How Mark Sanford Can Settle Up With The Appalachian Trail

By now you’ve heard that Mark Sanford was re-elected this week to South Carolina’s First Congressional District after beating Elizabeth Colbert Busch 54 to 45 percent and winning all five counties in the State in a special election.

As you likely recall, then-Governor Sanford disappeared from office for six days in June 2009 to spend time, and arguably the State’s money, visiting a mistress in Argentina.  (His office claimed that he was hiking the Appalachian Trail.)

But what irks we Appalachian Trail folk is that his name is forever connected with the A.T.   And he’s likely never even hiked it.  

So here’s a few suggestions on how Mark Sanford can right this wrong:

1. Donate to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC)- $10K+

2.  Fight in Congress for more funding for the ATC

3.  Attend Trail Days, let hikers throw pies in his face ($3 each), and give the donations to the ATC

4.  Actually thru-hike the A.T. which will be amedia feeding frenzy (much like this election) and allow him to raise even more money for the ATC (or any long distance trail for that matter)

 

Anyway you look at it – Mark Sanford owes the ATC.  Time to deliver like you did at the polls, Mark Sanford!