Member Memories of Past Hikes and Events
Memories are made in the National Forests: we learn, we experience beauty, we find joy with friends. This is where you can share your photos and stories of GFW Outings and Events.
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Bartram Trail Hike
Jerry Thursby works his way up the Bartram Trail on a beautiful
summer day, followed by Marie Thursby, Robin Peterson, and
Shannon Cooper.
Photo by Brooks Franklin
On Saturday, June 5, ForestWatch volunteer Brooks Franklin led a group of hikers down the Bartram Trail, Section 1 and the Chattooga River Trail, Section 3. ForestWatch member Jerry Thursby shared the following notes: It was a great day for a hike and a typical June day in North Georgia—cool, low humidity and no rain.
Well, not too hot at least and only a brief downpour, lasting just long enough for me to don my poncho, leaving me with a wet poncho and a damp wife.
A view of Dick's Creek Falls
Photo by Cheryl Bird
Five began the hike and five ended, so not a bad day on a score that matters. Matt, Jeffrey, Marie, Brooks and Jerry were in attendance. It was a grouping of two lawyers, two economists and one gentle soul with a leisurely pace set, as is typical of a Brooks-led hike and a fine time was had by all (as is said in the society pages).
While I cannot claim to be familiar with many local trails, this is clearly my favorite of the ones I know. It has deep wood, numerous small creeks and fast-flowing rivers. This is a most beautiful, though long, trail. I am ready to do this one again.
We saw a very interesting salamander about 3 inches in length and a vivid orange—not sure if this is a new species; if so, I have appropriately named it Salamandus Jerry (I saw the critter first).
The Dick's Creek Ledge, where Dick's Creek meets the Chattooga River.
Photo by Peter McIntosh
The water for all waterways was high and markedly higher than in the past few years. Of particular note were the signs of a very recent flash flood of Dick's Creek near the bridge from the trail to Dick's Creek Waterfall (a truly magnificent waterfall if you have not had the chance for a visit). The rain causing this flood must have been prodigious. Signs of flooding extended for several hundred yards along the creek and for as many as 30 yards in width. The mud was still heavy with much standing water and the ground cover, as well as numerous small trees/bushes, flattened. It might seem overdramatic to say the scene was surreal, but it was my thought at the time!
Wild & Woolly Native Plant Sale & Book Festival
Plant Sale participants line up to pay for their selections.
Photo by Michael Griffith
The rain came in a steady drizzle all day, but nothing that day was going to dampen the spirits of ForestWatchers near and far who attended the 2010 Wild & Woolly Native Plant Sale & Book Festival.
Laurence Holden reads from his poetry
and is accompanied by Marie Dunkle.
Photo by Michael Griffith
The plants felt fine—and sold like hotcakes.
The food, hearty basic fare, warmed our hearts.
The fiddlin’ was most lively, and that songstress had soul.
The authors were very engaging, their books balm for the mind.
That’s because more than 120 friends found themselves shelter in a dry and spacious locale, the very comfortable Sheehan Barn, a made-to-order party retreat spot nestled in the quiet and remote Persimmon Creek valley of Rabun County.
Will Morar discusses forest issues with ForestWatch ecologist Darren Wolfgang.
Photo by Michael Griffith
We could not have asked for more. Thank you all who attended—and all those who volunteered of their time and efforts to make this event the success that it was.
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