Rails to Trails Conservancy Sojourn comes to Salem

The purpose of the Rails-to-Trails sojourns is to bring awareness to the existing gaps in the trails. The sojourn was to highlight the incomplete portion of the rail-trail from downtown Parkersburg to the actual trail and the incomplete section from Wolf Summit into Clarksburg.

“We do this to celebrate the open trails, but also to bring attention to the gaps and also the needs of some trails,” said Tom Sexton, director of the Rails-to-Trails Northeast regional office.

The West Virginia Sojourn kicked off Saturday night with a welcome party held by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

The ride began Sunday morning in Parkersburg to get onto the North Bend Rail Trail, and the 34-mile ride ended in North Bend State Park.

On Monday, some riders traveled from North Bend State Park to Salem, while others went to the end of the trail in Wolf Summit and back.

“This is the second sojourn in West Virginia. but the first one on the North Bend Trail,” Martin said.

The were 130 riders from 26 different states, including Oregon, Washington and California. The age range of those riders was from 7 to 77.

Karen Roberson from Chapin, South Carolina, said she enjoys the sojourn because she enjoys the nature and the wildlife. She said along the trail so far, she has seen deer, an otter and a beaver.

“I chose to do it because it’s a four day affair. It’s simple and totally promotes family,” she said.

Sasha Bauhs, 9, said this was her second sojourn.

“My favorite part has been going through all the tunnels,” she said.

Her brother, Adam, 11, said this is his sixth sojourn he has done. One of their favorite parts about riding is getting to try the ice cream in all the different places.

“I like getting to meet all the other riders, too,” he said.

One resounding comment from most riders: Meeting people from all over the country is a great asset to a sojourn. Steve Fala from Baltimore, Maryland, said this is his fifth sojourn, but his first one in West Virginia.

“You get to meet people from all over — from different walks of life,” he said.

There were other riders Fala had met on another sojourn, and they get to meet up to participate in other rides. Making friends and getting to see them in different places is a neat thing, he said.

“All the sojourns are fun and different. It’s definitely a learning experience,” Fala said. “It was a tough ride today, but a good challenge.”

Lee Moon, a retired park superintendent from Georgia, said he has been riding since he retired in 2009. He said it is nice to be able to see the other side of things from what he used to do for work.

“You get to see the country in places that are unique. If you think about it, the railroads are what expanded the country. This way we get to see the ‘backyard’ of America,” Moon said.

Sexton said that they started out with a sojourn in Pennsylvania and decided to make it into a series. Now there is a winter sojourn in Florida, a spring one in Pennsylvania, the summer one in West Virginia and then it’s on to Ohio for the fall. He commented that although the trail isn’t the best, it has a lot of potential.

“This trail hasn’t reached it’s complete potential. It still needs some improvements, but just think what could happen if it did. It would be such a great resource for people,” Sexton said.

One major aspect of the sojourn is keeping an account of the total economic impact that it has on the area. Sexton said that it can greatly benefit the different communities associated with the rail trails. When the trails are kept up and maintained, people are able to open bed and breakfasts, bike shops and restaurants that will always have a customer base because the trails are a part of the area, he said.

The ride will reverse on Tuesday, riding from Salem back to North Bend State Park. It will end on Wednesday when riders complete the ride from North Bend back to Parkersburg. For more information, visit www.railstotrails.org or wilderness-voyageurs.com