Hiker Appreciation Day at Montebello (June 1, 2013)

 

Trail Maintenance Display at the Montebello Fish Hatchery June 1, 2013

 (picture with yellow background is from one of the club work trips)

I received a request to use some pictures that appeared on the Rockfish to Reeds blog for a Hiker Appreciation Day being held at the Montebello Fish Hatchery in conjunction with National Trail Days, June 1, 2013. One of the pictures of trail maintenance work on the R2R section of AT appeared on one of the display boards. Below is some further information and pictures of the event that was sent to me via email by one of the organizers. Thanks to all concerned with this event for acknowledging the AT maintaining clubs in the area and the work they do to keep the AT in great shape for all the hikers that use it. ~ Merlot

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Nelson County became an Appalachian Trail Community last year.  Lois Arnold (Innkeeper at the Dutch Haus B&B) and I (Member of Friends of the Montebello Fish Hatchery) were on the AT Community Advisory Board.  Part of the program is to have an event or educational project to show support for the AT.  Nelson County joined forces with Blue Ridge Medical Center to have a bike/hike event at Devil’s Backbone (local brewery).  Lois & I felt that a smaller more intimate event better represented our community, plus we wanted local residents to have an opportunity to interact with the hiking community.  So we organized this Hiker Appreciation Day.  Our event was free and the food was free.

You asked that I send you some photos of our display board.  Attached you will find 2.  One has a close up of the acknowledgement for AT clubs that work in our area.  Thank you for sending the information about number of volunteers hours etc.  That was very impressive and several people commented on the dedication of these clubs.

Our event was well attended.  Many hikers came off the trail at the Spy Rock crossing.  Fish Hatchery guests joined in our celebration and learned a lot they didn’t know about hiking in general.

Thanks for your help and for all that your club does on the trail.

Paulette Albright

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Display boards and setup on June 1

 

Trails and attractions display board

Hikers visiting (and eating) at Montebello on June 1

(All Photos courtesy of Paulette Albright)