There really is something truly exceptional about the location of Heron Bay Golf and Country Club, and if you haven’t taken full advantage of all the resources at your fingertips, I highly encourage you to start. For example, the Cubihatcha Outdoor Center is located here in Locust Grove. I took Spalding and Haley with me to the wetland enhancement and protection corridor, and it was a great activity for the family.

The center is home to a myriad of different species of animals, and has two winding walking trails. Since none of us are marathon runners, we decided to take a nature tour on the two mile loop. The other loop is eight miles and runs along the Towaliga River, which I am sure is home to many interesting and unique species that we didn’t get to see, but we definitely had an abundance of interesting plants and animals on the two mile loop. Our tour was lead by a friendly staff naturalist that is an expert at the many different species of reptiles, amphibians, insects and plants that can be seen on the trail. If you prefer to take a self-guided tour you can,  but having a professional point out the rare plants and tiny insects that we would have otherwise missed really helped enhance our experience. We all thoroughly enjoyed the nature hike and all of us left knowing more than knew before about the plant and animal life right here in Locust Grove.

It’s important to get out and do things as a family, like spending a day on a nature hike. There are plenty of things to do as a family here at Heron Bay, like the Goblin Gallop coming up next Saturday, October 25th. I hope you didn’t forget. If so, it’s not too late to pre-register, and you can always register on the day of the race. If you can’t run or walk in the race, come out to cheer on the runners and walkers – they would love the support – and it is a great way to connect with your neighbors.

As a Heron, I spend a lot of time in the air. Because of this, I am a huge advocate for clean air!

The passionate environmentalist that she is, Haley has done a lot of research on ways that we all can help reduce air pollution. With the recent gas crisis we all experienced here in Atlanta, I am rather positive that topping off has become a common habit. We feel the need to fill our tank as much as we possibly can to drive longer on one tank of gas. Well Haley found out that topping off your gas tank is bad for the environment. And as reluctant as I am to comply, Haley is right, and we should probably all try to do better. Here is why:

First, gasoline vapors are harmful to breathe. They are bad for the ozone layer and are a source of toxic air pollutants. By topping off your tank, you are more likely to cause gas to spill out, resulting in an increase of these toxic vapors into the air (and you also pay for the gas that has spilled out onto your car and on the ground!). Your gas tank needs the extra room to allow the tank to expand. Extra gas in your tank from topping off may evaporate into your vehicle’s vapor collection system, and cars with less than perfect vapor collection systems run poorly and have high gas emissions. Topping off also affects the gas station’s vapor recovery system. By adding more gas after the nozzle has shut off, you may cause a malfunction in their system, which could also increase air pollution.

Remember that this is the air that we all breathe. Please help keep it clean by not topping off at the gas station.

I cannot believe the Goblin Gallop is only a couple of weeks away! I don’t know about you, but I have been training so hard – trying to avoid a repeat of last year. If you didn’t participate last year, then you missed me struggling to breathe as I crossed the finish line and collapsing only about three feet after the finish. This is especially embarrassing because I even cheated throughout the course by sporadically using my wings. It definitely wasn’t one of my finer moments, but that’s what I get for thinking I could run almost four miles without training. This year, I have vowed not to use my wings at all throughout the race, and to not be so out-of-shape for the annual event. My training has been going really well so far.

I only started in July, but since the race is only about 3.75 miles, that was plenty of time to help me build up my endurance. I’ve been running three times a week, and each week I increase my distance by a quarter of a mile. You may have seen me throughout the neighborhood right before sunset. Dusk is my favorite time to run because the colored sky is such a beautiful backdrop against the natural greenspace of the neighborhood. The views mesmerize me and help me get through the workout.

Well, now that I know I am physically prepared, it’s time to start focusing on the entire family – I need to get Helen and the kids ready, too. No, they don’t need to be intensely training like I am because Helen is going to join the children in the one-mile run/walk as the 6K is a little too much for their little legs, but we do need to have coordinating costumes. What do you think of the four of us going as members of the Partridge Family?

While I have been avidly preparing for the 6K fun run to prevent myself from cheating, the Goblin Gallop is meant to be fun, and I have not lost sight of that fact. The family and I are looking forward to watching the UGA/LSU game on the flat screen and just having fun with our neighbors. In my opinion, there is no better way to spend a Saturday than getting to know other Heron Bay residents.

They say the early bird gets the worm, and as a result I have not told you about Canongate Grill before now. I’m normally up at the crack of dawn, and I knew this little spot by the golf course opened at sunrise. It’s my favorite place to fly by for breakfast before I hit the links – and sometimes even when I’m headed somewhere else.

Well, as a heron, I was always taught that you keep your best fishing spots to yourself lest some other heron come along and get all your fish. Old habits die hard, and I have to admit that I was worried too many people might start eating breakfast at Canongate Grill and all the food might be gone. Was I ever wrong? You see, people, unlike birds, just keep the plates coming. Recently, I’ve gotten there as late as 11 a.m., and I learned that not only was there still plenty to eat, but they serve lunch and dinner, too. They have a large variety of food, including things the kids will like. Hamburgers, steak salads and their signature wraps are just a few. The prices range from $4 to $15, so it’s a great place to take the whole family.

For guests who can’t fly in, they have walk up service. You can also sit at a table if you have time. They have room to seat 80 inside, plus extras on the patio. I hate that I have missed some of the fun events they have for members, especially the seafood luau and the low country boil. There’s nothing better than having someone else do your fishing for you.

Canongate Grill is open seven days a week. They generally start serving breakfast around sunrise, but they don’t close until 7 p.m. I don’t think it will be my morning stop anymore – I think it’s going to be my stop-by-anytime place. They’re just that friendly, the menu is that good, and they’re not running out of food anytime soon.

I guess this is one case where the early bird isn’t the only one who gets to eat!

Haley, Spalding, Helen and I have spent recent late summer afternoons practicing our gallops. Galloping is okay if you’re a horse, but it’s a bit difficult for a heron. And we have to make sure we’re ready because the firth annual Goblin Gallop is October 25th – only a couple of months away!

The Goblin Gallop is Heron Bay’s fundraiser for the Hands of Hope Clinic, which provides medical and dental services to uninsured residents of Henry County. Last year, more than 230 of us participated and raised more than $20,000 for the clinic.

To prepare for this year’s Goblin Gallop, our family is doing a few critical things. Helen and I are preparing for the 6K run, and Haley and Spalding are gearing up for the one mile run. Haley’s planning on helping with the tot trot for some of her preschool friends, too.

Just as important as our training, we’re planning our costumes.  Spalding and Haley are both eager to win the prize for the most creative costume, so they’re working on something both unexpected and easy to run in.

The third thing we’re doing is recruiting our friends to run. After all, the Hope Clinic will get more money, and more of our favorite people will have the chance to fall in love with Heron Bay. When I mentioned it at work, I immediately ran into a snag with my friends who attended the University of Georgia – it would appear the Dawgs are playing LSU that day. A quick call to the folks at Heron Bay let me know they really do think of everything. They’re broadcasting the game on a plasma television during the race. And guess what – they’re going to raffle the tv off after the race! That’s more money for the Hands of Hope Clinic, and more hope for me finally getting the tv I’ve always wanted! Helen and I each got a raffle ticket just for registering for the 6K.

Anyone who wants to participate can pre-register at www.HeronBayInfo.com or for a slightly higher fee, register onsite the day of the event. The 6K is $15 ($20 at the door), and the one mile run/walk is $10 ($15 at the door). The 60-yard Tot Trot for ages five and under is free.

If you see our family training around the neighborhood, please stop and say hello. We’ll be the only herons who are attempting to gallop!