Newsletter
THE WINSTON WANDERERS NEWSLETTER
An Affiliate of the Tarheel State Walkers Volkssports Association, the American Volkssports Association, and the Internationaler VolkssportVerband
Vol 26, No. 12.............................December 2011...............................Editor: Dick Feldmann
December Meeting is Cancelled
Following the tradition from the past few years, our December meeting has been cancelled. If any important business arises, it will be discussed at the New Years Day Walk. So have a Merry Christmas and keep walking.
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Walking with the Prez:
Hi All,
Our next meeting will be on Sun, Jan 1st at Ramon and Sarah Rubio's house in Winston-Salem. Our last meeting was at Senor Bravo with 12 members present, frequent walker tickets were won by Mary Stahl, Ramon Rubio and James Styles.
We have two group walks for next month to start off the year, one at Old Salem and the other at Hickory. The Old Salem walk is our traditional New Years Day walk with a twist. It will be held in the afternoon instead of the morning. It should be a beautiful walk. There will be an offering of food after the walk along with a very short meeting. If you plan on attending, please R.S.V.P Sarah so she knows how many to expect. The walk at Hickory is our traditional German Restaurant walk. We will detour the walk at the down hill on 6th Ave and forage onto the German Restaurant, then back to the starting point.
The "Starting Point" books were ordered but due to mistakes, will be delayed to sometime after the first of the year. The (1) extra that I normally get is still up for grabs. It will go to the first one who claims it as theirs. The books remain at $20 again this year. The Mountains to the Seas booklet is complete and is ready for distribution whenever you see me. It is a little thicker this year so we had to use thinner paper which in turn cost us more. So the books cost us $2.51 each but are free to club members who have renewed their membership. Please remember to renew your dues, it is still $10/year for family or individual.
Loren has prepared the packages to restock the start boxes. We haven't printed directions and maps yet because we want to look at the trails and make some changes. If you know of any changes that you would like to see in a walk, please let Loren, the POC or myself know and we will look at your ideas.
Margaret says that she is accepting next year's dues, at the still low price of $10. Also available for Christmas, shirts, books, coats, hats and frequent walkers tickets.
Wishing one and all a very safe Holiday Season. May you get what you want, not what you need. As always think of others that may be less fortunate than you may be.
See you on the trails or restaurants,
Lloyd
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CLUB NEWS
DUES: It's that time again so please renew your membership. The form is at the end of the newsletter. Dues are still $10.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Caren Arlas: 100 events & 1000 km; Duncan Brantley: 1900 events; Sally Clark: 250 events; Kathy Cockrell: 325 events; Sara Gosnell: 659 events & 6500 km; Ursula Hess: 2100 events; Cara Hudson: 175 events; Frank Sargent: 400 events & 7500 km, Gary Schrum: 1050 events; David Scull: 1600 events; and Deborah Wapner: 650 events & 6500 km.
NEW YEARS WEEKEND WALKS: There will be two group walks on New Years Weekend. The Metrolina Walkers will host a walk in Charlotte on Saturday (12/31) starting at 10 am. We will have our annual New Years Day walk on Sunday starting at 2 pm. This is a change from our usual starting time to accomodate church attendance and have rest rooms available. The details are in the following section.
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UPCOMING GROUP WALKS
CHARLOTTE ON 12/31: The Metrolina Walkers will hold a group walk on Saturday Morning starting at 10 am. The walk will start in the parking lot of the Atherton Mills complex , 2000 South Boulevard, Charlotte/ Take I-77 to exit 9 (US 74E/Wilkinson Blvd/West Blvd); keep left at fork to continue on West Blvd; keep left again to West Blvd; take exit 9A to West Blvd; turn left on West Blvd; turn right on South Blvd; Atherton Mills parking lot will be on your right.
