With Ron Tipton, executive director of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and his ferocious trail dog.
Harpers Ferry, WV, December 5, 2015 — It was time for the ATC’s annual holiday party. Say party and cookies in the same sentence and count me in. Add hot cider to the mix and heaven will just have to wait.
Last year we attracted a nice crowd of what were mostly the usual suspects, trail denizens we all know and love. More than 100 came to turn perfectly good cookies into crumbs, and they did an excellent job of it too.
Greeting a visitor this year.
This year we drew 225 excited folks, most of whom we did not know. What changed? Two Hollywood movies about hiking, “Wild” and “A Walk in the Woods.” This year a pile of new AT hikers came to find out what they could learn about planning the great adventures they are imagining for 2016.
The Visitor Center has a mini shelter for kids complete with its own resident bear and shelter log in which they can color a beautiful entry.
Lots of families came. Free cookies fresh baked by the volunteers are a big draw! I ate my quota, but mostly behaved myself around the sweets.
Professional cookie taster!
Jim, you are talented at many things and serve the A.T. well in many ways, but your cookie-tasting skills are off the charts.
Tough job! Wish I could have made it!
Looks like fun. I don’t think I have any parties in my near-future.
Nice hat and cookie choice.
How many steps on the AT does it take to burn off a Christmas cookie??? Being the official AT cookie taster is a very important job! The AT is lucky to have you and your diverse talents! Merry Christmas!!
Cookies are guilt free snacks. Unfortunately they are not calorie free. 🙁