Washington's links to area marked with hike
BRADY TWP — History and outdoor enthusiasts alike joined at Jennings Environmental Education Center on Saturday for a hike commemorating a piece of George Washington-related local lore.
Visitors learned of Washington's near death experience while traveling through the area in 1753, back when the future president was a loyal British citizen.
The various hikes at the event ranged in length, but all had a tasty end in common: slices of cherry pie. Saturday was Washington's 288th birthday, so hikers munched his favorite treat to celebrate.
Dave Adams, leader of the Butler County North Country Trail Association, said the event has roots from two desires: his group's interest in getting people outside during the winter months, and local enthusiasm for the county's piece of Washington history.
By marrying the two concepts, the group has maintained a usual participation of about 300 people in recent years. This year's event attracted a similar number.
“It doesn't matter if it's snowing, raining or whatever,” Adams said. “People show up for this.”
Rodney Gasch, president of Historic Harmony and an active member of the Washington Trail's 1753 group, said the current Cherry Pie Hike is a combination of older events that joined forces a few years back. Gasch stressed the importance of keeping Washington's Butler County story alive.“It gives you an appreciation of what happened,” Gasch said. “It was Washington's first diplomatic mission and one of his first experience with Indians on the western front. This shaped the leader he would become.”Based on historic documents from the time, such as Washington's journal, historians believe Washington hiked his way through Butler County in 1753 while on a diplomatic mission for Great Britain. At the time, he was a loyal British citizen seeking to deliver a message of warning to an encampment of French troops.Along the way, journals state, Washington was nearly shot in the back by a Native American. The shot is replicated by historical re-enactors during some of the Cherry Pie Hike's various hikes. Various re-enactors from the group Black Watch 42nd Regiment of Foot participated in the event.The day included the historic hike guided by volunteers, a 45-minute nature hike guided by Jennings' staff and a 7-mile hike that leads participants along the North Country Trail.