OLD SALEM ON 1/1: The Winston Wanderers will hold their annual New Years Day walk. It will start at 2 pm in the parking lot of the Old Salem Visitors Center. This is a time change from the information in the calendar, due to the walk being on a Sunday. After the walk, the Rubios will host a get-together at their house, which is near the start point. Directions will be provided at the group walk.
HICKORY ON 1/14: The Winston Wanderers will host a walk starting at 10 am. The start point is the Outdoor Supply Company, 252 Union Square. A group lunch will follow the walk.
HOW TO GET THERE: From I-40 take exit 125, Lenoir Rhyne Blvd. If westbound turn right and if eastbound turn left on Lenoir Rhyne Blvd. Follow about 1.3 miles to major intersection with Tate Blvd to the right and 1st Avenue to the left.. Turn Left on 1st Ave. Cross Hwy 127 and continue 2 blocks to Center Street. Turn right on Center St, cross the railroad tracks and immediately turn left on Main Ave. Follow Main Ave across 2nd St NW into Union Square. There is ample free parking in Union Square and along Main Ave on both sides of Union Square but use caution to avoid the 2 hour limited spots.
SALISBURY ON 1/21: Meet at 10 AM in the parking lot behind the Visitors Center on Innes Street. From I-85, take exit 76 into the downtown. Turn right at the second light after crossing the bridge over the railroad and turn right into the first parking lot.
CORNELIUS/DAVIDSON ON 1/28: The group walk will start at the YMCA in Cornelius at 10 AM and includes the covered bridge and new greenway. The YMCA is located at 21300 Davidson St. in Cornelius. The phone number is 704-892-9622. To get there from I-77, take Exit 30 toward Davidson (East) on Griffith Rd. until it dead ends at Davidson College. Turn right on Main St. (South) and go about 1 mile to Davidson St. Turn right to YMCA. There is a small YMCA sign at the corner.
CHANGES FOR 2012
There are a number of changes in the Carolinas for next year. First is that the YRE in Pineville has been discontinued. There are four new YREs and seasonals. There are new YREs in Brevard and Lake Lure. A number of events that were seasonal this year will become full YREs next year.
The description of the Brevard walk is "Amble along shaded pathway beside the Davidson River which includes a portion of the Estatoe Trail, used by Cherokees as a trade route between western NC and SC. Visit unique chapel founded in 1860 by Reverend English to serve Methodist Circuit Riders. Tour the CCC (now Job Corps) headquarters and training facility. Watch the various activities on the Davidson such as fly fishing, tubing and enjoying the cool waters." Unfortunately, it does not say anything about the white squirrels, which made the earlier YRE so interesting
The description of the Lake Lure walk is "Meander to the village of Chimney Rock to enjoy walking along the Broad River, fantastic views of the Chimney Rock and Hickory Nut Falls, both featured prominently in the movie "Last of the Mohicans". Pick up great buys at local shops and taste sumptuous meals. Then, you'll stroll along Lake Lure with its restful parks, site of the annual Dragon Boat races and a most pleasant bathing beach. Pass a covered bridge and unique inn and spa. Again, shopping bargains and great meals available here. All this set against a background of majestic mountains and sheer gorge cliffs.
A new seasonal is planned for Jackson (Northampton County) during the last half of the year. No details are available.
The second seasonal (January through March) is listed for South Mills in Camden County. It is a walk in the Great Dismal Swamp which is best done in cold weather. This walk is sponsored by the Virginia Volkssport Association and registration is only by mail. The description of this walk on the AVA website is "Feel your daily stresses melt away as you cross the historic Dismal Swamp Canal and walk along the 2000-foot boardwalk into this geological wonder. Experience first hand the lush swamp forest and get up-close and personal with the wide variety of wildlife. Learn why George Washington called the Dismal Swamp "a glorious paradise", how the swamp was important in the Underground Railroad and the ecological importance of wetlands in the visitor center and exhibit hall. The walk will be along trails in the dismal Swamp State Park. Park opens at 8 am daily. You must be off the trails 30 minutes before the park closes. The park closes at 5 pm in January and February and at 6 pm in March. Website for the park is: http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/disw/main.php. This walk is just a few miles from the Virginia Walk at the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail in Chesapeake VA."
