Weather does not look too good for this Friday. Let's plan a close in job just in case we can get out. Weather permitting meet at the Pisgah Ranger Station at 8 and we will work Cat Gap Trail. Reports of some blow downs there, and it always seems to need some tread work near the top.

Should there be a foot of snow on the ground, and winds of 30mph or more, I likely will not be out.

Anyone interested in joining the trail crews contact: Hendersonville area-Bill Newton, 828-693-4033, Brevard area-Dick Johnson, 828-884-3685, Asheville area-Skip Shelton, 828-891-3264 or Piet Bodenhorst, 828-298-8371

Eno River State Park in Durham, NC will start construction of the MST / Laurel Bluff Trail extension from Cole Mill Road to Guess Road this winter. The state park has set the dates of December 16, January 9, and February 5 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM as workdates to clean the brush out and make the flag line more visible for this trail section. You are welcome to attend these workdays; for more information please contact Dave Cook at 919-383-1686. After February weekend trips will be held on a regular basis.

December 20, 2003 - The Central Blue Ridge Task Force will host a workday on the Woods Mt. Trail/MST near Marion. Meet at the K-mart in Morganton at 8:30 AM sharp. All tools are provided. Camping is available on the Woods Mt. Trail as well. You MUST RSVP to Bob Benner at (828) 437-6635.

It is time for all Section Maintainers to do their fall walk All waterbars need to be cleaned and reshaped, if necessary, to make sure all the winter rains will do minimum damage to the trail. Trail Maintenance Guide
Thank you.

We currently have several sections on the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) that would love to have a caring individual who can adopt a section of their very own. As a trail maintainer, you would be the MST's most important advocate and protector. In this role, you would become familiar with trail maintenance techniques so that you understand the big picture as you perform the simple, recurring maintenance and repairs necessary to keep the trail in good repair. One your most important duties would be the "eyes" and "ears" of your section. The section supervisors are responsible for all of the "heavy duty" work and should be contacted to perform trail work you would not feel comfortable doing.

This Friday we are taking off to recover from all the turkey and such. Have a great Thanksgiving. I'll try to work out something to reduce our waistlines for Dec 5. Bill

Folks, Because of all the hard work the Friday Crew has done all year, I am going to give you a Holiday. We will not work the Friday after Thanksgiving (11/28/03). I'll even make it a paid Holiday by giving you 100% of your normal pay for working on the trails. Seriously, I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and enjoys the days with their families and friends. See you on Friday December 5th. Skip

Have a great day, remember that every calorie you take in will come out next week on friday. A THANKSGIVING POEM . . . Author unknown 'TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING, I JUST COULDN'T SLEEP, I TRIED COUNTING BACKWARDS, I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP. THE LEFTOVERS BECKONED -- THE DARK MEAT AND WHITE, BUT I FOUGHT THE TEMPTATION WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT. TOSSING AND TURNING WITH GREAT ANTICIPATION, THE THOUGHT OF A SNACK BECAME INFATUATION. SO, I RACED TO THE KITCHEN, FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR, AND GAZED AT THE FRIDGE, FULL OF GOODIES GALORE. I GOBBLED UP TURKEY AND BUTTERED POTATOES, PICKLES AND CARROTS, BEANS AND TOMATOES. I FELT MYSELF SWELLING SO PLUMP AND SO ROUND, 'TIL ALL OF A SUDDEN, I ROSE OFF THE GROUND. I CRASHED THROUGH THE CEILING, FLOATED INTO THE SKY, WITH A MOUTHFUL OF PUDDING AND A HANDFUL OF PIE. BUT, I MANAGED TO YELL AS I SOARED PAST THE TREES . . . HAPPY EATING TO ALL -- PASS THE CRANBERRIES, PLEASE. MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY, MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP, MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP. MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS, MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE, MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS. MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING BE BLESSED!! Have a SAFE and HAPPY THANKSGIVING. Piet