When it comes to hiking in the Southeast, most people immediately think of the Smokies, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Trail. 

And for good reason. The area is an absolute wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts. You could spend a lifetime exploring these mountains and still not run out of trails, waterfalls, trout streams and scenic overlooks.

But, for my money, the most overlooked pocket of outdoor paradise in the Southeast sits right around Lookout Mountain in northwest Georgia.

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Sunrise illuminates Cloudland Canyon, showcasing the colorful sky and rugged landscape. (Getty Images: Sue Huss)

I’ve written before about Cloudland Canyon State Park — one of my favorite underrated spots in this little corner of the world. Just across the state line, Alabama’s DeSoto State Park and Little River Canyon are also wonderful for stunning views, hikes and whatever else tugs your trotline.

In fact, last fall, I laid out for you an itinerary for the perfect camping and hiking weekend, hitting all of these destinations. And while I got a lot of “hell yeahs” in my email inbox, there was also one very common theme.

Amber, that’s cool and all. But after a day in the woods, I need a hot shower and a real bed.

You know what? I don’t even blame you. Taking a sponge bath with water you boiled over an open fire has a way of making a person feel decidedly NOT very on vacation.

Lucky for you, I’ve found a solution. And before you accuse me of going soft, I need you to hear me out.

A few months ago, somebody tipped me off to a resort perched atop Lookout Mountain near Cloudland Canyon — one Golf Digest had honored for having one of the most majestic 18th holes in the country.

“Few anywhere are more memorable or more resplendent than this one.” – Golf Digest

Resplendent! Adjective — shining brilliantly; full of splendor and magnificence. There’s a word you don’t hear very often.

Now admittedly, I don’t golf. I’m even a pretty pitiful putt-putter, if we’re being totally honest. But a majestic 18th hole means a majestic view in the rest of the resort. And y’all know I’m a sucker for a scenic overlook.

So my husband and I found ourselves booked for a two-night stay at Cloudland at McLemore.

They immediately won me over with this view. (Amber Harding Snyder)

Now, walking into this place is an experience in itself. Pull open a mammoth wooden door and you get yourself two eyeballs full of McLemore Cove — a valley nestled between Lookout and Pigeon Mountain.

Yeah, this is gonna be just fine.

My husband is a total freak, so his first stop was the hotel gym. Not your average hotel gym, by the way. It’s a zen fitness center complete with weights, cardio equipment, a Peloton room and real water rowing machines.

Have fun, baby, I’m opening a bar tab at the pool. 

It’s an infinity pool, by the way. It doesn’t flow off the cliff edge (for obvious safety reasons), but it’s still very cool. I began to wonder, What kind of money do I need to make where lying in a partly submerged lounge chair with a book, a cocktail and a mountain view is a realistic daily occurrence?

Best not to start crunching those numbers.

There are worse places to be. (Photo courtesy of Cloudland at McLemore)

We had reservations that night at Auld Alliance, the resort’s designated fancy restaurant. Meaning I put on a dress instead of my usual uniform of a T-shirt, muddy pants and boots. Who am I?

Someone who gobbles up a filet mignon and mashed potatoes like a rabid animal, that’s who. 

By the way, their mashed potatoes are called “rumbledethumps.” It’s a Scottish dish, I’m told. But I could not, for the life of me, remember this word. I called them “tweedledees, humpty-dumpties, whoopdie-doos,” and God bless our server Nico for deciphering my nonsense. Whatever they’re called, they are full of butter, and they are magnificent.

And I promise that’s not just the Scotch Old Fashioned talking. Which was also magnificent.

Hiking Lula Lake on Lookout Mountain

The next day, we had an adventure planned: “Open Gate Days” at Lula Lake Land Trust.

Lula Lake is a protected 8,000-acre watershed and nature conservation area. You cannot just show up there and take a look around. But on the first and last weekend of the month, you can buy a pre-booked ticket ($16 per vehicle) to explore the grounds.

It’s well worth the price of admission.

Now, my husband and I have been to Cloudland Canyon State Park a handful of times and are working our way through all the trails there. Until this trip, we were unaware Lula Lake even existed. It’s a hidden gem.

Unfortunately, the forecast called for heavy rain all day long. Not ideal hiking weather, obviously, but we had already committed to 7.5 miles, and by golly, we were going to tough it out. Might as well put our expensive rain gear to use.

And boy, did we use it. The sky opened up less than a mile into our trek, and we knew we were in for a long day. Not as long, perhaps, as the woman we saw huddled under a trail map sign wearing a T-shirt, shorts and tie-dyed Crocs. As we say in the South, bless her (highly unprepared) heart.

