The Tidewater Appalachian Trail Club

http://www.tidewateratc.com

10 March 2010

“You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down again. So why bother in the first place? Just this: What is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above. One climbs, one sees. One descends, one sees no longer, but one has seen. There is an art of conducting oneself in the lower regions by the memory of what one saw higher up. When one can no longer see, one can at least still know.” … Rene Daumal

March 13, 2010 Saturday > Fisherman Island NWR Beach Cleanup

Chris Sexton, 484-2827

Trip is limited to 25. Sign up early. Meet at 8:00AM at the south toll plaza parking lot, Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Cars limited on Fisherman Island, so we will carpool to Eastern Shore Wildlife Refuge. A Ranger will lead us to our access to Fisherman Island. We will be picking up trash on the beach. Eat at restaurant on Eastern Shore afterwards if desired. Take warm clothes, warm hat, work gloves, and suitable shoes or boots to walk through the possibly wet sand. Wear sunscreen. Bring your camera. All persons will share toll costs for the cars.

March 13, 2010 Saturday > Backpacking Seminar

Bill Rogers, 484-6001

The Do’s-Don’ts, and How to—How not to, and Equipment, Clothes, and more about our favorite outdoor adventure sport. Get some discussion of how to make choices in your equipment purchases. What features to look for. What’s high-priced overkill and what’s a light, satisfying pack to carry that has what you need in it, what to put into it, and what to wear while carrying the pack. Bring lunch and a beverage. 09:55hrs to 16:40hrs (4:40PM). For directions, call Bill.

March 14, 2010 Sunday > Merchants Millpond Maintenance

Bill Lynn, 867-6753

Help groom the trails around one of the northern-most cypress swamps in the nation. Bugs will be at a low level. Tools provided. Bring lunch & gloves. Call Bill for details & car-pooling.

March 19-21, 2010 Friday-Sunday > Beach Camping at Portsmouth Island, NC

Gordon & Melinda Spence, 464-5096

Meet Friday night in Ocracoke, after taking the Hatteras Ferry, then car-camp or get a motel for the evening. Leave Saturday morning by rented boat to Portsmouth Island. Explore the Island on foot, seeing the town, graveyards, and tidal marsh. Camp on the beach. Wonderful shell-searching and wildlife watching. Evening fire weather permitting.  On Sunday morning, break camp and hike back to catch the boat to Ocracoke and ferry to Hatteras.  Take the camera for photo opportunities.  Call Melinda and Gordon for details.

March 19-21, 2010 Friday evening-Sunday > Roller Coaster Revisited on the AT

Mark Wenger, 757-253-0056 (H), markwenger@cox.net

Leave Williamsburg at 5:00PM Friday for this moderate/strenuous hike. Will pick up anyone going from Richmond area at the Walmart parking lot off I-95 in Ashland. After a quick supper on the road, drive to Harpers Ferry and camp or stay in a motel. On Saturday we will shuttle the vehicles and hike 16 miles south on the AT to camp near a spring. On Sunday we will hike an additional 17 miles to Ashby Gap on US 50 and the cars. Here is a chance to take on the “roller coaster” that you have heard about and at a time of year with no bugs or poison ivy.

March 20, 2010 Saturday > Sandy Bottom Maintenance

Pat Parker, 851-9252

Meet at the Trail Center at 9 AM, work until noon. Pat will coordinate with the rangers to determine the work project for the morning.

March 24, 2010 Wednesday > Eating Out Event

Jane Martin, 363-8464

Planning underway for dinner at Pasha Mezze Restaurant in Ghent, at 350 W. 22^nd St. Features include Turkish cuisine of salads, wraps and entrees to include vegetarian offerings. Call Jane by Monday March 22.

March 28, 2010 Sunday > New Quarter Trail Maintenance

Phyllis Neumann, 566-4584

Meet at 9:30AM at the inner parking lot for a morning of light maintenance. Bring gloves, comfortable footwear, water and snacks. Tools will be provided. Possibility of lunch afterwards, courtesy of Appomattox Canoe and Kayak, featuring hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, condiments, and drinks under a shelter as part of “New Quarter Park’s Cabin Fever Sunday.” You could take a big dish to share with the group: chips, beans, pasta salad, veggie tray, deserts, etc. Kiosks will be manned by other outdoor activities and businesses 10:00AM to 1:00PM. Come to explore other groups’ offerings. For more info, check out: <http://www.yorkcounty.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=4626>.

