PHC students pose at the famous overlook of the historic town and river.
Students from Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, VA organized a CFACT club hike of Harper’s Ferry National Park in West Virginia. The park is not just a site for beautiful nature scenes, but is also a historical town that provides the opportunity to see what the town looked like hundreds of years ago.
Hikers take a break to watch the expert handle the black rat-snake found in the brush near the trail.
The National Park Service explains the type of environment that hikers experience well: “From the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains that steeply rise above the historic district to the rushing waters of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers bordering the town, one is in awe of the surrounding beauty. Seventy percent of the park is covered with eastern deciduous forest with the predominant soil type here being a shaly silt loam. Quartzite, phyllite, and limestone are the predominant rock types, each playing a role in the formation of such popular sights as the Stone Steps and the water gap. Floodplain communities line the banks of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. Visitors have the opportunity to experience these plus many more beautiful and exciting natural features.”
PHC student Hailey takes the snake as everyone was watching. “It feels so weird!”
“It was an awesome break from studying to get out into nature and enjoy God’s creation,” said senior Abigail Olinski. “Hosting speakers and writing letters to the editor on property rights or free market energy are both important, but it’s just as important to actually experience the nature we’re talking about protecting.”
The collegians had the opportunity to walk through the historic town, then crossed the footbridge across the Potomac towards the footpaths into the woods. On their way to the famous overlook, students ran into a wildlife expert handling a black rat-snake, which they assured everyone was not poisonous. Some of our students jumped at the opportunity to handle it. Others were just fine with continuing the hike and enjoying the fall foliage.
CFACT collegians are always looking to do more than what most college student organizations do. They are testifying at hearings, making informative activism videos, and taking the time to enjoy the environment and nature that they value so much.
