Week 1, Day 1

Look! Sunshine!

Dinner waiting to be served.

The stream, I mean trail to the worksite

I had a little of everything. Man, I'm stuffed...

Well, somebody must have done a dance for us or something! The crew headed out after waiting for the better part of an hour for things to calm down and we didn't get rained on all day; we even saw some sunshine for a second or two!

As with every first Thursday night of the season, the Mount Rogers AT Club served up a mean potluck dinner complete with BBQ and a huge table of desserts! I can barely breathe right now from that third plate!

We hoping for another rain free day tomorrow so we can put the finishing touches on projects started today before moving on down the trail.

Kerry

Floating Lake Konnarock...

Frank tests the waters of "Lake Konnarock"

If you're in the east, you're probably getting rain today. Majestic Lake Konnarock has formed at camp and we're hoping to see an end to the rain (or at least for it to lighten up) so we can get to work!

If anyone knows how to do an "anti-rain dance" or something, give it a whirl for us!

Kerry

Week 1, Wed Night

Cake & icing by "Hebert"

Digging in before diggin in (tomorrow).

Ahh, it's great to see some familiar faces again at base camp! Despite the constant rain today, camp was buzzing with new and returning volunteers.

As with all weeks, the evening started with a tasty dinner courtesy of Mr. David Hebert, onto the Wed night orientation and then progressing into the night with witty conversations about building rock staircases and hiking barefoot.

The crews will be off to Mount Rogers tomorrow for some rock work excitement!

Stay tuned for more,

Kerry

2009 T-Shirts!

The front...

The back...

Seems as though we do a cycle of big and bright, then a subdued design since I've been running the t-shirt game with the Crew. Last year was a quiet shirt but this year we're back with a big design!

Hope you like it! You can thank Mr. Noland Hisey for helping with the art!

Kerry

Week #1 Coming! Look Out!

Stopping to smell the flowers, it's a tough job. Really....

Views to be enjoyed...

Streams to swim and fish...

During the past week or so, we've been out checking up on our upcoming projects for the season, soaking up the sun and seeing what spring has to offer. It's a tough job. Really it is....

The crew did the remainder of Virginia project checks including Mt. Rogers Rehab, Jenkins Shelter Trail Rehab, and the Bluff City Relocation. As you can see above, there are some pretty nice views to be had on the hike into the Mt. Rogers Rehab project. Equally as nice is the stream we'll be camped near during the Jenkins project. I can't wait to take a dip and try out the fishing on this remote stream!

At this very moment, the crew is completing the southern project checks with a stop in GA yesterday and onwards to North Carolina and Tennessee for the remainder of the week.

Can you believe Week#1 starts next week?! I can't, but we're ready to see base camp buzzing with Volunteers again.

Can't wait to see folks next Wednesday!

Until then,

Kerry

Still Doing Stuff.....and Things!

Pothole atop Spy Rock.

Trail Rehab Work/Training.

The 2009 Konnarock Crew atop Spy Rock.

Another couple of weeks till the start of our 2009 season and we're busy getting things ready! Including ourselves - training, project checks and getting out of our "winter coats."

To date, we've been out on a number of our 2009 projects and the schedule is looking good. So far we've been out on the New River Relocation, Main Top Relocation, Hanging Rock Rehabilitation and the Humpback Rehabilitation. Each project will be very different from one another. Do you like to build rock crib walls? Then Hanging Rock is for you. Not to mention the great views just up from the worksite. How about rock steps? Then maybe Humpback is for you (not to mention the luxurious Sherando Lake!). You can also get your fill of new trail construction on the New River and Main Top relocations with the Main Top project getting you access to Spy Rock (see photos above).

We'll be out on our southern project checks in a week and we'll report back. In the meantime, imagine sleeping under the stars in this....

Cheers,

Kerry

We're Doing Stuff...

The only proof someone is at basecamp so far....

Staff started work on prepping for our 2009 season last Thursday.

The staff will be out and about completing all types of training and project checks to help make our upcoming season a sure fire hit!

More to come,

Kerry