In South Carolina, there will be seven YREs in the Greenville area. This would make for a nice weekend or midweek excursion. One Motel and lots of walks to choose from.
There will also be a seasonal walk ( April through September) in Galax, VA. There is no start box for this event. Registration will be by mail only through the Virginia Volkssport Association..
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REEDY CREEK YRE
The Upstate Pathfinders of South Carolina have established a seasonal walk in Ready Creek Nature Preserve. This will become a full YRE in 2012. The walk site is located in northern Charlotte and is easily accessible from I-85 via Harris Boulevard.
This is a walk through the woods on trails that vary from gravel to dirt and there are some roots and rocks in a few portions. Both 5 and 10 KM versions are available, as well as a slightly different version.
We did the 5 km version of the second trail since it had more restrooms and got us to the nature center. We missed a turn somewhere and spent most of our time walking the trail in reverse.
This is a very nice area and we plan to walk it again when the wild flowers are in bloom.
You register at the Nature Center (They knew all about the box) and drive to the walk start at shelter #3. We had problems doing this. Most of the shelters are open sided rustic picnic shelters. But #3 is a large meeting building with glass windows. We were looking for something rustic and it took a while to figure out where to start.
The AVA website says that in 2012 the location is South Charlotte but I doubt that it will move, but then, Charlotte calls it Downtown "Uptown".
This is a nice walk not far from the Concord - Charlotte border and it is worth the trip.
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SHORT VOLKSMARCHING TRIPS
There are a number of long weekend or short midweek trips that could be done in 2012. These involve doing YREs that are close to each other and minimizing the travel between walks.
As mentioned in the previous article, there are eight YREs in and around Greenville, SC. The walk sponsored by the Asheville Amblers is still up and running or should we say walking. Plus there is another YRE in Spartanburg. Not a long trip, only one motel, and you get to see most of the City.
Another possibility is the four seasonals in southern and eastern West Virginia In making a big loop from this area, you start by driving up I-77 and doing a city walk in Bluefield. A few miles farther, there is a new seasonal at the Pipestone State resort.. Continuing north toward Beckley, a turn east on I-64 will bring you to Lewisburg. There was a YRE here a few years ago. It was a pleasant walk through a historic town with a classic downtown. A few miles farther get a walk at White Sulphur Springs. This is a new walk in a historic area.
The return home through Virginia offers many YREs for additional walking. These walks will be available from April to September only.
Of course, there are always the usual trips: Outer Banks, Inner Banks, I-81 in Virginia, and the walks in Western Tennessee.
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MARCH IN ALABAMA
The Pensacola Volksmarch Club is hosting a six event weekend on March 16 - 18, 2012 in southern Alabama. This sounds like a perfect trip to get rid of the winter blahs. Spring had sprung during the President's Week events and this is a month later so the flowers should be blooming. Both 5 and 10 kilometer routes are available for each walk. The trails vary from sidewalks in the city to natural trails in the state parks.
Walk 1: Blakeley State Park - Spanish Fort
Programs: Forts of the US, Veterans Memorial
Start/Finish: Blakeley State Park is 8.8 miles from Registration.
Description: See Historic Blakeley Civil War site. Walk is on dirt roads, boardwalk and woods in State Park. There is a $3.00 admission fee into
the park. It is recommended you carry water. Restrooms are available at the park, shortly after starting walk and before the boardwalk.
Walk 2: Daphne - Town Walk
Programs: Historic Churches, Museum, Firehouse, Veterans Memorial, Main Street, Mural, Bakery
Start/Finish: Registration at the Village Point Preserve, 27717 Main Street, Daphne, AL.
Description: Walk takes you a short distance on a dirt road to the Jackson Oak and through a nature trail. Most of walk is on sidewalks along streets of Daphne. Water and restrooms are available at the start/finish and along the route.