April 6, 2010 Tuesday > TATC Board of Directors Meeting

Phyllis Neumann, 566-4584

7:00PM at the Pretlow Library, 111 West Ocean View Ave., Norfolk. Open to all members.

April 10-11, 2010 Saturday-Sunday > Merchants Millpond Canoe Overnighter (NEW DATE)

Bill Lynn, 867-6753

Early springtime camping and canoeing at Merchants Millpond State Park before the bugs arrive in mass. We’ll camp on an island and explore the millpond with its beaver, birds, and alligators. We might also hike or just hang around. This is a great trip for beginners, because canoe rentals are available, and, if you don’t know how to paddle, the trip leader will give you free lessons on this still-water pond. It’s a great trip for children too, so take the munchins. You’ll need normal camping equipment, plus drinking water, and whatever fills your canoe. Contact Bill for details.

April 10, 2010, Saturday > First Landing State Park Maintenance

Bill Buck, 846-1125

Meet at the parking lot of the Visitors’ Center off Shore Drive for some light maintenance on the Osmanthus Trail. Bring gloves, water, and a snack. Tools will be provided. Share some walking and talking, and maybe a little trimming with your fellow members for some helping out on our local trails. Possible lunch out afterwards.

April 11, 2010 Sunday > Biking around Yorktown Battlefield

Rick Hancock, 619-5522

We will bike along the George Washington Tour Road and Newport News Park Bike Trail, approximately 20-25 miles. We will eat lunch at the Yorktown riverfront. This ride is training for the Greenbrier River Trail ride at the end of this month, but all are welcome. Bring your gear and see how you and your bike handle the extra weight. We will depart at 9:00AM from the Yorktown Battlefield parking area.

April 14, 2010 Wednesday > TATC General Meeting

Phyllis Neumann, 566-4584

7:00PM at the Pretlow Library, 111 West Ocean View Ave., Norfolk. Program: New Zealand Highlights by Steve Ralph.

April 16-18, 2010 Friday-Sunday > Spring Walk-Through

Scott Hilton, 625-6052

Here’s your chance to get a look at our section of the AT and assess a winter’s wear on the trail. You can get an idea of what we will work on later in May on the Spring Maintenance Weekend. Share some trail time with your friends on the AT somewhere between Reeds Gap and the Tye River as the spring’s earliest growth is revealed.

April 16-18, 2010 Friday-Sunday > TATC Cabin Maintenance Weekend

Steve Babor, 588-7501

Qualify for cabin rental on your own by participating in a cabin maintenance/orientation weekend.

Provide the elbow grease for making the cabin ship-shape for the Spring-Summer. Share some camaraderie with other cabin maintainers: bunk inside or tent outside. Inside bunks limited. Call Steve for more info.

April 18, 2010 Sunday > Biking around Yorktown Battlefield

Rick Hancock, 619-5522

We will bike along the George Washington Tour Road and Newport News Park Bike Trail, approximately 20-25 miles. We will eat lunch at the Yorktown riverfront. This ride is training for the Greenbrier River Trail ride at the end of this month, but all are welcome. Bring your gear and see how you and your bike handle the extra weight. We will depart at 9:00AM from the Yorktown Battlefield parking area.

April 30-May 2, 2010, Friday evening- Sunday > Variations on Wild Oak/Ramsey Draft Trails

Mark Wenger, 757-253-0056 (H), markwenger@cox.net

(Moderate/Strenuous)

Leaving Williamsburg at 5:00PM Friday for this moderate/strenuous hike. Pick up anyone in Richmond at the commuter parking lot at Exit 173 on I-64 on the way. We will eat a quick supper on the road and drive to the trail head at Wild Oak Trail on Forest Roads 95 and 101, and camp at the trail head. On Saturday we will shuttle the cars and hike 12 miles on Forest Road 101 to Grooms Ridge Trail to Wild Oak Trail to Hiner Springs in the Ramseys Draft Wilderness Area and camp. For those who might want a shorter trip, they can hike in from the Shenandoah Trail. On Sunday we will hike 11 miles either on the Ramsey Draft Trail and Bridge Hollow Trail to Bald Ridge Trail or take Bald Ridge Trail the whole way to Braley’s Pond and the cars. By weaving these trails together, we can enjoy the very best of each.

