The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-02-07
CHIT THE LONG TRAIL"
Completion Of Mountain Path Will
Add TO States Attractions

Banner, a local section OF the Green
Mountain Club has been organized In
the village This section. like others
OF its kind, has a definite, specific
task to perform. 1t is to be hoped it
viii perform that task faithfully and
at once. The section solicits the aid
and cooperation OF all good citizens;
II VIII enter into controversy with
none. II IS Of no consequence 10 the
Green Mountain Club who does this
doing 1t, but II is vital TO its success
that a local section be formed TO as
sumo responsibility for the accom-
plishment OF this work with no other
side purposes to divert attention.
But. perhaps, 1t is not too much to
say that few realize the Importance
of the object and purpose OF this or
ganization. It's immediate work lis
confined to opening up q long trail
from the Canadian border on the
north to the Massachusetts state line
on the south. But what is the pdr-
pose Of this trail? Is il intended
merely as a highway for pleasure
seekers? Is its ultimate purpose on
ly TO make easier the ploddings OF
hunters, fishermen. lumbermen and
other woodsmen? Not at all This
trail has much larger object in
view from the standpoint OF the wei
fare OF Vermont. II is intended pri-
marily to make our citizens. and all
others who come here for business
or vocational purposes. more famil-
lar and bette. acquainted with the
natural beauties and enticing environ
ments OF the Green Mountains. This
being true, il follows that every man,
woman and child in the state who
has one drop of public-spirt in their
bodies should take an active inter
est in and offer assistance to the
Green Mountain Club The local sec
ton invites every man and woman.
and every child over II years of age,
in Bennington to become members.
1t is only necessary to consult one OF
the membe ship committee, consist
ing at present of Miss Jeanette
Perkins, VIM. H. Wills and Edmund
=. Howe, or ether members of tn
club; pay the annual dues OF one dol
lar and set enrolled
Now let us see what the opening
and popularlsing OF this great trail
viii dc for Vermont 1t cannot be
gainsald that Vermont. owing 10 its
physical conditions. can never hope
to be a great manufacturing state
like Massachusetts and Connecticut,
for instance, or a great agriculture
state, like Iowa, Nebraska OF Kansas.
But in her Green Mountains. main.
tanned in all their natural beauty and
purity, she possesses a treasure far
beyond anything to be found in any
OF the above state. Compe-
tent critics. who have travelled the
world over, tell us these mountains
possess charm and natural beau
ties equal to any throughout the
earth. Yet how many Of our own
people fully appreciate this fact .
You cannot possibly appreciate these
beauties by viewing them from afar.
You must get right up on
the lefty peaks and. travel the
SUBMITS to realize their extent. You
must get there summer and winter
you must feel the light. refined a..
moshere and sniff the breezes tinge ,
with the fragrance of the balsam.
spruce and hemlock, or view the sur.
roundings from commanding heights
to fully appreciate their true value.
And when you do these things a few
times you will grow so fond of the
old Green Mountains that you will be.
come desperately lonely without them
If you ever remove from the stat.
So the tendency OF these experiences
is to keep Nermonts sons and daugh.
te s az home.
The first question is, then. how
shall We make our mountain more in.
wiling and accessible to our people.
and more alluring to strangers who
Visit cur state? The average man.
woman or child is unable to endure
the hard, racking tramp incident to a
fair journey through on. uncut wilder.
ness. Many OF the best spots are now
wholly inaccessible TO all save the
hardest woodsmen. 4 tramp through
the great spruce swamps and tangled
underground without a definite knowl
edge Of ones bearings or the aid Of
competent guide will tax the
strength and fortitude of all but the
strongest and boldest. and is Ger.
tainly uninviting TO the average pc.
son. But what il a clean trail g.
made with many loops extending IN
every direction and many camp sites
at definite intervals? This win snrc-
~ open mp the very best beauty Spots
and encourage all 10 visit them.
The promoters Of the long trail
idea are confident Of results when
once this trail is opened and the pub
Tic begin TO resort 10 IT,. There il no
doubt OF its benefits. both from a
health standpoint and its profts 10
the people as a whole in a financial
way. Especially does the long trail
idea appeal 10 ladies and children.
With its full development there will
be Few dangers Of getting lost OF suf-