President's Logbook
By Jim Fetig
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” Elizabeth Barrett Browning asks a profound question in Sonnet 43.
That question could mean, “What have you done for me lately?” or, it could mean, “Let me tell you what keeps me coming back.” Sometimes, it is a mixture of both. Regardless, her words painted a portrait of profound gratitude.
Versions of this question kept coming up at the recent Hoodlums trail maintainers training workshop. The number one answer was to give back.
We have been given a truly amazing legacy for which we should give thanks. The ability to disconnect from the stress and strain of everyday life and plug into nature in a wide variety of ways and to repay nature for that privilege is a priceless benefit of PATC membership. It is food for our souls.
The workshop was literally our future under construction. It was attended by all kinds of people, including grizzled veterans and shiny new veteran trail maintainers-to-be. It was heartwarming to see knowledge passing hands from one to another like a hot dog vendor forking over the goods at a baseball game. In one case, a slathering of syrupy black mud substituted for watery ballpark ketchup.
There is a lot of love in the air. Next year’s budget is close to being finished. We’re working with Shenandoah National Park on a new management agreement for their six cabins. As of now, we still don’t know if the stove and chimney repairs needed for three of the cabins will occur before cold weather sets in. We also have agreed to maintain trails for our 17th National Park Service unit, Monocacy Battlefield.
The line up for Volunteer Fest has been set. The seminars include hike leader training, trail maintenance, battery powered tools, women’s introduction to trail maintenance, trail patrol meeting, invasive plants, and more. The senior elected leadership will answer questions at a town hall style meeting on Saturday afternoon.
As I write this, it is the first day of autumn. What a time to reflect on the summer just past and the crisp colors, cooler air, and holidays ahead. When your knees, like mine, crackle like a noisy campfire, the opportunity to count the ways you love the outdoors and embrace nature is irreplaceable.
