Details for Camping Trip This Weekend

I wanted to get everybody some details on this weekend's camping trip to McFarlane Nature Park, figuratively right in your own backyard. This is an 11.5 acre preserve owned by the Cobb Land Trust and home for the efforts of master gardeners. There are wooded trails and big, open fields, a campfire ring and picnic shelter. They do ask that we not play in the garden.

The plan: Show up after lunch on Saturday, June 6. We'll play some ultimate frisbee (if you have one, bring it), check out the trails and generally run around the place. We'll have a campfire and lights out by 10 p.m. It is literally in somebody's backyard (just not yours) so we do need to be considerate of the neighbors.

In the morning, we will have breakfast and break camp. We'll jump in the cars and drive down to the Sope Creek park - about 2 miles - where we will tackle the hiking trails to the mill ruins, have lunch and then walk out. You'll be home in time for the Braves game or whatever chores have been planned for you.

The place: McFarlane Nature Park is on Farm Road, just off Paper Mill Road. From Johnsons Ferry, head down Paper Mill. Turn Left at Gateside Place, which is across the street from the entrance to the NASA soccer park. Go about 50 feet and turn right onto Farm Road. Here's a map. If you get to ACC, you have gone too far.

At the end of the road, park in the field to the left of the farm house. We're camping in the field to the right of the farm house, with the picnic shelter.

The menu: Afternoon snack; burgers and dogs for dinner; smores; eggs, fruit and cereal for breakfast; and PB&J and fruit for lunch.

The costs: I will collect from each family for the food, plus a $1 donation for the park. You will need $3, exact change, to park at Sope Creek.

One last thing: As I mentioned, there is some serious gardening going on here and there is a small apiary. It is surrounded by a fence and signs. Nevertheless, if you or your son are allegeric to bee stings, bring an epipen.