Benton MacKaye Trail Assn.

Benton MacKaye
Trail Assn.

Annual Meeting

"...leaving a footpath for generations to follow."

The Meet

Mid-autumn brings us the Annual Meeting, a time to gather for fellowship, reflect on the events of the past year, celebrate the victories, share a little hiking and a meal, and participate in setting the BMTA's future direction.

When and Where

This year we'll get together on the first weekend in November, 3 - 5, at Ocoee Riverside Lodge (red target in map at right) in Ocoee, Tennessee. (This is about 16 miles west of the BMT's crossing of US Hwy 64 near the Whitewater Center, and 17 miles from the BMT at the Hiwassee River bridge in Reliance, TN.)
The surrounding area is very scenic and opportunities abound for both hiking and auto touring. There's also horseback riding about 5 minutes away. Sorry, whitewater enthusiasts, the last water release was September 23. (But you can still visit the WhiteWater Center.) Fall colors should be bright.

Accommodations

On-site lodging is available for $18/night with a 1-night stay and $17/night with a 2-night stay. The Lodge is a new facility and the gender-separate, bunk-style accommodations are reported to be quite nice. Please call Linda Davis at 423-476-3894 by October 27 to make your reservations for lodging.
(Other accommodations are also available in the area.)

Meals

Breakfast will be available ($5) on Saturday morning.
For dinner, folks may order off the menu at the Riverside Restaurant. (This is a departure from past meetings, which have been catered.)
Please call Linda Davis at 423-476-3894 if you plan to dine there. (So we can get a rough idea of how many to expect.)
Outings will conclude in time for folks to shower, make the short drive over to the restaurant and be seated for dinner by 4:30 - 5:00 PM.
(Other restaurants are available nearby.)

Hikes

Hikes are being scheduled for Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday. There should be a variety for hikers to choose from: long/short, civilized/bushwhack, big waterfalls/little waterfalls, no-water/riverwalk, big elevation gain/flat, etc.
Hikers' choice!

The Big Meeting

Will convene Saturday evening, November 4, at 7:00 PM at Ocoee Riverside Lodge.
First we'll take care of business (though not too seriously): corporate announcements, awards, report highlights, and the vote on next term's officers.
Then the two-part program will feature Bill Clabough from the Foothills Land Conservancy, followed by Josh Leventhal, a freelance nature photographer and owner of Mountain Man Productions, who will present a slideshow of his work from the southern Appalachians.
There is no cost to attend the Meeting, which is open to all.

How To Get There

The Lodge is located off US Hwy 64, east of Cleveland Tennessee and west of the Cherokee National Forest. For detailed instructions, see the directions page of the Lodge's website. See you there!

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