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Tales from the Trail: October 2012
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Your monthly news from PCF
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October Quote
"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."
-Albert Camus
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 If you have pictures of the trail that you would like to share, please email them to us or post them on our Facebook page. |
Arbor Day Photo Contest 
The Richland Soil and Water Conservation District is sponsoring an Arbor Day photo contest for youth and adults.Winners will receive a one-year subscription to SC Wildlife Magazine, and their photos will be featured in a Richland Conservation calendar. Consider submitting your pictures of the beautiful Palmetto Trail (only sections in Richland County are eligible).
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Wish List
Maintaining the Palmetto Trail is a huge task and our trail coordinators do a great job. Having the proper tools, however, makes their work much easier. If you would like to donate anything on our wishlist, please contact our office at (803) 771-0870. We appreciate your help!
Wish List:
Chain Saw Winch
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Come join us on the final day of Paddling for Progress in Beaufort
Goal of first-ever Blueways Conference is to spark positive change for South Carolina's waterways
After two successful events in Columbia and Beaufort, PCF is excited to host the final day of Paddling for Progress in Beaufort on Wednesday, October 10th. Those who have missed the first two days still have a chance to experience this groundbreaking look at the way our state can promote its waterways and their ecotourism potential.
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The Beaufort Water Trail is a great model for other blueways projects. Photo Credit: Beaufort Blueways.
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Speakers for the Beaufort conference will include Archie Thompson from the Berkeley County Blueways Program, David Twiggs from Outdoor Initiative, Staci Williams of American Rivers, Kim Gundler from Beaufort Kayak Tours, Tom Potter from the North Carolina Paddle Trails Association, Port Royal Town Manager Van Willis and Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling.
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The first day of the conference was held in Columbia at 300 Senate.
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Quickly becoming known nationally as a paddle trail paradise, people of all ages use Beaufort's many scenic and unique trails. As illustrated by their success in the area, water trails are a rapidly growing element of the marine recreation and tourism industry. We hope to model more blueways on these paddle trails which not only foster recreation tourism, but promote the historic and cultural value of South Carolina.
The Beaufort workshop will provide evidence that well-planned, well-designed, safe, accessible water trails are not only worth the investment, but are a vital part of local tourism and economic development.
 | | The ACE Basin Trail is another popular blueway in Beaufort. The blackwater of the ACE Basin is known for creating beautiful reflections. Photo Credit: Beaufort Blueways. |
This workshop will provide and showcase best maintenance practices, a comprehensive discussion on development, and a conversation on promotion of water trail systems. Participants will also have the opportunity to paddle one of Beaufort's beautiful paddle trails in this final day of events.
Special ticket pricing for this event is available to PCF members.
Details on speakers for each event, as well as pricing, directions, each day's agenda, and more can be found online here.
For an idea of what Paddling for Progress is all about, WIS came by the Columbia event to cover the conference. You can watch the clip here.
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Paddling for Progress is made possible by a grant from SC Parks, Recreation and Tourism.
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The next Handlebar Happy
Hour is October 10th
Meet and mingle with other bicyclists while discussing ways to make Columbia more bicycle and pedestrian friendly
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) and PCF have organized Handlebar Happy Hour, a series of family friendly gatherings meant to foster open, relaxed discussion about topics the bicycling and pedestrian community faces on a local and statewide level.
This ongoing program, held the second Wednesday of the month through November, provides a place for anyone to openly voice their thoughts on the topics concerning bicyclists and pedestrians in the Columbia community. Publick House Restaurant will host the third of these events on Wednesday, Oct. 10th from 6:00-8:00pm.
Publick House, located at 2307 Devine Street, will offer free raw fries, wings, and celery with blue cheese for any participants who arrive on bicycle or foot. Free drinks will also be available while supplies last.
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Publick House has generously offered to let us host Handlebar Happy Hour at their location on Devine Street.
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This month, a representative from Citizens for Greater Midlands will be on hand to discuss The Penny referendum and how it will affect cyclists and pedestrians in our area.
Bicyclists and pedestrians are encouraged to travel individually or in groups, and for those interested in riding with others to the event, there are several group rides available to choose from:
Outspokin' Bicycles
Leader: Brian Curran
3223 Devine St.
Meet 6pm, Depart at 6:15
City Roots Farm
Leader: Cait Costello from the Palmetto Cycling Coalition
1005 Airport Blvd.
Meet at 5:45pm, Depart at 6
Cycle Center
Leader: Cycle Center Staff
1001 Harden St.
Meet: 5:45pm, Depart at 6
Summit Cycles
Leader: Tim Malson
716 Meeting St., West Columbia
Meet: 5:45pm, Depart at 6
More information on Handlebar Happy Hour can be found on PCF's website.
