Stone Mountain Park, Georgia - Nature's Gem
Join me as I tour state and federal parks. Stone Mountain Park is a popular park in metro Atlanta. Let's discuss....
Stone Mountain Park has a checkered political history. Community action groups have criticized the park due to its historical connection to the Civil War - the park is a dedicated Confederate Memorial. Political action groups have protested the Civil War monuments and the Confederate Memorial Carving. However, in spite of its contentious symbolism, Stone Mountain Park is a popular attraction because of its beauty and natural habitat.
For leisure, Stone Mountain Park has playgrounds, a 5-mile walk
around the base of the mountain, lakes, a man-made beach and a nature walk-up trail
to the top of the quartz monzonite dome, and other attractions. The park is a
popular location for school reunions, family picnics, and spiritual retreats. A nightly
laser show during the summer is a main draw. The annual parking pass per
vehicle is $40.00 and the daily park rate is $20.00 per vehicle. Walkers and
bicycle riders are not charged a parking fee. Prices for attraction passes depend on the activities. The park is clean and well attended. There is a visible police presence. Check out the Stone Mountain Park website for information about special rates, events and attractions.
I highly recommend visiting any nature park due to its health
benefits. Studies show nature walks decrease stress and increase mental
well-being (2014). Actually, “tree-hugging” is an increasingly popular way to relax. Science shows that hugging trees is good for your health (Ketler,
2014). If hugging trees is not your
thing, just being around trees will do the trick. So, if
you are feeling stressful, according to scientists, go hug a tree!
Another way to release stress is to meditate while in nature. One type of meditation involves
focusing on your breath or counting your footsteps while walking. Carefully walking barefoot on clean ground is another way to bond with nature.
If you are in the area, Stone Mountain Park is worth a visit. Below are a few pictures I took during my stay.
Beautiful clear sky above the clouds. Scene from the top of the mountain.
Stone Mountain Park has ample signs and directions.
Nature is resilient.
"He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how." Friedrich Nietzsche
"He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how." Friedrich Nietzsche
My favorite picture. I love the contrast between rocks, green leaves, and a blue sky.
Just beautiful!
References:
Stone Mountain Park, retrieved from https://www.stonemountainpark.com/
Ketler, Alanna. (2014). Science shows hugging trees is good for your health. Retrieved from https://www.collective-evolution.com/2014/12/02/science-proves-hugging-trees-is-good-for-health/
Study: Nature walks reduce stress. Retrieved from https://wilderness.org/blog/study-nature-walks-reduce-stress-make-us-happier.
Quote, Friedrich Nietzsche. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/137-he-who-has-a-why-to-live-for-can-bear
Where is your favorite natural getaway?