January 8th, 2014 DATC Meeting

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The Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community Advisory Committee will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, January 8th at 6:30 PM in the Duncannon Christ Lutheran Church located at 115 Church Street. RSVP is not required but it’s greatly appreciated. Our agenda will focus on next year’s 2014 Duncannon A.T. Community Festival, the progress that our volunteers have made and further increasing meeting attendance among Duncannon residents.

THERE WILL BE FREE PIZZA AND SODA! Send in your RSVP to help us determine how much pizza we should buy. Special thanks to everyone who chipped in to help pay for this month’s pizza! In the past, the pizza was paid for by Trisha Sanders, Dennis Hurley, the DATC, Neal Brofee and Patrick Collins. Contact datc@duncannonatc.org if you or your group would like to contribute to the DATC Meeting Pizza Fund.

The church where we’re holding our meeting accepts any unwanted used clothes that are still in good shape. If you’ve been looking for a place to donate your old clothes that no longer fit after losing weight while hiking the trails, then this is a great opportunity to help the Duncannon community. All clothes are first offered to Duncannon residents and what is not claimed goes to Community Aid which is a reputable non profit organization.

Anyone who would like to be involved with the DATC, offer guidance or influence its policies is welcome to attend our meetings. You also might find a volunteer opportunity that suits you in any number of fields such as: planning our next 2014 DATC Festival, fundraising, supporting the Duncannon Outdoors Club, learning about Appalachian Trail maintenance and inspiring people to enjoy outdoor activities in the Duncannon area.
We look forward to seeing you there Sean.

All I Want for Christmas

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Paul and Vanessa at Hawk Rock

Christmas is a time for celebrating life. A time for family, friends, and loved ones to connect with one another. This celebration comes just once a calendar year. Celebrating with the people you care the most about can bring memories that will last a lifetime. Memories that you can relive every day that follows. They are the kind of memories that a grandfather tells to his grandchildren. The kind of experiences you write about in your journal, Christmas cards or even, in this day, your social media page. These memories are sometimes captured by a photo but more often than not an experience that escapes the camera and can only truly be remembered with a look into the eyes of the person you were with at the time. The eye contact you make with that special person can take you right back to the place you were in the story that you are reminiscing about. Sharing these experiences with others can be as gratifying as the time you have lived. These special moments can be found sitting around a fireplace or on the top of a mountain in the vast wilderness. Wherever you find your happiness be sure to share it with the ones in your life that mean the most to you and beyond.

Some of my most memorable moments have been found outdoors on a trail, on the water, or deep in the forest where you can feel like you are the only person to ever find this special place. These moments are sometimes experienced alone and may be a once in a lifetime occasion. It is still a story worthy of sharing but the times you have experienced with others are without a doubt the most celebrated ones. Continue reading →

Duncannon Outdoor Club January Hike

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On Jan. 18^th join the DOC and learn about the Great Horned Owl. Bushwhack the Takach property for signs of the great bird. Afterwards, try your hand at dissecting STERILIZED owl pellets at the Cornerstone Christian Church. It is an average paced 2 mile hike on moderate terrain. Bring water and a snack. Dress accordingly and wear orange. Meet at 9:00 am. at the Duncannon Family Health Center. This hike is limited to 16 hikers and the cost is 6 dollars to cover the cost of the pellets. Call 834-9216 or email dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register.

Seasons Greetings From the ATC

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The card came addressed to me but it belongs to each and every one of you who has volunteered your time and effort to help promote, protect and preserve Duncannon’s outdoor recreational resources for future generations.

At this joyous time of year, we are grateful for your support and commitment to the Appalachian Trail. We wish you the best this holiday season and all the happiness in the new year.

Warmest wishes for a wonderful holiday season. Many, many thanks for all you do for the A.T. Community of Duncannon and the A.T. You are so very much appreciated!

Signed by: Heather, Karen, Bob, Jon, Nicole, Marian, Kelly and Michele.

Thanks for everything and have a happy holiday.

Duncannon Outdoor Club November Hike to Flat Rock

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: Going Up

: Flat Rock Overlook

: Coming Down

The weather was beautiful for the Flat Rock Hike at Colonel Denning State Park. It was a tough climb but well worth it when we got to see the view. Unfortunately we did not see any Black Vultures since they had already migrated. We did see one Turkey Vulture in migration mode.
On the way back, Sean suggested we loop down the Tuscarora Trail to the Lehman Trail to the wheel where the trails intersect with the Flat Rock Trail down to the trail head. It proved a nice return trip. We also heard Santa’s sleigh bells in the woods which turned out to be a labrador with a bell for hunting season. The dog and its owner were both very friendly.

