One Foot in Front of the Other

by Robbie Stanley

Dig out the pedometers, dust off the sneaks; it’s time for Charlotte’s annual walking program! Sign ups begin May 27 for this summer’s program, when we’ll be tackling the Appalachian Trail. Fortunately, heavy backpacks, rain gear and bug spray are optional —walking counts no matter where you are. The total miles each team racks up is what is tallied, not the individual’s. As in past summers, team members will log their miles and report weekly to the Senior Center, where progress will be tracked along a map of the Appalachian Trail.
The program kicks off on Friday, June 6, at 1 p.m. with a rally at the Senior Center. Stop by to meet your walking companions and enjoy some delicious strawberry shortcake. Individuals who are not already part of a team are welcome and will be placed on a team. This is also the time to learn or relearn how to use pedometer. Pedometers will be available for purchase for $20 but this year there is no charge for teams to participate.
Last year one team walked a total of 1,262 miles. Will your team top that? We’re starting (virtually) at Mount Katahdin in Maine and will spend eight weeks walking south to the terminus at Springer Mountain in Georgia. Visit the Senior Center often during the summer to see how your team is moving down the trail.
Call Sukey at 877-2237 or the Charlotte Senior Center at 425-6345 for more information.
In the meantime, the Appalachian Trail, (completed in 1937):
• Is a unit of the National Park Service.
• Is the nation’s longest marked footpath, at approximately 2,175 miles.
• Is the first national scenic trail, designated in 1968.
• Houses more than 2,000 occurrences of rare, threatened, endangered, and sensitive plant and animal species.
• Crosses six national parks.
• Traverses eight national forests.
• Touches 14 states.
• Crosses numerous state and local forests and parks.
• Is maintained by 30 trail clubs and multiple partnerships.
See you on the trail!