For any questions about this event, please contact Meredith Walker at PCF's office at (803) 771-0870 or via email at mwalker@palmettoconservation.org.
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Ladies' Hiking Group
Saturday, October 13th
Jocassee Gorges near Pickens, SC
Join us for our first hike with the Ladies of the Palmetto Trail as we travel through the Jocassee Gorges and gaze at the beauty of the changing season. Visitors will be treated to an abundance of native flowers and wildlife, mountaintop vistas, waterfalls and an impressive boulder field. For our first hike together, why not celebrate strong ladies all over the world? October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so put on your pink and join us as we honor the mothers, daughters, sisters and wives that inspire us to push on.
We will park at the designated area in Table Rock State Park (mile marker 1), and hike towards the waterfall right past mile marker 3. We will rest at the waterfall and have lunch, then turn around and hike back to the cars.
Please note that this is listed as a moderate to difficult hike. However, our trail coordinator in the Upstate expressed that the hike will be suitable for novice hikers as well.
Bring a water bottle, lunch or snack, hiking boots and a jacket. This hike will be 6.5 miles.
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The Jam Room Music Festival is Saturday, October 13
 For 25 years, the Jam Room Recording Studio in Columbia has nurtured young rock bands, guided gospel groups, and helped everyone from rappers to country singers record their music and chase their dreams. To celebrate this milestone, The Jam Room is hosting the inaugural Jam Room Music Festival on Saturday, October 13th . PCF has teamed up with organizers of this event to coordinate bike rides around the city leading to the festival, as well as a bike valet to keep your ride safe while you rock out.
Learn more about the festival, including details about the rides and bicycle valet, at the event website. |
Choose GOLS for your next big event
Did you know you can rent out GOLS for your next event? Our versatile facilities offer ample space and historic charm in a secluded yet convenient location, so you're getting the most for your money. Our facilities can accommodate meetings, classes, workshops, seminars, social gatherings, corporate events and parties, retreats, weddings, receptions, family reunions and more!  We can give you a unique experience with packages including rock climbing, team building and guided paddle trips.More details about our facilities and prices can be found online here. We'd love to help make your next event unforgettable!
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Adventure Awaits
Sunday, October 21st
Bike on the Trail with the Palmetto Fat Tire Society
Wateree Passage of the Palmetto Trail
10am
The Palmetto Fat Tire Society, a meetup group that plans outings for  cyclists, has a great trip coming up on the Wateree Passage of the Palmetto Trail.
The group will meet at Poinsett State Park at 10am, and from there will do an out-and-back mountain bike ride on the Wateree Passage of the Palmetto Trail. You'll get the chance to hop on your bike, make some new friends and enjoy the fall colors of the trail on this easy to moderately paced ride. Pack plenty of water and a lunch, and don't forget your helmet!
Click here for more details, and to sign up for this trip.
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Senior ExplorersPCF has had another great year of exciting trips with the Senior Explorers. Thanks to Palmetto Health and Agape Senior, this year was better than ever! Thanks also to everyone who joined us this year. We hope that you can make it to our final outing of the season. Senior Explorers is open to older adults and participation is free. Space is limited. Thursday, October 18th Our final trip this year will be to the Center for Birds of Prey. Learn all about hawks, owls, falcons and more. Afterwards we'll stop for lunch at the Sewee Restaurant. Registration for this event will take place Oct. 1-5, and you can sign up by calling our office at (803) 771-0870 or sending an email to kari@palmettoconservation.org. Dates of Senior Explorer trips are subject to change. Check our website for up to date information. Visit our website, or call us at (803) 771-0870.
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Pinterest Picks
Check out some of our favorite pins this month.
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It's pretty hard to be stressed out on a hike.
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So many reasons to get cycling.
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Wise words!
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October Links | |
The view from Sassafras Mountain.
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-In September, DNR announced its plans to build an observation tower on Sassafras Mountain, SC's highest peak. Sassafras Mountain is only a stone's throw away from the Blue Ridge Electric Co-op Passage of the Palmetto Trail, so we're excited to see this project come together!
-We found a great article in Backpacker Magazine on why fall is such a wonderful time of year, all around the country, for outdoor enthusiasts. After reading, it's hard not to feel inspired to get outside in the cooler weather!
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Become a PCF Member Today!
A membership to PCF comes with great benefits, including discounts at local outfitters and special rates on PCF events. Your membership dollars will go towards building and maintaining the Palmetto Trail. Click here to become a member!
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Contact Info
722 King Street
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 771-0870
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