April 30-May 2, 2010 Friday-Sunday > Mountain-Biking the Greenbrier River Trail

Rick Hancock, 619-5522

Join Rick for a fun 3-day ride along the 80-mile Greenbrier River Trail in West Virginia. We will depart from the peninsula at approx 6:00AM Friday and head to Caldwell, WV to meet our shuttle, and then head to the Cass trailhead. We will depart from Cass about 2:00PM and bike 16 miles to a campsite (pump water, toilets, etc.) Sat we will bike 10 miles to Marlinton and eat breakfast at the Café; if you prefer, you can eat in camp. Saturday’s ride will total approx 50 miles of easy travel along this terrific Rails-To-Trails route. In fact, we will be going slightly downhill! We will finish the ride with an easy 10 miles on Sun and head for home. The area we will travel through is rich in history: the rail line was completed in the early1900’s and carried passengers and goods. We will travel through two 400’-500’ tunnels and across two trestle bridges. You can still smell and see the soot on the rocky ceilings. Bring normal overnight gear (tent/tarp, sleeping bag, stove/food). Gear can be carried in a small backpack, but panniers/saddlebags allow you to be more comfortable. I can suggest appropriate gear if you have questions. You will need a Mtn bike or Hybrid with wide tires; the trail is graded but there are rocky sections. You and your bike should be in good shape. Shuttle cost will be approx $30-$50 each, depending on the number of riders. Limit is10 people. If you want to come but don't want to camp there are a few options. Call. I suggest some conditioning rides to avoid problems. See above for training rides on April 11th and 18^th.

May 4, 2010 Tuesday > TATC Board of Directors Meeting

Phyllis Neumann, 566-4584

7:00PM at the Pretlow Library, 111 West Ocean View Ave., Norfolk. Open to all members.

May 8, 2010 Saturday > Low Impact Camping & Hiking Workshop

Rosanne Scott, 763-0859

This one-day workshop will explore ways we can minimize our impact on the world around us and increase the enjoyment of the camping/hiking experience. Class will consist of a mix of classroom instruction and hands-on practice. This is a great introduction for those new to hiking and camping and an informative addition for the more experienced outdoor enthusiast.

May 12, 2010 Wednesday > TATC General Meeting

Phyllis Neumann, 566-4584

7:00PM at the Pretlow Library, 111 West Ocean View Ave., Norfolk. Program: Searching Out and Hiking Historic Sections of the A.T. with Susan Gail Arey.

May 15, 2010 Saturday > Beaverdam Park Hike

Jim & Chris Sexton, 484-2827

5.8 mile loop hike in Gloucester’s largest park (1340 acres), which is located in the central part of the county and surrounds a 635-acre lake. Meet at 9:30 AM at park entrance Eat out at Olivia’s In The Village in town afterwards

Park is located at 8687 Roaring Springs Road, Gloucester.

May 21-23 Friday-Sunday > Spring Maintenance Family Weekend

Scott Hilton, 625-6052

This is the primary event! This is what we work on: the A.T. section assigned to TATC. Get out with your family to Sherando Campground, our basecamp, and participate in some aspect of the maintenance of our trail section, share some meal(s) with others, either on the trail or at Sherando.

June 12-13 Saturday-Sunday > Love Mountain Festival

Keith Smith of Royal Oaks Cabins

AT Trail Clubs of the area are invited to participate in this event that is part of the 75^th anniversary of the BRP and The Nelson County Driving Loop. Enjoy old time blue grass & gospel bands, arts & crafts & educational booths. Free admission. Milepost 16, Love Gap, Blue Ridge Parkway.

