Take a Hike……..
I was walking along the Guild Trail the other day, enjoying the moment and also checking the trail conditions, when I heard what I thought was someone crying. I looked in the woods and saw a woman sitting on the large rock surrounded by lush green foliage crying. I continued my walk debating with every step I took if I should speak to the woman or leave her be. I walked about 30 feet and decided to turn around and check in with the woman. When I approached her, I asked her if she was alright. She replied, “I will be….. during the storms a few weeks ago I lost several family members. When I was a child my dad would bring me to this trail and we would explore the woods. This rock that I’m sitting on is “OUR” rock. My dad and I would sit on this rock and count our blessings. I come here when life has been difficult to ease my pain. This rock, trail and these woods heal me….”
Later that day at the end of my walk I saw a mother and 3 children all under the age of 10. The children clinged to their mom as they walked down the trail so tightly it made it difficult for the mom to move. As I made my way to them, I stopped and introduced myself and thanked them for using our trail. The mom said, “Oh no, thank you!….this trail is one of the most peaceful and safest places I know. During the tornadoes several weeks ago, we lost our home. The kids have been so afraid to being outside since the storm so I thought I’d bring them here to reunite them to the outdoors.”
I dare say that there is NOT a single person in the surrounding area of Chattanooga (including North Georgia and Alabama) that hasn’t been affected by the storms of April 27, 2011. What are you doing to restore yourself or help others? Might I suggest…… Take A Hike!
Posted by admin in Field Notes on 5/23/2011
Field Note, Guild-Hardy Trail
By Nate Thomas
It has been a busy spring on LMC’s Guild-Hardy Trail, the winter weather and spring storms have regularly dropped trees on the trail. Users occasionally have had to maneuver through and over trees that have fallen on the trail. LMC has been able to take care of several of those that succumbed to the power of nature; a couple of larger trees have required stronger saws. Fortunately trail users have been rewarded with spring weather as of late and pleasant trips over our historic trestles. The Guild-Hardy Trail is owned and managed by the Lookout Mountain Conservancy, and it connects to the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park’s trail system of over 50 miles of trails.
Posted by admin in Field Notes on 3/22/2011
Lookout Mountain Conservancy has announced a $2.5 million fundraising drive to preserve a 90-acre site at Lookout Mountain, Ga. Robyn Carlton, LMC Chief Executive Officer, said the Charles Howell and Harry Lawrence properties on Lula Lake Road can be a valuable resource for wildlife and the local communities. The properties extend west within reach of Scenic Highway. The Howell and Lawrence homes will not be part of the natural area, but will be within it, surrounded by protected forest. Buyers are being sought for the homesites. (more…)
Posted by admin in Field Notes on 5/19/2010
LMC staff will be posting their observations about trail conditions, happenings, general fun information about LMC projects and more. Check back often!
Posted by admin in Field Notes on 2/17/2010
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Posted by admin in Field Notes on 1/1/2010
