Trying Trails at Banning Mills

It's a wonder not every creek, stream and river in the world carries the name "Snake." The name seemed appropriate as I ran along numerous bends of Snake Creek, the natural engine that powered Georgia's first industrial park. While in west Georgia, Shannan and I stayed at Banning Mills Resort, the present day home of former mills and industry. The weekend held our standard fare of museums, lectures and the like. However, our stay at Banning Mills added a couple of new and exhilarating components. In the name of fun and adventure we crossed a variety of suspended bridges, one of which was only a wire AND had a tree in the path midway. These and step bridges added a little excitement to our zip line outing. We both enjoyed "zipping" across the beautiful wooded property, over Snake Creek and taking up stations in trees like Jane and Tarzan.

Banning's property houses the ruins of an old mill, pulp plant and a dam. Its 1000 acres also contain a lake, horse paths and plenty of hiking trails. The latter are not the best for jogging. In fact, they can be treacherous. I learned that the hard way Sunday morning. Nearly every step of the way included steep hills, mud, or craggy rocks. When good footing presented itself I delighted in running under zip lines and wire bridges and I saw a very handsome and large buck. Later in the morning, after the sometimes lovely and occasionally terrifying run, I found the exact same paths to be much more enjoyable on horseback.

If you haven’t visited Banning Mills give it a try. The resort has something for everyone.

Happy Trails.

Tom