|
|
|
|
Tales from the Trail: March 2013
|
|
Your monthly news from PCF
|
|
|
March Quote 
"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt."
-Margaret Atwood
|
 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. |
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for stopping by our booth at SEWE!
 The PCF staff had a wonderful time last month hosting a booth at the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) in Charleston, S.C. It was so nice to meet face-to-face with seasoned hikers and new folks alike. The staff particularly enjoyed introducing the trail to those who weren't aware that such an asset runs right through their communities. Thanks again for coming out and letting us get to know you!  The PCF staff had the opportunity to meet many new Palmetto Trail enthusiasts while working the booth in Marion Square Park.
|
|
OnCell program coming to the Palmetto Trail
 OnCell is a service that allows organizations to create mobile device tours with no extra cost to users. This technology allows anyone with a cell phone, smart phone, mp3 player or tablet to access a more enriching, interactive trail experience including information about local history, culture, geography, ecology, flora/fauna and more.
We are excited to develop our OnCell tour and hope this new feature will allow hikers to further enjoy their time on the Palmetto Trail. Look for more details about this exciting new program in future newsletters.
|
|
The 2013 Palmetto Trail Challenge has begun!
 The annual Palmetto Trail Challenge is a walking/biking contest designed to get people active and healthy. Partners team up and log as many miles as they can during the 15 week period. Teams compete against one another in the same category, and team miles are logged and turned in each week.
The 2013 dates for the Palmetto Trail Challenge are March 4 - June 16. Even though the challenge has already begun, you can still sign up at any time. Don't wait too long, or the other teams will get a head start!
Click here for more information and to sign up today! |
Save the date: National Trails Day Celebration at Poinsett State Park May 31 - June 2
 According to American Hiking Society's website, "Trails do not just magically appear for our enjoyment; it takes many hours of planning, labor and negotiating to develop them. National Trails Day, the only nationwide celebration of trails, increases awareness of trails and celebrates the hard work and support of many people and partners -- including volunteers, land agencies and outdoor minded businesses. It is also a day to introduce people to the many joys and benefits of trails."
Celebrate the Palmetto Trail with PCF May 31 to June 2, 2013 as we hike, bike, paddle and camp at Poinsett State Park in Sumter, SC. Registration for PCF members will begin April 15 and will open to the general public April 22.
Some of the events planned for the weekend include campfires, several hikes and bike rides, camping, BBQ lunch on Saturday, facepainting and games for kids, s'mores and a night hike.
The entire National Trails Day weekend of events is free and includes camping, meals and all activities.
 | |
The 2012 National Trails Day event on the Peak to Prosperity Passage of the Palmetto Trail was PCF's most popular outing all year. Nearly 200 participants enjoyed guided hikes, lunch, ice cream and more.
|
|
The next Handlebar Happy Hour is March 13
Meet and mingle with other bicyclists while discussing ways to make Columbia more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly
Handlebar Happy Hour, held the second Wednesday of the month, 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 next of these events on Wednesday, March 13 from 6-8 p.m.
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.
Councilman Seth Rose will speak at this month's Handlebar Happy Hour. Tune in to 92.1 The Palm for an interview with Councilman Rose and BPAC Encouragement Chair Mary Roe at 8 a.m. on March 12!
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. Please check PCF's website and Facebook page for information about these rides.
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.
|
|
Reenactors to march along Peak to Prosperity Passage
 On Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17, a civil war reenactment group consisting of the Palmetto Riflemen and the New York Zouaves will be marching in character and costume (with the exception of modern-day footwear) along the Peak to Prosperity Passage of the Palmetto Trail. Captain Kenneth Robison, the group's leader, encourages anyone who would like to march along with the group to do so, period attire not required. For questions about the march, please contact the office of Palmetto Conservation Foundation at (803) 771-0870. |
|
PCF to celebrate 20 years of the Palmetto Trail in 2014
 In 2014, PCF will celebrate 20 years of the Palmetto Trail. To mark this milestone, we are hosting a celebration of the trail on Facebook. To start the celebration early, we have been featuring a different passage of the trail with fun facts, trip suggestions, pictures and more to highlight the unique qualities of every section. Every two weeks we will feature a different passage. We have also asked our Facebook friends to submit their pictures of the featured passage as part of an ongoing photo contest. Our staff will vote on the best picture for each section and the winner will receive a free PCF membership. At the end of the year, all the winning photos will be entered into a larger photo contest, and that winner will receive a special prize pack. You can find PCF's Facebook page here. Get your best photos ready as we prepare to celebrate 20 years of the Palmetto Trail!  | |
Congratulations to Gregg Pratt for his winning photo of the Eutaw Springs Passage of the Palmetto Trail. This is a snapshot of the metal bar gate that separated the Lake Moultrie and Eutaw Springs Passages on the old Palmetto Trail route.
|
 | |
Scott Hrinko submitted this stunning photo to win the Swamp Fox Passage edition of the photo contest. Congrats, Scott!
|
|
PCF staff member receives scholarship to nonprofit summit
Congratulations to PCF Communications Director Meredith Walker on receiving a scholarship to the South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organization's (SCANPO) 2013 Together. For Good. Nonprofit Summit!
