The American Violet Society

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The American Violet Society Presents
The Spring 2003 Eastern USA, AVS Field Event
"Violet Wanderers" On The Dunbar Mountain
With Gary W. Sherwin, our Webmaster
Saturday, April 26, 2003
$20.00 Registration Fee
Includes Woodland Luncheon and Field Materials


Featuring:  Road, Trail, Wetland and Woodland Tours
And Several Unique Surprises

     
The AVS In The Dunbar Hills

 

     

   The 2001 AVS field event, "Uncovering Violet Treasures In The Dunbar Hills" was an event to be remembered, as everyone who attended will fully affirm.  During that meeting, a group that included both novices and violet and wildflower experts from across the country, explored Dunbar's Valley Floor, and the Mid-Altitude Irishtown Hollow.  Many of us encountered species that we had never seen before.  All of us learned a great deal about violets and the natural world.  In 2003, we will explore Dunbar's Mountain Top, Springs and Swamps.  As per the last event, we will have the opportunity to see a number of violet and other wildflower species in bloom.  We are also likely to encounter a few planned and unplanned surprises along the way.

     
Viola Primulifolia

 

     

   With the 2001 event, the American Violet Society established a tradition of providing our society and members of the community at large, an opportunity to participate in outing of unparalleled natural beauty and diversity at a location that is easily accessible to violet enthusiast and wildflower fanciers  from across the northeastern United States.  The 2003, "Violet Wanderers" On The Dunbar Mountain. event will continue this tradition.

     
Viola macloskeyi

 

     

   The ridges of the "Dunbar Hills are the southern range limit of many northern species and the valleys are the northern range limit of many southern ones.  Consequently, there are few places in the eastern US with the diversity of species represented in the Plants_and_Fungi of the Dunbar Watershed.  Most of the species represented in our identification key were photographed in this area.  So, BRING YOUR CAMERA!  We are certain, your attendance at this event will be long and pleasantly remembered.

     
Searching A Rainy Meadow

 

     

   The surrounding Laurel Highlands area is full of history, and other world class attractions. The study site is just minutes from Fort Necessity National Battle Field, where George Washington honed his skills of leadership during the French and Indian Wars, Frank Loyd Wright's Falling Water and Kentuck Knob Houses,  The Youghogheny River's Ohiophyle whitewater adventures and Ferncliff Peninsula, The National Pike and more.  These ridges were also the birth place of our nation's "Age of Steel", providing wood, charcoal, coal, iron, limestone, water and clay to fuel the furnaces of industry.  Come and see what nature can do in just a few years to erase the remains of these gigantic human efforts..

   We will meet you at your hotel (Holiday Inn, Fairfield Inn, Hampton Inn; Uniontown or Stone House Inn, Bed & Breakfast; Farmington)  , early Saturday morning, then car pool to Pechin Shopping Village.  It will be too early to shop, but not too early to begin the morning with a hearty breakfast together at Pechin's Market Cafeteria. It isn't fancy, but you will not find lower breakfast, lunch or dinner prices anywhere in the country.  You will never forget this experience!

     
Stone House Inn

 

     

   Once we have fueled our bodies, we will pile back into our cars for a short four mile trip to PA State Game Lands # 51 and the beautiful Dunbar Valley, a 18,000 acre public preserve where every turn brings another microclimatic area into view.  As we travel up the valley, you will be enticed to get out of your car and start taking pictures of the numerous wildflowers, including many species of violets that you will see right along the road.  But, be patient, there is much to see and we will have the opportunity for a significant amount of  road-side observations on our "Betty Knocks Road Walking Tour". We will also follow Dunbar Creek's course upstream, where we will observe various violet species growing in the rock ledges, stream overhangs and woodland meadows.

     
Dining At The Stone House Inn

 

     

   Following our "spring romp", we will travel over the mountain to historic Stone House Inn, where we will share a dinner together, selecting from the varied menu, (separate checks) in one of the charming dining rooms and discussing what we have learned during the day.

   We encourage you to make a long weekend out of the trip and to visit some of the world class attractions in the local area.  Upon receipt of your $20.00 registration fee, you will be sent a tour package, with information of available lodging, dining, historical, architectural, and historical attractions.

   We recommend that you arrive in the area on or before Friday night and stay at least through Sunday morning, as we will be having a full day of violet associated activity.


For registration and additional information packet, please write: sherwin@sherwin.ws

For travel and tourist information on Fayette County, Pennsylvania  please visit:

See Fayette Forward
See Fay-West Online

We do look forward to seeing you there!

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