Riding The Deer Creek Valley
One hundred riders rode 12-miles across 15 Harford County farms
For
onlookers it was a dramatic sight. On a colorful autumn day, November
10, one hundred riders streamed across the fields of Indian Spring Farm
at the start of a 12-mile trail ride that would cross 15 Harford County
farms in the beautiful lower Deer Creek valley.
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photo:
Irene Kern
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This was the first annual Harford Land Trust-Manor Conservancy Trail
Ride. It gave the riders unparalleled access to a scenic but not
widely known countryside and raised money for the two organizations.
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It
was made possible by the landowners who opened their properties to the
riders for this special occasion. Since much of the area is protected
from development, it was an event that showed how land preservation
programs can benefit everybody in both tangible and intangible ways.
Most of land is protected by easements with the Maryland Agricultural
Land Preservation Foundation, under the Rural Legacy Program,
under the Maryland Historical Trust, under the Harford County
Farmland Preservation Program or under the Maryland Environmental
Trust.
Much credit goes to HLT president Peter Jay for conceiving and organizing
the route and the ride.
The riders had accepted invitations to contribute $50 each for this opportunity
equally between the Trust and the Conservancy.
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As participants
arrived, over 48 trailers lined up in the pasture on Indian Spring
Farm on Route 136 (Priestford Road) about five miles north of
Churchville. Riders signed in, picked up box lunches and departed
at noon along tow different routes. All ages were in the long
line of riders.
The full 12-mile
ride was planned for completion in three hours by horses trotting
along a substantial part of the trail. A walk-only route was also
offered, separately guided and covering much but not all of the
full route.
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photo:
HLT
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Next year The Manor Conservancy will organize the ride in the upper Deer
Creek Valley or My Lady's Manor Historic District.
Thanks for the participating property owners without we could not have done
it:
1. Indian Spring Farm
2. Priestford Farm
3. Brook's End Farm
4. Cedar Hill Farm
5. Woodlawn Farm
6. Lansdowne Estate
7. Deerfield Farm
8. Breezy Meadows Farm
9. Wilson Mill Farm
10. Property of Carolyn Foulkes and Rosemary White
11. Alvin Lehnerd Family's Farm
12. Vignon Manor Farm
13. Bonita Farm
14. Blakely Farm
15. Windmill Hill Farm
16. Waffle Hill Farm
17. Cool Branch Farm
Thanks also to the
many volunteers and to Josh Taylor of Midatlantic Ltd. of Kennett Square,
to Chris Scarlato of Industrial Excavating Inc., Ken Beyer of The Crazy
Swede Restaurant and Guest Suites, Jim Dickman of Lewis Advertising
and Jerry Scarborough's Hall's Septic Service for their contributions.
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