Anniston Outdoor Association members visit Len Foote Hike Inn

Members of the Anniston Outdoor Association participated in a trip to the Len Foote Hike Inn, Oct. 15-16. Photo: Courtesy/Ronald Chapman

The inn is named in memory of Leonard Foote, who was a leading conservationist, biologist and nature photographer who lived and worked in Georgia until his death in May 1989.

The trip began with a moderate five-mile hike on the Hike Inn Trail (one of two options for reaching the Inn, the other being the Appalachian Approach trail).

After reaching the inn, the group enjoyed meeting others staying at the inn, eating a hearty dinner and breakfast, learning about the inn’s environmental practices, watching a beautiful sunset and sunrise and playing Appalachian Trivia Pursuit.

Of special interest was the inn’s vermiculture practices (using red worms to compost paper and food items), their odor-free composting toilets, a celestial calendar called Star base and their solar power panels.

The trip concluded with a return trip back to the trailhead using the Appalachian Approach trail. All participants really enjoyed the trip and are looking forward to their next stay at the inn.

Keith Hudson is manager of the Anniston City Meeting Center and the founder of the Anniston Outdoor Association.