I thought I would be petrified, but honestly, between the ground school introduction and the fact that the zip lines are taunt when you take off, it was like swinging through the trees. I wasn’t scared at all, even when we crossed the sky bridge. This coming from the person who had to be coaxed across the Tullulah Gorge bridge. Of course my 10-year-old was the first in line and thought the whole experience was a blast. He didn’t even flinch when he stopped short on one zip and had to go hand-over-hand to get to the next platform. Children must be at least 10 years old and 70 pounds to participate. As we saw with my son, you need the weight to finish some of the longer zips.

While you are zipping along, enjoy a birds-eye view of the North Oconee River, ravines, ponds, pastures and wildlife. Our host Kirk Watkins, a patent attorney by day, said the best time to see wild life is in the early morning or late evening. During our tour, the buds were just popping out on the trees, I can imagine when the leaves come in, it will be a completely different experience. Each tour is accompanied by two certified eco-trained guides. They do all the work and make sure your zip and safety cables are hooked on correctly. During each tour you’ll ride the ziplines, cross sky bridges and go on moderate hikes to the next platform. At the end a double zip allows you to race a partner.

If you missed Valerie Hoff’s Ways to Save segment on WXIA this morning, it featured me talking about Spring Break ideas. Here’s a link to the article Spring Break Ideas on the WXIA site. If you are planning a spring break trip, here are some other blog posts you might be interested in perusing:

Going to Jekyll Island, Ga.? Here are 5 Things to Do on Jekyll Island and information on Geochacing on Jekyll Island.
Going to St. Simons Island, Ga.? Here are 5 Things to Do on St. Simon’s Island

Going to Orlando, Fla.? Here is a review of the Nickelodeon Hotel (note the deal this post links to is expired) and on the way down to Fla. you might want to stop at Wild Adventures in Valdosta.
Hitting a Georgia State Park? Here is information on Reed Bingham State Park, Sweetwater Creek State Park and Sope Creek as well as information on bird watching in Georgia
A Trip to Augusta, Ga.? Check out information on 5 Things to Do in Augusta
Staying in Atlanta? Here are 5 FREE things to do in Atlanta and here are 5 More FREE things to do in Atlanta

Finally, my list of Favorite Finds in 2009 and my List for 2010.

Enjoy the break and let me know what fun places you’ve discovered or re-discovered.

Image by The Suss-Man (Mike) via Flickr

Winner: Congratulations to the High Museum of Art ticket winner Laura K! Laura send me an email at sue@fieldtripswithsue.com with your address. FYI – All winners are chosen through random.org, I don’t actually pick the winners.

Now for our next present: Our prize today is four tickets to Callaway Gardens.

Although Callaway Gardens is free in January and February, you’ll want to go back in March and April when the azalea bowl is in full bloom. My children love the Birds of Prey show. I wouldn’t mind checking out the Callaway Gardens Spa. Hey, maybe leave the family home and head to Callaway with three friends.

How to win the Callaway Gardens Tickets: We’ll announce the winner Wed. morning, so become a subscriber of Field Trips with Sue via email (it’s FREE) and leave a comment below to let me know you want to win. That’s it.

Want an extra shot at winning? Follow @suerodman on twitter and tweet this: I want to win Callaway Gardens tickets in the Field Trips with Sue #FTWS Birthday Bash http://bit.ly/53XBco. Make sure you include the link.

What: Free Admission
Where: Callaway Gardens, Pine Mtn., GA
When: January and February
Cost: FREE

Callaway Gardens is about an hour and a half from downtown Atlanta and a great day trip, especially during January and February when admission is free! There are no coupons or special discounts to keep track of either, just show up.

Once you are there, enjoy the beautiful Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, the Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center and make sure to check the times for the birds of prey show. My boys always love seeing the bird shows. Bring your bikes, or rent them on site, the Gardens has more than 10 miles of bike trails. We just enjoyed walking from the Discovery Center to the butterfly house. The boys found turtles, cool sticks, watched fish in the creek and had a great time just running around.