Warren B&G Club Arabia Mountain Preserve Hike

On Saturday, September 27, eleven youth from the Warren/Holyfield Boys & Girls Club had a great day at the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve with 4 ICO leaders and a representative from the Club.  The trip began with a snack and discussion of the outing, emphasizing the special geology and biota they would see on Bradley and Arabia Mountains.  After preparing sandwiches and filling daypacks with lunch, snacks, water and a poncho, they rode the bus to the Nature Preserve.  ICO leaders discussed outdoor safety and etiquette, how to follow trails, and how to recognize the different forms of life they would see on the mountain.  They also explained that the youth should avoid stepping on the lichens and moss whenever possible, and help keep the trails free of trash by putting it into bags carried by the leaders.  The lichens, moss and flowers are abundant this year and the youth were amazed by how many things could spring from bare rock.  They enjoyed exploring Bradley Mountain and being able to see the tops of Atlanta skyscrapers from its peak.  Then, they wandered to the edge of the small lake, hiked upwards again to the top of Arabia Mountain, and were amused by the strange features of some of the rocks along the way.  They noted the relics of quarrying, and saw that some of the stone blocks have been piled into shapes like flowers and other artwork.  Everyone ate lunch on top of Arabia Mountain, then returned to the parking lot for a tour of the AWARE Wildlife Center.  The guide showed owls, hawks, skunks and other animals that lived at the Center because they had been too injured to return to nature.  With time remaining to enjoy the outdoors, the youth drew pictures of what they had seen, and played games at the base of the mountain before returning to the Club.