A walk in the clouds ... maintaining the Appalachian Trail (Rockfish to Reeds Gap)

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Aq5Cdgl3QdpfnJ91WwXMRCmSRBVZJvF3EdUJ0I-u-g-PVdZNG7h479i8t9HbSLcGpbRsOiTh_6HHpo_rcSdyiT3jGrakg49h1p7jWg1KDYeECAUPX6CYkOv1GRo_fdNymWC1J9jEzeba/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Aq5Cdgl3QdpfnJ91WwXMRCmSRBVZJvF3EdUJ0I-u-g-PVdZNG7h479i8t9HbSLcGpbRsOiTh_6HHpo_rcSdyiT3jGrakg49h1p7jWg1KDYeECAUPX6CYkOv1GRo_fdNymWC1J9jEzeba/s640/6.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />I enjoy hearing from the folks who are intimately involved with upkeep and involvement along the mountains as is the case with "Merlot" (her trail name). She is one of a number of volunteers in charge of upkeep along the Appalachian Trail from Rockfish Gap to Reeds Gap nineteen miles south, and including Afton Mountain and Humpback Rock. No one loves nature and Virginia's mountains more than those who actually put sweat equity into making sure hiking trails are maintained for thru-hikers as well as day-trippers.<br /><br />Merlot authors a blog, <a href="http://rockfishtoreeds.blogspot.com/">Rockfish to Reeds</a>, that chronicles not only those who work on the trails but those who hike them. <br /><br />So how did this pathway in the clouds all come to be? Merlot's post, "Appalachian Trail: The Roof of the East Coast," notes:<br /><blockquote>I suspect large numbers of the hiking public give little thought to the 'nitty gritty' of the trail, either how it was built (a common misconception is that it was an old 'Indian path') or the fact that 'somebody' needs to keep the trail in hiking condition and exactly who those 'somebodys' are. I was on the AT one day during weed season and weed whipping away with a swing blade when a group of hikers came by. One of them, a very nice lady, kindly asked me "How much is the government paying you to do this?" She was absolutely serious and sincere with that question and she was totally amazed when I answered "I am being paid nothing ..... you are on the Appalachian Trail which is maintained by volunteers!" </blockquote>Merlot's love of the mountains and the trail is evident in this post and especially in the last sentence: "As magnificent as the 'simple path' itself might be with all its wonders, its true 'heart' lies in every single volunteer maintainer who works so hard to keep the Appalachian Trail alive."<br /><br />Volunteers are the heart of any organization, and the Appalachian Trail is no different. I've enjoyed those mountain trails for years and am especially appreciative of the work that goes into beating back brush and weeds that encroach these pathways through the forests. A tip of the cap to all the hard-working volunteers whose hours of labor often goes unheralded but who are appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks, Merlot and fellow team members!<br /><br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

Afton Appalachian Trail Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway Rockfish to Reeds A walk in the clouds ... maintaining the Appalachian Trail (Rockfish to Reeds Gap)

I enjoy hearing from the folks who are intimately involved with upkeep and involvement along the mountains as is the case with "Merlot" (her trail name). She is one of a number of volunteers in charge of upkeep along the Appalachian Trail from Rockfi…

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Bob Stuart: 'Vets hike trail to heal and help others'

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9P7buNvYzmpEr_xbUsZPWBv9BFp6Qt4XmAu7NSZtTIHTxjhfnR8CuOqTaBG5Qqo7nOQ9mZ2j8bq7ugVHxIQVYgFfzcp77HThmxbL_JJ9v_-7wpFKlBX8an_z1GfNvRFhFqDye_fsr431/s1600/Warrior+Hike+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9P7buNvYzmpEr_xbUsZPWBv9BFp6Qt4XmAu7NSZtTIHTxjhfnR8CuOqTaBG5Qqo7nOQ9mZ2j8bq7ugVHxIQVYgFfzcp77HThmxbL_JJ9v_-7wpFKlBX8an_z1GfNvRFhFqDye_fsr431/s400/Warrior+Hike+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The Warrior Hikers were in the area Sunday, and <a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/news/local/vets-hike-trail-to-heal-and-help-others/article_a3d08fbc-d6e8-11e2-9cfa-0019bb30f31a.html"><i>News-Virginian</i></a> reporter Bob Stuart was there to talk with these military vets -- American heroes -- on their thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail.<br /><br />Read about the Warrior Hikers at <a href="http://vapolitics.us/2013/06/update-walking-off-the-war-at-warrior-hike-military-vets-to-be-at-devils-backbone-brewery-near-wintergreen-on-sunday/">Virginia Politics On Demand</a> (VPOD), and be sure to read Bob's article in the <i>News-Virginian </i>with thanks for his coverage.

