Amanda Phillips from Friends of Rogers gave a detailed presentation called “Along the Appalachian” on Wednesday, April 5, at the Town of Madison Historical Society. It was a huge success! Amanda is a personable speaker and engaged the full audience of 30 people.

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the A.T., is a marked hiking trail in the Eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine.

Many questions were answered about her experience walking more than 2,100 miles through 14 states in a short six months.

Amanda covered the topics of terrain, courtesy between hikers on the trail, meeting other people and staying in some friendly strangers’ homes along the way. Some people from a few of the small towns between Georgia and Maine, called “Trail Angels” offered showers and food to trail hikers. Amanda made recommendations for gear, footwear and food. She had many funny stories about survival, the weather, the trail itself and how to get mentally ready for such an ambitious goal. She met a 70-year-old woman who successfully made the hike, proving it is a state of mind as much as being in good physical shape.

This program was initiated and sponsored by Partnership For Community Development and Friends of Rogers and hosted by the Chenango Canal Association in the hope that our local trails are appreciated and used. Like the Appalachian Trail, maintenance of our trail systems are done by volunteers and non profit organizations so please watch for information about the first clean up for the season, a state-wide Canal Clean Sweep on Saturday, April 29

By martha

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