Walk 3: Daphne - Mayday Park
Programs: Historic Churches, Museum, Firehouse, Veterans Memorial, Main Street, Mural, Bakery
Start/Finish: Mayday Park is 2.7 miles from Registration.
Description: Walk takes you down a boardwalk and onto a pier to view Mobile Bay. Most of walk is on sidewalks along streets of Daphne. It is recommended you carry water. Water and restrooms are available at the start of the boardwalk and in restaurants along the route.
Walk 4: Fairhope - Festival Walk
Programs: Artistic Heritage, Museum, Firehouse, Honoring Law Enforcement, Mural, Bakery
Start/Finish: Fairhope Pier is 8 miles from Registration.
Description: Walk takes you out on the pier and along the streets of Fairhope to view the Storybook House and the Famous Fairhope Arts
Festival. Water and restrooms are available at the start/finish and along the route.
Walk 5: Five Rivers/Meaher
Programs: No special programs.
Start/Finish: Five Rivers/Meaher Parks are 4.5 miles from Registration.
Description: Five Rivers opens at 8:00 a.m. and Meaher State Park has a $1.00 entrance fee - carry exact amount. Walk the trails and boardwalks where the Mobile, Spanish, Tensaw, Apalachee and Blakeley rivers flow into Mobile Bay. View birds, plants and other animals, especially along two boardwalks that take you into the Mobile Bay delta.
Walk 6: Point Clear
Programs: No special programs.
Start/Finish: Point Clear is 11 miles from Registration.
Description: Walk takes you along the road to the Confederate Rest Cemetery, along some residential areas, and around the Grand Hotel, site of the old hotel used as a hospital during the Civil War. It is recommended you carry water.
The brochure is available at the club's website: www.ava.org/pensacolaflorida
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YRE UPDATES
SALEM LAKE: The trail work has been completed on the southern (picnic area) portion out to Linville Road. Work has started on the northern (dam) portion but work is only being done on Monday through Thursday. On Friday and the weekend, you can walk around the lake. It is still advisable to check in the office before starting the walk.
GREENSBORO PARK: The paving on the greenway has been delayed and no completion date is known. If the trail is blocked by construction barriers, continue on and use the detour through Country Park.
BOONE GREENWAY: The restrooms by the swimming pool building have been closed for the season. There are port-a-potties near the ball fields and the new picnic area. One has also been placed at the parking lot at the end of the greenway. Also, the Mountain Inn Restaurant has closed.
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CLUB OFFICERS
President: Lloyd Tolbert
904 Luck Street, Martinsville, VA 24112
(276) 403-0608,Treb03@gmail.com
Vice-President: Loren Little
4705 Oakbury Court, Winston-Salem, NC 27107
(336) 788-8582, lorenlittle@bellsouth.net
Secretary: Sarah Rubio
336-724-2590, TheRubios@triad.rr.com
Treasurer: Margaret Little
4705 Oakbury Court, Winston-Salem, NC 27107
(336) 788-8582, margaretrlittle@bellsouth.net
Newsletter and website: Dick Feldmann
(336) 992-2609, rwfandwbf@aol.com
WWWC MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION NEW _____ RENEWAL ______ DATE ____________
NAME ___________________________________________ SPOUSE'S NAME________________
CHILDREN _______________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________________
CITY _______________________________________ STATE _______ZIP ____________________
email: _____________________________________________________________________________
TELEPHONE (____)______________________ Type _____ Amount $_______________________
DUES: $10 Individual $10 Family $25 Corporate $50 Corporate Sponsorship
I could help with: ____ Trail _____Event _____Awards _____Sales _____Membership _____Publicity
____Hospitality _____Historian _____ Year Round Walks
Please SEND check payable to: WWWC, Attn: Treas., P.O. Box 725 Clemmons NC 27012-0725
SCHEDULED EVENTS FOR 2012
Contact the host club for details on these events.
