ODATC hikers: Since there is no Nov-Dec Walker here are the first notices for the WEEKDAY hikes in Nov & Dec.. Individual advance announcements of these hikes will continue to be sent by email 9 days ahead and 3 days ahead and are live on the web site.
Ted Activities Co-chair.
2016 Nov-Dec ODATC weekday hikes Draft 10-31-16
November 2 (Wednesday) Pocahontas State Park - Chesterfield (C/3)
Jeff Samuels (jefflsamuels@yahoo.com or 536-2671).
Hike 5.8 miles on five loops: Big Poplar (new), Forest Exploration, Beaver Lake/Ground Pine Path combination, and two small mixed-trail combination loops. A nice mix of nature and park history. Restrooms at beginning and at 2.5 miles. Option: Bring bagged lunch to eat at picnic area after hike. Park entrance is on Beach Road (Rt. 655) 4 miles west of Rt. 10 (Ironbridge Rd). Parking fee without park pass. Meet in the big parking lot near the pool/picnic area at 9:50 AM.
November 9 (Wednesday) Texas Beach – RVA (D/4)
Suzanne Hallberg (955-9510 and Jim Metz 615-1949). Meet at the Hampton Road entrance to Maymont which is on the eastern side and best access from the Fan is Meadow St. From Maymont we will walk to the Texas beach trailhead which is between Maymont and the Mount Calvary-Riverview-Hollywood Cemeteries. We will see pretty vistas of the James and the ruins of the old Foushee Mill. It could be muddy and there are some small rock scrambles. Meet at 9:50 AM.
November 16 (Wednesday) Rural Plains House - Hanover (D/4)
Jim Hunt (730-2364 or hikerjimhunt@hotmail.com). We will hike the Rural Plains House site where Patrick Henry got married. The hike is in a new national park with new trails added several years ago. From I-295 exit Pole Green Road East, go 1/2 mile, left turn into the Food Lion S.C. at 8319 Bell Creek Rd 23116 and meet in front of the Subway at 9:50 am.
November 23 (Wednesday) Classic Richmond Neighborhoods - RVA (D-4)
Ted McGarry (218-1238 or tedmcgarry@juno.com). One in a series of two-hour morning hikes by Richmond native and retired City Planner. Coordinator’s Choice: Monument Avenue/ Park Avenue. This has become a Wednesday-before-Thanksgiving Day tradition when the leaves are off the trees to better enjoy the beauty and architecture of Monument Ave. one of the top ten Avenues in America. Hike Monument Ave. from the Arthur Ashe Monument to Stuart Circle. Return on West Ave. and Park Ave. Meet at the Ashe Monument at Roseneath Ave. at 9:50 AM.
November 30 (Wednesday) Powhatan State Park - Powhatan (C/3) Jim Hunt (730-2364 or hikerjimhunt@hotmail.com). Join us on two new trails in Virginia’s newest state park, Powhatan State Park which is on the James River. From Goochland C.H. take US 522 South to Maidens, cross the River, travel 1.3 miles, and look for Powhatan Park sign, right turn on Rte. 617. Go 1.4 miles and turn right into the Park. Go 0.7 miles, right turn into picnic area. From Southside, take US 60 west from Midlothian to US 522 North to left turn at Rte. 617 etc. Bring water and lunch. Nominal parking fee without park pass. Meet at 9:50 am.
December 5 (Monday) Walking Williamsburg (B/4) Joanne Berdall (jberdall@hotmail.com) or Ellie Tuck (804-595-1561 home) What could be prettier than a hike in and around Colonial Williamsburg during the holiday season? Join Joanne and Ellie for a 9.5 mile hike through the campus of William and Mary, the commercial and civic areas of Williamsburg, and a hidden forest trail adjacent to a golf course. (Hiking shoes suggested.)
We will begin at 9:00 am and finish by 1:00 pm for lunch on your own in the Williamsburg area. Bring water and a snack. Restrooms are available at the beginning and midway points. Williamsburg offers many opportunities and you may want to arrange to carpool with friends to extend your day after the hike. NOTE: Williamsburg's Grand Illumination is the night before the hike. https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/plan/calendar/hol-grand-illumination/. This hike requires a sign-up. Please contact Ellie or Joanne.
December 7 (Wednesday Night) Christmas Lights – RVA (D/4)
Hank Harman’s annual Christmas hike led by Sue and Norm Kropp (276-0070 or freshair82@comcast.net). Four mile round trip hike along Franklin St. to the James Center in Downtown Richmond to see the Christmas lights, usually with a return stop for refreshments. Meet in the Lombardy Street parking lot behind St. John’s United Church of Christ located between Stuart Circle and Grace Street at 6:50 PM.
December 14 (Wednesday) Town of Blackstone and Bevell’s Hardware Lionel model train operating layout. (D/4)
Bill Weatherford (804-221-0369) will lead a 2+ hour hike in his boyhood home of Blackstone, a former tobacco and railroad town. The hike will begin in the municipal parking lot at Bevell’s hardware and will wind through the town, stopping downtown for lunch and then back to the hardware to view the model train exhibit. The train exhibit is 20’ X 58’, and some portions change from year to year. This is truly a highlight for this small town of 3,600 people. The exhibit is open from Thanksgiving to the first week in January, and last year 31,000 people went through the hardware store door during this time.
Bill will coordinate a carpool from the “Park and Ride” at the intersection of US 360 and Route 153, about 35 miles west of Richmond. This carpool will leave at 9:25 AM. If anyone wants to coordinate a carpool from the Richmond area, email Ted McGarry for posting on the web page. You should plan on leaving Blackstone around 2:30 PM if you plan on seeing everything available.
December 21 (Wednesday) Carytown to VCU - RVA (C/3)
Jack Martin (678-8083 ) Meet at Martin’s parking lot
in Carytown. Walk to VCU and back taking in the Christmas spirit on this first day of Winter. Meet at 9:50 AM
December 28 (Wednesday) Forest Hill Park to Belle Isle – RVA C/3
Alec Alexander (833-0361 or jrob505@verizon.net) Meet at the circle at the north end of 41st Street (Stone House). Beautiful 5 mile hike through the Park along mountain bike trails, and along the James River via the Buttermilk trail to Belle Isle and return. Enjoy the refurbished lake and park. Note: this hike is a bit more strenuous than 5 miles on flat ground. Port a potties at the start and at the river. Meet at 9:50 am.
