CONNECT

  • Check out i[x] on Facebook!
  • Follow i[x] on Twitter!
  • Subscribe to the i[x] RSS Feed
  • Check out the i[x] channel on YouTube

  • You are currently browsing the archives for the Travel category.

Blog


05.15.12 Take a Hike!
Posted under: Feature Post 2, Travel Posted by:

Spring is a great time to get outside, and Georgia has a lot to offer if you’re looking to experience the great outdoors. Spending time in the woods is a great way to recharge, get some exercise and see the state – all at the same time. Plus, most state parks only cost $5.00 for a whole day so you can have fun on a budget. So, are you ready to go? Good. Here is a list we’ve put together to help you find your way to the best trails. Enjoy!

1. Dukes Creek Falls - Blairsville, Georgia
Located in the Chattahoochee National Forest, Dukes Creek Falls is a popular destination for hikers. You can walk a one mile trail (two miles round trip) down to the falls. People have been visiting the falls for a long time. As far back as 1540, Hernando DeSoto visited the area and miners have been panning for gold in the streams ever since. 

2. Amicalola Falls - Dahlonega, Georgia
If you’re looking for a great day hike then a visit to Amicalola Falls is in order. You will want to park at the base and make the trek up a seemingly endless series of stairs until reaching the top. Once you arrive you’ll be able to take in quite a view of the falls. You can also see the start of the Appalachian Trail and say hello to hikers returning from their journey.

3. Tallulah Gorge State Park - Tallulah Falls, Georgia
Established in 1993 by Governor Zell Miller, Tallulah Gorge State Park offers an amazing view of the canyon which is two miles long and over 1,000 feet deep. There are many trails around the rim and you can also get a permit to hike all the way to the gorge floor. Make sure to stop by The Dillard House for breakfast or lunch.

4. Cloudland Canyon State Park - Fawn Rising, Georgia
Located in the Northwest corner of the state, Cloudland Canyon offers panoramic views and excellent hiking trials. It’s one of the largest and most scenic parks in Georgia. You can hike down to the bottom of the gorge on a series of trails and staircases. At the base you’ll find two waterfalls that run into pools.

No Comments »



03.19.12 Spring Broke!
Posted under: Lifestyle, Money Management, Travel Posted by:

March is known for many things – midterms, daylight savings time, and, of course, spring break vacation. Spring break trips, by their very nature, vanquish hard-earned surplus funds and eliminate any and all leftover holiday checks from generous distant relatives. But while you might try to concoct a MasterCard-esque rationalization that a week’s worth of zany adventures with your best palls is “priceless,” bear in mind these few simple tips to save yourself some unnecessary expenses.

Firt, if you’re the owner of the vehicle tasked with transporting you and your buds down to whatever destination, use AAA’s online fuel cost calculator to determine (almost exactly) the cost of gas for the trip before you leave. While everyone tossing you twenty bucks on their way out the door is a nice gesture, it rarely amounts to the true proportional amount owed for the drive.

Secong, pack thoroughly. Things like car snacks, sunscreen, coolers, etc. are all significantly cheaper at your local grocery store than at a convenience store in a touristy town. Third, while on the road start looking for exits with multiple gas stations while you still have at least a quarter of a tank. Gas stations isolated off freeways in rural areas can have significantly higher gas prices than another station just thirty minutes away. Don’t wait until that foreboding red glow is emitting from your dash to pull off the road and subject yourself to the overblown prices of a two-pump shack in the sticks.

Upon arriving, your first stop should be to the largest local grocery store. Preparing food and cleaning up while on vacation may seem like a downer, but eating in at least twice a day can make the difference between having surplus cash for weeks after spring break and being too broke to eat anything but salty noodle soup until April. Also, you’ll likely find making food and cleaning dishes to be surprisingly fun if you can get just a handful of your group on board.

Finally, beware of package deals regarding clubs, restaurants, or other tourist attractions. While these “coupons” might seem like great deals at first, consider the following; purchasing one of these passes financially obligates you to organize all of your plans around those places; places that may be hard to get to (so add some money for cab/shuttle); places who’s appeal may be significantly compromised in adverse weather (no patio, pool, or beach bar); and if this deal is available for you and your group, you can be almost certain it’s available for anyone and any group, meaning these places can be swarmed with other breakers making it nearly impossible to truly take advantage of whatever “deal” you were offered (free cover form 6-7, free appetizers, frees t-shirts while supplies last, etc.).

Whether or not you choose to follow any of the aforementioned advice, take this suggestion above all others: have a safe, memorable, and, most of all, fun spring break vacation!

No Comments »



04.26.11 Road Trip – North Georgia Edition
Posted under: Travel Posted by:

Spring is arguably the best time of year to be in Atlanta. Sure, the pollen is awful but the temperatures are just right and you might be itching to get out. Well, i[x] wants to help you by offering up the perfect early summer road trip. For this trip we will be headed north, up GA 400 to the area surrounding Dahlonega. This trip will have you visiting lots of places that include everything from Kangaroos to Kayaks. So grab a big breakfast, bring your camera and hit the road!

We’ve put together a handy Google Map with a bunch of suggested stops so you can plan your trip. There are details on a few of the locations we recommend below the map. Be sure to take some photos and post them on our Facebook page so we can see how your Road Trip went!

 

Stop No. 1: Consolidated Gold Mine
Once you get into town, stop by the Consolidated Gold Mine. You’ll want to party like it was 1828 (the year gold was discovered in Dahlonega) at the mines and pan for gold. Get all the info online at www.consolidatedgoldmine.com.

Stop No. 2: Appalachian Outfitters
North Georgia has some of the best rafting and kayaking out there so why not take a break from  the car and jump into the river? The folks at Appalachian Outfitters can set you up with a canoe, kayak or tubing trip down the Chestatee or Etowah Rivers. These trips can take up to three hours so plan ahead and enjoy the beauty of nature. Just listen closely for banjos… Get rates and dates at their site, www.canoegeorgia.com.

Stop 3: Funky Chicken Art Project
The Funky Chicken, an outdoor art gallery and sculpture garden, is the perfect place to unwind and take in some culture before heading back to the big city. The location has paintings, sculptures and even wood carving classes if you plan ahead. Check their site for all the details: www.funkychickenartproject.com

Stop No. 4: Kangaroo Conservation Center
Nothing says Georgia like a huge group of Kangaroos right? The Kangaroo Conservation Center is home to the largest Kangaroo Mob outside of Australia. Be sure to check their site for directions and a current tour schedule:  www.kangaroocenter.com

No Comments »