Field Trips with Sue » Recreation http://www.fieldtripswithsue.com Things to do with kids in and around metro Atlanta and beyond. Wed, 08 Sep 2010 05:08:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Zip Line through North Georgia’s Canopy http://www.fieldtripswithsue.com/2010/03/zip-line-through-north-georgias-canopy.html http://www.fieldtripswithsue.com/2010/03/zip-line-through-north-georgias-canopy.html#comments Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:55:56 +0000 Sue http://www.fieldtripswithsue.com/?p=1073

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 [...]]]>

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.

Share/Bookmark]]> http://www.fieldtripswithsue.com/2010/03/zip-line-through-north-georgias-canopy.html/feed 8 National Wildlife Week: Get Out There and Bird Watch http://www.fieldtripswithsue.com/2010/03/national-wildlife-week-get-out-there-and-bird-watch.html http://www.fieldtripswithsue.com/2010/03/national-wildlife-week-get-out-there-and-bird-watch.html#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:39:49 +0000 Sue http://www.fieldtripswithsue.com/?p=957 This week, March 15 – 21, is National Wildlife Week, sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation. As one activity to get you outside, NWF suggests birdwatching. There are lots of great places in or near Atlanta to go birdwatching from afar or see birds up close.  There are also several guided bird hikes [...]]]>
National Wildlife Federation
Image via Wikipedia

This week, March 15 – 21, is National Wildlife Week, sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation. As one activity to get you outside, NWF suggests birdwatching. There are lots of great places in or near Atlanta to go birdwatching from afar or see birds up close.  There are also several guided bird hikes around town. Here are five places to get you started. If you know others, please leave a comment for everyone.

  1. Piedmont Park Bird Walks – Held the first Saturday of every month from 8 – 9 am, birders meet at the Community Center located at 1071 Piedmont Ave. near the 12th St. entrance. The hikes are FREE and last one hour. When you’re done, enjoy all the other fabulous activities at Piedmont Park.
  2. Atlanta Audubon Society – The society sponsors bird walks in a number of places including the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Fernbank Forest and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. For those of you on the Southside, there is also a walk originating at the Newnan Wetlands Center. Kennesaw Mountain is one of the best places in the Eastern US to see spring (mid-April – early May) and fall (early Sept. – mid-Oct) bird migrations. The walks are free, but there may be a nominal parking fee at some locations. For a complete list of walk locations, dates, times and the types of birds you are likely to see, visit the Atlanta Audubon Society website.
  3. Dauset Trails Nature Preserve – If you aren’t an early riser, or would rather see your birds close up, Dauset Trails has several birds of prey on display. The birds were injured and cannot go back to the wild. You’ll see hawks, eagles and lots of other animals too. The nature preserve is free, but they do accept donations.
  4. Dunwoody Nature Center – Reserve a Birds I-Spy Backpack at Dunwoody Nature Center. The packs are $10, but admission to the center is FREE. Inside the pack you’ll find everything you need to take your own bird hike including:  a notebook of information and activities, Peterson Guide to birds, Audubon Pocket Guide, bird song identifier, Professor Noggin’s Bird Game, Bird Bingo, Wild Bird Bandana Bingo, binoculars and more!
  5. Chattahoochee Nature Center – On March 27 from 8 – 10 am, introduce your kids to birding with Master Birder and wildlife volunteer Zelia Lebeau. It’s a great class for the beginner birder. When you are done, you can visit the many birds of prey that live at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. These activities are free with admission to the Center. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $5 for children.
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Share/Bookmark]]> http://www.fieldtripswithsue.com/2010/03/national-wildlife-week-get-out-there-and-bird-watch.html/feed 6 Better Mornings Features Sports Discounts and Freebies http://www.fieldtripswithsue.com/2010/01/better-mornings-features-sports-discounts-and-freebies.html http://www.fieldtripswithsue.com/2010/01/better-mornings-features-sports-discounts-and-freebies.html#comments Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:20:58 +0000 Sue http://www.fieldtripswithsue.com/?p=647 Nuclear Cowboyz at [...]]]> CBS Better Mornings AtlantaWinner: Amy C. You are the winner of the Thomas the Tank Engine Train Pack. Please email me your address (sue@fieldtripswithsue.com). We’ll be back next week with more prizes, until then…
Yesterday’s Field Trips with Sue segment on Better Mornings Atlanta featured great discounts on sporting events and lots of freebies. Here’s a list:

Nuclear Cowboyz at the Georgia Dome, Feb. 13
Atlanta Braves Community Caravan
Silver Scream Spookshow

The LEGO Store Mini-Model Lego Build at Discover Mills Mall (Info coming next week)
Atlanta Thrashers Open Practice
FTWS Ongoing Birthday Bash (lots of great prizes to come!)

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