Taking the first step

Welcome to Get Out, The Anniston Star's latest blog, where we'll give you all the news we can carry on the things people like to do outside in our corner of the world. Northeast Alabama is endowed with a wealth of treasures natural and man-made that make it easy to enjoy life in the great outdoors. From the switchback bends of the Tallapoosa River and the teeming waters of Weiss Lake to the tree-shaded paths of the Chief Ladiga and Pinhoti trails, there's enough out there to make wonder why you'd ever want a roof over your head.

We hope too that you'll share your experiences and knowledge of those treasures. Got a great camping spot you don't mind everybody else trying out? Seen a blowdown that needs fixing somewhere on the Pinhoti? Please comment early and often on anything that catches your attention.

I'll start off pointing out some attention one of those treasures got from a national news outlet this morning. NPR carried a piece from WBHM's Steve Chiotakis on the Pinhoti Trail's recently completed connection to the Appalachian Trail. There's both a text story to read, and a link to hear the audio as it aired this morning. I should also point you to The Star's own effort to introduce readers to the trail: our six-week Pinhoti Project last year profiled the 100-plus-mile path, with readers, reporters and editors chronicling their hikes.

What do you think of all the extra attention the Pinhoti's getting latley? Click below to comment.