by John Stehle, Butler Outdoor Club
The Butler Chapter of the North Country Trail, along with the Jennings Environmental Center and the North Country Brewery, will be hosting the annual Cherry Pie Hike on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at the Jennings Environmental Education Center. Follow the footsteps of George Washington.
Jennings Environmental Education Center is centered near the Blazing Star Prairie, a geological relic from the last Ice Age. It is situated on Route 528 near the intersection with Route 8.
There will be three sessions, starting at 9:00, 11:00, and 1:00. Cherry Pie and coffee will be served, compliments of the North Country Brewing Co (www.northcountrybrewing.com).
Rod Gasch, of the George Washington Trail, and Dan Nehrer, a French & Indian War re-enactor, will present an interesting history of George Washington’s travels through the area. Dan Nehrer will be dressed in period costume similar to what Washington and his guide, Christopher Gist, might have been wearing in 1753.
After each talk, there will be an opportunity to take a short hike or a long hike. The long hike will be along the North Country Trail, which in this area is approximately the old Venango Trail which George Washington and Christopher Gist would have travelled.
The long hike of approximately 2 hours along the North Country Trail will be led by members of the North Country Trail Association and the Butler Outdoor Club. A ranger from Jennings will lead a short hike of about an hour on one of the Jennings many trails.
After the hike, many people like to head up to the North Country Brewing Co. at 141 S. Main Street, Slippery Rock PA for some food and drink. Mention that you are coming from the Cherry Pie Hike so you can be seated closer to your fellow hikers.
If you plan to attend please contact John Stehle via email (stehles@gmail.com) or phone (724-256-0674) so that enough pies will be available. Please indicate which program (9, 11, or 1) you would like to attend.