Starting The Appalachian Trail
Welcome to Summit's Virtual Hike blog! Here you will find out where we are and what we have learned. Each classroom has a different section of the trail to "hike". Every month we will be posting what we learned and the progress of our mileage goals. Keep checking our blog to see where we have been!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Don't Forget!
All of our Journals are archived so you can go back and see what we have done. Check out the archive links to the right!
Kindergarten Journal - September
Every student chose an animal (to research) that they might find on the AT. It has been interesting. While they have learned a lot, the parents have done a great job helping the children get and learn the info.
1st Grade Journal - September
We've gone 68 miles on the AT through NC. The kids have enjoyed learning about the different elevations on the NC portion of the AT thanks to a wonderful display Terry Beye made for us to use. We will soon be starting projects about the animals we've seen along the way!
2nd Grade Journal - September
Second Grade is enjoying their virtual tour thought the beautiful state of Tennessee. We have traveled 55 miles. We have seen rattlesnakes, gray squirrels, chipmunks, possums, deer, turkey, bear, and many other interesting critters.
3rd Grade Journal - September
The third grade has logged a total of 264.3 miles on the trail. Our goal is to walk through Virginia but we have challenged ourselves to walk from GA all the way to VA. Then we will start our trek through VA where we will explore the trail more closely and look at animals, plants, and climate.
5th Grade Journal - September
5th Grade Teacher Eric Sink's personal experience:
On Sunday September 3oth I had to opportunity to go for a run on the AT close to Hot Springs, NC. Hot Springs is one of those interesting towns along the AT that is used by many thru-hikers for a rest stop. The trail actually runs through the town and on the sidewalks there are AT symbols that show you where to travel through town to make it back into the wilderness. This town has neat little restaurants, hotels, and, of course, hot springs to soak those sore muscles.
Sunday afternoon I put on my running shoes and shorts, filled my water bottle with some sports drink, and headed out the door. I walked through town on the concrete trail, crossed the bridge the leads out of town towards Asheville, and turned left at the end of the bridge. The trail leads down a steep bank and then parallels upstream the French Broad River. As I ran, I felt the breeze on my face and watched the leaves flickering in the wind. The sun was shining just at the right angle to make the water shimmer with a golden color. It was picture perfect. Soon the AT took a sharp left-hand turn which left the river and begin to climb up and up to a rocky outcropping called Lover's Leap. The view on top was beautiful as I looked down over Hot Springs. As I stood and caught my breath you could hear a train rolling into Hot Springs. The sun was hot and it was time to keep moving along the trail. I headed down the other side of the mountain where it was shady and cool with a sense of thanksgiving for a trail that gives so much back to those that tread across its back.
On Sunday September 3oth I had to opportunity to go for a run on the AT close to Hot Springs, NC. Hot Springs is one of those interesting towns along the AT that is used by many thru-hikers for a rest stop. The trail actually runs through the town and on the sidewalks there are AT symbols that show you where to travel through town to make it back into the wilderness. This town has neat little restaurants, hotels, and, of course, hot springs to soak those sore muscles.
Sunday afternoon I put on my running shoes and shorts, filled my water bottle with some sports drink, and headed out the door. I walked through town on the concrete trail, crossed the bridge the leads out of town towards Asheville, and turned left at the end of the bridge. The trail leads down a steep bank and then parallels upstream the French Broad River. As I ran, I felt the breeze on my face and watched the leaves flickering in the wind. The sun was shining just at the right angle to make the water shimmer with a golden color. It was picture perfect. Soon the AT took a sharp left-hand turn which left the river and begin to climb up and up to a rocky outcropping called Lover's Leap. The view on top was beautiful as I looked down over Hot Springs. As I stood and caught my breath you could hear a train rolling into Hot Springs. The sun was hot and it was time to keep moving along the trail. I headed down the other side of the mountain where it was shady and cool with a sense of thanksgiving for a trail that gives so much back to those that tread across its back.
6th Grade Journal - September
The 6th grade has hiked 238 milies! They accrued many miles at Earthshine, with lots of outdoor hiking. Connecticut and New York are conquered!
7th Grade Journal - September
7th grade was designated to hike Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire. The have hiked through Massachusetts, which was 90 miles. Hayden Bates and Janelle Johnson did some research and brought someinteresting facts to share with the class and middle school atrium. Hayden explained that the trail through Massachusetts ran along ridges and traversed the valleys of Bershire County. The AT was designed to provide a continous green corridor along the ridge of the Appalchian chain ofmoutains and hills. The At travles over Mount Everett in the south, Mount Greylock( highest pint in the state 3491'), in the north and the Housatonic and Hossac Valley's small towns. Mrs. G got married on top of Mt. Greylock and Mr. G. went to Hoosac Valley Highschool - little trivia
After entering Massachusetts near Williamstown, the Trail winds through the Bershires before going on to cross the Hoosic and Housatonic Rivers. There are sveral summits and ledges that provide views and there is plenty of water along the trail.
Janelle found out through her research that you can find bog turtles, on the AT. They are endangered. They are 6-10 cm long. Their upper shell is dull brown with faint yellowish or reddish starbust shaped patterns centered in each scute. We will all see Fragile Rock-Brake, on the trail. It is a plant that has leaves like a fern. Its about 1-8' tall, and is brown toward the base and green towards the top. It is mostly found on rock and limestone.
After entering Massachusetts near Williamstown, the Trail winds through the Bershires before going on to cross the Hoosic and Housatonic Rivers. There are sveral summits and ledges that provide views and there is plenty of water along the trail.
Janelle found out through her research that you can find bog turtles, on the AT. They are endangered. They are 6-10 cm long. Their upper shell is dull brown with faint yellowish or reddish starbust shaped patterns centered in each scute. We will all see Fragile Rock-Brake, on the trail. It is a plant that has leaves like a fern. Its about 1-8' tall, and is brown toward the base and green towards the top. It is mostly found on rock and limestone.
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