For years doctors have reported that exercise is critical to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy alone will not keep a person’s body in greatest shape. Exercising at least 3 times a week is critical when it comes to a person’s overall well-being. This summer we took a road trip with our kids and after hours of sitting in the car it felt good to be able to stretch our legs.
Exercising is Essential
Exercise does far more for our bodies than just help us regulate our weight. Exercise helps reduce stress, increase our energy, combat insomnia, lower our risk for heart attacks and strokes, improve our balance, reduce pain, etc. Thus, it is important not to skip your normal exercise routine even while on vacation.
Our Visit to Stone Mountain
Getting out in the fresh air and walking up Stone Mountain is invigorating. The climb toward the top is serious cardio. Immediately, you can feel the muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) in your calves strengthening. Your quadriceps and hamstrings are stretched in your thighs and you gluteal muscles are stretched in your lower back. The work out is real, hard for some, and strenuous. Be prepared to sweat, but don’t give up because the views from the top are worth the rigor of the climb.
What to Take While Climbing Stone Mountain?
- Water
- Gatorade
- Small Backpack
- Small towel (to wipe the sweat)
- Wet wipes
- Granola bar / fruit (will help you recharge once you make it to the top)
- Sweat resistant clothes
- Tennis shoes
- iPod (something to listen to music)
History of Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain is located near Atlanta, GA, it is a great place to get out and explore while exercising. The cost is typically $15 per vehicle. Stone mountain is a part of the Blue Ridge mountains in Georgia. It is a large granite igneous rock. The elevation of the mountain is 1686 feet and 825 feet above see level.
Many years ago Native Americans occupied the Stone Mountain area. Mound builders lived near the base of the mountain. However in more recent years, Stone Mountain can be seen as reminder of unfortunate American events like establishment of the KKK, and America’s confederate past. Regardless of what the mountain may have been used for in the past, to me it is a symbol of natural beauty and the importance of preservation on earth. I have traveled across the US and I have never seen a similar mountainous formation.
If you are ever in Georgia, take some time to visit Stone Mountain.