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DEL.ICIO.USTrips to lake extend summer break
Have you wrapped up this year's summer travels?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By now, most students in the metro area have traded in their beach bags for back packs and their boogie boards for dry erase boards. Yet, it looks, feels and really IS the height of summer.
If you don’t have children or aren’t otherwise bound by the almighty school calendar, August is a great time to get away just about anywhere. But even with school schedules, squeezing in a little more summer holiday doesn’t have to be impossible.
A weekend - or even a daytrip — at one of Georgia’s lakes is definitely do-able. Ditto for many of the lakes in Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina. Lake levels in our drought-plagued state may have dipped, but water enthusiasts can still find enough of it to make the trek worthwhile.
Follow this link and this link to find lakes within a few hours’ drive of metro Atlanta. Many have marinas where you can bring your own boat or rent various water craft for the day. Some lakes have beaches and campgrounds, and others offer more posh digs like resorts or rental homes for their weekend visitors.
Though we live a short drive from Lake Lanier, my family prefers to make the longer trip out to Lake Oconee (east of Atlanta in Greene, Morgan, Putnam and Hancock counties). It helps that we have relatives that live there. Even without the family base, Oconee has always been a favorite because the water levels in this Georgia Power-managed lake are generally kept constant.
However, if the lake’s not your thing, check out Katie Kelly Bell’s article on last-minute trips. She has great tips to help you make the most of the dog days of summer.
What lakes do you prefer in the southeast and why? Where else do you go to cram in that last bit of summer fun? Or have you already wrapped up your summer travelling?
Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment | Categories: Southeast travel
Comments
By Lee
August 13, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
Actually since my wife and I don’t have kids, we are eagerly waiting for the schools to start up again, and then we can enjoy summer without all the drunken louts and obnoxious children and their more obnoxious parents. The lines will no longer exist, we can get a seat at the tables, and actual adults will serve us at restaurants, not some spotty kid making eyes at the cashier instead of concentrating on their work. In addition, hotel rates go down significantly, and travel is much easier. One more week of summer for most, one more week until we can enjoy the rest of the summer. Surf’s up, Dude!
By Lynn
August 13, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
I live on Lake Jackson so of course that would be my favorite. This year it has been twice as crowded as normal and we’re seeing a lot of the larger boats that typically would be on Lanier. As lake residents, we’re always ready for the end of summer when we can get our quite boat rides without some ship barreling by and rocking us to no end. Come on fall time!!!
By gkp
August 13, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
I go to Lake Sinclair every weekend. It’s such a great getaway from Atlanta. It usually takes two hours on Friday with traffic and about 45 minutes less coming back Sunday night. I enjoy the family lake house in the summer, fall, winter, and spring.
By Theresa
August 14, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
Keith — I haven’t been swimming in a lake in Georgia in a really long time. As kids we swam at Stone Mountain all the time and Lake Lanier wiht our camp program. I’m not sure why we haven’t — maybe it’s time to start again!
By ruyvklim ewrvz
September 23, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
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By ruyvklim ewrvz
September 23, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
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By ruyvklim ewrvz
September 23, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
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