Fort Yargo (Barrow County, Georgia)

Before joining the Meetup group today, I did a short walk in nearby Athens. Having arrived early at Fort Yargo State Park though, I decided to relax in the shade while the rest of the group began showing up. This park is very near to my house and I hike here pretty often. By noon, our planned start time, just about everyone has shown up and after our customary round of introductions, we begin the hike.

We start by crossing the long wooden bridge across the northern end of the lake. As we cross, we talk to a number of men and boys casting their lines into the water and testing their luck. It seems they aren't biting much today. I suppose it's not surprising on such a warm summer day. Shortly after we cross, a couple of late-comers catch up to us and join the group. As we walk, we talking about a variety of subjects, but mostly of other adventures. With three of us here today having recently completed the Camino de Santiago, international trips seems to be the topic of choice.

As we make our way around the newly-built beach facility, we note some storm clouds starting to form up. It is supposed to rain today, but we were hoping it would hold off until we finish our hike. Just past the beach area, we're forced to divert off the normal inner loop just a bit due to some downed trees. Soon though, we return to the intended route.  As we cross the wooden bridge on the far western branch of the lake, our group leaders asks me to check my doppler radar app for signs of a storm. While there are patches north of us, it looks all clear in our immediate vicinity. No sooner have I said that, then we hear the first boom of thunder in the distance. 

I tell the group that my last visit to the park a few months ago ended in hiking halfway around the lake in the pouring rain at night, and that I'm not looking forward to do that again. With that said, I pick up my pace to what is pretty normal for me at about 4 mph. The group falls further and further behind me as finish out the trail. I do stop a couple of times along the way for pictures, including a shot of a beautiful eastern kingsnake slithering across the trail.

I arrive back at the parking area far ahead of the group and send a text just to let them know that I made it back and that I was heading home. Just as I begin driving out of the parking lot, the clouds open up and it begins to pour down rain. Hopefully, my friends found shelter. As for me, I'm thankful to have gotten in my 6.6 miles and to have stayed dry while doing it.