Appalachian Trail Bob Stuart military veterans support our troops thru-hikers Virginia Politics On Demand Warrior Hike Waynesboro News-Virginian Bob Stuart: 'Vets hike trail to heal and help others'

The Warrior Hikers were in the area Sunday, and News-Virginian reporter Bob Stuart was there to talk with these military vets -- American heroes -- on their thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail.Read about the Warrior Hikers at Virginia Politics On Dema…

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Update: 'Walking Off the War' ... AT Warrior Hike military vets to be at Devil's Backbone Brewery near Wintergreen on Sunday

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJ1ZDbyJM1kMIy9ihcx1GRt0cDQkvoSKV1teU3mfsfgfhTLHzGV-A3W5z2zPZHil0wFFGZp7-K3SGk-ZpUxv5ppudzMwvJEfuuO0ttE8usgNgdMxaWH4KImoiYJbYjaL1c7xESax9ZVQy/s1600/Warrior+Hike+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJ1ZDbyJM1kMIy9ihcx1GRt0cDQkvoSKV1teU3mfsfgfhTLHzGV-A3W5z2zPZHil0wFFGZp7-K3SGk-ZpUxv5ppudzMwvJEfuuO0ttE8usgNgdMxaWH4KImoiYJbYjaL1c7xESax9ZVQy/s400/Warrior+Hike+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Along the Appalachian Trail, there's a group of military veterans "walking off the war," battling the memories of time deployed overseas but grateful to be physically able to hike, well aware that some of their fellow warriors came back with serious injuries. Others paid the ultimate price.<br /><br />If you've ever wanted to thank a veteran, Sunday is your chance. Buy the <a href="http://www.warriorhike.com/">Warrior Hikers</a> a beer and make a toast of gratitude for their service to our country. They will gather at <a href="http://www.dbbrewingcompany.com/">Devil's Backbone Brewing Company</a> in Roseland (near Wintergreen) Sunday afternoon at 5:00. (<b>This is a change from my earlier post.)</b><br /><br />Reporter David Kaplan with <a href="http://www.wdbj7.com/news/wdbj7-veterans-hiking-appalachian-trail-to-raise-money-for-fellow-injured-vets-20130611,0,2944313.story">KDBJ TV-7</a> caught up with the thru-hikers in Craig County earlier this week, and talked with several about their journey. Check out the <a href="http://warriorhike.com/hikers/class-of-2013/">website and meet the hikers</a> who have been deployed overseas -- Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Army veterans who set out from Georgia in March to follow the Appalachian Trail north.<br /><br />Father's Day provides a great opportunity to come out and show appreciation for these men and women who have served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, the Persian Gulf, and Southeast Asia, putting their lives on the line to preserve the freedoms we enjoy here at home.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.warriorhike.com/">Warrior Hikers</a> are our American heroes. The website tells how it began: <br /><blockquote>In 1948 Earl Shaffer told a friend he was going to “walk off the war” to work out the sights, sounds, and losses of World War II. Four months later, Earl Shaffer became the first person to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.<br /><br />Recognizing the physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits of hiking the Appalachian Trail, Warrior Hike has partnered with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to create the Walk Off The War Program. The Walk Off The War Program is designed to support combat veterans transitioning from military service by thru hiking the Appalachian Trail.</blockquote>I was alerted to the Warrior Hike by a reader of my <a href="http://www.lynnrmitchell.com/">SWAC Girl blog</a> who writes a blog covering the Appalachian Trail from Rockfish Gap to Reeds Gap -- <a href="http://rockfishtoreeds.blogspot.com/">Rockfish to Reeds</a>. She follows many of the hikers on the trail and has watched the Warrior Hikers since their March departure in Georgia.<br /><br />Merlot describes her blog as, "Rockfish Gap to Reeds Gap ..... that little piece of  'AT heaven' we all love so much. This is a blog for the dedicated volunteers who maintain the 19.1 miles of white-blazed AT and some blue-blazed side trails as well." <br /><br />So a tip of the hat to Merlot for the hard work that goes into upkeep for the AT, and for the heads-up about the Warrior Hikers. If you can, please join them at <a href="http://www.dbbrewingcompany.com/">Devil's Backbone Brewing Company</a>.

