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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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