As William Shakespeare once wrote, “April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.” It’s easy to feel like a kid again once that warm spring weather hits and the crocuses are peeking out of the ground. Daffodils and pear trees blooming are a cheerful sight that lightens the heart. Spring is a season when, no matter your age, you can’t help but want to get out and play. Fortunately, Rome, Georgia is an easy town to find fun in.
Your inner child will love the season opener of the Rome Braves against Asheville April 9th. Legendary Atlanta Braves manager and Baseball Hall of Fame member Bobby Cox will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to get the season started off right. The roar of the crowd at State Mutual Stadium, an ice cold soft drink, and the crack of the bat against the ball— nothing beats a good baseball game. Especially if you can share it with a friend, family member, or grandchild!
Another one of Rome’s many assets is the rich biodiversity of the region. Every spring the area bursts into bloom with endless varieties of wildflowers and blossoming trees and shrubs. Just forty minutes north of Rome is the The Pocket Recreation Area Trail in the Johns Mountain Wildlife Management Area near Lafayette. It’s the perfect setup for admiring the many special flowers that don’t grow anywhere else— the majority of the trail is a level boardwalk that loops through this sheltered area carpeted in blossoms. It’s as easy to navigate as strolling down the sidewalk.
The Spring Art Market is an event that many a Rome resident eagerly looks forward to. With items for sale from Birdhouse Steve, Baker’s Crafts, Southern Scents Candles, Darwin Furniture, LL Wood Turning, Snake Blossom Arts and Crafts, Earthworks Pottery and more, there’s something for everyone. There are also tasty food vendors, including Cupcakes Around the Corner, Sir Porkers BBQ, and Crawdaddy’s Cajun and Creole Cuisine. It’s the perfect way to enjoy April 11-12.
Another unbeatable way to enjoy the fresh weather and let your inner child play games is to hit the golf course. Callier Springs Country Club invites public play on weekdays and Stonebridge Golf Club features a beautifully manicured 6,800 yard green. The views are spectacular and after a long winter indoors, it feels good to get moving again. Walking from hole to hole and practicing your swing are all fun ways to fit exercise into your daily routine and will help you stay healthy.
An added bonus whether you’re perfecting your put or admiring the wildflowers is that studies show just 10-15 minutes of sun exposure can help your body reach its daily needed amounts of Vitamin D, which older adults don’t produce enough of. Since Vitamin D affects calcium absorption, making sure you get enough can help you avoid osteoporosis and be proactive about your bone health. Just be sure your adult side remembers the sunscreen and a hat if you’re going to be out all day— you don’t want a little Vitamin D to turn into a big sunburn!