After the Trail is Gone?

In a catchy beginning to an article in the Erwin, TN Valley Beautiful Beacon ["Unicoi County's Community-Owned Weekly Newspaper"] of 7 December 2006, Alisa Brandenburg wonders whether "perhaps as patriotic Americans one day we’ll pay homage to the Appalachian Trail in the same way that we Remember the Alamo. “Remember the Appalachians,” we’ll tell each other gravely once they’ve disappeared."

She also suggests that "the Appalachian Trail could quickly turn into either a haven or highway for human, bio, or chemical terrorism."

I'm not personally so sure about that latter possibility. More likely, in my imagination, is that climate change, economic instability, and continuous encroachment on the Trail corridor will combine to some day make the AT a thing of the past. I'm thinking in distant science fiction terms here. I hope. And pray.

That said, Brandenburg then writes a strong and well-worded appeal to her readers to get out there and enjoy the Trail. Good article. Ask your local paper for permission to reprint it.