A walk, a stroll, a jog – all just simple things that take us out into Mother Nature and away from all the distractions of everyday life. Perhaps you just want to get some fresh air. Or, maybe your doctor has insisted you work exercise into your weekly routine. It may be that you are a nature nut and love every excuse to get outdoors. Whatever the case may be, moving your body outdoors is a common occurrence in this day-and-age. And even though walking is one of the most convenient exercise options that exist, there are a number of benefits that it can provide from improving your health, invigorating your mind or spirit or experiencing the beauty of Mother Nature.
According to Real Estate Show surveys conducted on potential prospects of gated communities by Live South, an information source group providing online, event and traditional media sources covering over 95 residential communities, “walking trails” is the most requested amenity for potential buyers. For Reynolds Lake Oconee members, it’s no surprise that its network of walking trails winding throughout the community would be one of its own top selling points. The natural beauty of the community is perhaps one of the community’s greatest assets and paints a number of unbelievable backdrops to the back porches, signature golf holes and restaurant balconies located throughout the property.
Currently, there are 14.5 miles of trails within the 10,000 acres that make up Reynolds Lake Oconee and The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee property. From north to south, members have their choice in trails ranging in level of difficulty and in differing views of the property. Residents utilize the trails regularly to move from point A to point B, as the system is designed to interconnect residents with many of the amenities located on property.
From a fitness standpoint, it’s hard not to drive through the community without spotting a walker or jogger moving down a path. Whether enjoying a mixture of fresh air and exercise, taking the dog for a walk or training for an upcoming run, members and guests to Reynolds Lake Oconee have miles of options for moving their feet and taking in the scenery around them. “The trails are a great resource for exercise here in the community,” says Wellness Specialist, Meg Best. “To be able to walk out your backdoor and go straight into a run or walk is a real benefit for those with busy schedules and limited time to dedicate to working out.”
While Best works regularly indoors with members on their fitness programs at the Lake Club, she also plans a number of activities outdoors as well. One of those activities is the annual Reynolds Ramble 5k Run/Walk held each fall that benefits Operation Homefront Georgia. “The Reynolds Ramble is a great way to get some fresh air, exercise, connect with friends and support an admirable cause,” says Best. “We also have a 1 mile fun run for kids and a “Doggie Dash” that lets your four-legged friends participate.” According to Best, the race is a good way to hold members accountable to a training program and the wellness specialists at the Lake Club are available to assist registrants each year in their preparations for race day.
Aside from keeping you fit, walking is also a terrific way to refresh the mind and spirit. Whether you are venturing out with family or going on a solo mission to deprogram the brain - a walk can do you a world of good. “I just love being outdoors and exploring,” explains Reynolds Lake Oconee member George Sheedy. “Walking a trail strips your mind of the rigors of everyday life and has such a calming effect.”
Sheedy might know a thing or two about trails. In just five years, Sheedy covered all 2,175 miles from Georgia to Maine in a quest to hike the Appalachian Trail. “I hiked as much as 12 hours a day, sometimes going for a week at a time,” explains Sheedy of his journey in conquering “the AT.” “You meet so many people in the back country of the Appalachians, the nicest people you will ever meet. I saw moose, bear, snakes as well.”
No, Reynolds Lake Oconee is not the Appalachian Trail and the chances of coming across a moose or bear are pretty slim-to-none. But George and his wife Rosemary love to take their occasional strolls out by the lake as much as they can to enjoy a little fresh air. “You always experience something new on a walk,” says Sheedy. “You can have a new idea, see a new nest being built by a bird or meet a new friend. It is always great to get out and explore. One of my favorite walks in Reynolds Lake Oconee is the trail from the Lake Clubup into the Montgomery Place and Angel Pond areas on the northern part of the community,: says Sheedy. “There are some magnificent views of Lake Oconee in those areas.”
And speaking of exploring, there are a lot of unique things to find in the hills and lake shorelines that surround Reynolds Lake Oconee. In fact, a number of programs have been developed to allow members to get out and do just that. Reynolds Lake Oconee’s Heritage and Nature Center was built to organize nature walks, as well as hold lectures and field trips so residents and guests can appreciate the vibrant life that exists outside their doors. The center holds programs to help residents learn to identify trees, bird songs, snakes and constellations. There are programs focused on the flora and fauna found in the lake area. Field guides are also available for guests to utilize in their own quests to explore the wildlife of Lake Oconee.
In April 2011, Marie Garrison, director of the Linger Longer Living Cultural Lifestyle Series at Reynolds Lake Oconee, enlisted the help of Georgia Department of Natural Resources Botanist Greg Krakow to hold a spring wildflower exploration for a special program titled “A Walk in the Woods.” The program took members out to the Veazy Tract on Lake Oconee to explore the great diversity of spring bloom and search for the elusive Mayapple, the Catesby’s trillium, and the delicate Quaker Ladies. “From our flowering dogwoods to wild azaleas, Georgia’s spring wildflowers are the envy of the world,” explains Garrison.
Aside from spring wildflower walks, a number of other seasonal programs show members the beauty that Mother Nature affords. “Breeding bird” walks, which are escorted hikes, show members new life and teach participants how to identify birds by calls.
From improving your health, your state of mind or discovering the beauty of nature surrounding us, walking is a simple act providing a full range of benefits. The over fourteen miles of trails winding throughout the towering hardwoods and running alongside the beautiful shoreline of Lake Oconee, show walkers remarkable views of the property en route to seeking their desired reward. No matter what your next goal for a stroll might be, a walk through Reynolds Lake Oconee will show you that sometimes the simple things in life prove to be the most rewarding.
