Lets face it, as much as we love our little mountain town, we spend a lot of our free time pondering something exciting us guys can go out and do. Unlike activities us guys do with our significant other or groups of friends, bro dates usually stray from the cliche basic hiking trip to Preacher’s Rock or bland Starbuck meetups.
Something many others do not understand is that bonds between guys are much more real than other friendships present in society, today. Honestly, most -- if not all -- best friends are completely real with one another. We men hide this soft and caring relationship behind a wall of manliness layered with inside jokes and backyard football. No matter who you choose to be your significant other, whether it be men, women, your job or degree many of us need a break and just go out with the guys and forget about the stresses of life.
1. Hunting in Dawson Forest (40 min).
With such a close proximity to the North Georgia Premium Outlets, Dawson Forest City of Atlanta Tract offers thousands of arches of optimal hunting land. Just a short drive from UNG, Dawson Forest offers numerous species of game ranging from whitetail to bobcats. With rolling hills and streams cutting through the landscape, Dawson Forest is a great place to go out with a bro to bond, relax, make some great memories and bring food and pelts back home. Make sure to check local, state and federal hunting regulations and licenses. And come prepared with ample equipment to sustain yourself during your trip.
2. Round of golf (20 min., $27 to $69).
Many of us grew up with our fathers, uncles or grandfathers playing golf, but only recently have we started playing without them. While many argue golf is a boring old man’s game, this bias is only partially true. Golf is a game of skill and tactics, but also gives guys time to unwind, relax and hangout.
3. Cruising/off roading (20 min. to 2 hrs.)
With beautiful mountain overlooks to the winding roads of Chattahoochee National Forest, there are hundreds of amazing backroads to explore. Littered like spider webs throughout North Georgia, gearhead’s have been blessed with ample roads and rocky trails to explore not matter what vehicle they own. For those who are into fast cars and freedom, the roads through the National Forest offer many amazing miles with hairpins, rolling corners and hundreds of feet of elevation changes. With stops lined along the way, such as Mountains Crossing Store and Shelter, it's a great place to cool the brakes and enjoy an non-intrusive view of Neal’s Gap.
For those who do not enjoy the roads most traveled, North Georgia offers hundreds of miles of off-roading trails that will challenge your skills and patience. Trails such as Cooper Gap and the trails surround the Ranger Camp offer ample amount of off roading for the novice, but for those adrenaline junkies Tray Mountains offers more challenging trails that only dedicated off roading vehicles should tackle.
4. There are plenty of fish in the rivers and lakes (10 min. to 1 hr.).
With all the Salt Life stickers present on cars today I would imagine that almost everyone in Dahlonega is an avid fisherman, but all jokes aside, the region offers many locations to go looking for your river monster. With good times, cold beer (+21) and friends, a fishing trip to the lake or river is a perfect way to unwind for the stressed of classes and life, while gaining memories with life long friends.
5. Game night.
Whether if it is raining, snowing or hotter than the oven outside, nothing will beat the comfort of our rooms somedays. If the outdoors is not so much for your group of guys, a game night will be optimal. With most of us growing up with a gaming system, many of us can relate to a "Mario Kart" nigh,t or new horror games such as "Outlast." Bring all the junk food from Mountain Dew to Doritos and prepare yourself for a stark competitiveness and long night of being a kid again with your friends.
