PBHTA’s BACKYARD TOUR

By Naomi Manders

On Columbus Day six brave souls ventured out on the newly cleared Travilah Loop for a two hour ride through small parcels of green behind and between Potomac’s backyards. It was a perfect day and all went well for riders and their trusty steeds. The only mishap occurred at the ride’s start ----Fran Ligler’s trailer got hung up on a tree entering our parking field but our talented ground crew (Sheila O’Donnell and Rex Reed) extricated the rig and the ride began. Riders led by Naomi Manders and Tucker passed by many historic points of interest along the way.

A tasty spread under a shady tree awaited us on our return and neighbors joined us to share the success of the PBHTA project which used State Grant funds to repair the old trail. We are especially grateful to Lyle and Marlis Gramley for letting us park trailers in their field! Next year this project will apply a second grant to install signage similar to our County Parks trails standards. It is hoped that the formal opening of the Travilah Loop next year will draw community support to help preserve and maintain this treasure of a greenway trail through suburbia! Hikers are encouraged to join us as well.