Last week I wrote about the importance of nurturing the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of our lives. As a busy mom, I do my best to attend to each of these areas, though it is not easy to achieve balance. Let’s face it, there are never enough hours in the day. Several friends recently suggested yoga as the perfect activity for busy moms, and I think they are right. According to the Mayo Clinic, yoga integrates physical and mental disciplines and yields multiple benefits, including stress reduction, increased fitness and weight loss. Yoga classes focus on various poses and …

Being a mother is more rewarding than I can describe, but it will also wear you out. No matter what age our children, the tendency is to put their needs before our own. Then one day we wake up and feel the effects of not eating well, missing too much sleep and not taking care of our aging bodies. I speak from experience. The best parents are those who strive for balance in their lives. Life coach, author and mother Bria Simpson says it well in her 2006 book, The Balanced Mom: Raising Your Kids Without Losing Your Self. She reminds us there is no need to feel guilty for taking time for …

I have always craved solitude, and those who know me understand well that I “need my space”. As a child, I would escape to my room and entertain myself for hours by reading books, coordinating teddy bear tea parties and teaching my dolls their ABCs. Then, as a young adult, I often chose quiet time alone over parties and outings with my peers. Don’t get me wrong; I have always led an active social life. But I seem to have a higher need than others for solitude. It is how I charge my mental batteries. So when I became a wife and a parent, I did not always handle it gracefully when the demands …

My husband and I vacationed in San Francisco a few years ago and took a day trip to Sonoma Valley, the lovely wine region just north of the city. We spent the afternoon visiting multiple wineries, sampling varietals produced from the area’s vineyards. What a wonderful day together! We enjoy wine tastings because they provide an opportunity to sample the product before purchasing. And that is important because wine can certainly be pricey. We also enjoy the social aspect of a wine tasting, in that we meet other adults in a casual setting and chat about a common interest. Wine tastings are also…

I am a golf widow. My husband, Lewis, plays regularly with a circle of friends on various courses throughout our area. In fact, he gets antsy between golf outings and can often be found in our yard swinging a real or imaginary club. For Lewis, golf is the greatest of escapes from the frenzy of family life. Being with his buddies for the better part of a day is his way to re-energize and renew his spirit. And, with the exception of a couple minor incidents involving his home chore list, I do not begrudge him this need to ditch the family and spend time with the guys. Lewis would welcome the …

Who likes a bluegrass concert? I sure do! My husband and I have great memories of being outdoors on summer nights listening to bluegrass music. Concerts are a fun way to meet other enthusiasts. Or, just spend a relaxing evening with your spouse and forget about your hectic lives for a while. Bluegrass music has deep roots in American history having evolved from the ballads and dance music of early Irish, Scottish and English settlers in the 1600’s as well as African American gospel and blues. A sub-genre of country music, bluegrass is quite varied and ranges from the familiar sounds of the …

My husband and I have always enjoyed hiking. This was our favorite pastime when we first began dating, and then as newlyweds, we were on a very, tight budget. Though we are now older and less agile, we still enjoy a quiet walk in the woods. So about twice a year we put on our Tevas and drive a short 55 miles to Amicalola Falls State Park, near Dawsonville. What a perfect get away! The park offers us peaceful surroundings, mountain air, great hiking trails and quiet time together. The 729 foot waterfall is the tallest cascade in the southeast and can be accessed by an easy trail or a more …

When my husband and I first married, we were always on the go. Every weekend was spent having fun with friends or just each other, whether we were tailgating at Auburn football games, hiking in the mountains or traveling to the beach for fresh seafood and sunshine. Now, as homeowners and parents, we tend to spend our weekends working on the Honey Do lists. It’s the responsible thing to do. But now and then we thumb our nose at the mountain of chores and head out for some fun. One of our favorite escapes was always white water rafting! We haven’t been in quite some time, but the recent hot …

Do you have a circle of women friends to whom you can turn when you need an escape? I do! My gal pals have seen me through the best and worst of times. They know my flaws but manage to look past all that and surround me with friendship and support. Hopefully, I do the same for them. I love getting together with one or more of my friends at least once a week. We typically gather on an impromptu basis, and food is always involved. But only restaurant food. After all, if we cook, we’re not really escaping, right? Our absolute favorite place to gather, bar none, is Mi Casa, a family-owned Mexican…

I learned to bowl in junior high school. For six weeks during seventh grade, my physical education classmates and I were loaded on the school bus on Tuesday afternoons and driven to the nearby bowling alley for an hour of instruction and team games. I didn’t bowl very much after that because I lived in Florida, and there were so many outdoor activities from which to choose. Years later, I left the state and eventually married. We first settled in the country outside a small town where entertainment options were limited. But that didn’t matter because we could always go bowling! When I think …

