Generous Donation enables Reconstruction of the Deck at Merritt’s Mutton Top Cabin
Article by Mel Merritt, Photos by Mary Jorgensen
Thanks to a generous donation by Valerie Aschenbach in memory of her husband Ed Hoke and outstanding work trip organization by Thomas and Mary Jorgensen, the 35 year old deck at Mutton Top was reconstructed over a nine day period in early November.
Led by former Mutton Top Maintainer Mel Merritt, who retired after 25 years as Cabins Operations Chair last year, the group of a dozen Cabin Maintainers rebuilt the aging structure over about nine days.
The crew stayed at Vining Cabin, enjoying hot showers, delicious meals and warm fellowship from November 4th through 13th. Thomas and Mary helped solicit volunteers to plan and donate three meals a day for everyone who helped.
Tom Johns, Tulip Tree Maintainer, brought his trailer so we could bring materials up the four-wheel drive road from the Vining Tract Parking area and remove the old materials to the local landfill.
Three renters who were staying at Morris Cabin came up and helped out for several days during their stay.
The weather was very accommodating, but we did have snow squalls one afternoon as a cold front came through. The view of the squalls out over the Piedmont was amazing as the clouds and snow were lit up in the rose autumn light from the setting sun.
After a few finishing touches to the outdoor cooking area, the renovation will be completed next spring with a coat of deck stain. The new deck should now be good for at least another 30 years.
Other participants on the project included John Hedrick, Kent Query, Isaac Merritt, Lee Howard, Rob Gilchrist, Ed Karpie, Carol Tolbert, Nancy Merritt, and David Schneider.
The Aschenbach donation also supported painting the metal roof on Butternut Cabin.