GPS Training Courses Offered in April
I will be offering two GPS Basic Training Courses in April 2008. The first course is on Saturday, April 12 from 10AM - 5PM. The second course is on Saturday, April 19 from 9AM - 4PM. Each training course is limited to no more than six participants.
The Global Positioning System, or GPS is wonderful technology for people who love the outdoors. If you're like me, I'm a bit leery of using only a compass to find my way back to the car after wandering in the woods all day in a strange area. With a GPS unit, you simply mark the location (or "waypoint") where you are starting your hike, mountain bike ride, etc. Later on, when you want to return, you use the unit to navigate back to that point. During your trip, you can also take waypoints at locations that you want to remember in the future, such as a hollow with a lot of turkey sign or a trail intersection. GPS is not a "gimmick" - it is advanced technology that has revolutionized the way that we can find our way in the outdoors.
During the course, participants will learn the following:
1. The basics of how GPS works
2. The main functions of the GPS unit and how to move between screens
3. Marking a "waypoint" on and off-site
4. Navigating to several "waypoints"
5. Creating a route*
6. Introduction to mapping techniques*
*depending on available time
Each participant will be provided a Garmin Etrex Summit HC GPS unit and a folder with practical exercises for their use during the course and returned at the end of the course.
Cold drinks and lunch will be provided during the day.
The cost of the course is $75.00 per person, plus 6% West Virginia sales tax, or a total of $79.50. Participants wishing to purchase a GPS unit may do so on their own or I will be happy to buy the unit and set it up for a nominal fee. Please write or give me a call if you wish to sign up or if you have any questions or need additional information.
2007 - Our First Full Year
Looking back on the past year, I can't help but be grateful for the many blessings that God bestowed on us. Spring and summer were taken up with clients enjoying turkey hunting, participating in sporting clays clinics held by expert John Alexander, church outings, camping by the North River, fishing for trout in the pond below the cabin and hiking on the Retreat grounds. It was gratifying in particular to see so many young people come out and have a good time.
Summer led quickly into fall. By preparing during the summer months, we were ready when hunting season began. In October and November, articles in the Valley Scope and the Winchester Star put us "on the map." It was great to receive calls and e-mails from a large number of people who were not only interested in the Retreat, but also very complimentary of the way in which the business is being run. It goes without saying that one of our greatest joys this past year has been developing new frienships with people that we never would have met otherwise.
The deer population was high in 2007, and so was the acorn crop, resulting in an excellent season. In October and early November, five expert bow hunters killed seven deer during a 10-day period. During the rifle season, a total of 19 deer were taken. All clients saw deer every day, and most killed at least one deer. As always, I continued to encourage hunters who had killed deer in the past to leave the small bucks for the future.
In addition to her other year-round support, my wife Arlene prepared wonderful meals for our hungry hunters. Many clients said that they enjoyed the eating as much as the hunting! That definitely would not have been the case had I done the cooking!
Of course, deer hunting wasn't the only activity going on. Sporting clays shooting continued into the fall as a result of increased interest. Quail hunters also had a good year. Our two English setters (Molly and Leila) now "rule the roost" at home and are available for clients who enjoy quail hunting but don't have dogs. We are a licensed shooting preserve, which allows us to extend the quail season which starts in early fall. A few hours before each hunt, quail are released from holding areas at strategic locations on the property. The hunting takes place in as natural a setting as possible and the action is almost non-stop throughout what is normally a 3-hour hunt. As everyone knows, wild coveys of quail no longer exist to any extent in the Virginias. If you hunted quail many years ago and long to see dogs on point again, I'd like to encourage you to give this a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
What About 2008?
Besides the GPS courses, we hope to have John Alexander out again for sporting clays clinics. We will also be adding a couple new traps (clay pigeon throwers) that will challenge shooters even more than than last year.
Trout fishing in the pond below the cabin will be available in the spring and again in the fall. You may also want to check out the new campsite near the North River.
As for deer hunting, we'll be erecting 10 new ladder-type tree stands before the season starts. These new Rivers Edge stands are probably the safest and most comfortable stands in the woods.
Our base prices will not go up in 2008. However, please remember that a 6% West Virginia sales tax is added to each bill. I will also be asking for a small voluntary donation to the Cacapon and Lost Rivers Land Trust to help protect lands like North River Retreat from development in the future. Again, this small charge is voluntary only and clients may "opt out" with no questions asked.
Arlene and I would like to wish you the very best in 2008, hoping that God's Peace will surround you in the coming year.
John Gavitt
Owner/Manager
North River Retreat