A First Day Tradition
By James Fye
Lynn and Malcolm Cameron are dedicated to the trails of the Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter and the North River District. They have led a First Day hike since 1988, and this year was no exception. Nineteen hikers braved low temperatures and high winds to climb from Braley Pond Day Use Area to the overlook on Bald Ridge. This seven mile out-and-back hike has been the go-to hike for a decade. The news of the event went out over email, Facebook, and Meetup so hikers even came from east of the Blue Ridge. Jim Fye assisted as co-leader since the group was so large. Larry Ragland and Craig Sease are co-maintainers on the Bald Ridge Trail, and both were along on the hike. Craig stated that he liked the fellowship of the day and the “invigorating” weather. And we all appreciated the great shape the trails are in.
Karen and Mike Waterman also helped with the festivities by offering an easier hike along Madison Run Fire Road. Thirteen hikers met in Grottoes to hike in/out for a total of about four miles. Both hikes helped continue the First Day Tradition of starting the New Year off on the trail.