: Turkey Vulture

: Vulture Silhouettes

: Black Vulture

When at the top of Flat Rock we took a few minutes to discuss the differences between the Black Vulture and Turkey Vulture. The Turkey Vulture being about 30 inches in length, with wingspans up to 6 feet while the Black Vulture is approximately 24 inches in length, with a wingspan less than 5 feet. The Turkey Vulture has a long tail and the Black Vulture has a shorter tail. These differences allow the Turkey Vulture to soar the thermals better than the Black Vulture. A Turkey Vulture holds its wings in a “V” during flight, rarely flaps and wobbles while soaring. The Black Vulture will flap its wings more, does not wobble and Continue reading →

December 17th, 2013 DATC Meeting

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The Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community Advisory Committee will hold its next meeting Tuesday, December 17th at 6:30 PM in the Duncannon Christ Lutheran Church located at 115 Church Street. RSVP is not required but it’s greatly appreciated. Our agenda will focus on next year’s 2014 Duncannon A.T. Community Festival, the progress that our volunteers have made, Appalachian Audubon Society participation, local car dealer participation, Sportsman’s Club participation, potential shuttle service during the festival, the progress we’ve made in the past month and further increasing meeting attendance among Duncannon residents.

THERE WILL BE FREE PIZZA AND SODA! Send in your RSVP to help us determine how much pizza we should buy. Special thanks to Patrick Collins for paying for this month’s pizza! In the past, the pizza was paid for by Trisha Sanders, Dennis Hurley, the DATC and Neal Brofee. Contact datc@duncannonatc.org if you or your group would like to contribute to the DATC Meeting Pizza Fund.

Anyone who would like to be involved with the DATC, offer guidance or influence its policies is welcome to attend our meetings. You might find a volunteer opportunity that suits you in any number of fields such as: planning our next 2014 DATC Festival, fundraising, supporting the Duncannon Outdoors Club, learning about Appalachian Trail maintenance and inspiring people to enjoy outdoor activities in the Duncannon area.

DOC December Hike

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On Dec. 21st hike the Darlington Trail from Tower Road to Lambs Gap for an average paced 4 mile hike on moderate terrain. There is a gradual climb up the mountain. Search for and identify animal signs. Bring water and a snack. Dress accordingly and wear orange. Meet at 8:30 am at the Duncannon Family Health Center (51 Business Campus Way, Duncannon, PA 17020) or alternately at the Lambs Gap PA Gamelands parking lot at 9:15 am. Call 834-9216 or email dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register.

Lambs Gap PA Game Lands Parking Lot: (40.305052, -77.014270) From I-81 (either direction) Exit 61 onto Wertzville Road (Rte, 944 )west for 1.0 mile to light. Turn right onto Lambs Gap Road for 1.5 miles (Slow down after 1.4 miles to make a blind right turn into the parking lot easier). Warning: If you miss the turn do not stop or back up, because you risk getting rear ended by someone coming up the hill. From the parking lot we will shuttle to Tower Road.

November 19th, 2013 DATC Meeting

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The Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community Advisory Committee will hold its next meeting Tuesday, November 19th at 6:30 PM in the Duncannon Christ Lutheran Church located at 115 Church Street. The church can be found at the intersection of Plum and Church streets. We should park in the gravel lot along Plum Street and use the entrance on the left side of the church to get to the meeting room in the basement/undercroft.

THERE WILL BE FREE PIZZA AND SODA! RSVP is not required but it’s greatly appreciated and helps us determine how much pizza we should buy. Special thanks to Neal Brofee for paying for this month’s pizza! Contact datc@duncannonatc.org if you or your group would like to contribute to the DATC Meeting Pizza Fund.

Our agenda will focus on next year’s 2014 Duncannon A.T. Community Festival. We’ll discuss event sponsorship, fundraising, event promotion, vendor management, the progress we’ve made in the past months, and further increasing meeting attendance and volunteer participation.

Before our meeting on November 19^th, Dennis Hurley will be leading a 2-mile Hawk Rock hike in the dark with headlights. Anyone who wants to join him should meet at the gravel parking area across from Tubby’s Night Club on Inn Road at 5:00 PM sharp. Contact Dennis at dennisjhurley@comcast.net 717-385-6879 to only let him know if you are attending or have a question. Bring a flashlight, preferably a headlight.

Anyone who would like to be involved with this organization, offer guidance or influence its policies is welcome to attend. You might find a volunteer opportunity that suits you in any number of fields such as: planning our next 2014 DATC Festival, fundraising, supporting the Duncannon Outdoors Club, learning about Appalachian Trail maintenance and inspiring people to enjoy outdoor activities in the Duncannon area. Join the fun!