 Article above scanned from Bruce Ohlson's 3rd Scrapbook Album.  Article above provided by Charles "Chazz" Salkin Cape Henlopen Coordinator
 HikaNationThe Progression of HikaNationStories & Journals
|
|
From: Charles "Chazz" Salkin Sent: Mon, Oct 8, 2018 2:33 pm Subject: Re: Dedication of Pinelands Trail and HikaNation ceremony Hello, Friends -- This e-mail brings back lots of fond memories. You've hit the jackpot with me -- I was the coordinator for the Cape Henlopen Division of both the HikaNation event and the Pinelands Trail dedication. It was the week after Memorial Day in 1981. (May 27, 1981) Delaware State Parks' involvement began earlier that year when I got a random call from Pat and Kay Boyle, active members of the new Mason-Dixon Trail Club and the Wilmington Trail Club. They had the assignment of determining the route through Delaware and identifying places for the hikers to camp -- on their way from the Bay Bridge to Assateague. They were looking for good maps of the state to plot the route on and thought that someone in Parks might help; they were referred to me. I knew about HikaNation and was happy to help. When Pat asked me if I could send them the maps, I jokingly said that I would if they would move the terminus of the hike to Cape Henlopen instead of Assateague. They took me seriously and said that was fine by them if it was okay with the hike coordinators (I think the MD guy was Ted Sanderson). They got back to me a few days later and said that the change to the Cape was approved, especially after I pointed out that it would be a few miles shorter and that the hikers would be ready for the whole thing to be over. I recommended a route and drove it with the Boyles. We planned for the hikers to enter the state around Hickman and stop overnight at Redden State Forest on the way to the Cape. They may have camped at a Delaware farm the night before. The Boyles and the Maryland coordinating group planned all of those logistics. Once the hikers reached the park, we arranged campsites and other support. Coincidental with all of this, we had just learned about the new National Recreational Trail program of the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service (HCRS) in the Department of the Interior. This wonderful organization was eliminated by President Reagan in 1981 and merged with the National Park Service. We had planned to nominate the Pinelands Trail anyway so put it on a fast track to be ready for the May event; the first NRT in Delaware and one of the first in the country. Bill Hopkins, Manager of Tech Services, was a close friend of the Regional HCRS Director, Bob McIntosh. He invited him to Lewes to participate in the festivities. Ever the true Scotsman, Bob suggested that the hikers have a bagpipe escort as they approached the Atlantic Ocean. Somehow, Bill found a piper or two and Bob promised to attend wearing his kilt and regalia. In spite of some rather complex logistics and a lot of media attention, everything went off without a hitch. The hikers were so accommodating of our agenda and were delighted to extend their hike an extra mile or so to walk to the ocean by way of the new Pinelands National Recreation Trail & map. I know I met and shook hands with all of the cross-country participants so I'm sure that I would have met Marce Guerrein. I best remember the couple that did the whole trip with their toddler. Jack Goins was the Park Superintendent at the time and Ginny Baker was our Director. There is definitely a direct connection between HikaNation and the American Discovery Trail. When Susan Moerschel and I first became aware of the ADT proposal, we didn't have to do any serious lobbying to become the eastern terminus. HikaNation was definitely was the precursor to ADT and Cape Henlopen became part of the plan early on. As I mentioned, there definitely was national and local media coverage. I remember TV crews. It may have been written up in Outdoor Delaware (or its predecessor, the Delaware Conservationist). HCRS had their media people there. I remember that Reed Jones on my staff took lots of photos as did others so there should be slides and prints in the Division files. I'd be happy to follow up if anyone has questions. (Contact HikaNation via email for Chazz's contact information.) Thanks for the trip down memory trail. Chazz P.S. As I was about to hit the send button, I thought to search on Newspapers.com. Here are the two local articles that I found -- (those articles are already on the website here in the Delaware section of The Progression of HikaNation). ------------------- NOTE: The above source material (dated October 8, 2018) was received from Paula Guerrein-Klice May 20, 2021, with this brief introduction: Hello to all from Paula. Back when I was working on the HikaNation exhibit for the AT Museum, I connected with the Cape Henlopen crew working there. I was there visiting my sister in DE. "Chazz" was a new ranger for the HikaNation Pinelands Trail "dedication and welcome". His name is Charles Salkin , aka "Chazz". He said the office may have an archive files with the photos and said he's happy to talk with anyone about the experience. History needs to be recorded, how the trail came to be is important.....Paula |
|
search engine keywords: |