HERE’S HOW TO DO THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS WITHOUT TRAFFIC AND CROWDS

Fortunately, the rain let up just as we reached the absolute star of the hike: Lula Falls. You catch a glimpse of this 120-foot waterfall from above pretty early in the trail. But trust me when I say you’re going to want to take the maybe half-mile detour loop that goes down to the base of the falls. 

The waterfall is stunning. Peaceful. A reminder of why you slog through the woods in the pouring rain in the first place. And totally Instagram-able.

Ain’t she a beaut? (Amber Harding Snyder)

One thing my husband hates is when I ask strangers to take a picture of us.

“Can’t we just take a selfie?” he asks every time.

No. We cannot. Because I don’t want close-up photos of our sweaty faces. I want photos of nature’s splendor. And so I clocked a 20-something female (they take the best photos) and asked her to snap a picture of us in front of the waterfall. We even climbed up on a big rock to make it look cooler.

Friends, never again will I simply assume the photography skills of a Gen-Zer. I’m not kidding when I say this girl zoomed all the way in on my husband and me. By looking at the photo she took, you would never know we were standing in front of a 120-foot majestic waterfall. Just two waterlogged dorks on a rock.

But I’m too nice to hurt anyone’s feelings, so then we had to sit there and wait for her to leave so that I could ask someone else to take our photo. Come to think of it, maybe this is why my husband would rather take selfies.

Worth the wait. The second lady nailed it.

Scroll to see more photos from Lula Lake Land Trust:

We climbed out of the bottom of the waterfall through some particularly cool rock formations, and that’s when the torrential downpour began. And it persisted for about an hour. By the time we reached the bluffs, every thread of every fabric on my clothing was soaked through. Guess it’s time to upgrade that rain gear.

In fact, the only part of my body that was dry was the most important part, my feet. (If you’re a hiker or a runner, you know wet socks are blister city. So shoutout to KEEN for waterproof boots that are, in fact, waterproof.)

Still, it was in this moment I was very happy to have a nice hotel, a hot shower and dry clothes to return to after the hike. This was not the weekend to go camping.

Finally, though, Mother Nature threw us a bone. The rain stopped, the fog cleared and we were treated to a stunning view of the Chattanooga Valley. A sight to behold before the soggy trek back to the trailhead.

My husband taking in the view from The Bluff Trail at Lula Lake. (Amber Harding Snyder)

Even with the rain, though, Lula Lake Land Trust was a spectacular find, and I’m glad we did the full 7.5 miles. I would have been bummed if I missed those overlooks from the Bluff Trail.

They also have mountain biking trails — if that’s more your speed — and the preserve is dog friendly.

This was a very rare trip where our German Shepherd didn’t come along. We’ll definitely take him next time, though. He needs a photo with that waterfall.

Post-Hike Beers

If you’ve been reading my travel blogs for a while, you know I don’t put in those miles for nothing. So I was thrilled to head back to the resort for a frosty brew.

Here’s a fun surprise: Cloudland at McLemore takes its happy hour seriously. A staff member told us to head to the Pocket Cafe for two free wine, beer or cocktails per guest.

Twist my arm.

As we sat on the terrace with our cocktails enjoying the view, we overheard groups of golfers debriefing from their day on the links. I learned that McLemore has three golf courses: The Highlands, The Keep and a six-hole short course called The Cairn. I guess you can play The Cairn for free as a hotel guest. Which feels like an incredible perk if I were a golfer.

I did hear rave reviews about the 18th hole on The Highlands, though — the same one Golf Digest was all worked up about. 

Conveniently enough, the resort has a hiking trail leading right up to the famous finishing hole. I made a mental note to walk out there before we checked out the next day.

They weren’t exaggerating. This course is ridiculous. (Photo courtesy of Cloudland at McLemore)

The hiking trail on the property was only about a mile, but very peaceful and pretty. It was especially cool (and a little spooky) with the morning fog thick through the trees. The hotel also has bikes for guests to use and is planning to implement some rock climbing and bouldering areas as well. Plenty of ways to scratch your outdoor itch, which I always appreciate.

Look, I’m not giving up camping (or “glamping”) anytime soon.

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But after spending a day hiking waterfalls in the pouring rain, then coming back to dry clothes, mountain views, good bourbon and a mattress that didn’t require inflating with my own lungs, I certainly understand the appeal.

Maybe all the “hot shower, real bed” people in my inbox were onto something after all.

The Coast Guard released new pictures of the agency’s seizure of Brian Hooker’s sailboat as a criminal investigation remains ongoing into the disappearance of his wife.

Agents with the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) seized the sailboat Soulmate, which belongs to Brian and Lynette Hooker, 40 nautical miles off the coast of Melbourne, Florida, according to a news release. A source previously told Fox News Digital the sailboat was seized between May 8-10.

