A little about where we're going next... The Heart of Dixie (Troy, Alabama)
So as you all know, I am very much into trail riding. That is, and will always be, my favorite thing to do with my horses. Well, every year for the weekend of New Years, my aunt and all of our friends from Florida meet up at the Heart of Dixie Trail Ride in Troy, Alabama. Do not take this lightly when I say this is my FAVORITE place to ride of all time in the south (and I've been to a lot of places). They have around 1,000 acres with 35 miles of trails!
I had been riding there for years with my family, so last year when I bought Patch, there was no question where he was going to be staying. I boarded him at their facility and got to know everyone who worked there. They are some of the most kind people I've ever met, and they have awesome paddocks, barns, and fields for the horses. When camping there, you can choose between a paddock, which can hold 3 horses, or you can choose a covered or uncovered stall for them. We typically get the paddocks when it is not going to be bad weather, but for New Years weekend, we chose stalls since the chance of rain is so high. They also have an arena here that is sometimes used to host things like mounted-shooting competitions and various other things! AND if you ever find yourself needing something (like a basic necessity) chances are they may have it in stock in their office for you to purchase, not to mention the tack they have for sale as well!
They have a bathhouse which I have found to always be nice and clean. Every campsite comes with a fire ring and a picnic table! There are also posts you can make a tie line with to saddle your horses, or you can tie them right to the post. They also have water and electric hookups & I believe some have sewage as well, but not all of them. They supply a washer and dryer near the bathhouse also. And the best part, if you ride during the summer, they have a very clean pool with a lot of seating around it and a hammock!! They are also dog friendly as long as they are kept on a leash!! During the organized trail rides, which is on most of the holidays, they sometimes supply a few meals included in your cost. They have a very nice "chow hall" which is where they set up food the times they have it, and for New Years, they typically serve a meal or two and have entertainment, especially for New Years' night. Every year I spend my New Years, Valentine's Day, July 4th, and the week of Thanksgiving here. Plus every other chance I get.
Now to the best part..... THE TRAILS!!! I have been riding at the Heart of Dixie long enough to be familiar with just about every trail there (especially from boarding there). But, if you are not familiar with the trails and don't trust yourself with the map (which is available at the office), there is a chance during the big rides, you can just join the organized rides! I believe they leave out around 9:30 or 9! They have two sets of acreage that you can ride on, them being separated by a dirt road (that is lightly traveled by vehicles). You can ride all day on either side of the dirt road and never run out of trails in my experience. The side of the road which you camp on has a mixture of different types of trails. You can stay in the woods mainly (if it's in the summer), or you can ride around the woods and trees. The best part about riding here in the summer is I never had a lot of trouble with bugs! This past summer I went riding almost every day out there and never got in a bind with bugs. I just sprayed down a bit and went on my way. You can also stay completely in the woods once you get in them so you're never riding in the blazing sun for long. Once you cross the dirt road, which is my favorite side I believe, there are two hidden ponds you can find in the woods and ride beside them. That always seems to be the first place I go at the start of my ride. After I go there I like to find the creek they have (very big creek) and follow it down and it comes out to a loop which is a really long and nice ride. But most recently I have found one trail which requires crossing a creek with embankments that are not large or intimidating, then following the trails on-top of a hill through pine trees. There also is another side of the creek you can ride on, if the creek isn't flooded, that has what is called "Turkey Mountain". If you are into climbing steep, steep hills this one is for you. The view from the top is just awesome. It is sort of tricky getting up there so I wouldn't recommend an inexperienced horse for the job. We haven't been able to get up there much recently because of the high influx of rain we've been having, which makes crossing the creek impossible, but we try to get over that way every time. I have numerous pictures of this place because I am there so much so enjoy the pictures and I really hope you decide to go spend some time there!! They are truly awesome people!
