No better way to appreciate the beauty of the New River and the gorge view than from the catwalk below the New River Gorge Bridge. That was an August afternoon adventure of some members of the Braxton/Clay Master Gardener group. Beth Atkins, Judy’s Garden Club member, Appalachian District, and a master gardener asked her tour guide brother, Rusty Ware, to arrange a trip for the group. Rusty is very knowledgeable about the construction and views and was able to answer questions from the group.
As the group walked the bridge, there were discussions about the trees, plants and vegetation visible from that height. Kayakers and rafters dotted the river as they floated along and negotiated the rapids. At one stopping spot, walkers were welcomed to sit on the walkway and dangle their feet over the river. What a photo op! Rusty was quite accommodating as he ventured out on the beams off the walkway to get a scenic photo of the walkers. The group photo has each walker proudly displaying their “I Did It!” sticker presented upon a successful return to the landing.
Experiences such as this strengthen the bond of the master gardeners and add a new dimension to their friendship. Six of the gardeners in the group are also members of Judy’s Garden Club in Braxton County. Becoming a master gardener is a worthwhile process with a lot of information to discover. Reach out to the WVU Extension Office or any Braxton/Clay master gardener for more information on joining.