Month: January 2015

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Appalachian Trail Angels Around Crozet?

I received this email a few weeks ago and thought it an interesting part of Crozet I’d never really thought about. I know we have remarkable access to hiking, and I know of AT through-hikers, but this email struck me.

“I am planning my AT-thru-hike for next year, probably starting in early May. … I will probably fly to Atanta first and then take an AMTRAK train to Charlottesville.

It seems pretty difficult to get from Charlottesville to Rockfish Gap, though. On the website of JAUNT I could see there is a regular shuttle between Charlottesville and Crozet, which would be helpful as it brings me closer to Rockfish Gap. Do you have any information how I could get form Crozet to Afton or even Roskfish Gap? Are there people in Crozet offering rides to that area?

I offered to give this person a ride, but was wondering … are there others in Crozet who offer this sort of assistance? Is there a site for connecting AT Angels to hikers?

I just received the confirmation from JAUNT that the first bus that leaves Charlottesville in the morning should arrive in Crozet no later than 10 am. Since they can drop you off where ever you need to, I guess I could get directly to any meeting point in Crozet indicated by you.

I think this will be fun.

Update 14 January … I received this email:

“It is written in my calendar: on April 6, I was going to contact you anyway to ask about the ride, or better said, to inform you about my current situation. I may take on a new job. In this case I sadly would have to postpone the hike for two or three years. It is not decided yet.
I let you know.
Whatever will happen, it feels good to see the helpfulness of so many American people. Thanks!”

 

 

 

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Jobs in Crozet?

The RFP (Request for Proposals) for the next life of the old Crozet Library/Train Depot has gone out, (as noted here in November) and the discussion about “what jobs/businesses does Crozet needs” has been refreshed.

I submit Robert Gutowski’s comment on the RealCrozetVA Facebook page as a starting place, once you’ve read (okay, skimmed) these stories: What should become of the old Crozet Library and Result of the “what should become of the Crozet Library poll and What Businesses should come to Crozet.

Real jobs, not just retail and restaurants. Young people graduate from WAHS or UVA, where can they work in town? Some apartments within walking distance of the Square, with the median housing price in Crozet being above $275K, where can a young WAHS or UVA graduate live in town even if there were employers? A town needs all these things to maintain its own identity, otherwise it becomes a mere bedroom community for Charlottesville.

(big) Questions:

  • Where should the jobs go?
  • What could/should Albemarle County do to encourage jobs coming to Crozet?
  • How much input is reasonable for the public to have beyond typical zoning, etc?
  • How to accommodate/counter NIMBYism?