A Columbia Walking CITO: Sunrise Leap Day Edition
What's a better way to start off your Leap Day than performing an early morning CITO! This event is just a chance to take a walk with a few other cachers and pick up some litter while we're at it. It's being held at this early time for those who (like myself!) may need to put in some hours at their worksite later on in the day, or for anyone who simply wants to get their Leap Day caching started early. Those attending can also use it as one of the four needed "finds" to work towards earning their Leap Day 2024 Souvenior!
Although simple in concept, we held a few of these over the last two years in Columbia and surprisingly a decent amount of trash was picked up. For the location of this neighborhood clean-up/walk, we will be visiting the village of Hickory Ridge. With school back in swing and the windy weather we have had lately, this unfortunately means an increase in litter in the area, which could benefit from a CITO.
It is estimated that the CITO walking portion may take approximately 1 hour. Attendees can do as much of the route as they are able. Those who may need to get there late can find us along the marked route, or do their own clean-up. We will begin and end at the Hickory Ridge Village Center (posted coordinates), where the CO will distribute and collect the bags resulting from the clean-up.
CITO/Walk Route Details
We will meet up at 6:15AM at the posted coordinates, in the parking lot of the Hickory Ridge Village Center. We will plan to start the CITO walk by 6:30AM, just as the sun rises. As for the planned route, it will be an out-and-back walk along Cedar Lane. We will follow the road south along the sidewalk until we reach an area which the sidewalk widens and litter tends to accumulate. We will clean up this area, and turn around and walk back collecting anything we missed. We will then end back at the Village Center. While there is a sidewalk the entire way, cars will be active on the road, so attendees should be aware of this. Wearing bright colors may not be a bad idea! We will not be collecting trash in the Village Center parking lot, as there is a company hired to clean this area regularly.
A map is shown below, with the (poorly-drawn) red line representing the walking route. The total route is approximately 1 mile in length. The CO will provide trash bags, but attendees should bring their own water, gloves, and/or grabbers, if they would like to have any of them. Although the entire route will be on a sidewalk, it is suggested to wear bright clothing if you have some available.
Hope to see you there!