Atlanta International Airport, a quick jump away from our hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, we were whisked away to our home away from home for the next three nights. Atlanta has a bit of a reputation for traffic, but on this particular Monday, the commotion on the roads was light, and we were soon whizzing by forests and fields as we headed east out of the city toward Lake Oconee. Per my usual travel ethos, I
had not researched the trip or location at all before departure. I like to be surprised by the property and be able to have an unfettered reaction to a place without any previews that would color or bias my initial understanding. That said, I couldn't resist and peeked at a map on my phone on the way. To my delight, Lake Oconee was within a rather vast national forest: trees in perpetuity and clean, unblemished waters. Satisfied, I closed the map and enjoyed the rest of the ride to our hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee Turning into the entrance, the natural lines of forests transitioned to the refined edges of manicured lawns and sculpted landscape as we approached the front of the property. A sizeable welcome mat of green lawn laid rolled out in