June 19, 2010 Saturday > Weyanoke Bird & Wildflower Sanctuary

Jim & Chris Sexton, 484-2827

Join us for a one & one half hour walk in this delightful park in West Ghent. Meet at 10:00 AM at the 1501 Armistead Bridge Road gate Eat out at Orapax Restaurant afterwards. Note: Changed date from listing in TATC calendar

LOOKING AHEAD…..SAVE THE DATE!!!!!

The Rockfish Valley Foundation has undertaken a project called the NELSON SCENIC LOOP which includes as part of it our section of the AT from Reed's Gap to the Tye River, and onward to Montebello. You can look at the basic website at www.nelsonscenicloop.com and www.rockfishvalley.org.  They hope to make the website grow with additional information. The Rockfish Valley Foundation will hold a grand discovery day on June 12, 2010, an event to which members of our club are invited to become a part.  As awareness grows of the LOOP, it should help drive volunteers to TATC, and may provide info regarding other sites and activities that may well enhance our enjoyment of the area also.

September 11, 2010 > Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge & False Cape State Park Bike Trip

Jim & Chris Seton, 484-2827

Meet at 9:00AM at the Visitor Center at Back Bay National Refuge (fee). Bike from Visitor’s Center through Refuge and into FC State Park, approximately 20 miles round trip. Bring plenty water, a lunch, rain gear, sunscreen & insect repellent. Eat out at the Sandbridge Island Restaurant afterwards.

February 19-21, 2011 > West Virginia Winter Weekend @ Blackwater Fall SP Lodge

Charles Hauser, 810-7452

A wonderful opportunity for comfortable relaxing at a classic lodge with fireplace/game room, exercise room, heated pool, hot tub, and a good restaurant. After a six hour drive over the mountains, possible activities include downhill skiing (Canaan & Timberline have snow-making capacity), cross country skiing/snowshoeing, sledding, tubing, hiking, horseback riding, dining in Davis. You need to make your own early reservation which can be up to a year in advance. This is a most popular weekend at the lodge.

Old Dominion Appalachian Trail Club. We work closely with our neighbor club in Richmond. Please go to the following website for some of their offerings: www.odatc.net

Local Trails Maintenance Opportunities: If you would like to receive E-mail notifications about TATC Local Trails Maintenance activities, please send an E-mail to Bill Buck at LocalTrails@tidewateratc.com requesting to be added to the Local Trails E-mail distribution list. Trail maintenance may include weed cutting, brush and tree trimming, removal of small blown down trees, painting of trail blazes, repairing walkways, and creating trails.  Other special projects may be performed such as building water bars to prevent erosion, building and repairing foot bridges, as well as building benches and other structures.  These skills may also be used to maintain the Appalachian Trail.

Weekday Activity Group: If you would like to receive e-mail notifications of local hikes, bicycle rides, and paddles taking place during the week (usually on Tuesdays) please send e-mail to Ellis Malabad malabad2@gmail.com requesting to be added to the “Tuesday Group” e-mail distribution list.

The TATC/Douglas Lee Putman Memorial Cabin is available for rent.  You must be a member and first attend an orientation / work weekend in order to rent.  The cabin can be reserved 8 weeks (56 days) in advance.  Please call Bob Adkisson at 627-5514 if you have any questions, or want to check on availability, or want to make reservations.

Hikes and Activities. If you have hike or activities information for a trip you’d like to lead, please call Hikemaster Jim Newman at 867-6688 to leave a message or e-mail at Hikemaster@TidewaterATC.com with all information to be inserted or updated in this listing. Your information provided to the Hikemaster will also be used to update the TATC website. If you e-mail these items, be sure to identify yourself by full name and mention that this is a TATC event. Blank Sign-up sheets can be printed from the TATC website. After the event, please return completed Sign-up sheets to the Hikemaster, so they can be retrieved from file for a period of several years. You may take sign-up sheets to the board or general meeting following the event, or mail them to the Hikemaster: Jim Newman, 102 N. Fern Cove Court, Yorktown, VA 23693

Return to: www.TidewaterATC.com