Rent a pontoon or ski boat at the Little River Marina for a great escape with your spouse or a group of friends. This full-service marina is located off Bells Ferry Road on nearby Lake Allatoona, a scenic 12,000-acre lake with 270 miles of shoreline. Boats are rented for a half day (four hours) or a full day (eight hours).  The marina offers weekday rates for rentals Monday through Thursday. Weekend rates apply Friday through Sunday. Rentals are available from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Pontoons are approximately 20 feet in length and hold eight to 12 adults. Ski boats hold seven adults and are …

The Dixie Speedway begins its 42nd season on Saturday. Go enjoy stock car racing at the historic, wide-open dirt track. Even though the venue is family friendly, it’s also the ideal site for an inexpensive great escape with your spouse. For the season opener, the gate opens at 5 p.m. and racing begins at 7. You can purchase tickets onsite once the gate opens. Adult tickets cost $10 each, and parking is free. Now is the time to go, because a percentage of the May 7 admission proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross to aid victims of the recent tornados that devastated communities …

The 35thAtlanta Film Festival will be held April 28 through May 7 and offers parents a great escape from the mainstream, blockbuster movies we endure with our kids. Don’t get me wrong: I enjoy Pirates of the Caribbean as well as anyone. But an evening or two spent watching independent, full feature or short films sure sounds appealing. The 2011 festival features more than 125 films, including comedies, dramas and documentaries. A Georgia on My Mind Film Series will also be featured, showcasing films produced in our state. Browse the Atlanta Film Festival website for the daily schedule, …

We are fortunate to live so near to the North Georgia Mountains. Daily or overnight escapes are a short drive away, and now is the perfect time of year to head north on I-575 and enjoy the beauty of the region. Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa is the perfect haven for parents in search of an overnight trip. Located near the quaint college town of Young Harris, the resort is less than 100 miles from Woodstock. Enjoy the 18-hole championship golf course, named among Golf Digest magazine's top places to play. Or take a one- or two-hour guided horseback ride along scenic trails. Visit the …

In 2007 my good friend Ashley talked me into buying a bicycle after we took our kids to Hilton Head one summer and had so much fun pedaling around on the island trails. Since that time, I’ve logged just over a mile on my really cool, bright red bike. But all that is about to change! Spring is here, and I long to be outside. My body also needs the exercise. So as soon as I dust the spider webs off my bike and replace the dry, rotted tires, I plan to head to the beautiful Blankets Creek Bicycle Trail. The Trail is located just off of Sixes Road (Exit No. 11 on I-575). From the Interstate, turn …

You don’t have to look very far for some Great Escapes. Our community has many excellent eateries for couples to visit, ranging from elegant restaurants to casual sports bars. One of my favorites is Taco Mac, located on Highway 92. For many years, my husband and I have enjoyed Taco Mac on weekend afternoons. It is a great place to watch ball games, and we love the chicken wings. The restaurant/sports bar is a perfect place for an afternoon escape from errand running and housework. We make it a point to not discuss work while there, preferring to spend our “Mac Time” planning the next vacation…

Spring break is upon us! Last week, Great Escape focused on those of you heading to the beach, the mountains or other fun sites. This week’s feature is for parents staying in Woodstock for the break. Having a week of family time is great, and there are many local, family-friendly things to do. But let’s face it–parents, especially moms, can burn out quickly during a week of fixing extra meals, coordinating activities, hosting other kids in the house and managing overtired children. If you stay at home during spring break, I suggest a midweek date with your spouse. Find a sitter and spend some…

The Great Escape usually offers suggestions for a local place to visit. But many parents are preparing to hit the road for spring break, so this week’s column is devoted to those of you heading out of town with kids in tow. Even on a family vacation, moms need a Great Escape. So as you plan your trip, build in some adult time. Particularly at mid-week, you will definitely need a breather. Regardless of your destination, you can find places to escape for a few moments, a couple of hours or an entire day. Do not feel guilty about abandoning the kids. Most resorts have reliable children’s …

The Winegrowers Association of Georgia will host the 6th Spring Wine Highway Weekend March 18-20. What a Great Escape! I’ve lived in this area for almost 20 years and only recently found out about Georgia Wine Country. Did you know that numerous, award-winning vineyards and wineries grace the north Georgia hills in and around Dahlonega, Helen, Young Harris and Tiger? Because there are too many to visit in a single day, we are fortunate that these wineries are affiliated with a number of places to lodge. Options include cozy Bed and Breakfasts and larger inns and resorts. Purchase your …

I love to eat. So one of my favorite escapes is dinner out. After all, someone else does the cooking and cleaning! We have many local restaurants from which to choose, but one of my longtime favorites is Featherstone’s Grille at the Towne Lake Hills Golf Club. The atmosphere is perfect for a romantic evening with your sweetie, or for gathering with your gal pals.   March is definitely a good time to head to Featherstone’s because they host Prime Rib Night every Wednesday this month. Yummy! For only $13.95, you get a 10 oz. Prime Rib served with mashed potatoes and a side vegetable. The …