Slept fairly late as we always do after a Traning Camp, packed up most of our stuff, then took a walk to find a place for breakfast. A cafe across the street was closed on Saturday, but the clerk in the hotel suggested we go down to Peachtree Center a few blocks up the road. Before we arrived there, we found a place called the Corner Bakery that looked just right, so we headed in there, and did have a very good breakfast at a very reasonable price. If it hadn’t been so hot we would have sat at one of the umbrella-ed tables outside, but this being August and Atlanta, that was just not going to happen. Turns out the Hyatt where we were moving to was just across the street from there. After breakfast we walked over there to see when we could check in, and they went ahead and did it right then. Nice room, but only on the 7th floor. I prefer something higher to get away from the street sounds, but nothing was clean that early. Then we walked back to the W, finished packing, then caught the hotel shuttle to the Hyatt to get settled in. I took one last attempt at changing rooms to a higher floor, and was rewarded with getting the exact room, the exact number, on the 16th floor. Perfect! The rooms seemed so light and airy after the darkness of the W! After we unpacked we wandered around to visit the venue where we would be speaking, introduced ourselves to our host, then relaxed in our room for awhile before walking two blocks in the rain to the nearest Indian restaurant, the Haveli. Reviews on the internet were mixed, mostly on the down side, but it was the only ethnic place within walking distance, so we decided to try it. We were the only ones in the place early on a Saturday night, and the manager did her best to make us feel at home, but the food really was second rate. Everything was a la carte, including rice, so it was pretty pricey as well, but the real disappointment was in the sauces. We ordered an entree to share, and the sauce with thin, runny, an obviously overcooked. Not worth the price, for sure, though the decor was comfortable enough. Okay if you’re desperate for Indian food. Anyway, a short walk back, this time the rain had mostly stopped, and an evening to relax before our big day tomorrow.
After doing some chores in the morning, Hubby and I hit the trail about 1:00, heading north this time. Out Blue Jog, north on Confusion Flats, then Chase Creek Trail to the south entrance to High Banks Trail, which we took. Stopped at the scenic area by the river for lunch, horses had their oats and we had ours (dry Cheerios as a snack!) before heading out again. Came across a dead pine across the trail with no really easy way around it, so we dismounted and managed to push it off the trail. It was right next to a cliff so we were able to get gravity to work in our favor, and since the tree had broken in several places it was pretty easy to clear. Didn’t even need to get my camp saw out! Trail was unbelievably dry considering the storms the other day. Really beautiful, up and down, lots of woods, occasional fields, and two bridges along the way. Came back along the "Ponds Trails", Evie’s Pond Trail, Gumdrop Pond Trail, Hinching Pond Trail, finally picking up Cow Trail, then Homebound Trail, till we circled back to Confusion Flats and Blue Jog. Five full hours, getting back at 6:00. Footing was better than Monday, so no boots were necessary (thank goodness), though we did carry them with us just in case. Hubby wore a back brace today, he’s been having some pain in his lower back, but the brace seemed to help tremendously. I think his muscles just got a little weak with lack of use during our three week hiatus, as did mine and the horses’! He just doesn’t want to become dependent of having to take painkillers just to take a ride. Took a much needed shower, relaxed with the TV, then headed to a freshly-linened bed for a great night sleep!
