On Saturday my wife and I hiked 17 miles on the Appalachian Trail, just South of Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. After a few consecutive weeks of running and mountain biking races, it was refreshing to spend a little time outdoors in a different spirit. Ideal 65-degree weather meant that others had hiking in mind, so we passed about a dozen people on the trail. What I appreciate about trail culture is that it blurs social lines. Even though the 12 people we passed didn't look like the folks that we hang out with on a Friday night, everyone of them stopped to share a friendly word. To be rude or indifferent, like we all are everyday on city streets, is seen as strange on the trail. We chatted with an elderly couple, two African American women, and a businessman, who took a week off to backpack an 80-mile stretch. The conversations were comfortable and preconceived notions seemed nonexistent.
It's probably the vastness and vulnerability, but something about being in the woods allows us to drop our competitive urges and inhibitions and just see each other as equals. It's a simple, unspoken phenomenon, but it certainly can restore faith in humanity.
-Jedd Ferris
Monday, April 30, 2007
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Finally, A Good Air Day
This past Monday, April 2, was probably the best day for air quality since the passage of the 1970 Clean Air Act. Two Supreme Court decisions handed down on Monday will have long-term, far-reaching effects on the air we breathe, and a third decision in a small mountain town reaffirmed that people working together are still more powerful than wealthy corporate polluters.
First, the Supreme Court ruled that greenhouse gas emissions—like carbon dioxide from automobiles and power plants—can and should be regulated. For the past seven years, the Bush Administration has tried to avoid controlling greenhouse gas emissions. The Supreme Court smackdown finally acknowledges the U.S. government’s responsibility to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. The decision ultimately will change the way cars are built, coal-fired power plants are operated, and energy is produced in the United States.
Hours later, the Supreme Court ruled on a South-specific case brought by Southern Environmental Law Center against Charlotte-based Duke Energy. The unanimous Supreme Court decision prevents Duke Energy from continuing to operate old coal-fired power plants without installing modern pollution controls. Duke Energy’s coal-burning plants—many of which were built 40 or more years ago, and each of which emits up to 10 times more pollution than a new plant—are the nation’s single largest source of air pollution. With our heavy reliance on coal-burning plants, the Southeast is paying a particularly heavy price in terms of health and environmental problems. More appeals and court battles will follow, but this precedent-setting Supreme Court decision has placed the South—and the entire nation—on a path to cleaner air.
A third clean air decision took place on Monday—not in the hallowed halls of the Supreme Court, but in the small mountain town of Woodfin, N.C. Another coal-burning energy giant, Progress Energy, had bullied a proposal to build an oil-burning power plant past the county board of commissioners, and all it needed was the rubber stamp of the tiny outskirts town of Woodfin. Courageously, the little town stood up to the big corporation and rejected the power plant. Citizens from all political and socioeconomic backgrounds came forward to oppose the plant, fiercely defending the health of their community. Even though the county commissioners had already acquiesced to Progress Energy’s big-money back-door deal, the seven-member Woodfin board listened to the concerns of the people and unanimously voted against the power plant. It was a rare and inspiring demonstration that democracy still works, and that a small Southern mountain town can make a big difference.
—Will Harlan
First, the Supreme Court ruled that greenhouse gas emissions—like carbon dioxide from automobiles and power plants—can and should be regulated. For the past seven years, the Bush Administration has tried to avoid controlling greenhouse gas emissions. The Supreme Court smackdown finally acknowledges the U.S. government’s responsibility to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. The decision ultimately will change the way cars are built, coal-fired power plants are operated, and energy is produced in the United States.
Hours later, the Supreme Court ruled on a South-specific case brought by Southern Environmental Law Center against Charlotte-based Duke Energy. The unanimous Supreme Court decision prevents Duke Energy from continuing to operate old coal-fired power plants without installing modern pollution controls. Duke Energy’s coal-burning plants—many of which were built 40 or more years ago, and each of which emits up to 10 times more pollution than a new plant—are the nation’s single largest source of air pollution. With our heavy reliance on coal-burning plants, the Southeast is paying a particularly heavy price in terms of health and environmental problems. More appeals and court battles will follow, but this precedent-setting Supreme Court decision has placed the South—and the entire nation—on a path to cleaner air.