Lynette Hooker fell off a dinghy after leaving shore at Hope Town in the Bahamas at around around 7:30 p.m. on April 4, her husband, Brian Hooker, told authorities. Brian Hooker claimed that rough waters caused Lynette to fall off the small boat. Brian Hooker paddled to shore and arrived at Marsh Harbour around 4 a.m. on April 5, according to authorities.

The couple was headed back to their sailboat, their full-time home in retirement, when Lynette fell overboard. They frequently sail around the U.S. and Caribbean, according to their social media pages.

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The Coast Guard released new images of the agency’s seizure of the sailboat “Soulmate.” (Coast Guard)

Brian Hooker hasn’t been charged with a crime.

COAST GUARD OPENS CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO MISSING WOMAN LAST SEEN IN BAHAMAS

The Coast Guard said the seizure was part of a “complex surveillance and interdiction operation.” Soulmate was taken to Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce, where investigators are processing the boat for potential evidence.

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The Coast Guard on Thursday evening released new pictures after the agency seized Brian and Lynette Hooker’s sailboat. (Coast Guard)

“The vessel Soulmate is currently in the custody of CGIS as part of an active criminal investigation,” the Coast Guard said.

Images taken by Fox News Digital on Tuesday show Brian and Lynette Hooker’s sailboat taped off as it sits at the U.S. Coast Guard’s station in Fort Pierce.

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Lynette Hooker and Brian Hooker seen in a picture taken in 2023 on a small boat. (John Waters)

The boat’s seizure comes about a week after the Coast Guard sought the public’s help in finding the owner of a sailboat that was moored near Brian and Lynette Hooker’s Soulmate sailboat in the Bahamas.

Brian Hooker left the island for the U.S. to tend to his ill mother, his Bahamian attorney previously said.

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Coast Guard officials said the sailboat was seized 40 nautical miles off the coast of Melbourne, Florida. (Coast Guard)

Coast Guard officials said the sailboat’s seizure is part of a criminal investigation. (Coast Guard)

His Michigan-based attorney previously asked Americans to give him the benefit of the doubt in an interview with ABC News.

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“I would ask those watching to treat him the way you would want to be treated, to give him the benefit of the doubt, and to consider that not all of us, nor you, considering your own relationships, the way you speak to one another, we all handle things in different ways,” Crystal Marie Hauser said.

Reference #18.8e644217.1778857096.10dd1a66

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An Alabama man is facing charges two months after allegedly shooting his son’s 22-year-old girlfriend, who was a recent Auburn University graduate and had just landed her dream job as an interior designer.

Whitney Harlow Robeson, a 22-year-old Virginia native, died on March 7 from a gunshot wound at a home on Deer Trail in Trussville, Alabama, about 15 miles northeast of Birmingham.

Police responded around 9:30 p.m. First responders rushed her to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead just over an hour later.

This week, Trussville police announced an “extensive investigation” led them to the arrest of her boyfriend’s father, Jeffrey Scott Towers, 54, on a charge of reckless manslaughter. Public records indicate he and his son, also an Auburn alumnus, both live at the Deer Trail address.

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Jeffrey Towers, a 54-year-old from Trussville, Alabama, is charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of 22-year-old Whitney Robeson. (Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office)

Court records have not revealed details of the shooting or evidence surrounding the charges against Towers, other than to allege he shot Robeson.

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In a statement, Towers’ attorneys John Amari and Dain Stewart called Robeson’s death a “tragic event.”

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Whitney Robeson, 22, studied interior design at Auburn before getting a job at RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware. (Instagram/@whitneyharlowdesign)

“We know that the facts will show that Mr. Towers has no criminal history, has been a productive and upstanding citizen for his entire life and is not guilty of these charges,” they wrote.

POLICE SHOULD BE TAKING ‘CLOSER LOOK’ AT COLLEGE STUDENT’S DEATH AFTER MOTHER’S ALLEGATIONS: FORMER PROSECUTOR

Robeson’s death was initially reported as accidental to the Jefferson County Coroner/Medical Examiner’s Office, according to AL.com.

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In an online obituary, Robeson’s family revealed she had wanted to work in interior design since her childhood, inspired by shows on HGTV.

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Whitney Robeson, a 22-year-old Auburn University graduate from Richmond, Virginia, was shot and killed on March 7 at a home in Trussville, Alabama. (Instagram/@whitneyharlowdesign)

After graduating summa cum laude from Auburn’s interior design program, she got a job as a trade consultant for RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware, doing just that.

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She grew up in Richmond, where she had been a lifeguard and a clerk at boutique shops downtown, according to the obituary.

Towers has been freed after posting $30,000 bail. He’s due back in court on July 22.