We got lost on the way—twice—while attempting to reach the trailhead for St. Mary’s

River Gorge.  It was a rather inauspicious start to a great hike.  Other hikers scattered

in different directions, headed up Mine Mountain, Mt. McClung, December Ridge,

McClung/Whetstone Ridge, or off to Narnia.  About 70 people braved the iffy weather

on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, to go on Sunday Hikes at Nature Camp.  The sky decided to

rain on us occasionally, but finally gave up in the afternoon.  The fall foliage was incredible,

the colors very vibrant.  The water in St. Mary’s River was blue and clear and there were

rocks with Scolithus tube fossils everywhere!

Though some folks had to head off right after their hikes were over, most of us sat down

to dinner in the L.S., where, in addition to fresh turkey from Joel Salatin's Polyface Farm,

we dined on mashed potatoes and gravy, cucumber salad, carrots, lentils, croissants, and

apple cobbler with fresh whipped cream.  Many, many thanks to Paul Cabe and Leigh Ann

Beavers for their exceptional generosity in providing the food and preparing it along with

veteran cooks Chris Chamberlin and Jeff Pool.  Eight members of this year's staff helped

lead hikes and clean up afterward.