A third clean air decision took place on Monday—not in the hallowed halls of the Supreme Court, but in the small mountain town of Woodfin, N.C. Another coal-burning energy giant, Progress Energy, had bullied a proposal to build an oil-burning power plant past the county board of commissioners, and all it needed was the rubber stamp of the tiny outskirts town of Woodfin. Courageously, the little town stood up to the big corporation and rejected the power plant. Citizens from all political and socioeconomic backgrounds came forward to oppose the plant, fiercely defending the health of their community. Even though the county commissioners had already acquiesced to Progress Energy’s big-money back-door deal, the seven-member Woodfin board listened to the concerns of the people and unanimously voted against the power plant. It was a rare and inspiring demonstration that democracy still works, and that a small Southern mountain town can make a big difference.
—Will Harlan
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Runners High
Last weekend was a big one for the Southeastern running scene. On Saturday I joined 25,000 people at the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K, a big party of a race that ran along the tree-lined streets of Richmond's Monument Avenue. Nothing gets you through 6.2 miles like the eye candy of the Mardi Gras style rager that took place on the sidelines. Who knew a massive foot race could inspire someone to down a fish bowl-size margarita at 9 in the morning? If you're looking to try a 10K, mark this race on your calendar for next year. It's perfect for newbies. The course is fast and flat, the spring weather is bound to be crisp and clear, and the live bands and cheering supporters (some of them a little tipsy) will keep you moving.
But Richmond wasn't the only city in the region that was running. Over in Charlottesville another 2,000 people tackled the town's venerable 10-Miler. Down in Charleston, S.C., 40,000 runners took a coastal cruise at the Cooper River Bridge Run. Then on Sunday up in D.C. another 18,000 ran the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler. And in Knoxville, Tenn., another 2,000 ran the town's marathon and half-marathon. Who says the South isn't active?
-J.F.
But Richmond wasn't the only city in the region that was running. Over in Charlottesville another 2,000 people tackled the town's venerable 10-Miler. Down in Charleston, S.C., 40,000 runners took a coastal cruise at the Cooper River Bridge Run. Then on Sunday up in D.C. another 18,000 ran the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler. And in Knoxville, Tenn., another 2,000 ran the town's marathon and half-marathon. Who says the South isn't active?
-J.F.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
My Favorite Uncle
Last week I caught the all-female string band collective Uncle Earl at the Gravity Lounge (a really cool little music room) in Charlottesville.
When the foursome started singing their pre-bluegrass, front-porch story songs, it made the atmosphere feel pastoral and simple. Their angelic harmonies had the crowd in awe; voices you don't often find in the burgeoning contemporary old-time movement. Each gal took a turn in the spotlight, offering sweetly authoritative, yet distinctly different rotating vocals that float gracefully over the musical mix of the old Celtic world of fiddle reels with post-modernly sheened original songwriting.
Before the show I reviewed their new CD, "Waterloo, Tennessee," for a local paper. The disc was produced by of all people former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones. I confess I had no idea JPJ had any interest in string bands, but he certainly touched this one up in all the right places, adding hints of folk rock and blues to the equation.
They'll be back in the region for Merlefest at the end of April. If you're into the new school, old-time thing, I recommend checking them out.
Happy Trails,
J.F.
When the foursome started singing their pre-bluegrass, front-porch story songs, it made the atmosphere feel pastoral and simple. Their angelic harmonies had the crowd in awe; voices you don't often find in the burgeoning contemporary old-time movement. Each gal took a turn in the spotlight, offering sweetly authoritative, yet distinctly different rotating vocals that float gracefully over the musical mix of the old Celtic world of fiddle reels with post-modernly sheened original songwriting.
Before the show I reviewed their new CD, "Waterloo, Tennessee," for a local paper. The disc was produced by of all people former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones. I confess I had no idea JPJ had any interest in string bands, but he certainly touched this one up in all the right places, adding hints of folk rock and blues to the equation.
They'll be back in the region for Merlefest at the end of April. If you're into the new school, old-time thing, I recommend checking them out.
Happy Trails,
J.F.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Calling All Gear Addicts...Here's Your New Crack
I hate to blatantly endorse any company, but Steep and Cheap (steepandcheap.com) is too great for me not to gush on it. In case you haven't heard, it's a relatively new website that posts one piece of outdoor gear at a time and sells its entire stock of the single item at a ridiculously reduced price until its gone. Within the past couple of weeks I've grabbed a Dakine ski bag for 20 bucks and pair of vegan La Sportiva shoes for just under 30. Right now I'm barely resisting some Spy shades that are on sale for 70 percent below retail. I refresh the site at least three dozen times a day, salivating in anticipation of the next deal. Sad, I know, but if you happen to have any gear whore tendencies like me, this site could save your wallet--and your marriage. My wife threatened separation after the fifth box arrived at the house last month. Luckily one of them contained two brand new Mountain Hardwear Wicked Ts in a female size small (at $11 a piece it was a no-brainer!) and suddenly all was right in my house again. I know there are more of you out there that can't resist a gear deal. Check it out, but be warned...it's addictive.
