In This Issue: Prowling the Sproul on the Reeder Trail Get More "Mileage" from Your Tent Hiking on the Web - Two-Heel Drive Announcements - Hiking Organizations & Outing Clubs Deal of the Month - Insect Repellents Prowling the Sproul on the Reeder Trail During the weekend of July 18th to July 20th, DCNR Bureau of Forestry, Keystone Trails Association and the Western Clinton Sportsmen's Club sponsored the 5th annual Prowl the Sproul Hiking Weekend. The weekend was dedicated to hiking and socializing, with a cheese and wine tasting party Friday evening along with a pancake breakfast and picnic supper on Saturday. Guided hikes of different lengths and difficulties were available from 2 miles to 15 miles with easy, family-friendly strolls and boot-buster climbs. The event took place on the grounds of the Western Clinton Sportsmen's Association. During the 5th annual Prowl the Sproul, Shari and I decided to join the Reeder Trail Loop hike. There were 6 of us in total on this hike. The terrain and trail were easy to hike, with gradual ascents and descents, as well as hiking through cool mountain hollows. Not to mention that the trailhead for this hike is located just across the road from Reeder’s Tavern; a great place to stop for a cold refreshment after the hike. [LINK TO TRIP REPORT AND PHOTOS] Get More "Mileage" from Your Tent Chances are when you purchased your new tent it didn't come with a ground cloth. The material used for the flooring of most tents is a little heavier and more rugged than the fabric used for the tent walls. But you'll get many more years of use from your tent if you use a ground cloth as well, protecting your tent from sticks and stones. Not only does a ground cover help extend the life of your tent, it also helps keep you dry, especially during all day soakers or very heavy downpours. You will need to make sure that the edges of the cloth are folded under your tent to prevent rain from being funneled under it. Even better yet, cut the ground cloth a few inches smaller than the tent floor to eliminate the need to fold. Your ground cloth will surely get damp as it will be between you and the ground. Just like your tent, you will need to make sure you dry your ground cloth thoroughly. If possible, dry it before you pack up and leave camp, and at the very least, make sure you dry it as soon as you get home. Hiking on the Web - Two-Heel Drive Tom Mangan blogs constantly, and I do mean constantly, posting multiple times a day, all about hiking and the great outdoors on his website "Two-Heel Drive". If you're interested in hiking information and other hiking website available on the web, stop by Two-Heel Drive and take a look around. You'll be surprised at all the information that Tom presents on his website. [VISIT THE TWO-HEEL DRIVE WEBSITE] Announcements - Hiking Organizations & Outing Clubs August 15-17 , 2008: KTA Trail Care on the Baker Trail Camp to be determined/announced at a later date. Contact Patty Brunner (724-325-3224) if you are interested in helping out. More information at www.kta-hike.org. Do you or your hiking organization or outing club have information that you'd like to share? Planning a trip, fund raiser, or future trail maintenance? Then let the "Go Take A Hike" e-Newsletter help. Submit your announcements to webmaster@pahikes.com. We will post all announcements here each month for everyone to see. [SUBMIT YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS TO THE WEBMASTER] Deal of the Month - Squishy Bowls by Guyot Designs Looking for an easy to use, simple to clean tableware on the trail? Then look no further then Squishy Bowls by Guyot Designs. These bowls make it easy to pack eating utensils for on the trail. Collapsible for easy packing, yet made to retain their shape, Squishy Bowls are perfect for hot and cold foods on-the-go. Typically retailing for over $16, you can now get an additional $1.50 off the already low price of $12.49 for the Deal of the Month. Pick up your Squishy Bowls for the unheard price of $10.99 at The Hiking Spot. To receive your $1.50 discount off Squishy Bowls at The Hiking Spot, simply use coupon code SQUISHY. You'll have the opportunity to enter your coupon code during the checkout process. This offer expires August 31st, 2008. Only one coupon/coupon code per order. Some coupons can only be used once. Other restrictions may apply. This exclusive Deal of the Month offer is only valid for "Go Take A Hike" e-Newsletter subscribers. [GET YOUR SQUISHY BOWLS AT THE HIKING SPOT]     www.pahikes.com www.thehikingspot.com The Hiking Spot 153 Long St. Spring Mills, PA 16875 (814) 414-0253 webmaster@pahikes.com Click on the link below to unsubscribe