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September 24, 2001 |
Hudson River Valley Ramble |
The 2nd Annual Hudson River Ramble took place this past weekend. As the Ramble brochure states, this is a "Celebration of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area" by offering a wide variety of guided walks, hikes, paddles, and peddles all up and down the Hudson Valley region, and adjacent areas such as the Shawangunks and Catskills. The Catskill Center participated last year and again this year by leading hikes to popular and scenic destinations in the eastern Catskills. Both the weather and turnout this year were fantastic, with 16 people participating in Aaron's hike to Giant Ledge, and a whopping 32 people met Chris at The Catskill Center's Platte Clove Preserve for a look at Plattekill Falls and a hike to Huckleberry Point.
The value of this type of event lies not only in exposing people to new places, but also in the opportunity to educate people about three things that the Catskills have plenty of - conservation, history, and, culture. As tourists continue to visit this area four seasons a year, we would like to encourage them to return. There may be a number of different ways to ensure that, but perhaps the easiest and most effective is personal communication and education. We often get calls at work asking questions related to camping and hiking. Instead of referring them to another group or agency, we try to take the time to answer questions and head them down the right path. We could easily refer them elsewhere, but they could very well end up talking to a machine. By making personal contact and understanding their situation and what they're looking for, we will make their visit much more pleasant.
With the ease of travel these days, people can choose any number of beautiful places other than the Catskills. But it is here where they can get one of the richest, deepest histories and understanding of a landscape and its people and culture. We have a tremendous amount to offer. Many of us prefer to enjoy our time outdoors in privacy or with only one or two close friends, however there occasions when the social interaction of a group event such as the Ramble give us an opportunity learn from others and to share our own knowledge and experiences. Most of the outings of hiking groups and organizations such as The Catskill Center are free to the public and are led by people that are interested in educating residents and visitors alike about the region they love, so much so that they give up their weekends to do it. Not all participants ask questions, but all start to listen as soon as someone who knows more than they do starts naming the mountains, describing a bluestone quarry, or telling a story.
The beauty and mystique of the Catskills has, and always will, speak for itself, but it is the local flavor and knowledge that leads to the deeper meaning underlying all of this magnificence.
- Chris and Aaron
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