Road-Trip in Southeast: GA-AL-MS-LA with local explorations, moderate hikes

Name: Road-Trip in Southeast: GA-AL-MS-LA with local explorations, moderate hikes
Start: 2024-05-24T12:00:00-05:00
End: 2024-05-29T19:00:00-05:00
Location: New Orleans, Louisana

Schedule

Fri May 24 2024 at 12:00 pm to Wed May 29 2024 at 07:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

New Orleans, Louisana | New Orleans, LA

We go to explore the Southern States of our country! Though no national parks in the areas we go to there are smaller, state parks and nature locations that are very authentic.
We will start in 𝐀𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚, 𝐆𝐀 and hike in 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤, often rated as one of the prettiest state parks in the state. Then we want to hike in the famous 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐡𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤 and drive 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐠𝐚 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 up to Alabama's highest peak, Cheaha Mountain, to catch the views of the southern Appalachian’s wooden valley and ridges.
In Alabama we will pass by rated as prettiest the small towns of 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲, 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐞, 𝐖𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐤𝐚, and be able to stop at the Alabama 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐦 area. In 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐠𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐲, 𝐀𝐋, we can check on the Civil Rights historic landmarks.
After reaching the Gulf Shores we can explore the area of picturesque Gulf coast towns of 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞, 𝐃𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐋 and 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐱𝐢 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐮𝐥𝐟𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐒. Then we can make a visit to 𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐠, 𝐌𝐒 and continue towards the 𝐋𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 region, with a possible stop and hike at 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐳 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤.
We will continue road-tripping in Louisiana and visit 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐞, 𝐋𝐀 with its famous Old State Capitol, and 𝐋𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞, 𝐋𝐀 and then arrive to 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐎𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬, 𝐋𝐀! Here we will explore Frenchmen Street and French quarter, the garden district, and possibly hike in one of the nearby parks.
This itinerary presumes spending just about half of a day in New Orleans, LA, without an overnight stay. If some people feel like staying longer in this city, they can extend on their own.
Summer weather in the areas on our route is warm with day average temperatures 95degree F (72 degree at night). See updates of weather forecasts at: https://bit.ly/33jz1dF
Trip's summary:
• 6days/5nights trip for a small group of 6 explorers.
• The starting point is Atlanta, GA and ending point is New Orleans, LA,
• Hotel accommodations in: Columbus, GA, Alexander City, AL, Mobile, AL, Port Allen, LA, New Orleans/Lafayette, LA.
• Level of activities: Easy to Intermediate.

Clothes and gear recommended:
• good hiking shoes,
• warm jacket for evenings, be ready to layer up,
• hiking poles if you used to them,
• consider hydration bladder for hikes,
• sunglasses,
• sunscreen,
• hat,
• for personal protection: mask, carry-on sanitizer, gloves (by your choice.)
Tentative cost: $690 (will be finalized 2 month before the start.) Payment link though Eventbrite will be posted. What will be included:
• 5-night stay in 2-people occupancy non-smoking room (two beds in room),
• Breakfasts in some hotels,
• Transportation by minivan covering approx. 1000 mi of road-tripping total,
• Organized hikes in all days.
What is NOT included:
• Getting to Atlanta, GA getting back from New Orleans, LA,
• any individually charged fees (per vehicle fees are included),
• Meals, snacks, water.
Sunrise: 6:30am. Sunset: 7:30pm. Every day we want to start off from the hotel at 7 am or 7:30am, or 8am as the latest.

Eating Options (not included in the cost):
• This trip is focused on activities and exploring places, and the meals are planned the way to not interfere with making most of activities and exploring. So, participants are asked to have packed food and water for lunches that will be eaten either at picnic areas or on the go (if no picnic areas are available or we need to hike.) This will allow saving more daylight time for activities. Driving for grocery shopping can be provided every evening. Open in evenings are usually chain stores like Safeway and Walmart, Whole Foods in some location.
• If the majority of group wants to arrange a restaurant dinner in a nearby location during the trip, it can be done and time can be allotted, driving provided.
• Breakfasts are included by some hotels, and mostly they are basic or on-the-go/packed breakfasts. Typically, hotel rooms have fridge, microwave and coffeemaker, and that is to be specified in the itinerary for each hotel.
If you see that the event is full/no tickets available, do not hesitate to contact the organizer about your interest as spots can become available.
Photo-album from the similar 2023 trip: (to be updated)
Also, please check on the 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨-𝐚𝐥𝐛𝐮𝐦𝐬 from our past trips (in Photos section) and our future trips to U.S. National Parks and National Parks in Europe and Asia for 2024-2025. Thanks!

UPD. There will be a Zoom meeting on this trip and a 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐀𝐩𝐩 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐭 will be formed for the group to communicate and prepare for the trip. Please be available to connect by WhatsApp (provide the organizer with your WhatsApp contact info to be included in the chat.) Regular messaging will not work out for this trip, sorry.
HOW to RESERVE a SPOT in the GROUP:
1. You should be able to see an Eventbrite payment link. The $10 payment through Eventbrite is for reserving your spot in this small group(and it counts in toward the whole payment for the trip.) After you reserved a spot, you will be contacted by the organizer about a Zoom meeting with the group and joining a WhatsApp group chat. Meeting your future group-mates in a Zoom and being able to communicate by WhatsApp are mandatory steps to become a part of this trip and make the full payment.
If any of these cannot be done/mind changed, the $10 reservation payment will be refunded in full though the initial means of payment, minus fees paid to Eventbrite/third parties.
2. Send a message to THIS PAGE, or comment stating your interest. I, Lana, check on the inbox nearly daily and will try to help with any inquiries!
The outline of the trip will be communicated during a Zoom meeting and in WhatsApp group chat. The detailed, hour-by-hour, itinerary will be provided to the confirmed participants of the trip.
Sign up and feel free to COMMENT this event with any questions (direct messaging is ok, but comments can be responded promptly.)
UPD. Comments are OPEN. Please post your questions, requests, suggestions 👍