Heart of Dixie website
I had been riding there for years with my family, so last year when I bought Patch, there was no question where he was going to be staying. I boarded him at their facility and got to know everyone who worked there. They are some of the most kind people I've ever met, and they have awesome paddocks, barns, and fields for the horses. When camping there, you can choose between a paddock, which can hold 3 horses, or you can choose a covered or uncovered stall for them. We typically get the paddocks when it is not going to be bad weather, but for New Years weekend, we chose stalls since the chance of rain is so high. They also have an arena here that is sometimes used to host things like mounted-shooting competitions and various other things! AND if you ever find yourself needing something (like a basic necessity) chances are they may have it in stock in their office for you to purchase, not to mention the tack they have for sale as well!
They have a bathhouse which I have found to always be nice and clean. Every campsite comes with a fire ring and a picnic table! There are also posts you can make a tie line with to saddle your horses, or you can tie them right to the post. They also have water and electric hookups & I believe some have sewage as well, but not all of them. They supply a washer and dryer near the bathhouse also. And the best part, if you ride during the summer, they have a very clean pool with a lot of seating around it and a hammock!! They are also dog friendly as long as they are kept on a leash!! During the organized trail rides, which is on most of the holidays, they sometimes supply a few meals included in your cost. They have a very nice "chow hall" which is where they set up food the times they have it, and for New Years, they typically serve a meal or two and have entertainment, especially for New Years' night. Every year I spend my New Years, Valentine's Day, July 4th, and the week of Thanksgiving here. Plus every other chance I get.
Now to the best part..... THE TRAILS!!! I have been riding at the Heart of Dixie long enough to be familiar with just about every trail there (especially from boarding there). But, if you are not familiar with the trails and don't trust yourself with the map (which is available at the office), there is a chance during the big rides, you can just join the organized rides! I believe they leave out around 9:30 or 9! They have two sets of acreage that you can ride on, them being separated by a dirt road (that is lightly traveled by vehicles). You can ride all day on either side of the dirt road and never run out of trails in my experience. The side of the road which you camp on has a mixture of different types of trails. You can stay in the woods mainly (if it's in the summer), or you can ride around the woods and trees. The best part about riding here in the summer is I never had a lot of trouble with bugs! This past summer I went riding almost every day out there and never got in a bind with bugs. I just sprayed down a bit and went on my way. You can also stay completely in the woods once you get in them so you're never riding in the blazing sun for long. Once you cross the dirt road, which is my favorite side I believe, there are two hidden ponds you can find in the woods and ride beside them. That always seems to be the first place I go at the start of my ride. After I go there I like to find the creek they have (very big creek) and follow it down and it comes out to a loop which is a really long and nice ride. But most recently I have found one trail which requires crossing a creek with embankments that are not large or intimidating, then following the trails on-top of a hill through pine trees. There also is another side of the creek you can ride on, if the creek isn't flooded, that has what is called "Turkey Mountain". If you are into climbing steep, steep hills this one is for you. The view from the top is just awesome. It is sort of tricky getting up there so I wouldn't recommend an inexperienced horse for the job. We haven't been able to get up there much recently because of the high influx of rain we've been having, which makes crossing the creek impossible, but we try to get over that way every time. I have numerous pictures of this place because I am there so much so enjoy the pictures and I really hope you decide to go spend some time there!! They are truly awesome people!
Heart of Dixie website
These are the campsites to the right of the office!
This pond sits behind the office!
These two pictures are by the red barn which is on the left side of the office. This is where I had Patch boarded for 4 months!
The big creek I was talking about! Turkey Mountain is on the other side of this! If you follow this creek to the end, there is normally one foot of water to cross to get to the other side, but it floods easily! They have a post labeled to 7 feet at the end so you can see how deep it really is and if it is good to cross.
The view from on top of Turkey Mountain!!! It is gorgeous.
This trail heads into the woods from the red barn!
Some examples of the trails they have! They're so much fun!
There are a bunch of open areas to ride if you don't want to make it in the woods. They even have a new pond you can take your horse for a swim in!
The silo is what we always looked for if we were wondering if we were close to camp. Before I knew the trails, it was our sign that we were about to stumble up on camp! The second picture is a gorgeous sunset I got to experience one summer evening riding on the side of one of their cotton fields. Truly a gorgeous place.
I have attached the link ,right above the pictures, to their website regarding reservations and their special events. They are open all week every week and it is a very nice, quiet campsite. An awesome spot for every member of the family!!
Comments
Post a Comment