AA - Asheville Amblers MW - Metrolina Walkers
RR - Rowan Roamers TSW - Tarheel State Walkers
TT - Triangle Trailblazers UW - Upstate Wanderers
WW - Winston Wanders Regular Events Are in BOLD, all others are group walks
Jan 1 WW Old Salem 2 pm
AA Asheville 10 am
Jan 7 TT North Hills 10 am
Jan 14 WW Hickory 10 am
Jan 21 RR Salisbury 10 am
Jan 28 AA Morganton 10 am
MW Corneilus/Davidson 10 am
Feb 4 WW/TT Burlington 10 am/Hillsborough 2 pm
Feb 11 RR Mocksville 10 am
AA Columbia 11 am
Feb 18 WW Greensboro City 10 am /Parks 2 pm
Feb 25 WW High Point 10 am
AA Rutherfordton 10 am
Mar 3 RR Dan Nicholas 10 am
Mar 10 TT Cary (2) walks 9 am/1:30 pm
AA Charleston (2)
Mar 17 WW Mount Airy 10 am
Mar 24 RE: MW TBD
Mar 25 (Sun) WW Salem Lake 2 pm
Mar 31 AA Knoxville 11 am
Apr 7 TT Chapel Hill 9 am Easter
AA Biltmore 10 am
Apr 14 RE: WW TBD
Apr 21 AA Lake Lure 10 am
RR Wilmington 10 am/Southport 2 pm
MW Rock Hill 10 am
Apr 22 (Sun) RR Myrtle Beach 10 am
Apr 28 WW Danville 10 am
May 5 TT Smithfield 8 am
RR Kannapolis 10 am
AA Brevard 10 am
May 12 WW NC Zoo 9 am
May 19 AA Arboretum 9 am
May 26 WW Bethabara Park 9 am
Jun 2 AA Lake Junaluska 9 am
MW Charlotte
Jun 9 WW PEC 8 am
Jun 16 TT Wilson
AA Hendersonville 9 am
Jun 23
Jun 30 AA Black Mountain 9 am
Jul 7 WW Greensboro City 8 am
Jul 14-15 RE: AA TBD
Jul 21 WW High Point 8 am
TT Lake Johnson 7 am
Jul 28
Aug 4 AA Waynesville 9 am
Aug 5 (Sun) WW Greensboro Parks 2 pm
Aug 11 WW Boone 9 am/ Blowing Rock 2 pm
TT Umstead 8 am
RR Mocksville 8 am
Aug 18 AA Arboretum 9 am
Aug 25 WW Burlington 8 am
Sep 1 RR Salisbury 9 am
Sep 8 TT Pittsboro 8 am
AA Asheville 9 am
Sep 15 WW Old Salem 9 am
Sep 22 MW GW Corneilus/Davidson
AA Spartanburg 10 am
Sep 29 RE: MW TBD
Oct 6 RR RE: Lexington
Oct 7 AA Greenville 10 am
Oct 13-14 RE: TT
Oct 20-21 RE: AA
Oct 27 RE: WW TBD
Oct 28 (Sun) RR Dan Nicholas 2 pm
Nov 3 WW Mount Airy 10 am
AA Hendersonville 10 am
Nov 10 TT Durham (2) 9 am/ 1:30 pm Amtrak?
Nov 11 (Sun) WW Salem Lake 2 pm
Nov 17 RR Wilmington 9 am/Southport 2 pm
AA Knoxville 11 am
Nov 18 (Sun) RR Myrtle Beach 10 am
Nov 23 (Fri) WW Bethabara Park 1 pm
Nov 24
Dec 1 MW GW: Rock Hill
Dec 7-9 (Fri-Sun) Williamsburg
Dec 8 TT Raleigh (2) 10 am/ 2 pm
RR Kannapolis 10 am
Dec 15
Dec 22
Dec 29 MW GW: Charlotte