Appalachian Trail Devil's Backbone Brewing Company military veterans Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom Roseland support our troops Warrior Hike Wintergreen Update: 'Walking Off the War' ... AT Warrior Hike military vets to be at Devil's Backbone Brewery near Wintergreen on Sunday

Along the Appalachian Trail, there's a group of military veterans "walking off the war," battling the memories of time deployed overseas but grateful to be physically able to hike, well aware that some of their fellow warriors came back with serious …

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AT Warrior Hikers coming to Waynesboro Sunday

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeO6Us0ldG6-0nbkow0BVtpYiOTvrif3JrTx2bMHscQXKwzTPYijjvhV6OHWpzC4ilHIjriXuegj7OlZgkxS7hIjtg74FtD5pBP5I20DpfwwaW76LhdYUN_6CeXhrNRkrrK31ol04ZW5l/s1600/Warrior+Hike+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeO6Us0ldG6-0nbkow0BVtpYiOTvrif3JrTx2bMHscQXKwzTPYijjvhV6OHWpzC4ilHIjriXuegj7OlZgkxS7hIjtg74FtD5pBP5I20DpfwwaW76LhdYUN_6CeXhrNRkrrK31ol04ZW5l/s400/Warrior+Hike+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />This Sunday at 5:00 at the VFW Post 2424 in Waynesboro, meet the Appalachian Trail Warrior Hikers as they make their way north on their thru-hike.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.warriorhike.com/">Warrior Hikers</a> are our military veterans: <br /><blockquote>In 1948 Earl Shaffer told a friend he was going to “walk off the war” to work out the sights, sounds, and losses of World War II. Four months later, Earl Shaffer became the first person to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.<br /><br />Recognizing the physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits of hiking the Appalachian Trail, Warrior Hike has partnered with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to create the Walk Off The War Program. The Walk Off The War Program is designed to support combat veterans transitioning from military service by thru hiking the Appalachian Trail.</blockquote>I was alerted to the Warrior Hike by a reader of my <a href="http://www.lynnrmitchell.com/">SWAC Girl blog</a> who writes a blog covering the Appalachian Trail from Rockfish Gap to Reeds Gap -- <a href="http://rockfishtoreeds.blogspot.com/">Rockfish to Reeds</a>. She follows many of the hikers on the trail and has watched the Warrior Hikers since their March departure in Georgia. Merlot describes her blogs as, "Rockfish Gap to Reeds Gap ..... that little piece of  'AT heaven' we all love so much. This is a blog for the dedicated volunteers who maintain the 19.1 miles of white-blazed AT and some blue-blazed side trails as well."<br /><br />So a tip of the hat to her for her interest in the AT, and for the heads-up about the Warrior Hikers. Sunday offers an opportunity to thank these military veterans who put their lives on hold and on the line to preserve our freedoms. I'll update with more info as I find it but it's this Sunday, June 16, at 5:00 at the VFW in Waynesboro. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-N3GmgNmor_52EOb0850cgtPsg2J0sLdSao4C9RdaKzD3ymlaaRGo-AAn7vuaGMyKNdYDpFGtKVrgy-BVff4NnAS1_rf-nZi06MK8uAnQG3zPOcWZKXCAxAWC_QLvIGHmAi40GGoCnzj/s1600/Warrior+Hike+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-N3GmgNmor_52EOb0850cgtPsg2J0sLdSao4C9RdaKzD3ymlaaRGo-AAn7vuaGMyKNdYDpFGtKVrgy-BVff4NnAS1_rf-nZi06MK8uAnQG3zPOcWZKXCAxAWC_QLvIGHmAi40GGoCnzj/s320/Warrior+Hike+map.jpg" width="61" /></a></div>

Appalachian Trail Blue Ridge Mountains military veterans Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom support our veterans Warrior Hike Waynesboro AT Warrior Hikers coming to Waynesboro Sunday

This Sunday at 5:00 at the VFW Post 2424 in Waynesboro, meet the Appalachian Trail Warrior Hikers as they make their way north on their thru-hike.The Warrior Hikers are our military veterans: In 1948 Earl Shaffer told a friend he was going to “walk o…

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