First Quarter Ramblings:

Spring is here at last.  How do I know?  House Finches are barraging every outdoor nook of our house attempting to build their nests!  Soon our beautiful forests will abound with wildflowers, and trees will again adorn their green finery—a beautiful time of the year to be in the mountains.

We had some blasts from the North settle in on Tuesday’s hikes last quarter.  One such winter intrusion came on the day of our covered dish dinner and business meeting in March. Despite the weather, a small but hearty crowd braved the elements and their appetites were rewarded with wonderful treats.  Thanks to Merri and Michael Murphy for engineering the feast.

The Town Hall portion after the business meeting was lively, and club members presented many ideas as to how we can build on our already great club.  Among them:

Your ideas and time allows MHH to be a club that provides fun as well as give back to our hiking environment and communities.

Thanks for all volunteers this quarter: board members, hike planners and leaders, trail maintainers, and trip planners.

Our hike planning committee Johanne Kittle and George Jurand did a great job of arranging club hikes first quarter.  We visited old favorite trails as well as added some new ones to our hike database.  We had enthusiastic hike leaders, and we all thank you for taking your turn volunteering to lead club hikes. Remember, if you have discovered a new hike and would be willing to lead, contact the hike planning committee.  We all like to explore and experience new places.

John Quinlan has been a busy guy meeting with rangers, implementing new ideas and procedures, and is building a good crew.  Trail work is a combination of work, fun, and really getting to know club members as you toil with them.  Give it a try! 

Our trip planners George Owen, Becky Keller, and Sue Sorice have a fantastic trip planned to Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in Virginia.  Mark your calendars for April 29-May 4^th and be sure to get your reservations in to Becky ASAP.  We’ll hike, bike, eat, and tour the sites around Abingdon, VA.

In closing, we especially want to give a BIG WELCOME to new members:

Connie Fisher               Hiawassee

Gene Ford                    Hiawassee      

Joan Ford                     Hiawassee

John McGuinness            Hayesville

Bobby Perry                 Cumming

Maggie Perry                Cumming

Nancy Shofner            Atlanta

We’re growing.  Feel free to invite someone new to hike with MHH.  New members = more new friends to meet, volunteer energy in events, trail crews, and conservation.  New members will support the continuation of all the successful things our club has been doing as well as bring new ideas to us.

Happy hiking 

Bob LeHoullier 

PS As a reminder 2008 club dues were due January 1^st.

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