Happy Trails,
-J.F.
Happy Trails,
-J.F.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Bonnaroo Buzz
As I jump into this year's festival guide (coming out in the May issue of Blue Ridge Outdoors), I can't get away from one fest that has the music world buzzing. Tickets for the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival go on sale tomorrow. Despite a hefty price in the range of $200 (That's my car payment, dude!), they are expected to go fast for this annual blowout that brings 80,000 to a dusty, middle-of-nowhere farm in Central Tennessee. The line-up has its usual lot of heavyweights from jam nation (Widespread Panic and Bob Weir's Ratdog) and neo-indie rock gods (White Stripes and Franz Ferdinand), but the biggest story this year is the headlining slot being filled by The Police. That's right, uber millionaire and self-declared tantric sex master Sting has decided to step away from the vein of adult contemporary and make peace with his old mates for a lengthy summer tour with most stops in big-city arenas and stadiums. Apparently Bonnaroo can make anyone come to the Dirty South.
-J.F.
-J.F.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Clear Cut Need for Revision
This week the the U.S. Forest Service started its revision process for the 1.1-million acre George Washington National Forest in Western Virginia. Last revised in 1993, federal law requires the agency to update the plan at least every 15 years. The forest has long been a target for commercial logging, and according to a press release sent out by Virginia Forest Watch, the agency’s preliminary draft revision sites upcoming potential harvest at as much as 21 million board feet a year. That's five million more than what's been clear cut annually over the last five years.
“The numbers only tell part of the story,” says Sherman Bamford with VFW. “What matters in large part is where the logging is happening, and lately a lot has been happening in environmentally sensitive areas or in places that people care about.”
A coalition of conservation groups--including VFW, the Sierra Club, Southern Environmental Law Center, and The Wilderness Society--is speaking up for ecological restoration as the revision unfolds, hoping to take wild forest areas away from a path of logging (in many areas cutting old growth trees that are over 150 years old) and roadbuilding and toward management that is consistent with growing public support for water quality, recreation, and wilderness.
“The Forest Plan revision offers a rare opportunity for meaningful ecological restoration,” says David Hannah of Wild Virginia. “Occurring as it does in a very fragmented and changing landscape, the GW is one of the few places in the eastern United States where large areas of mature forest, and populations of native species they are home to, can be restored.”
If you agree and want to speak up for the George, public meetings start in March. Here is a schedule:
March 5 - Hot Springs Presbyterian Church - Hot Springs, VA
March 6 - Rockbridge High School - Lexington, VA
March 7 - National Gurad Armory - Woodstock, VA
March 8 - Alleghany County Governmental Complex - Covington, VA
March 10 - Rockingham County Government Office Building - Harrisonburg, VA
-J.F.
“The numbers only tell part of the story,” says Sherman Bamford with VFW. “What matters in large part is where the logging is happening, and lately a lot has been happening in environmentally sensitive areas or in places that people care about.”
A coalition of conservation groups--including VFW, the Sierra Club, Southern Environmental Law Center, and The Wilderness Society--is speaking up for ecological restoration as the revision unfolds, hoping to take wild forest areas away from a path of logging (in many areas cutting old growth trees that are over 150 years old) and roadbuilding and toward management that is consistent with growing public support for water quality, recreation, and wilderness.
“The Forest Plan revision offers a rare opportunity for meaningful ecological restoration,” says David Hannah of Wild Virginia. “Occurring as it does in a very fragmented and changing landscape, the GW is one of the few places in the eastern United States where large areas of mature forest, and populations of native species they are home to, can be restored.”
If you agree and want to speak up for the George, public meetings start in March. Here is a schedule:
March 5 - Hot Springs Presbyterian Church - Hot Springs, VA
March 6 - Rockbridge High School - Lexington, VA
March 7 - National Gurad Armory - Woodstock, VA
March 8 - Alleghany County Governmental Complex - Covington, VA
March 10 - Rockingham County Government Office Building - Harrisonburg, VA
-J.F.
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