The "Out & About" Celebration and Hiking Stick Drawing

2020 "Out & About" winners with their hiking sticks

The traditional Turkey Trot Trek hike for 2020 was changed to an invitation-only hike for people who had completed at least one level of the "Out & About Challenge."  The event started with a drawing for souvenir hand-made hiking sticks. There were just enough sticks that everyone got one. 

Some of the sticks during the summer

The sticks were made over the summer by Trails Committee member Terry Gallagher.  The shorter sticks all came from the beaver dam at Boehm Pond and were covered with beaver gnaw marks. Beaver eat the bark, then jam the stick into their dam. The longer sticks varied in wood types but were mostly found along the trails in Shelton. 

There were a variety of strap styles, wood types, and finishes
Notice the beaver chew marks.

Terry Gallagher finishing up the hiking sticks

After adding a strap, the final touch was a tag explaining where the stick was found and what kind of wood it was. Some people at the drawing selected their stick because it was from a favorite stretch of trail. 

"Pear wood, Paugussett Trail, @ Independence Drive"

Finally the day of the drawing arrived. We decided to combine the drawing with an invitation-only Turkey Trot Trek. The traditional public hike was cancelled due to the unmanageable crowd we had at the most recent public hike (the Full Moon Hike), and because of the fall surge of the virus. 

Making a stick selection

Everyone was social distancing and wearing a mask at the Out & About event, and we had twenty people including the guides, so it worked out great. 

Retrieving the prize

After the drawing, the gang took a stroll up Turkey Trot Trail, using their new hiking sticks on the fresh leaves that covered the trail. 

Heading down the trail

The trail was pretty busy and everyone in the group kept their mask on. No one told them to, they just did. You can keep lots of space between you and other hikers if you are on a lesser-used trail and avoid peak times, but there are times when it's best to keep the mask on. 

The group kept their masks on during the hike

As always, the hike finished off with the view at the Silent Waters dam. The pond has grown quite a bit this year due to beavers.

Enjoying the view at Silent Waters

And right after the hike ended, it started raining. Timed that one just right!