Meredith will travel to Greenville this month for three days of workshops and networking with other SC nonprofits. We look forward to seeing what skills and ideas she brings back to share with PCF!
 Thanks to Mary Black Foundation for covering Meredith's registration for this event as part of the scholarship.
|
|
Save the date: April 20th United Way Day of Action Clean-up on the Trail
 PCF will be participating in United Way of the Midlands' 2013 Day of Action on Saturday, April 20th. This event is an annual day of volunteerism mobilizing hundreds of local volunteers to complete community service projects throughout the Midlands. These volunteers are individuals and groups from local companies, organizations and the community. All ages, including youth and adults, are welcome to participate as volunteers in this event.As part of this year's Day of Action, we'll be holding clean-up days on the Ft. Jackson and Peak to Prosperity Passages of the Palmetto Trail. Look for more details on this program in future newsletters!
|
|
|
|
Outings This Month
 March Ladies of the Palmetto Trail Hike
Glenn Springs Passage
March 910:30 a.m.
Do you make a one-of-a-kind trail mix ? Is your potato salad always a crowd pleaser at picnics? Join the Ladies of the Palmetto Trail in March for an outdoor recipe swap and hike on the Glenn Springs Passage. Bring copies of your favorite recipe to swap for a day filled with laughter, friendship and trail mix. You don't want to miss it!
To carpool, meet at 8:30am at 722 King Street, Columbia, SC 29205. You may also meet at the trailhead at 10:30am.
Directions- From SC Hwy 56 North or South in Spartanburg County, turn east on SC Hwy 215 at the Philadelphia Baptist Church in Pauline. Follow SC Hwy 215 for 2 miles to the intersection of Glenn Springs Road (SC Hwy 150). Turn left and go a half-mile to the parking area and trailhead on the left. Click to view the trail map.
To register for this hike, or for information on carpool options, please contact Katherine Anderson at kanderson@palmettoconservation.org or (803)771-0870.
 Fall Creek Falls Waterfall HikeFeaturing Master Naturalist Dan WhittenMarch 9
10 a.m.
Join Master Naturalist Dan Whitten on a tour of the uniquely beautiful waterfalls featured at Fall Creek Falls in the South Carolina Upstate. During an easy to moderate hike, you'll be led past a series of three distinct falls which flow into the nearby Chattooga River. This hike will be approximately four miles, with plenty of stops along the way. Remember to bring water and a lunch or snack. Click here for more details on this hike. To sign up, please call the office of Palmetto Conservation Foundation at (803) 771-0870. This trip is free for PCF members and $10 per person for non-members.
|
|
2013 Senior Explorers Outings
 Palmetto Conservation Foundation's Senior Explorers program encourages greater use of our state's natural resources, promotes healthy and active living, and provides outdoor skills for participants. This program is graciously funded through Palmetto Health Hospital.
We have many exciting classes and trips planned for the coming months. Our goal is to teach a combination of health and fitness mixed with outdoor education and recreation. Most importantly, we like to have fun! Click here for more about this program.
Healthy Cooking Demo and Wine Pairing
March 18
4 p.m. Health Screenings with Palmetto Health
4:30 p.m. Cooking Demo with Executive Chef Rick Schmidt
 Join us as we kick-off a new year of Senior Explorers! We are starting off with a free health screening that includes testing your blood pressure and weight. We'll check these again in September at the end of the Senior Explorer season. After the health tests, we'll join Executive Chef Rick Schmidt from the Heritage at Lowman as he prepares a healthy and delicious dinner. Enjoy a glass of wine as you learn how to prepare this easy and nutritious meal. The menu will include broccoli salad, chicken cacciatore over wild rice, and a strawberry and marscapone parfait with granola for dessert. Spots are limited, so please sign up soon. Registration will continue now through March 14. To register, please contact Palmetto Conservation Foundation at (803) 771-0870 or via email at kari@palmettoconservation.org.
|
|
March Links
 | |
Jason Lewis, featured in Outside Magazine.
|
-From GORP.com, here's a list of the best spring hikes in the Southeast. Looks like SC's very own Congaree National Park made #5, and Raven Cliff Falls at Caesar's Head #1! We would still love to see the Palmetto Trail on a list like this for next year.
|
Pinterest Picks
Check out some of our favorite pins this month. | |
Excellent advice.
|
 | |
With warm weather just around the corner, we can't wait to try paddleboarding!
|
 | |
Looks like a wonderful spot for a springtime hike.
|
|
|
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!
|
|
Contact Info
722 King Street
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 771-0870
|
|
|
|
|
